We recently connected with Chelsea Neille and have shared our conversation below.
Chelsea, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?
My optimism stems from a strong support system growing up. As I mature and grow, I tend to reflect on how I got here and ultimately is due to the love I was shown. The love and empathy that was shown to me at an early age carried through and with me. I also think my optimism stems from a place of lack. Being an African American, overweight woman, I had to find pieces of joy to carry me through, especially when the world places us in all of the labeled boxes that don’t necessarily pertain to our innate spirit. Finding joy in the little things and having a great support system ultimately is what keeps my vision at a full cup always.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
A true hippie at heart, I became A lover of the 70s in my college years, the movements, music, and fashion trends. This lead me to begin to seek out creating a small business in 2014 however being a plus size African American woman, I had my doubts and sought out the corporate route. Graduating with a degree in Biotechnology from the University of Houston (Go Coogs). Due to lack of support, I never thought to begin GHC until 2019. Becoming increasing disappointed within in current industry, after many classes and research, I registered Golden Hippie Company and launched online early March 2020, by December of 2020, I purchased “Charlene” (Glowforge Laser Cutter) to provide handcrafted items. All Through 2021, I worked to sharpen my crafting skills as well as became a pillar within my online community. Hosting a backpack drive, giving donations, while giving the community hope, positivity, and representation.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The 3 qualities that were most impactful have been, discipline, passion, and consistency. Discipline has kept deadlines to be met and products to continue to be released, even when I didn’t think I could do it. Passion for what I believe in and the people who I serve definitely has kept me inspired and ready to conquer the next goal. Consistency has allowed for others to see that I’m still kicking even after 3 years of owning and operating my small business.
My advice to develop those skills would be to plan and follow through for consistency, find the root of why you are pursuing your goals, this will ignite the fire and passion inside of you to continue on. Lastly, for discipline, I fast whether its from sugar (my true weakness), social media, tv, anything that you do daily – go without it and stick it to it, this will strengthen the muscle of discipline by allowing you to actually prioritize what is truly important and will begin to confirm that you have everything you actually need right in front of you.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
I’m definitely looking for people to collaborate with! I’m believe that people need community to not only survive but to thrive! I’m looking for store front owners, non profits, and other funky and weird entrepreneurs whom I can connect with. I definitely want to begin branching out and expanding GHC’s network especially since sharpening my craft and business for 3 years. I’m determined to get to year 5, but I also know I need more resources and opportunities to expand. The best way to contact me is directly to my email : [email protected]!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://goldenhippieco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldenhippieco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goldenhippieco
Image Credits
Image Credit : Photos by GHC
