Chanel Benjamin

Chanel Benjamin is the Founder of They Love My Splash, LLC which is a confidence builder through mental health awareness, worldly education and expression through multi-media entertainment services for children. She teaches workshops that expands children creativity and outlets, facilitates pre/post production all while giving tools for youth to excel. She hosts a #KickBackAgainstBullying sneaker drive and the collected footwear and socks are donated to local Harlem shelters. Her virtual check-in courses with youth gives them options and connect them with opportunities within her network according to their expressed interest. She also incorporates imperative and traditional structures such as: cursive penmanship, entrepreneurial motivation, book recommendations, culinary, American Sign Language and so much more!

Her background stems from her love for writing inspired by her mother. Often times tearing photography pages out of Essence magazine and asking Chanel to create a story solely from the picture. From there creativity was born alongside building her confidence through other activities such as: ballet, photography, art and basketball. Overtime her skills improved and she was finally willing to share her poetry while volunteering at schools and teaching poetry class to the youth. The next step was recording her words leading to spoken word and gracing the GRAMMY ballot 3 consecutive years, performing in poetry shows and editing her own videos. Her work ethic from being self motivated and self taught in being multi faceted in multi-media is impeccable. She believes we enjoy life by exploring through our senses, connecting with like minds and creatives who challenge us. Through traveling, spreading love, positivity and knowledge we will be on a splashy journey to learn from one another. Different forms of multimedia will examine the notion of presenting art in its truest form through the stories of daily life. We all explore ART (visual, written, dance and life), fashion and music all by simply existing; most often times just listening. Listening is all the youth want most times.

Where did the idea for They Love My Splash come from?

The idea for my company came from an affirmation and believe that success was granted with planning and hardwork. The consistent and resilience that comes with adding your color to an canvas represents the world. Our color being our splash a play on words is what makes us unique and our gifts are an added bonus we offer.

What does your typical day look like and how do you make it productive?

My typical day starts with prayer, stretching, writing in my passion planner, followed by breakfast and then meditation to get myself mentally prepared for the day. This has to happen before I open my laptop or engage on my phone. Afterwards I have a green machine smoothie and I am ready to start my day by checking my calendar, going through emails, follow up calls on business acquisitions for the youth and any social media advertising limiting engagement to 45 minutes. Sometimes I may have to jump on a call or a zoom to further coordinate or learn how to improve something. For lunch I carve out time to eat by the water or in a park and take that time to myself before returning to work. Thereafter I finish up on anything outstanding until it is time to end the day.

How do you bring ideas to life?

Bringing ideas to life is a process that comes on its own time. It might be cultivated by a thought or a conversation then an action may occur that maybe the last piece to the puzzle. Once everything is aligned the idea may change as it is being done however, the end result is always the best for the youth.

What’s one trend that excites you?

One trend that excites me is art because it has many forms yet it can be simplicit or complex. It all depends on your perception or experience. There are no right or wrong answers just what you see what your view or envision from your vision.

What is one habit of yours that makes you more productive as an entrepreneur?

One habit that makes me more productive as an entrepreneur is self care. I am very keen on the many forms of it because it is important to take care of yourself. Inspiration comes from being free and the only way to do so is to be well within your health in its entirety.

What advice would you give your younger self?

The advice I would give to my younger self would be don’t be afraid of failure. It took time to be able to understand that I had to learn by losing. Many times the loss was not a loss it was truly a gain and a nudge as to what not to do again.

Tell us something that’s true that almost nobody agrees with you on.

Nobody agrees with me that editing is tedious. You could shoot a clip that will only get screen time for 15 seconds for 2 days. There is so much we don’t see when we are actually recording that when we sit back and watch it you start to notice everything that should be taken out.

As an entrepreneur, what is the one thing you do over and over and recommend everyone else do?

One thing that is repetitive that I recommend to everyone is doing their own research. It will give you a sense of understanding that you can follow those who have more experience than you. For any field knowing the vocabulary terms will help out a lot. You don’t have to know everything but get the basics and learn the rest as you go with equipment.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business?

One strategy that has helped me grow my business is staying with the curve and offering something that maybe ahead of it. This comes with practice, skill and consistently being a student while learning lessons within your passions to apply it.

What is one failure you had as an entrepreneur, and how did you overcome it?

One failure as an entrepreneur that I have experienced is not realizing the impact of a simple adjustment sooner. I overcame it by applying the necessary steps in order for the event to run smoothly. Sometimes we don’t notice a problem until we are actually solving it in real time. It might be something that you would not have thought of if the action plan was not in place.

What is one business idea that you’re willing to give away to our readers?

One business idea that I can give is incorporate children into your business plan. Create a mentorship or a career day with children who are interested in your field. Investing in the youth is important as they will be entrepreneurs in the future.

What is the best $100 you recently spent? What and why?

The best $100 that I recently spent was on self motivated and knowledgeable books. I believe learning is imperative to growth so as the world advances we must feed our minds as well.

What is one piece of software or a web service that helps you be productive?

One piece web service that keeps me productive is godaddy.com because websites are how information can be attainable. So updating my website and adding new perspectives that showcase writing, thought and events are excellent.

What is the one book that you recommend our community should read and why?

One book that I recommend to your community is Powernomics because it breaks down the science of what you have to offer, what is and what you can create to assist others.

What is your favorite quote?

“When you take initiative you can be anything you want to be Chanel.” – (my mom) Sharon Benjamin

Key Learnings:

• Put God first and shine your light through your expertise.
• Starting is a direction. It does not matter what you think the outcome will be you can adjust it afterwards.
• Family is imperative to your success as they are your support system.
• The youth are the future leaders and we have to teach them what we know in order for them to advance with technology.