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

Hi Chyna, how do you think about risk?
I’ve always been a very spontaneous person! Maybe even impulsive at times. I’ve never been afraid to fail. When I started my journey as an entrepreneur, the only thing I was 100% sure of was that I wanted to own something amazing… something different. I’ve always had a passion for helping people, but it took me a while to find my niche. As I was exploring different avenues of entrepreneurship, I remember many setbacks but later realized they were just lessons preparing me for a greater mission. Being a risk taker is a MUST! Walking by faith and not by sight is a MUST!! Setbacks are a MUST!! Sometimes you must sit back and re-evaluate your plan, your circle, your environment, and truly understand your PURPOSE. When things don’t work out initially, if you are relentless and you believe in yourself and what you are capable of, you’ll soon be reminded that you are being prepared for something greater happening later.

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.
The ETS Junior Braid School is a youth entrepreneurship program for students ages 9-18 located in Louisville, KY. Our mission is to enhance educational opportunities via social services and child advocacy. Our program is designed to teach the importance of critical thinking while developing essential life skills.

At the Braid School, we mentor to our students through the art of braiding. We have had over 200 girls from various ethnic backgrounds come through the program since June of 2019. Our students are learning the importance of sanitation and hygiene, consultations, finance, marketing, and they are tasked with designing their own business cards as well as a business plan. Students have the freedom to show creativity and create income simultaneously. We provide students with a classroom setting to work on developing their craft, then move them to a salon setting to bring their talents to light. Each program last for 12wks. Once students graduate, they are eligible to return as an intern for an additional 3 months. Upon completion of their internship, students are then candidates to work in our braiding salon, ETS Braid & Go located in Jefferson Mall in Louisville, KY.

The program started with just 3 girls and then evolved to something that was unexpected. The past couple of years have been very challenging. As the program expanded, we had to focus on revamping to ensure that our girls were getting quality learning as well as mentorship. This meant that we had to network and partner with other organizations to obtain the resources our students needed.

One lesson I learned early on is that you never stop learning. Everyday is an opportunity to learn something new as long as you keep an open mind. Although we are mentors, our girls inspire us and motivate us daily to keep going! They are a constant reminder for me that I am walking in my purpose. My personal goal is to produce the highest number of youth entrepreneurs in the Midwest.

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.
I don’t really get out much. I like nature… I love to be outside. However, Louisville is full of entrepreneurs in many different industries. The beauty industry, food industry, nightlife, even music. Realtors, creative ideas such as Selfie Museums… even museums that educate us about our culture. That is what I love about our city… we are dreamers and we are not afraid to dream.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Emma’Lees Transformation Studios & The ETS Junior Braid School was named after my late grandparents, Emma, and Sherman Lee. They inspired me to start an organization dedicated to mentoring our youth. Simple minded people would expect you to be a product of your environment. I wanted to start a youth entrepreneurship program to remind our youth that they can transform into whomever they choose to be… not who others expect them to be.

Website: https://www.etstudios.org

Instagram: @ets_braidschool_ky

Facebook: Emma’Lees Transformation Studios-ETS

Image Credits
FotoAddict

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