chelsea

Putting countless hours into a company that isn’t fulfilling your dreams can be heart tugging. We got a chance to catch up with Chelsea, a multi try-er of businesses. Coming to New York City as a student and intern, the LA Native knew what she was destined for. {Working on her own terms} We asked all the questions so you wouldn’t have to, with hopes that we can give you the push to get to it!

“I’ve been working since I was old enough to work. I always liked the feeling of independence and having my own money so working made me feel empowered. I always knew I wanted to work in fashion so I had every retail job under the sun during high school. When I got to college, I landed internships in luxury fashion, including Oscar de la Renta, Ralph Lauren, and Escada. I worked as an Executive Assistant at Saks Fifth Avenue my first year out of school and was bored out of my mind. After 8 months in that role, I knew working at 9-5 in a cubicle was not for me. I wanted a job where I could learn tools to eventually start my own business. I came across an opportunity at a fast fashion brand on their PR team. At the time, the brand was new in the U.S. so it kinda felt like working for a start up and I loved it. I did everything from PR to finances, event planning, and Influencer relations. I was at that job for almost 3 years and used it as an opportunity to soak up as much information as possible. At the beginning of 2019 I started an talent and Influencer agency as a side hustle and it took off really quickly. I saved every dime my business earned and left my job once I had a year’s salary saved.” –Chelsea

How did you end up in New York?

C: I went to Howard University my first 2 years of college. Living in DC, it was very hard to find fashion internships. I applied to the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York and got in. I moved to New York for school in 2013 and it was the best decision I ever made. I was able to intern during the school year, which helped me gain a ton of work experience before graduation.

Where were you mentally in this transition? 

C: I started my company out of anger. I worked really hard and always felt like I wasn’t being paid enough or valued in the work place. I know a lot of people feel this way working at big companies. I felt like I had something to prove and I no longer wanted my boss to be able to determine my worth. I wanted to prove to myself that I was worth more. As my business started to gain momentum, I felt excited. I would stay up until 3am working on my side hustle because it excited me. It kept me up at night. Every dollar earned I felt closer to gaining my power back.

What were the steps you took? (Game Plan) 

C: I listened to the book “Think and Grow Rich”. It changed the way I view money. I thought only certain people had access to wealth. I thought you had to work really hard to make money and it’s not true. I set a goal for the amount of money I wanted to earn and what skills I was able to provide in order to earn that money. I would repeat my goal every morning and every night before I went to sleep. It was more of a mental transformation for me than anything else. Eventually the idea for my business just came to me and I went for it. I didn’t hesitate. I feel like alot of people hold themselves back waiting for the “right time” or the “perfect business partner” or an investor. Starting a business isn’t as complex as people make it seem. Especially with all of the technology and information we have access to today. I didn’t have a business plan or anything I just started and worked on it everyday. Anybody can get a domain name, they have templates to build websites, you can get an instagram name and just go for it. You have to be resourceful.

How did it make you feel? 

C: I felt free! A small part of me felt scared but I knew I had to let go all of my insecurities and self doubt. I want to empower more people to turn their passion into a paycheck and leave their jobs. OfI’m currently working on a way to share this information. Stay tuned!

Did you have a support system?

C: My boyfriend was very supportive. He told me to leave my job a long time ago. My mom supported my decision as well.

What advice would you give others who want to leave their jobs and commit to themselves? 

C: Use your job as a learning opportunity. Show up everyday and treat it like it’s your businesses. Figure out what you’re good at and brainstorm how you can make money doing it. Start immediately! Don’t hesitate. If you have any self doubt, pray about it, and remember God wouldn’t put a vision in your heart if you weren’t able to bring it to fruition.