Meet Chartel | Creative + Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Chartel and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chartel, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I personally believe that the concept of balance is more about having a peaceful state of mind, rather than giving equal weight and importance to our personal and professional lives. Some things require more time to accomplish than others. Some opportunities are imminent while we may perceive that other opportunities may be accomplished at another time. Some things are, or feel, more pertinent than others at any given moment.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
GOLD+WATER CO.® is a handcrafted soap, bath, body and fragrance company that seeks to remind you that “You Are the Luxury!” We are a small, woman-led brand based in Philadelphia. I believe that we have been able to grow with both the support of our community and a relentless commitment to our mission and business model. We make and sell products online, and through our retail partners (stockists).

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If a friend was visiting the Philadelphia area, all of our outings and time would revolve around food, flowers, and enjoying a number of wonderful women-owned businesses in the Philadelphia area. We would spend a morning at Vault + Vine, sipping smoothies and buying plants. We would get some books from Harriet’s Bookshop, build a bouquet at Myrtle & Magnolia and then climb the stairs at Proper Goods to shop their specialty items. We would purchase items from the shoppable museum that is Black Ivy Thrift, and then further upgrade our wardrobes at Grant Blvd. The weekend would include an order from Lizzie’s Love Cakes and a visit to Sweet Life Bake Shop for banana pudding.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are MANY people who have supported me and my goals. My parents and siblings sacrificed a lot throughout my childhood in terms of time and finances to support my creative pursuits. I have an incredible group of lifelong friends that originated in high school and college. My current business has been supported by a significant number of other wonderful business owners. I’d like to specifically honor the memory of one such woman : Charisse McGill. She was a beloved, clever, outspoken, and kind person who was the founder of Lokal Artisan Foods and French Toast Bites. She championed my business and spoke my name in important rooms, from the moment we met at a business mixer.

Website: GoldAndWaterCo.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/GoldAndWaterCo_

Image Credits
Kelli Hiser