Meet Charell Star — Foster Care Advocate + Lifestyle Expert
My motivation to keep going is there are still so many amazing stories that I want to tell. I’ve only just begun. — Charell Star
Charell Star is a Brand and Partner Media Manager in the FinTech field, an online journalist with articles penned in media outlets including Newsweek, Business News Daily, Tom’s IT Pro, and many others, as well as a contributor + featured lifestyle, tech, and fashion expert for on-air segments. As a former foster care youth and now advocate, Charell is an appointed Board Member of CASA NYC and City Living NY. Using her life story and knowledge of storytelling, marketing, and fashion/tech innovations, Charell speaks to empower other women to advocate for themselves in negotiations, businesses to tell their unique stories, and audiences to embrace their past to propel their future.
Now if we can, I’d like to go way back for a little while. Where did you grow up? What was it like to growing up?
When I was 6, I woke up to find myself alone with my baby sister. I made breakfast, dropped my baby sister off with a neighbor, and walked to school. After school, I was taken to the home of strangers. I don’t remember their names or where I lived, but I recall the abuse and loneliness I felt there. I remember watching my belongings being thrown into trash bags. I did not want to admit that my mother was in and out of rehab and a father was in jail; It took a long time for me to realize that my time in foster care — like all foster youth — was no fault of my own. The most challenging obstacle growing up was letting go of the pain and baggage I was carrying from my time in care. While my time in foster care was frustrating, scary and extremely hard it also played a large role in shaping me into the woman I am today.
What inspired your entrepreneurial journey or event?
With a dad incarcerated for murder, a mom on drugs & a childhood in foster care, I knew it was time to break the cycle. I went on to be the first in my family to graduate from college, make a career for myself in Corporate Communications as well entrepreneurship as an on- air correspondent for fashion, tech, and lifestyle trends, and a co-owner in Rue Cler Games, a gaming company I co -created with my husband.
What do you define as failure?
Failure is either not putting in the effort to match your ambition or not learning from your efforts. Neither guarantees success, but you will gain knowledge that will help propel you for the rest of your life. No one said it better than Nelson Mandela. “I never lose. I either win or I learn.” You don’t gain experience by sitting on the sidelines.
What have you felt you have failed at? What might you have done to prevent those failures?
I have stumbled many times, but I always try to learn from each experience. One failure I made early on was in the development of my website. I hired a company based on a friend’s recommendation, and they did an awful job. Nothing worked correctly on the site and I had to have it completely redone. What I learned is not to assume everyone’s standards are the same as mine, especially when it comes to business. I should have properly vetted the website company and not decided to make an investment solely on a single recommendation. My friend was sincerely trying to help me out and the responsibility for ensuring it was the right fit rested with me. Since then, I’ve been diligent about properly vetting all my vendors and partners to ensure they can meet my business needs since.
What kind of impact do you want your service to leave on your client?
I want people to leave knowing that you do not have to choose between being “successful” or “making change.” Your business — your brand — is a platform that should be filled with purpose. It is possible to make a positive change as you follow your dreams and build what you were called to create.
What is your why? Why you did you start your journey?
Being a marketing executive and on-air lifestyle correspondent has led to some amazing opportunities and allowed me to open doors for others. In addition to being able to shine a light on small business and minority owned brands, I get to use my platform to advocate for foster care youth across the nation. One big moment that I’m especially proud of was being part of the push along with Court Appointed Special Advocates NYC (CASA NYC) to suspend aging out for foster care youth in New York during the pandemic. Foster care youth were literally exiting foster care with no money or job, becoming instantly homeless because there was no place for them to go. To be able to make a positive change for youth in care — like I was — is an incredible milestone.
What hurdles did you personally face and how did you overcome them?
Having been on both sides of foster care — as a foster care youth and now a foster care advocate, the most challenging obstacle I’ve had to overcome is letting go of the pain and baggage I was carrying from my time in care. It took a long time for me to realize that my time in foster care — like all foster youth — was no fault of my own. A common misconception is foster youth have done something wrong and ended up in care. The truth is youth end up in foster care because of neglect or abuse — i.e. the adults they should be able to depend on have done something wrong. I had to learn to not blame myself for the mistakes of others. Once I did, I was able to see my path clearly and use my voice to help others.
Do you feel your product met the needs of the market at the time of conception? Does it still?
As a Foster Care Advocate + Lifestyle Expert my goal is to inspire others with a message of authenticity, inspiration, and the power of believing in yourself. There will always be a market for building self-esteem.
When did you realize entrepreneurship was right for you?
I’ve never been afraid to try something new or fail at something I’ve never done before. (My home DIY projects can attest to that!) In terms of my media work, I didn’t feel like there was anyone telling the stories I though deserved to be told, so I began telling them myself. I knew this was the right calling for me the first time a small business owner — who had the most amazing story and product by the way — told me she had received interest from investors based on the TV segment I featured her in. I love being in a position to lift others as I climb.
What advice do you have for entrepreneurs and small business owners who may not be achieving their goals?
My advice would be to give yourself a little grace, especially right now. Being an entrepreneur is not easy and everything we thought was steadfast in business has changed with the pandemic. After you do that, I’d recommend doing an audit of your goals and your metrics. Take a hard look at your audience, your marketing materials and ads, your conversions, your sales, your offerings and/or products and see where you are missing the mark. Numbers don’t lie. From there you can come up with a 30-, 60- and 90-day game plan to make any necessary tweaks.
What would you say is your most driving motivation to keep doing what you to do?
I honestly love what I do. Telling stories about new brands, products, and businesses that can have a positive impact on people’s lives excites me. My motivation to keep going is there are still so many amazing stories that I want to tell. I’ve only just begun.
What are you most excited or passionate about? (In both business and life or both)
I’m extremely passionate about story-telling and being able to leverage my experience and platform to advocate for the needs and rights of foster care youth. I spend a lot of time developing new story ideas and pitching segments to my producers. And, when I’m not doing that, I trying to be of value to Court Appointed Special Advocates NYC (CASA NYC) and City Living NY, two foster care nonprofits that I volunteer with as a board member. During the pandemic I’ve also been sharpening my home DIY skills and tackling organization tasks like crazy. I’ve never been afraid of power tools and have always been passionate about home design, so I’ve just been enjoying being creative and working with my hands.
What are the goals you most want to accomplish in your business? What are the goals that you hold personally?
I want to keep telling great stories that bring value to people and keep helping others along the way. One of my goals is to host my own show — or series of shows.
Did you have any key mentors or people who deeply influenced who you are, what you believe in and what you’re committed to in your work and life? Tell me about them.
I’ve had many informal mentors along the way who have influenced me and shaped my growth and ones that have opened doors for me to step through. I’m thankful to them all. The one that’s always been committed to my work and lift — since day one — has been my husband. He’s been, and continues to be, my biggest champion, sounding board, and amazing partner. He’s in the education field and seeing his commitment to his work is so inspiring. I wouldn’t have been able to come this far this fast without his support.
What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?
You can totally look forward to me creating more stories and segments to inspire and uplift women. You’ll also find me hosting empowerment events and panels throughout the year. And, of course, I’ll continue to advocate for foster care youth along the way.
CASA NYC: www.casa-nyc.org | City Living NY: www.citylivingny.org/
