Meet Chanthini Harrell-George | Owner and Creative

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chanthini Harrell-George and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chanthini, how has your work-life balance changed over time?
Juggling the demands of entrepreneurship, marriage, and parenthood can be a challenging task, and finding the right balance is often an ongoing process. As a 7-year entrepreneur with two teenage boys who are active in sports, I’ve experienced firsthand how the balance can change over time.

In the early years of my business, I was laser-focused on growth and success. I worked long hours and sacrificed personal time to get my venture off the ground. My family was supportive, but they also felt my absence. As my business grew, I started to realize that I couldn’t maintain this unsustainable pace. I needed to find a way to balance my work commitments with my family life.

One of the biggest changes I made was to delegate more responsibilities at work. This allowed me to free up some time to spend with my family. I also started to set stricter boundaries around my work hours. I made it a point to cook dinner at least two nights and to avoid checking business emails on weekends.

As my boys got older, their sports schedules became more demanding. I found myself spending a lot of time driving them to practices and games. While I enjoyed supporting their athletic pursuits, it also put a strain on my work-life balance.

To address this, I started to involve my boys more in my business. They would sometimes come with me to events or help out with tasks. This gave them a better understanding of what I do and it also helped me to feel less guilty about taking time away from work.

Over the years, I’ve learned that balance is not a destination, but a journey. It’s about constantly making adjustments and finding what works for you and your family. There will be times when work takes priority and other times when family is more important. The key is to be flexible and to communicate with your loved ones about your needs.

Talk to your family about your needs and expectations. This will help to avoid misunderstandings and resentment.

Remember, balance is not about achieving perfection. It’s about making the best of each day and finding ways to enjoy all aspects of your life.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
As the owner and creative force of Emerald Escape Spa Products, I’m a passionate advocate for holistic wellness and self-care. My journey to entrepreneurship has been shaped by my personal experiences as a mother, wife, certified meditation instructor, and my recent NAMI-mental health first aider certification. These roles have instilled in me a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of physical, mental, and emotional well-being.

What sets Emerald Escape Spa Products apart is our commitment to creating handcrafted, natural spa products that not only nourish the skin but also promote inner peace and relaxation. I believe that self-care is an essential part of maintaining overall well-being, and my products are designed to support individuals on their journey towards holistic wellness.

I’m incredibly proud of the positive impact Emerald Escape Spa Products has had on our customers’ lives. I’ve received numerous testimonials from individuals who have expressed feeling more relaxed, rejuvenated, and connected to themselves after using our products. These stories are a constant reminder of the power of self-care and the role my products play in supporting individuals on their wellness journeys.

My path to entrepreneurship was not without its challenges. Juggling the demands of work, family, and personal pursuits required a delicate balance and unwavering dedication. However, I was driven by a passion to share my love for holistic wellness and create products that would make a genuine difference in people’s lives.

Two of the biggest challenges I faced were, The biggest challengeI’ve faced has been balancing my business with my family life. It’s not always easy to be present for my husband and kids when I’m also trying to run a business. But I’ve learned to prioritize and to make time for the things that are most important to me. Second was overcoming self-doubt/ fear of failure. Starting a business is an endeavor filled with uncertainties, and it’s easy to get discouraged by setbacks. However, I learned to embrace these challenges as opportunities for growth and to focus on the positive impact my products were having on others.

Along the way, I’ve learned valuable lessons about resilience, perseverance, and the importance of surrounding yourself with a supportive network. I’m incredibly grateful for the mentors, family, and friends who have believed in me and provided guidance and encouragement throughout my journey.

What I want the world to know about Emerald Escape Spa Products is that it’s more than just a brand; we’re a community of individuals committed to promoting self-care and holistic wellness. We believe that everyone deserves to feel their best, and our products are designed to empower individuals to take charge of their well-being.

I hope that my story will inspire others to pursue their dreams, no matter how difficult they may seem. I believe that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
If you’re coming to Chicago, I’ve got the perfect itinerary for you! We’ll start with some amazing sushi at Kitaro in Munster, Indiana. They’ve got most creative rolls I’ve ever seen. After that, we’ll head up to the Willis Tower for breathtaking views of the city from the observation deck. You can see for miles on a clear day!

Next, we’ll head down to S&L Wine Bar in Lansing, Illinois. They have an incredible selection of wines from all over the world, and the staff is super knowledgeable. We can do a little wine tasting and then grab some of their amazing appetizers to snack on.

In the afternoon, we can take a DIY class at the Absolutely Anything Essential Gift Shop in Bronzeville. They have classes for everything from soap making to jewelry making, and it’s a great way to get creative and make something unique.

To wrap up the day, we can catch a sunset at the Promontory in Hyde Park. It’s a beautiful spot with stunning views of Lake Michigan. We can grab a drink and some appetizers and just relax and enjoy the scenery.

I think this itinerary gives you a good taste of what Chicago has to offer, from delicious food and drinks to stunning views and unique experiences. I can’t wait to show you around!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many women led businesses that I am very fond of however I wantuse this opportunity to shine the light on The Chrysalis Program, which focuses on teaching leadership, life skills & self confidence to girls in at risk communities.

Website: Www.emeraldescapeproducts.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/emeraldescapespaproducts

Facebook: Facebook.com/emeraldescapeproducts

Image Credits
These are my pictures