We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Chelsea Adinuba. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Chelsea below.
Chelsea, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
All my life, I have always been the youngest in the room. When you’re the youngest in the room, many will try to bring you down or make you feel less than, but you do not have to allow that to happen. This can cause insecurity to spring up, and a being to not be aware of the value that God Almighty has deposited inside of them. I’ve learned how to be effective when I am the youngest in the room, because I was aware of the power I hold, and the strategy/skills that I possessed that others did not have. We all have a unique gift, and it is important that we find out what separates ourselves from the next person.
I have been blessed to grow up in Prince George’s County Maryland, a predominately black community, where everyone else looks like me! Although, by the time I had to go to college, there were multiple occasions where I was the only black girl in the room, and I had to learn how to dominate with those circumstances. I was the only black girl in my classes, in my internship subgroups, but I didn’t let that stop me. I knew my gifting and I dominated. I spread my message and showcased my books to inspire and motivate others as well. I also started the first ever majorette team at the University of Pittsburgh to create a safe space for other black girls that often feel as though they are the only person in the room that looks like them so they can begin to feel welcome in a setting like this and recognize the power they hold.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I am an author, serial entrepreneur, dancer, and college student. I started my sewing business at the age of 16 years old, making bonnets, and scrunchies. I grew up in Prince George’s County, Maryland, a predominately black community. My main products were bonnets, because many black girls in my community use them to sleep. As I learned how to make bonnets, I also learned how to make custom wigs fit to each client’s head size which was also something many girls in my community desired. While I was 16 I wrote my first book titled “How To Be a Young Boss” including tips and tricks I learned while running my business, and wise advice from other successful people. Before I graduated high school at 17 years old, I wrote and released my second book titled “Heart over Hustle” encouraging people that when they do what they love to do, what God has called them to do, we will never “work” a day in our lives. What is most exciting to me is that I am able to use my voice to encourage others and speak up for those who cannot speak up for themselves, and to guide people to maximize their calling to become who God has called them to be. When I turned 18 years old, I realized that I had a desire to make prom dresses. In my first year of sewing I was able to ship my prom dresses to over 20 states and go viral in my first season. This was extremely rewarding because I was able to make so many young people feel beautiful, especially since covid-19 took away my prom in 2021. My instagram page @chelsdesignss showcases a variety of designs that I have made these past few months!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Time management, persistency, and the willingness to grow are three qualities/skills that were most impactful in my journey. Time management is important because we all have 24 hours, and it is important to figure out how to use each day wisely to get closer to your goals. Time doesn’t wait for anyone, as we use our time wisely, we will become more efficient, leaving more time in the day for us to focus on any other needs we have. I’ve learned to schedule things based on priority, it is important to accomplish what is most important first, and then progress to the other things on your list. As you take care of today, your tomorrow will take care of you. Next persistency is important, never take no for an answer. If I stopped at every “no” someone told me, I would not have grown or received some of the opportunities I received. Every “no” builds a drive to keep going until you get your “yes.” It is important to be persistent, do not give up on your goals because it doesn’t work out the first time, allow that “no” to help build your strength to keep going. Lastly, the willingness to grow is important because if you’re not willing to grow, then you will become stagnant, complacent, and comfortable. As humans, we are supposed to evolve and impact others. It is vital to take wise advice and never stop learning, this way you will become skilled in multiple areas (not just the area of our expertise, ex: sewing for me), and you’ll also build your network with other great people that are challenged to grow.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
It is better to be more well rounded my investing effort on improving areas you aren’t strong in. I knew how to make bonnets, it was great! I mean, I was shipping to many different states, and even out of the country, I was strong in that area! Although, I knew my main desire in sewing was to make prom dresses for other people, which was an area that I wasn’t as strong in. I invested time to learn how to make the prom dress and I was able to produce more in that area than in the bonnet area. I didn’t leave the bonnets alone or push them away, but instead I was now able to maximize my gifting in both areas to produce more, instead of relying on one area because I was afraid to step into something new. One thing I learned is that God’s strength works best in weakness. We cannot put God in a box, rather, we should consistently talk to Him to see what He is saying to us, to guide us on the path where we will produce fruit, maximize our potential, and become fully who He has called us to be.
Contact Info:
- Website:designsbychels.com
- Instagram: @chelsdesignss
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chelsea-adinuba-0aa89321b
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@chelseaslife7082/videos
Image Credits
Romita Das | Senior Staff Photographer (Dance Picture)
