We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Justin Chinn. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Justin below.

Justin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

Being a creative you take risks daily. Often times you put yourself and your work out there not knowing the feedback or even acceptance from your target audience. That’s a risk. What if they love it? What if they hate it? Are often questions we ask ourselves while in the creating process and especially after. It wasn’t until I realized that if I failed to take risks based off the acceptance of others I’d never live life, or fully operate to my full potential. See, if we did everything based upon people’s likes and dislikes we’d be stuck in a box and that is something I did not want. I was born to be a game changer, a trendsetter, a leader so I had no choice but to become a risk taker. I have a saying “Dare to be Bold” which can easily translate to being a risk taker. You get to go after what you want in life full throttle and whether you win or loose, sink or swim, you tried and that’s all that matters. In the words of my favorite artist Fantasia, “Sometimes you have to lose to win again.” If we really look at it though, it’s never a loss but a lesson.

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 Justin Chinn known as “JCHINN”. I like to consider myself a Style Maven that deals with the whole man/woman’s image whether it be fashion wise or overall branding. My passion and drive started at a very young age and is continually growing each day. I started designing clothes at 12, and watching my Mother and Aunt sew their outfits for church every Saturday before sparked the love for fashion. As well as growing up in church, watching my Godmother come Sunday after Sunday lead praise and worship in 6 inch heels matching from head to toe grew my love and passion even the more.
I always knew I wanted to become a household name/mogul with clothing lines, home decor, fragrances & more. I just didn’t know what to call it, what would my business name be. Growing up I hated my last name for obvious reasons. The kids would be like “Crimson Chinn” or “Not by the hairs of my chinny chin chin”. As I got older I noticed that the big high end brands were mainly one word, simple black and white branding. I knew I wanted to be up there with the Gucci, The Chanel, Hermes etc. so I took the first letter of my first name and joined it with my last name and created “JCHINN”. I took something that I once hated flipped the narrative and now get to create beauty from something that I once hated, my last name.
I like to consider myself and Answer. An answer to many men and women that needs assistance with their outward appearance. I noticed that you could be down inwardly but once you got up and fixed yourself up appearance wise, you automatically started to feel better. And that’s what I want to continue to do. I want to be the light in peoples lives that makes them want to look and feel their very best at all times. I want people that never thought they could do one thing and realize they can conquer the world looking and feeling their best!

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?

Often times people on the outside looking in it may appear to be “easy” to be a creative. Well, it’s the total opposite. It’s very demanding, early mornings longer nights. A lot of sacrificing; time, your talent and even monetary sometimes. But the joy in it all is we get to create. Being born to create, it’s something we take joy and pleasure in doing. It’s the lack of respect at times that makes it difficult to continue to want to create. Most times as creatives we feel unseen, the value isn’t us it’s our gifts. That the harsh reality but that’s often how we are made to feel. What I would encourage non creatives to do is find a creative. Genuinely take the time to ask them how they’re doing? Take the time to get to know them for them and not for their gift. At the end of the day, as a creative we just want to feel SEEN! See us and not just what we can do for you.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

What drives my creative journey is me realizing that it’s not for me but for those that’s coming after me. I’m taking hits and learning lessons so that I can show that young guy or girl that’s coming after me I did it so can you! My end goal is no matter how far I go, I’ll continue to reach back and help. Everybody’s journey will be different, but if there is an opportunity or even a lesson I can share with someone then I’m continuing to make a difference. As a creative I’m created to create, not just art or looks but opportunities for the next.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @iamjchinn

Image Credits
RJ Paulk @peculiar_images Client Photos Jeremiah Drummond @jeremiah_drummond