We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maylasia Childs a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Maylasia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?

Eversince I was a kid. I was always involved in somthing creative and always took the lead on school projects in elementary school and middle school. I loved loved loved fashion and learned how to sew in middle school. Aside from my crafty creative endeavors I loved music, music is something that inspires my work from feeling a mood that I want to convey in a video to editing on beat. My favorite subject in school was english and I started writing poetry in middle/high school. I was always very “deep” and vulnerable and thats when I realized that my voice was creatively orchestrated. In high school I was the “lunch time photographer” and would take pictures of whoever wanted to flick up for IG and was naturally too good with my iPhone 6 plus.

I also took journalism around that time as well and did video and photo… with my phone. Within that time frame I started my Youtube channel and the set up was crazy. I took the ironing board and a stack of books to use as my tripod, filmed with my iPhone 6 Plus and learned how to editing using iMovie on my phone on Youtube. Later on I got a job and invested in a real tripod and a ring light. My parents saw how consistent I was and brought me my first camera and truly invested in me and my dreams.

To make a story that’s already long short I had a side hustle at 19 making YouTube intros and graphics, started my personal development brand which I strategized and created my own content, learned brand identity, logo design, ux/ui design and branding and eventually CRS was born and a year later rebranded into a Video Production business for content creators.

Maylasia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’ve created content since I was 15/16 years old and have been attached to the creative industry since. Years later when I was 23 CRS started out as a brand identity business but once I saw what was in front of me the whole time (meaning what my business should’ve been doing) was being the creator for creators. It’s ironic how i realized that right in the middle of me creating content for my personal brand and made a reel that said ” as a creator, I need a creator” and that reel got so much engagement with comments saying “whew i told myself this the other day” and “oh mah gash yasss especially when I’m on vacation” and “Lol such a mood though”. Once I saw these it was my sign to REBRAND!

When I lost my job after moving out my parents house from FL to PA I was disappointed but I committed myself to making content and told God, ” I trust you, I’m just going to move forward, create content and do what I can until I find a new job” to make a long story short I was offered a modeling gig for this Spa company and instead of modeling I offered content creation. Within that same invite I was invited to a celebrity party to film the night and was freaking out because I didn’t know what the hell I was doing. I was so used to filming myself and now I’m filming others.

During that time I met my business partner (the same woman who reached out about the modeling gig) and she brought me on a few events to film for Secret Philadelphia. The following year I got comfortable with networking and reaching out to people to film events, do bts and photoshoots. This lead up up to me getting invited to NYFW with Runway7 and it was truly an experience.

Aside from how I got into the industry, the problem I solve with my services is the time crunch and confidence for creators and businesses. A lot of business owners and content creators. say they don’t have enough time or don’t know what to do or how to it. I don’t just film and edit I Produce and Direct so that businesses can have content that aligns with their offers and creators have content that aligns with the audience they desire.

My services include Content Days, Video Editing, Music Visuals, Campaigns, Photoshoots and Creative Direction.

The aspect I’m most proud of is my ability to adapt and evolve so that I can better serve in my area of expertise.

What can society do to ensure an environment that’s helpful to artists and creatives?

Actually pay artists and stop asking for free work all the time and for artists including me, don’t be afraid to take the free work but don’t be afraid to take the money because just like everyone else, we have bills to pay and a roof to keep over our heads.

Is there mission driving your creative journey?

My biggest mission with being a content creator and a video producer for my business is recycling the black dollar so the black economy can be strengthened. When I was younger my friends had businesses while I was the content creator. I NEVER ASKED MY FRIENDS FOR ANYTHING FREE AND STILL MADE CONTENT TO SUPPORT THEIR BRANDS. I paid the price like everyone else because if you’re my friend and I believe in you, I will go above and beyond to support you for sure!

A lot of black people will pay full price for Hermes or LV or at Ruth Chris but will do their best to cheap our own people out of their products and services. It’s foul, if you can’t afford black owned then just say that.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://cfinerystudio.square.site/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/creativerefinerystudios/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100093278793711
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/creative-refinery-studio-mc-7b1736290/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@CreativeRefineryStudio
• Other: Portfolio: https://creativerefineryst.wixsite.com/portfolio