We had the good fortune of connecting with Tanya ‘CHAI’ Neely and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Tanya ‘CHAI’, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind both my success, as well as the success of my brand; I would have to say is my Authenticity. There are so many people blessing this natural skincare/artisan industry with their talents and gifts and I am grateful to be able to tell MY STORY, while sharing my works of creation with the world. There is more to “Chai’s Healing Corner” than skincare products and metaphysical tools, and I am open to allowing you all to see me; raw and authentic and vulnerable. This is the ‘healing corner’ first and foremost; healing is not linear and it never ends; it is a continuous cycle. I used to think in order to be a business owner, you had to act a certain way.. I was forgetting to be human first. I was missing the point. I reflect often how it wasn’t too long ago when I came across someone’s ‘authenticity’ online, sharing their story.. it only motivated me to tell mine in hopes of being that courage that someone else can take towards their healing journey.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I truly believe the world is MY CANVAS. FUN FACT: I am also a makeup artist! Since opening in 2015, operating under the alias of ‘Neely Glam Studios Makeup Artistry’, she has undergone a rebranding earlier this year and now identifies as ‘ Celestial Glam by Chai Makeup Artistry’. ‘Chai’s Healing Corner’ is an extension of my first love, makeup. In 2020, when Chai’s Healing Corner first launched, she focused on holistic skincare, before expanding into what she is today; holistic skincare, metaphysical tools, yoni hygiene care, copper wrapped and beaded crystal jewelry, and etc. It makes me the most excited to hear reviews from my previous makeup clients that their skin is improving based off of my products and personalized skincare regimens.
Everything is a steppingstone. Every experience. I can’t say ‘how’ I got here professionally because I’m still on that journey. I just kept going and never stopped. I remember my ‘why’ on the days that I want to quit. I try to remember to take small breaks to avoid the burnout of being an entrepreneur; especially managing multiple businesses while still working full time in corporate America. I have a mission on this Earth and it is much bigger than myself. And knowing that there are other people on this same path of providing natural solutions for the collective, helps to reassure me that I’m not alone in ‘doing the work’ and that it is ok to rest.. there are other super heroes out there.
Chai’s Healing Corner was created to show you that Selfcare is important and it is essential to our healing process. Selfcare is not a luxury. We offer a range of different products and services (soon to come) to help incorporate Selfcare into your daily routine; from natural soaps and skincare infused with essential oils to assist in aromatherapy, as well as healing certain irritations of the skin, to spending some intimate alone time with yourself using our yoni hygiene care line, enjoying our cleansing SpirLITual baths, adorning yourself in sacred jewels, working on reprogramming your thoughts with affirmations, and more!
During a significant time where I was in the process of healing, these were some of the things I did; such as taking spirit baths to remove negativity from my aura, steaming my yoni to help regulate my hormones and detox my womb, being creative and creating my own jewelry, and etc. So I decided to share things that I did, with you all to help you on your journey.
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.
So, I am in Durham, NC. I do enjoy cooking and most of my friends enjoy my VEGAN COOKING (I have to put that disclaimer in there) and would probably spend the week trying to get them to try everything that said they never would, but they will because I cooked it. I’d show them to Perkin’s Orchard, which has expanded rather quickly in the last couple years. Perkin’s Orchard is a Black owned family produce market, which now supersedes just produce, by far! Empress Vegan Palace (managed and operated by Wisdom Born) is one of my favorite vegan chefs! She has a weekly menu you can order from, exclusive to each week there is a new menu. She also does meal prep if you ask. The last time I partied was probably at Solas, which is a luxurious rooftop bar and restaurant that also has a lounge and club on the inside, located on Glenwood Avenue in Raleigh, NC. I love to be outdoors and in nature. There is the Eno River State Park with multiple entrances for you to enjoy a hike, a dip in the river, or just enjoy the scenery. Emerald Isle Beach, NC and Myrtle Beach, SC are about 3-3.5 hours away and you have a few little beaches in between. There are metaphysical ‘crystal’ shops where you can shop for your crystals, get your tarot read, indulge in some Reiki cleansing and more.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to shoutout so many people! Collectively, I will call them ‘My Soul Tribe’. Thank you all for believing in me and supporting my vision. Thank you all for your resources and networks that you have blessed me with over the last two years. Thank you all for the encouraging conversations, brainstorming sessions and creative input. Thank you all for taking a chance on Chai’s Healing Corner. Thank you all for every last purchase, post, share, website link click and then some. Support comes in many forms and I am grateful!
Website: https://chaishealingcorner.square.site
Instagram: www.instagram.com/chaishealingcorner
Facebook: www.facebook.com/chaishealingcorner