We were lucky to catch up with Chi Anderson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chi, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later?

Absolutely NOT! Although I despised every second of working in the corporate world, it all molded me to be the business woman I am today. Everything from customer service, marketing and pivoting taught me a lot about the type of boss I aspire to be. It also opened my eyes about the ‘leaders’ of today. Most are more intrigued by titles and letters behind their names but lack effective communication skills, empathy and adaptability with their team’s learning abilities and strengths.

The last 4 years of my career were spent working for a non-profit. I absolutely LOVED the work we did. My co-workers and I were more like family. We created a system that worked well for us as a team and the participants we served. All of us were operating in our strengths; It was a beautiful thing to see! Two years in, things begin to shift due to terminations, false promises and unnecessary changes. I knew then, my time there wouldn’t last much longer.

Although I wasn’t the happiest, I was petrified to jump into full-time entrepreneurship. Sure I had a coaching business on the side, but it didn’t compare to the guaranteed cushion I had become accustomed to. Fortunately for me, I’d soon find out what life would be like as my own boss. May 2022, my then employer fired me – – in the middle of the pandemic!

After speaking with my best friend/(NOW)business parter, I never looked back. I was afraid, but that’s how I’ve had to operate over the last three years. Doing so, has made me stronger, smarter, more solution focused and savvier with business operations/decisions.

Chi, 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?

I’m a full-time Model and Creative Director. I also serve as the Operations Manager for the dopest productions company in St. Louis, MO (Church Productions).

As a kid, I never shied away from the camera. I remember being a teenager, looking up to Tyra Banks, Naomi Campbell and Iman. One summer, I decided to go for it, but it was very short-lived. Not only did I believe I wasn’t good enough to pursue (due to height and weight insecurities), it just wasn’t an ideal situation for me at the time. My mother is quite old school. I was raised to get a ‘good’ job with benefits and work towards retirement, so that’s what I did. Multiple degrees and swimming in debt only to work for a company that paid me the bare minimum so upper management could receive their year end bonus sounds like the American dream, right?

Healing from a divorce catapulted me towards a much needed self discovery journey. Talk about scary! Here, I would begin embarking on territory that was foreign to me and those that knew and loved me. I didn’t know if I’d be accepted but for the first time in 38 years, I didn’t care! Modeling has been such a confidence booster. I’m forever grateful for the craft that allows me to channel different emotions while rockin’ some dope pieces made by talented artists. I’ve also worked with HBO, Mobile On The Run, Girl Scouts and Sonic just to name a few. Not too shabby for this now 42 y/o!

Prior to this, my best friend and I decided to start a podcast (The Gender Project). Supporters were requesting visuals from us so we purchased a camera. This would be the beginning of something huge! Thanks to corporate, I had the background to help him run his business and as a model, I had the creative eye to assist with photoshoots. I basically combined my love for  helping others and taking photos and created a much needed lane in this industry.

As a Creative Director, I provide posing assistance, hair/garment refinements and overall energy boosting on set. I’m present to make sure our clients are as comfortable and confident as possible. I give photographers one less thing to worry about (they love that LOL). Clients love me because I pull the best out of them, I’m a perfectionist who’s quite familiar with angles and workin’ garments. Time and money will be saved in the end because they’ll have more photo options to choose from in the end. Let’s be honest, there’s nothing worse than loving a picture but not being able to use it due to lacked fine tuning. Some think they can get away with their family member being on set to assist, but often times I find that they just don’t know what they’re talking about LOL. What I bring is a fresh approach and I tap into their specific needs leaving them with priceless memories and amazing photos.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Whew! This is a great question.

1. Unlearning what I want vs. what the client needs was VERY difficult for me. Being that I was on this self-love/healing journey, I felt it was only right that I be as selfish as possible in that season. Well, that wasn’t bringing in nearly enough revenue to sustain as a full-time entrepreneur. I quickly assessed my brand, what I offered and what consumers were lacking. I’m blessed enough to have such amazing supporters. I’ve legit pivoted at least 5 times in the last 3 years and they continue rockin with me through it all. All of my creative services are in alignment with each other so things are actually cohesive.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding part about being a creative is birthing an idea to fruition and witnessing the look on a client’s face as they’re revealed the finished product.

Everyone comes to us with a particular vision in mind. Personal or professional, the clients always have a goal in mind. When I know we’ve exceeded their expectations, I can’t help but be excited for them and proud of the work we put out. It’s one thing to deliver, but to do so with an unexplainable amount of passion is different. Working long hours, unaware of the day/time while grabbing food on the go and barely having time for the fun stuff makes it all worth while.

I love it here!

Contact Info:

• Website: creativecoachchi.com
• Instagram: creativecoachchi
• Facebook: Chi Anderson
• Linkedin: Chi Anderson, MBA
• Youtube: Creative Coach Chi
• Other: TikTok: @creativecoachchi Model Portfolio: https://chithemodel.portfoliobox.net/ Nonprofit Website: prizeandshinestl.org

Image Credits
All except one were taken by – Jamar ‘Church’ Pinkston (Church Productions – St. Louis, MO) White gown w/white turban – ADM Photography (St. Louis, MO)