We were lucky to catch up with Chanell Banks recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chanell, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

I opened the dictionary and flipped through some pages, until I found a word that stuck with my gut the most.

Brave is my life experience for the most part. And to me…. Being Brave means DOING the things you want to do.
The things you can do. However, you keep telling YOURself you can’t do.
In regard to personal style it is said to me often.

How do you know tho?
“Can’t” definitely should not exist if you have not done.

So whether I get the opportunity to Style you? Or you purchase a piece from our online boutique…. The goal is to eliminate the “I can’t”. And to build Dope wardrobes filled with “I did that’” and FLYness.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I am Chanell Banks, 41 years young, married to an amazing accountant, and a dog mom to two cute frenchies. Born in MIA raised in NYC Living life in TPA.

I was introduced into the fashion industry through my love of NYC, hip hop & Ballroom. Being part of NYC in the 90s opened my eyes and creativity to new things and pushed my individuality to new levels.

Fast Forward to Tampa Bay & it has also opened my eyes. It’s the South. There’s a certain freedom here with a lot of fight. But, it’s also Florida… so it feels like vacation. The Tampa Bay Area has created a vibrant, colorful, summer for most of the year wardrobe. With a side of cold front. Cold Front season is my favorite✨

Tampa Bay is also the birth place of Brave by C.Banks.

Brave by C. Banks shopping experience will be 2 years old in December 2022. And I’ve decided to extend myself, with a more personal experience with a Fashion Stylist Service projected for Spring 2023. Birthday, Vacation, Night Out, Music Video, Branding, what’s already in your closet etc.

However, I am ALWAYS taking clients New and Current! It’s all about communication and the budget.
We can pull it together ✨

The end goal is ALWAYS you being THAT GIRL! And there’s enough to go around.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Being and Staying true to myself.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

In person Vendor Opportunities. Even though it’s SO HOT here…. I would say outdoor, free admission Markets hands down.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.shopbravebycbanks.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/chanellcbanks?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bravebycbanks/
• Other: Online Shopping: https://instagram.com/shopbravebyc.banks?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=