We had the good fortune of connecting with Chanelle T. Molina and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chanelle T., is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
Hi! Yes, definitely. The main reason I started Nanny Belle was because I have seen the impact of having no sleep, hydration, food, or breaks when having a newborn. These are basic human needs that contribute to declining mental and physical health if not met. On top of taking care of a new tiny human?? It’s a lot! The core of my services are care and support. I’m hoping to help as many newborns and their families as possible and set everyone up for successful daily lives.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?

Sure thing.

I already had a ten-year-old catering business, Just Stick a Fork In It, but at the start of the pandemic, I realized very quickly that I needed to pivot. I took a business course, 1K1day by Nicole Walters, that came with a bonus course to see what my purpose was. It’s called “Fierce Clarity” for Pete’s sake–and that’s exactly what it gave me. I realized I needed to open up my circle of who to serve. I was limiting myself by only doing desserts and only following one of my passions.

I’ve been taking care of my friends/family and their newborns (which included cooking for them) for as long as I can remember. So much so that “Nanny Belle” became a nickname. I found it very disheartening that new parents/guardians were being given resources to “teach” them how to care for their new child prior to birth, but nobody to be there to make sure they have the hands-on guidance that a lot of them want or need after the kid is born. I will travel anywhere to make sure a baby gets everything they need and that the parents are taken care of, as well. I am available to cook, clean, do laundry, sleep train, among other things. These kids are fresh, why wouldn’t we want to give all parties involved the biggest head start as possible? I do short 6-8 week contracts for infants 0-4 months old and am so glad to get family units started on the right path.

Additionally, sometimes parenthood can be super isolating. There is no reason to have to do it alone. Throwing people to the wolves is not my style. I don’t find honor in it, you don’t get a gold star at the end of the day. You just get piles of laundry, diapers, and exhaustion. We don’t need anybody trying to pour out of empty cups.

I also started a podcast (“Dear Sixteen-Year-Old Me” on all platforms) and also wrote an e-book (“Let’s Make Some Awesome Cookies”), available on ChanelleTMolina.com.

Chanelle T. Molina Consulting is all about baking/cooking. If you grabbed the e-book, you’d experience my style of teaching. Very chill, very open learning space. The goal is for everyone to develop confidence in the kitchen; Whether that is holding a knife properly, making a fancy dinner, or baking a birthday cake. Nothing is too fancy and nothing is too basic. All in a no-pressure environment.

I’m hoping to help as many people as possible, whether that’s the babies or the person who just wants to know how to make a perfect steak. I just want everyone to know they can be self-sufficient and successful, even if it’s new territory.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
We would definitely be going on an eating tour! I love hole in the wall restaurants. Cajun Kitchen, for sure.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?

I could honestly cry thinking about every person that has helped mold me over the years. The very first person I thought of was my 4th grade teacher, Beth Gorman. She deserves a LOT of the credit and ALL of the recognition possible. Without any effort at all, she was always herself, unapologetically. Confident as all heck, vivacious and enthusiastic about teaching, to her core. You could just tell Ms. Gorman was walking in her purpose. As an adult looking back now, it was also evident that it took a lot of work to get there.

On top of being a dope math teacher (all subjects, really) and an incredible musician (trumpet), she taught me that sometimes we make mistakes and all we can do is try to fix them if they need fixing. She also showed me the true value of caring for others without expectation and how to serve humbly. Ms. Gorman had a rule that if someone didn’t have food at lunch, every student in class would give them a piece of theirs. I was that kid sometimes, it really gave me a sense of love and consideration. When there was another child without, I was happy to share because of the example shown to me. If you lead with love, you create more love.

If that wasn’t enough, she was the prime example of having a sense of responsibility for the earth’s well-being, and it trickled down to us kids. She was huge on recycling and composting. She hosted Earth Day events every year. I haven’t talked to her in a long while, but I can bet she still carries those values. Probably ten-fold.

I went to a very conservative Catholic private school and it always surprised me that Ms. Gorman continued teaching there, despite her not always fitting the bill of what the norm was. It was the best thing about being in her class. She just didn’t care what anybody else thought. She cared about doing good (not to be confused with doing “well”— but well, too! Private school is no joke). She moved up to teach us in 8th grade, our last year there. I always thought that was so special that she wanted to be with us one more time before sending us off to high school.

I walk in confidence and assertion because I had her during a time that I really needed to know I was capable. I’ll never forget and never be able to thank her sufficiently for how she made me feel free to be exactly who I was meant to be. I am a true testament to her efforts and I’ll always jump at the chance to shout her out to anybody who will listen :).

Website: http://www.chanelletmolina.com

Instagram: chanelletmolina

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chanellemolina/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chanelletmolina

Image Credits
The Bird and The Bear Photography

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutHTX is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.