We had the good fortune of connecting with Chanelle A. Watson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chanelle A., how has your perspective on work-life balance evolved over time?
My balance has drastically changed over time and in a good way. When I first started my business, Chanelle’s Heavenly Treasures, in 2010 my focus was to build clientele so I could transition into a brick and mortar restaurant. However, as I continued to receive clients and fulfill orders, it became overwhelming. I was doing everything from marketing, taking the client’s orders, baking, and/or cooking to delivering and repeat. Then as my life and location began to change, so did the direction of my business. In 2014, I went from just a Chef of Savory & Sweet Confections, with Chanelle’s Heavenly Treasures, in Texas and added Published Author to my expertise, all while moving back to my home state of New York. So with two businesses in my repertoire, in addition to the change in location, my life’s direction changed as well. Around this the time, I received Jesus Christ into my life. As, I began to immerse myself in God and His Word, the direction He was Leading my life in, shifted the direction of my businesses, and that is when true balance came into the picture. Instead of “balancing” according to my wants and desires, as my relationship with God grew He created a balance in my life that was geared toward the Purpose He has for me. In essence, He realigned my thinking and lightened my load. With this adjustment being geared toward my God-given purpose of feeding people through their stomachs and hearts. I went from doing both businesses separately to now joining them into my current brand “Chanelle A. Watson: Chef And Writer.” This brand encompasses everything from food, recipes, and an in-home kitchen collection to coaching writers and authors, providing writing tips, and inspiration.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
What sets my brand apart from others is my focus and passion for helping the clients who are led to me, live in purpose. From a coaching or inspirational standpoint, my desire is to make sure I meet my clients where they are. I want to help push, elevate, and pull out of them anything that will propel them into their God-given purpose. And with the realm of being a Chef, when cooking or creating a sauce, jam, cookie dough, seasoning, or food product for my “Chanelle’s Kitchen Collection,” my goal is to make life easier for the in-home cook. It doesn’t matter if he or she is a novice or someone who has been cooking for years and just wants a little something extra in their next meal. My purpose is to assist them and make their kitchen experience a little smoother and palate pleasing. I’m most excited about the direction that God continues to grow my business and how He assigns me to specific people to serve along their journey. Professionally, the road to where I am now on my entrepreneurial journey has not been easy but the challenges I had to face along the way have helped move me in the best way possible. It took me some time to truly find a balance with the direction God was taking my life and business to seeing what void I could fill with my unique skillset. And all of this while struggling to be consistent, innovative, continuing to learn the ins and outs of my industries, and create a relationship and experience my clients would like to support. The four lessons I’ve learned along the way that I strongly believe will help any entrepreneur or professional are: 1) Put God first and allow Him to Lead you in your business; 2) Communication with your clients is key, no matter the circumstance always make sure they are aware of what is going on throughout their experience with you; 3) Build a relationship with your clients and those who support you; and 4) Be consistent. The one thing I want the world to know about my brand and story is that I am here to serve whomever the Lord places and assigns to me. My business acumen has grown tremendously from when I first started in 2010 and I want to help others be equipped from the start with what it took me sometime to finally get.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m a born and bred New Yorker so truly no matter where you go in Manhattan or the outskirts you will find something to do that is fun, interesting, and exciting. My favorite spots to go to and I would recommend for my best friend would be, my home kitchen (it wouldn’t be right, as a Chef, if I didn’t recommend my food, lol). Now since that recommendation is out of the way 🙂 I would suggest going to Levain Bakery (multiple locations) for great cookies, Kathleen’s Tea Room (Peekskill, NY) for great food, Dallas BBQ’s (Manhattan) for tasty food and fun, and watch a show on Broadway.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I liked to dedicated my shoutout to God, first and foremost, and to my family, friends, and Spiritual leaders who have supported me along my journey.

Website: www.ChanelleAWatson.com
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ChanelleAWatson
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ChanelleAWatson
Youtube: www.youtube.com/ChanelleAWatson

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