Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Neille.
Hi Chelsea, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
From humble beginnings, I began Golden Hippie Co from a lack of confidence and my love for accessories. Inspired by the 1970’s I began to formulate the concept of a curated-only business. I launched in March of 2020 while employed full-time and began my entrepreneur journey! In July of 2020, I lost my job due to the pandemic and I then began to focus solely on GHC. By the end of 2020, I purchased my Glowforge Laser Cutting Machine and began the journey from just curated to handmade. Acquiring new skills and building my social media presence organically, I been able to become featured on the Glowforge website, began beautiful relationships while overall growing within my entrepreneur journey. Excited to be heading into year 3 of GHC.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The journey has definitely been a rollercoaster. I’ve learned so much, grown as a person, as well as a business owner through this path of entrepreneurship. Struggles from brand exposure, running a one-woman, handcrafting business, as well as maintaining a decent work-life balance. Nothing is smooth when you decide to go against the grain and take a leap of faith on yourself. However, with the support of my family and friends that I’ve cultivated, I continue to find ways to keep Golden Hippie the forefront of my plans. Especially being a black business owner, I work hard to take down the stigma that many black business owners are faced with from apprehension to support, assumptions about black-owned businesses, as well as having the ability to provide a universal product that includes and invites all walks of life to support.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I specialize in laser-cut accessories and curating items to fit my brand. I own a Glowforge laser machine and I tailor my work to retro-inspired music, fashion and social movements. Artwork from simple daisy earrings to wood-engraved brooches calling for anti-racism. I’m known for ingraining positivity and community building around my business than just selling a product. I’m most proud of the way my supporters truly trust my authenticity within myself as well as the decisions I make within my business. I’m been able to host my very own backpack drive as well as donated to various causes in the beginning of my business. What sets me apart is that Golden Hippie has cultivated a voice that is authenticity, community-driven, with my creativity backed behind it all. I love to create new accessories, curate new collections, as well as market them in my own creative way on social media.
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
I definitely rely heavily on Pinterest and the creative work from my friends within my own business world. As far as books, I have relied on titles such as The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck by Mark Manson, You Are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life by Jen Sincero, as well as Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones by James Clear, just to name a few. I’ve also been inspired by my business friends that have been on their entrepreneur journeys longer than I have because they give me insight especially still being in the early stages of business. Also with being a black woman business owner, I rely on all of the black women in my life to keep my spirit pure, keep me focused, as well as allow for me to release any and all woes that they can’t be understood within my intersection of being a black woman business owner. I take inspiration from all over and filter it through a Golden Hippie view to result in a perfect collaboration for Golden Hippie Company.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://goldenhippieco.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldenhippieco/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/goldenhippieco
Image Credits:
Photos by C.The.Flash
