Meet Chanchez (Chi) Smith | Business Owner & Mental Health Therapist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chanchez (Chi) Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chanchez (Chi), is there a quote or affirmation that’s meaningful to you?
I have a few favorite affirmations that I try to repeat daily: “I am assertive. I am confident in everything that I do. I am divinely guided and protected by God, Jesus Christ and their army of angels. I am business savvy. I am financially stable.” They are a reminder of how much I have grown and will constantly grow. I love these affirmations and affirmations altogether because they represent how powerful our words and intentions are.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I started chiLDREN’S CLOSET, my online children’s store, during the pandemic, after creating a directory for black owned businesses in my home state of MS. As I was creating this directory, I realized that my home state had a growing number of black owned businesses, but there were still gaps. We had a lot of boutiques, including children boutiques, but I noticed that there were not many children boutiques that sold things for boys. So with chiLDREN’S CLOSET, I offer clothing and accessories for both boys and girls, age 2-10. In the future, we will be offering school uniforms, plus so much more. chiLDREN’S CLOSET opened my eyes up to entrepreneurship, the importance of being financially literate (I’m still learning) and I want the world to know that chiLDREN’S CLOSET WILL be a household name.

I have my masters in Social Work and have been in the field for about 5 years. I am most proud of the connections I have made and make with clients; they truly keep me passionate about what I do and help me fulfill my purpose. I would not be where I am professionally, without my greatest mentors in this field, Mrs. Mahaffey and Ms. Berry who I was blessed to gain insight from. With any work/career in life, there are always challenges, same with being a business owner, but I think the biggest challenge is trying to balance my career AND my business. I always feel as though there is so much more to learn and experience in the mental health field and I want the world to get even more comfortable with recognizing mental health as being apart of your overall health.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well I am fairly new to and still exploring Charlotte myself; however, I would definitely take my guest to a brunch spot Uptown and then to put our feet in the gorgeous, green grass of Charlotte’s many parks/greenways.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
BIG, BIG shoutout to God! Major Shoutout to my business mentor/friend, Chaslyn! She is such a mompreneur. Everything about her is admirable! Also, shoutout to my fiancé, my little coffee bean, and my family and friends <3

Website: www.shopchildrenscloset.com

Instagram: @shopchildrenscloset

Facebook: @shopchildrenscloset

Youtube: CUPofCHI

Image Credits
chiLDREN’S CLOSET LLC