We recently connected with Chelsea Neille and have shared our conversation below.

Chelsea, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

Wow, 5 years ago I launched my website on March 14th, 2020 and we’ve been rocking and rolling ever since! However the actual execution began with a dream and YouTube. I had an idea to begin providing earrings and the wonderful algorithms of YouTube began guiding me in the path of other black women entrepreneurs and I began to make moves to build Golden Hippie Company. I began creating the business cards and ordering from vendors in late of 2019. I created the social media page around November 2019 and began posting about an upcoming website while I worked on the background logistics of GHC (shipping, website, domain, LLC, etc). I had to learn about everything leading up to launching the website. The first website was created in 7 days due to the free trial Shopify offers to beginning businesses. The total creation of GHC took roughly 4 to 6 months once I finally took the leap. I leaned on the resources I had, my intuition and the trustee World Wide Web for any obstacles I encountered along the way.

Chelsea, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My pleasure! Hello there, I’m Chelsea, Thee Golden Hippie of Golden Hippie Company. I provide curated and handmade retro inspired accessories online as well as local markets. I began the concept around an idea I had in college to begin selling sunglasses. Growing up plus size, accessories were the main tool in my closet to enhance my outfits. As a result allowed me to built my confidence and discover how I wanted to express myself through everyday fashion.

Having that in mind, I began researching vendors for sunglasses, and as GHC began to grow. I wanted to incorporate earrings, paying homage to my grandmother from the US Virgin Islands, Brenda Neille always stated “never leave the house without any earrings on.” Ok so sunglasses and earrings, but what sets Golden Hippie Co apart is the retro inspired aspect I stay true to.

Golden Hippie’s voice and branding has a funky flare, channeling the energy of the feel good 60s and golden era of the 1970s. The accessories are fun with a feel good charm. Colorful and of quality, whether you dress as a time traveler or you can appreciate a statement piece, Golden Hippie Co has built a strong lane that set ourselves apart from other accessories shops and GHC has been able to provide the same funk and quality throughout the years.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

The major pivot I have to make within my business was deciding to go back to full time employment. For about 1 1/2 years I was unemployed and dedicated my time to GHC. I lost my job during the pandemic in 2020 and was able to build GHC due to all the free time I had. However around 2023 I began struggling to maintain the capital needed in order to survive and keep my business alive. I, then had to make a decision to find a steady job that would allow for me to pivot and get back on solid ground. It was rough adjusting back to the schedule and the internal battles of failure because I went back to corporate, made me feel like I failed as an entrepreneur. However, the pivot allowed me to deifier my priorities, get back on solid ground with my personal finances, and allowed me to take time to breathe again within my business and not worry about constantly making a sell. While I dream to fully dedicate my time to my own endeavors, the pivot of going back full time allowed for me to build my confidence back up as I was also still trying to maintain GHC.

Side note, in 2024, I almost closed the doors down to GHC. I went to my community and disclosed this information and within the week I was able to see the next month and the following month. I definitely think being transparent with my community throughout my growth has been vital to the success of my small business. While I had to pivot in order to keep the business alive, my community and supporters and helped me along the way and I’m so grateful to them for allowing me to make decisions in my best interest and they still rock with me. Thank you.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson I am still un learning is that “You are not for everyone”. I think everyone deals with this dilemma, wanting to be a universal business that any and everyone can find something to buy, but that just isn’t the case and will never be, for whatever reason and that is OK!! The backstory behind this is years of trying to go viral in trendy spaces, networking with shallow intentions, and years of feeling like the goal post is ever moving. I’m learning that my business, the items, and the energy behind the business isn’t for everyone and that’s ok, however I’ve realized that if I stay authentic to certain elements within my business then anyone who purchases from GHC would feel like they were suppose to order from there.

I’ve learned that your true audience will find you. Stay consistent, authentic, admit your mistakes, and have a good time. In 5 years, I have a handful of “humble pie” stories, however they all strike the same tune, GHC wasn’t for that person and once I understood that concept, I’ve been able to move with way more grace within my business. Whether its a website issue, mix up in scheduling, or a customer abandoning a cart. Some battles in the small business world isn’t worth the fight and your business isn’t for everyone babe.. its ok!! love ya always!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://goldenhippieco.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldenhippieco/