Meet Chana Ginelle Ewing, the Founder of GeenieBox.
We got to interview Ewing and ask her everything about her startup.
What is GeenieBox, and why should readers know about it?
GeenieBox is a subscription ‘knowledge’ box curated by a different iconic Black woman each month featuring content and experiences that have enriched her life. Our members receive inspirational books, fabulous lifestyle (beauty/fashion/wellness etc) products, and access to cultural institutions to support their personal growth and development. Readers should get to know GeenieBox because it is mentorship and magic in a box. Our goal is to celebrate the lives of awesome Black women while inspiring you to go after and accomplish your dreams!
What do you think of #BlackGirlMagic, and how does that relate to the GeenieBox project?
There have been many definitions of #BlackGirlMagic—I really love this one:
“Black Girl Magic means we are shape-shifters, superheroes, styles-layers, soul scholars, truth seekers, sisters, healers, Holy Rollers, hotties, listeners, lovers, dreamers, divas, daredevils, doers of the damn thing … all at the same damn time.” – Michaela Angela Davis, Image Activist
#BlackGirlMagic is the idea that we arrived here awesome and magical beings, completely in tact and full of genius and that when we tap into and listen to our internal selves all manners of greatness can and does happen. I love the hashtag and the way Black women use it to support and amplify each other. This speaks directly to what we’re doing at GeenieBox, embracing the genius of #BlackGirlMagic.
What has been one of your biggest career challenges, and how did you overcome it?
Taking care of myself, particularly my health. Though GeenieBox is still an infant (3 months old), my marketing agency is a 1st grader (6 years old) and like real-life 1st graders presents new and interesting challenges almost daily. I love being an entrepreneur and it’s a privilege to see your ideas in the world but I’ve come to realize that you have to be incredibly disciplined. Not just in the work that you do but how you approach your everyday life. What are the routines that can sustain you? How and when will you exercise your body? Treating a doctor’s appointment as serious as a client meeting – keep it. I haven’t figured out the full picture of how I will take better care of myself but I’m trying new things all of the time. Some of the tricks, like meditation, I have learned from the “Geenies” I interview.
Do you have any advice for young girls who are interested in finding role models that look like them?
There are role models that look like you all around. Even if you live in an area where you’re one of few people of color. There are so many ways to connect with people you find interesting—Twitter, Instagram, email, etc. If you ask someone for a 15-minute informational phone chat, you’ll likely get a yes. If the first person says no, keep going until you get a yes. That conversation can start a relationship and potentially a mentorship. Your relationships will be your biggest asset throughout your professional (and personal) life.
You can learn more about GeenieBox on the website and follow Chana Ginelle Ewing on Twitter.
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