Meet Chanel Rhodes

We were lucky to catch up with Chanel Rhodes recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Chanel , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?

I owe my strong work ethic to my mother, who was raised by two hardworking parents. My grandparents, both from Texarkana, Arkansas, moved to Southern California and happened to meet each other there. Despite only having a 4th grade education, my grandfather, Virgil Lee Griffin, was industrious and went on to purchase 7 properties, including an 11-unit apartment. I have fond memories of spending time with my grandmother while my grandfather worked at the apartments. After his passing, my grandmother remained a strong and loving figure in our family, living independently well into her 80s. My mother, a single parent, raised me to live with passion. She cultivated my love for creating art and supported my passion for horses. I needed her validation, there was a lack of representation for someone like me in that interest. Like my grandfather, my mother is very handy and continues to take care of the apartments, often handling repairs herself. I watched her work hard and build things throughout my childhood, and it’s clear that I inherited my strong work ethic from this background.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I am a first-generation equestrian, business owner, resort barn manager, and most recently, a nonprofit owner. My dream is to open a ranch that brings together people from all walks of life to enjoy a unique agricultural experience. My love for horses, Disney, and creating art began when I was a little girl; I’m pretty sure my first word was “horse,” and my first favorite song was “Once Upon a Dream.” As a big dreamer, I’ve always been drawn to the Disney brand, often finding myself sketching Disney characters and horses during lunch.

I feel incredibly fortunate to own a one-of-a-kind business: I make wigs for horses. Yes, you read that right! In February 2019, during Black History Month, I embarked on an art project experimenting with different hairstyles. I thought, “What if I put a wig on my horse? What kind of response would I get?” Although my prototype failed on the day of the shoot, my encouraging husband suggested I install some loose pieces of hair and film it. The response on social media was overwhelming; I was featured in the LA Times, and I had the opportunity to be interviewed on the Young Black Equestrians podcast by Adriana Johnson and Caitlin Ann Gooch, who encouraged me to turn this idea into a business.

Realizing that my products could address specific needs in the horse show and entertainment world, I began to develop my brand. I was fortunate to be featured on NBC’s Access Daily, ABC’s To Tell the Truth, and even had a documentary made about me for 60 Second Docs. I officially launched my business in 2021.

My products are niche and serve unique purposes within the equestrian community. While the idea of adding hair extensions to horses is not new—it’s often seen in professional show rings—my pieces differ significantly from traditional options. They are made from synthetic hair instead of real horse hair, allowing me to offer reasonable prices, infinite color variations, and the ability to custom-match the hair pieces to each customer’s horse. The tail pieces I provide are lightweight, easy to install, and don’t require braiding or tying into the horse’s tail; they also work on docked tails, which sets them apart from traditional tail pieces.

Looking ahead, my goal is to have my products used in productions, shows and unique events worldwide. I also want to open a ranch in Orange County for my nonprofit. God placed this vision in my heart, and I want to share the equestrian lifestyle with others, just as it was shared with me. I created a slideshow for the V&H Griffin Ranch, outlining the layout of the land and what we will offer our visitors. This ranch will be a unique destination for people from all backgrounds to enjoy the equestrian and agricultural lifestyle, while also giving back to the community by addressing food insecurity.

With Orange County’s equestrian community decreasing, I aim to provide a welcoming destination for boarders who have had to relocate their horses farther away from home, and to serve as a sanctuary for rescue horses affected by yearly fires. Although I am in the early stages of this mission, I am determined to share horses with the world in a unique way, while loving and welcoming people and rescuing animals.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

In order to build what I was graced with, I had to pursue my passion. I had to believe that I was going to live my dream, no matter what the world projected. I believe that God put horses in my heart to love, and He also inspired me to dream creatively. I’ve loved horses for as long as I can remember. Creativity and imagination have been the key factors in my ability to create art. I’ve always been able to draw, learned how to style my hair, watched YouTube for sewing tutorials, and sought out horses at the age of 20.

One day, while watching *Racing Stripes* (I remember this day like it was yesterday), I felt hilariously inspired to seriously get into horses. I didn’t know where to start, so I checked Craigslist and received the best advice to kick off my journey. I was searching for free board, hoping to work at a facility in exchange for housing my horse. When I finally found someone, I called and bombarded him with questions. He cut me off to ask about my knowledge, and I expressed that I had little to none. He advised me to find a trainer and become a working student if I didn’t have money for lessons. After hanging up, I set out to find a trainer, starting in my hometown, Long Beach.

