Meet Charel Palmer | Mama, Wife, Friend, Business Owner and World Changer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charel Palmer and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charel, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I was born in New Orleans, LA spent my early formative years there and relocated to Birmingham, AL when I was in 5th grade. I grew up in Hoover, AL and then went on to The University of Alabama, and no we were NOT very good at football then, but we LOVED our team and I had a blast in college! UA is also where my husband and I first met in 1999, crazy how time flies! After graduation I went on to work for NewellRubbermaid but shortly after I made the move to Target Corporation. I spent 15+ years growing professionally with Target in a number of roles ranging from Store Team Leader to a District Human Resource Manager leading $220M of assets and people here in Atlanta, GA! There is NO greater development environment than Target. Their commitment to Diversity and Inclusion, having the tough conversations, putting leaders in the right roles and challenging them with honest feedback made my time there invaluable for running our three businesses now. Yep three. Popbar, our retail line that was an extension of Popbar called Love and Light and we also own a Sign Gypsies franchise. I am truly the leader of constant chaos.

I am also the product of a very enriching childhood experience. I am an only child and my parents always told me “to whom much is given, much is always required”. They also taught me to do everything with excellence. I am stubborn by nature so quitting is not an option. I am relentless in my pursuit of goals and also a perfectionist. Planning strategy to endure this global pandemic has challenged me in ways I never saw coming, but also taught me to think outside of the box and adjust in critical moments.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My family and I own Popbar at Halcyon in Alpharetta, GA. Popbar is an all natural, preservative free and hand crafted dessert shop specializing in high quality ingredients and legendary service! We want each person who comes through our doors to feel like they are family! Owning and running businesses is by FAR the most difficult thing I have done. You have to be self motivated, there is no boss coming to remind you of what needs to be done and when. Your desire to succeed and create something meaningful must be so strong that the daily grind and obstacles don’t deter you from moving forward.

Lessons along the way…. wow, there have been so many! The top ones I live by are: this too shall pass, when things are amazing, that will pass and when things are not amazing, that will pass. Balance in emotion is critical.

Ask for help. There is only so far your business will go with you doing it ALL. Because guess what? You can not do it all well. Learn what your team does well and leverage them for those things. I have learned blessings in life are felt in your mind first, we have to see them there before we will see them in real life. Expansion happens in our minds.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Atlanta is FULL of super cool places that I am sure I won’t even be able to get to them all! When I am not working I am resting and chilling honestly. Balance is not easy for me so I am practicing rest this year too! I would for sure research the latest places to eat because there are always new ones popping up! We would visit Chateau Elan for tea and massages, do some shopping at Perimeter but mostly hang here at the house and catch up!

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Ahhhh there are so many people who have and continue to pour into me! My husband is the backbone of this operation, he ensures I have the energy and support I need to lead the way. He is my safe space. My Dad is our General Manager and customer service expert, he allows me to step away when I need to and run our other businesses! Our kiddos are my daily reminder of what is truly important. Their smiles and gentle reminders of how I am doing never go unnoticed.

Website: www.pop-bar.com

Instagram: popbaralpharetta

Facebook: popbaralpharetta

Yelp: Popbar Alpharetta

Image Credits
Family Pic by The Cork Bros., Lemonade and 4 Pop Shots by Kelly Berry Photography, Shake Photo by Jasmine Smith Photography