Meet Crystal Chase

 

We were lucky to catch up with Crystal Chase recently and have shared our conversation below.

Crystal , we’re so excited for our community to get to know you and learn from your journey and the wisdom you’ve acquired over time. Let’s kick things off with a discussion on self-confidence and self-esteem. How did you develop yours?

I developed my confidence by learning how to handle rejection without letting it define me. Over time, I got very used to being told “no,” and I realized that rejection isn’t failure—it’s just part of the process. Once I stopped fearing rejection, I stopped fearing failure, and that opened the door for me to take more chances, try new things, and grow in ways I never imagined.

Another major part of my confidence comes from knowledge. I believe that becoming an expert in your field is one of the most empowering things you can do. For me, product knowledge is power. The more I know, the more confident I feel in my ability to help others, solve problems, and offer value. That confidence naturally boosts my self-esteem because I know I’m showing up with something to offer—and that’s incredibly grounding.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

I’m a single mom of two, and my journey began in the most humble place—my bedroom—where I started building gift baskets for family and friends. Gift-giving is my love language, so curating meaningful, handpicked presents brought me so much joy. What started as a passion project has grown into something truly special.

Today, I own three baby and children’s stores, and while the scale has changed, our heart hasn’t. We still approach every customer interaction with the same level of care, thoughtfulness, and love that I did in those early days. Helping our guests find the perfect gift is what fuels us—it’s personal, and it’s purposeful.

I was raised in Las Vegas, and one of my biggest goals has always been to make a meaningful impact on our community. Our stores are designed to bring joy to local families, and we’re proud to offer something truly unique. With limited options in the city for children’s and tween shopping, we’re proud to fill that niche—offering the best baby and kids’ brands all in one welcoming space.

This past year, we expanded by launching ArdenGirl, a big sister store and tween boutique created specifically for girls ages 6–16. It’s been amazing to watch that space grow, and to see young girls light up when they find something that feels made just for them. We host events every weekend, and invite everyone to follow us on Instagram for updates, free personal shopping, and all our exciting new arrivals!

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?

Looking back, I’d say three key qualities have had the biggest impact on my journey:

1. Experience in Retail & Service
I’ve spent over 15 years in the retail and service industry—what I like to call being a “retail rat”—starting at just 16 years old and working my way up at every store I worked for. That hands-on experience taught me everything from operations and sales to customer care and team dynamics. There’s no better training ground than being on the floor day after day, learning how to connect with people and pivot in real time.

2. Adaptability & Emotional Intelligence
One of the most valuable skills I’ve developed is the ability to adapt to each person and every conversation. That flexibility has helped me truly understand our clients’ needs and wants. It’s not just about selling a product—it’s about making someone feel seen, heard, and supported. That’s where real loyalty comes from.

3. Consistency on Social Media
From the very beginning, we’ve shown up online every single day. That consistent presence has built trust and community, and has been one of the strongest drivers of our growth. Word of mouth is powerful, and being reliable and present—both digitally and in-store—has helped shape our brand into something customers can count on.

My biggest piece of advice for those just starting out: master the art of consistency, stay focused on the customer experience above all, and never stop learning. Becoming an expert in your field—whether it’s through hands-on experience or self-education—builds confidence and credibility. Your work will speak for itself when it’s grounded in genuine care and excellence.

What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?

The most impactful lesson my parents taught me was to lead with love—and that’s something I carry with me every day, whether I’m working with our team, serving clients, or parenting my own children. They showed me that when your actions come from a place of love, they can have a deeper and more lasting impact than anything else.

They also instilled in me a deep sense of self-belief and self-love. That mindset gave me the confidence to take risks and not fear failure. Even when things felt uncertain, I had this almost “delusional” belief that I could figure it out—that if I could pivot, grow, learn, and keep showing up, ultimately I would make it.

One of the most powerful things they taught me was that if you truly believe in yourself, you can achieve anything. That belief became a sort of fuel, helping me “fake it until I make it” when I needed to. And honestly, I still go back to that lesson all the time, especially when making big decisions in our business. It’s a reminder that love, belief, and courage are the foundations of everything worthwhile.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

@Julia.fredricksen (photographer)
@klytlephoto (photographer)

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