I accidentally stumbled upon an old stable by the 72nd Street arena. There, I met Cliff Salter, a western horse trainer who took me under his wing. My journey as a working student began, and I have been so blessed in to have participated in both Western and English competitions. I learned how to train and exercise quarter horses, thoroughbreds, and most recently, draft horses. Along the way, I became increasingly resourceful. I didn’t care about expensive clothes, shoes, or new electronics; I dedicated whatever I could to live this lifestyle.

My mother has also been a huge factor in my journey; she purchased my first horse and bought my truck and my most recent trailer. She wanted to ensure that my passion was supported. Love you, Mom! I am and will always be grateful.

I have always been an out-of-the-box thinker, which put me at a social disadvantage at a young age. I was a loner who was bullied until the 6th grade, and I knew I was different, especially with my attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder. However, this experience allowed me the time to hyper-focus on my art skills and grow tougher skin, so I am not mad at it. Life is full of failure, and it’s up to you to decide whether to fail forward toward success or backward by giving up. I choose to never give up on my passion and dreams, and I still follow the same principles.

I am determined to work on what the Lord put in my heart to do, which is to open a ranch for my nonprofit that will save people and animals, inside and out. You have to be willing to put in the time for development, no matter the obstacles or the naysayers. Be patient with yourself; give yourself grace. You will fail. Expect failure but use it to propel yourself forward—each failure is an opportunity to learn a lesson. The Bible is full of stories that illustrate how good can come from horrible situations.

I made 50-60 prototypes of my product, which means I failed that many times before creating a sellable version. I began to notice that in the latter half of my prototypes, things started to improve drastically, and the design became better. Please understand that things will not happen overnight. Also, I was not—and never will be—a clone. Remember, the more you blend in with society, the less you are seen by them. My man Tevin Campbell said, “Stand out above the crowd, even if you’ve got to shout out loud.”

With that being said, as I grew up watching my favorite Disney characters, I noticed they all went through tough journeys to reach their happily ever after. You can be the hero of your own journey.

How can folks who want to work with you connect?

I’m stoked to share my vision for a non-profit inspired by my kind-hearted grandparents, the V&H Griffin Foundation, they dedicated their lives to caring for others and raising a family to do the same. My grandfather was a hard working father, that happens to loved horses, we unfortunately were unable to bond over this love. My grandmother had a kind soul with a strength that I will always admire. This organization aims to honor their legacy by building a ranch that offers unique equestrian and agricultural experiences, as well as entertainment.

My goal is to bring together individuals from all walks of life, including veterans and underserved communities, to enjoy the healing power of nature and animals. We also plan to address food insecurity through community outreach and provide engaging entertainment that fosters connection.

To make this dream a reality, I’m seeking collaboration with individuals and organizations who share this vision. Specifically, It would be an honor to hear from:

– Mentors and advisors- experienced in non-profit management and fundraising to help me obtain 501(c)(3) status.
– Investors and donors- who believe in the power of community and want to support this important project.
– Support from Orange County- as many equestrian facilities are closing down across the area. This ranch will provide a vital resource for local residents to enjoy equestrian activities and offer a safe haven for horses rescued from wildfires. As facilities close, fewer options remain for people to care for their animals, and your support is crucial to ensure this space thrives.

With my background in managing horse care for a large operation and my connection to a reputable horse training program owned by a talented horse trainer. We much to offer for a meaningful experiences to our future visitors.

If you’re passionate about making a difference and want to collaborate, please reach out to me. Your support can help turn this vision into a reality, creating a space that uplifts and strengthens our community.

Let’s build a ranch that reflects the compassion and inclusivity my grandparents embodied. If you’re interested in partnering or have ideas to share, please contact me at vandhgriffin@hotmail.com or on any of my social media pages. Thanks all, your support is key 🙌🏿

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Tony DeLuca- Disneyland Picture
Andrew Garces- All others

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Resilience
Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience is often the x-factor that differentiates between mild and wild success. The stories of

Productivity
Beating Burnout

Often the key to having massive impact is the ability to keep going when others

Leadership Development
Finding Your Why

Not knowing why you are going wherever it is that you are going sounds silly,