We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chaterria Perry a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Chaterria , appreciate you joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?
One of the most unexpected challenges I faced in business was realizing that passion and talent alone don’t protect you from burnout or misalignment.
Early on, I said yes to almost everything — collaborations, partnerships, events, clients — because I genuinely love creating, supporting others, and building community. What I didn’t expect was how quickly that would lead to exhaustion, blurred boundaries, and situations where the effort I was giving wasn’t being matched or respected.
One moment that really stands out was during a season when I was juggling photography, events, products, and consulting all at once. On paper, it looked like success. Behind the scenes, I was overwhelmed, overextended, and quietly questioning if I was failing because I felt so drained. I remember sitting there thinking, “Why does something I love feel so heavy right now?” That was a hard moment — because I had built this business to give me freedom, not to trap me in constant stress.
Resolving that meant slowing down and getting honest with myself. I started auditing my time, my energy, and my boundaries. I learned to say no — not out of fear, but out of alignment. I put systems in place, got clearer about my offerings, and began choosing partnerships and projects that truly fit my values and long-term vision.
That experience taught me that growth isn’t always about adding more — sometimes it’s about refining, protecting your peace, and building sustainably. That shift changed how I operate not just as a business owner, but as a leader.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I’m Chaterria “Terri” Perry — a creative entrepreneur, community builder, and storyteller at heart.
My journey into this work didn’t start with a perfectly mapped business plan. It started with a love for creating meaningful experiences and helping people feel seen, celebrated, and confident. Over time, that passion evolved into multiple ventures that all connect back to one core purpose: building spaces — visual, physical, and emotional — where people and brands can show up fully.
I’m the owner of Kapture The Memory, a photography and videography brand focused on capturing life’s milestones and personal growth moments, from families and weddings to branding, boudoir, and creative sessions. What began as simply taking photos grew into intentional storytelling — helping clients preserve memories, tell their brand story, and walk away feeling confident and empowered. I don’t just take pictures; I create an experience that makes people feel comfortable, valued, and proud of what they see.
As my network and community grew, so did my desire to support other entrepreneurs. That led to Hustle & Legacy, a vendor-focused showcase and event brand designed to give small businesses real visibility, not just table space. I saw too many talented vendors pouring time and money into events that didn’t support them beyond the day itself. Hustle & Legacy was created to change that — to provide elevated experiences, intentional marketing, and a sense of community that helps vendors grow sustainably and build long-term legacy.
I also run Molded 2 The T, a handcrafted home and car fragrance brand born from my love of creating environments that feel warm, luxurious, and inviting. Scents are powerful — they shift moods, trigger memories, and set the tone for a space. Through this brand, I help people turn everyday spaces into experiences, whether that’s a car ride, a home, or a small business space.
Across all of my work, what truly sets me apart is my ability to blend creativity, strategy, and community. I come from a professional background in HR and operations, which means I understand structure, systems, and sustainability — not just aesthetics. That combination allows me to create beautiful things that actually work for people, whether that’s a client trusting me with their memories, a business owner needing visibility, or a customer wanting a product that feels intentional and high-quality.
What I’m most proud of isn’t just the brands I’ve built — it’s the relationships and impact along the way. I’m proud of creating spaces where people feel supported, encouraged, and inspired to keep going. I’m proud of choosing alignment over burnout, collaboration over competition, and purpose over quick wins.
What I want people to know about me and my work is this: everything I create is rooted in intention. I care deeply about quality, experience, and legacy. Whether someone works with me as a client, a collaborator, or a supporter, my goal is always the same — for them to walk away feeling seen, empowered, and confident in what they’re building.
Have you ever had to pivot?
One of the most significant pivots I’ve made came when I had to redefine what success looked like for me — not just financially, but emotionally and sustainably.
There was a period where my business was growing quickly. I had multiple ventures running at the same time, opportunities coming in consistently, and from the outside it looked like everything was clicking. But internally, I was stretched thin. I was operating in constant “go mode,” pouring into clients, events, and collaborations while quietly neglecting my own well-being.
The moment that forced the pivot wasn’t dramatic — it was subtle but heavy. I realized I was building a life that looked successful but didn’t feel sustainable. I remember thinking, “If I keep going like this, I’m going to lose the joy that made me start in the first place.” That realization was uncomfortable because slowing down felt like failure at the time.
The pivot meant making intentional decisions that didn’t always make sense to others. I paused certain offerings, stepped back from projects that no longer aligned, and shifted my focus toward fewer, more intentional initiatives. I began building systems, setting boundaries, and prioritizing work that supported both my creativity and my capacity.
That shift changed everything. Not only did my work improve, but my confidence as a leader did too. I stopped chasing momentum and started building sustainability. The pivot taught me that growth isn’t always about expansion — sometimes it’s about refinement, clarity, and choosing yourself so you can continue showing up fully.
Looking back, that decision didn’t slow me down — it positioned me to build with intention, longevity, and purpose.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
I believe what helped me build my reputation within my market was consistency, follow-through, and how I show up for people — even when there’s nothing to gain.
From the beginning, I made it a priority to deliver what I promised and to communicate clearly. Whether it was a client, a collaborator, or a vendor, people knew they could trust my word. In creative and entrepreneurial spaces, that reliability goes a long way, especially when so many people experience missed deadlines, unclear expectations, or lack of support.
Another major factor was transparency. I don’t pretend that business is perfect or easy, and I don’t oversell. I’m honest about what I can deliver, what’s realistic, and what’s required for success. That honesty has helped build long-term relationships instead of one-off transactions.
Community also played a huge role. I consistently support and spotlight other small businesses, collaborate instead of compete, and create opportunities for others to be seen. Over time, that created trust — people knew that I wasn’t just building a brand, I was helping build an ecosystem.
Lastly, I lead with intention. I care deeply about experience, quality, and impact, and that shows in my work. People may come to me for a service, an event, or a product — but they stay because they feel respected, supported, and valued.
My reputation wasn’t built overnight. It was built through repeated actions, aligned values, and showing up the same way online and offline. That consistency is what continues to set me apart
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kapturethememory.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: Ktmllc
- Facebook: Kapture The Memory
Image Credits
Kapture The Memory LLC