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

Christian, appreciate you joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I believe I am way happier running a non-profit. I worked in churches and regular jobs, which never seemed to fulfill me the way doing my own thing has. I mean that running a non-profit is my calling and what I know I was created to do.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?

I am a Florida-born and raised 29-year-old black woman living west of Atlanta. I was a youth pastor for many years and have worked with children and youth in various realms. I always wanted to do more specifically to Impact young people and families at a greater level. In 2018, I started The Pack Youth Inc, where we mentor and build character in K4-12th Graders through groups at their school, gatherings outside of school, and mentors. In 2021 I decided to return to school to get my Master of Arts Degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling to further my studies and ability to continue impacting young people and families.

Have you ever had to pivot?

When I first started this nonprofit career, I had a full-time role. I did my best to combine the two worlds, but as the nonprofit grew, it required more out of me, and I had to choose to leave my job because no longer were those worlds colliding.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

We have a great team of leaders and staff to run this organization serving 300 young people weekly. My best friend and I started together to make my dream come true. As she began pursuing her dreams more, God raised up other leaders and previous students who had gone through our program (now college students) to serve as interns and staff to keep the dream alive and growing.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thepackyouth.com
• Instagram: @thepackyth
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thepackyth