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

Hi Charlei, what inspires you?
I’m mostly inspired by the truth, beauty, and maximizing my daydreams into reality. Everything these days is smoke and mirrors. I’ve always been inspired by people who don’t hide who they are to get where they want to be. So when I say the truth I mean, authenticity in knowing who you are is enough and will always be enough. I think beauty is everyone’s birthright, and I don’t just mean superficially. Beauty to me is as simple as being able to go outside and see hues of green, or flowers blooming, or dying. I walk nearly everyday because of this; watching life consistently happening and progressing with ease. It’s like my reminder to myself that life is going to happen no matter what I try to control! As for my daydreams, they consist of big things and little things, and simply put I want to experience them all — and I will.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My career trajectory has never been linear I’m 28 years old, I think I was 18 when I landed my first role working as a consultant for a brand called Lauren Damme Jewelry. I found the job on Craigslist! Basically, it was my job to manage inventory, and build relationships with buyers and boutiques in Georgetown. Before going to school, I worked as a stylist at Nordstrom, and a creative strategist at Nomad Yard Collectiv. When I graduated, I landed an admin position. My boss saw my skills were far beyond the computer so he sent me to get my Adobe Design certifications and I started re-branding, and designing deliverables for the company. Right after that job, I started taking clients for graphic design, brand development, and creative strategy. Now I work in User Experience Design, and Research. I love it! It’s literally every skill I’ve ever learned, and earned in one. I can’t wait to see where it goes!

It wasn’t easy. There were many times I was intimidated because people could flat-out tell me a ten year plan for their career and I couldn’t. I still can’t! I’m okay with that now. I learned to get comfortable with not knowing what’s next. Now I know myself enough to know that it’s my gifts, my vision, my taste, my curiosities, that bring brilliant and expansive opportunities to me.

As far as what’s next and now, That would be Drank Pouch, and Playtime. Drank Pouch is was founded by Dominique Mariette and myself. Drank Pouch was made for a good time. We are lifestyle brand providing hand crafted cocktails to go. We serve a leisure based community of people who make time to unwind, and gather You can catch up with us everywhere @Drankpouch.

Playtime is invisible to the social media world, but very much alive in real time. I came up with Playtime when I was in college. I knew I did not want graduate and go into a space where I gave up on my actual ideas and dreams. It was created with the intention of being an umbrella, and infinite space for all my ideas and curiosities. Playtime’s first project is launching in Spring 2023!

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.
Let me tell you! My one of my best friends Arneisha Copeland, just came to visit me and I took her to the Glenstone Museum. It’s my favorite get away spot. I never get tired of it. The landscape is beautiful, its walkable, it’s breathtaking! We accidentally got casted in a documentary they were filming because the film crew asked who made my garment. It was a Fruchè Official shirt dress. So yeah, step one is get dressed, step two get drinks, preferably a Drank Pouch.

We’re pretty chill so we’d probably end up at a spa, or on a rooftop. I’d take her to Little Island Kitchen for a bite on my side, or Shoto if we’re doing dinner in the city. If Kith and Kin was still in the city, Before she leaves I’m also taking her to Zheville’s house for his dad’s rum punch. It’s the only thing hitting like that Drank Pouch!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Of course, God! Next would be my mother Kamah Hebron. She’s truly a gem. I’m a first generation child. Both my parents are from Sierra Leone. I have to shoutout my mom because she never pressured me to be a doctor, lawyer, engineer, or any of that. She’s always let me be myself. She’s caught a lot of flack for it too. People in our community will look down on you if your child doesn’t have an MBA at twenty-whatever but she loves me enough to let me be who I want to be. I’m thankful to be surrounded by the best love there is! My sisters, me mentors, my best friends, the lovely humans I’ve created and collaborated with, and everyone who has said my name in rooms I was not in, thank you!

Instagram: charlei.h

Other: @drankpouch

Image Credits
My headshot credit: Shot by Breed, House of OPA.

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