Meet Charisse Woods | Brand Identity Strategist and Designer

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

Hi Charisse, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Ah, the question every entrepreneur gets asked! The truth is, there wasn’t just one “aha!” moment that sparked Creators Brand Bazaar. It was a crescendo of frustrations, aspirations, and the unwavering belief in the power of creativity.

I spent years in the creative and marketing trenches, battling deadlines, resource scarcity, and the constant feeling of the need of reinventing the wheel. Every project started with the same struggle – finding high-quality, affordable resources that fit my unique vision. It was like searching for buried treasure in a desert of generic templates and cookie-cutter solutions.

That’s when the frustration turned into fuel. I knew there had to be a better way, a one-stop shop for fellow creators, a digital bazaar overflowing with “gold” that ignited inspiration, not stifled it. That’s the core of Creators Brand Bazaar – empowering creatives to stop wasting time and energy with the technicalities that aren’t their strong-suit and and focus on building their creative dreams.

But it wasn’t just about convenience. I craved a community, a tribe of passionate individuals who understood the highs and lows of the creative journey. A place where ideas could clash and blend, where support was readily available, and where celebrating each other’s successes was just as important as chasing individual goals.

That’s why Creators Brand Bazaar wont be just a marketplace; it’ll become a virtual campfire for creatives of all stripes. We curate premium “Done-For-You” resources, host inspiring events, and foster a community built on collaboration, encouragement, and shared passion.

So overall, Creators Brand Bazaar was born from a cocktail of creative hunger, practical need, and a deep-seated belief in the power of community. I feel as though this is my way of paying forward the lessons I learned; providing fellow creators the resources that take their creative goal from ideas into fruition. This is more than just a business; it’s a mission, a love letter to the creative spirit that lives within us all. Every time a creator finds what they need, builds something amazing, or simply feels a spark of inspiration ignited by our community this will all be worth it. The world needs art. The world needs creativity.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
More than just branding and marketing, my approach has always been like a kaleidoscope, tying together together bold ideas, unexpected connections, and the belief that there’s beauty in everything. For over a decade, I’ve worked on my craft, not just in corporate meetings and studios, but in real-world experience.

My journey began at a Holiday Inn, where, as a Sales Coordinator, I saw beyond the hotel’s branded green logo and looked for ways to incorporate local flair. I always sought to transform guest experiences, infusing every touchpoint with the warmth of a story, and add creative elements to our products, where I could. It was there, through my Sales & Marketing position, that my passion for branding blossomed.

Honestly, I’ve never been one for cookie-cutter experiences and always believed that there was more for me. I just didn’t know what. On my own time, I would jump into the raw canvas of event planning, web design, and eventually branding. Whatever it was, I was always crafting vibrant experiences, where the details told unique narratives and I quickly became enamored with the correlation of psychology and branding. This interest developed me into an avid StoryTeller. I realized that these experiences I had created were telling stories that small businesses and brands were missing in their strategy. This is when I had my “aha” moment and for the first time felt like I could actually do something impactful with my gifts.

For over 10 years, I tried so many things; almost anything that allowed me a creative outlet. Did I enjoy trying? Yes. Was it hard? Also YES. (especially considering that most were unpaid projects) but I had to keep trying. The steps I took were self taught while working my 9-5. Rejections stung, and working with little to no budgets were even worse. But within that struggle, I discovered my most important power: resourcefulness and having unique eye. My creative journey so far has recently landed me in Creative Direction where I become the conductor of brand messaging, and guide teams towards completed projects that will tell the Brands Story to connect with their targeted audience.

3 important lessons that I have learned:
1. Learn to fail fast. If Plan A doesn’t work quickly move on to Plan B and so forth. There’s no point in crying over spilled milk.
2. Look beyond the obvious. There is literally beauty in everything.
3. The power of collaboration. You’d be amazed at what others can bring out of you.

I’m most proud of my ability to transform limitations into opportunities. I’m beyond excited to grow what I’m passionate about into a way to help others. It’s important to help others in whatever you do. At this point in my life, I feel as though the sky is the limit and thats the example I want to set for my daughter and others.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take my best friend to New York in the summer. There’s nothing like New York in the summer. I would make sure to take her throughout the boroughs to experience the differences in culture. We’d do brunch at Balthazar in Soho and just hang around in Tribeca. We’d take the Staten Island Ferry and end up in Manhattan doing “touristy” stuff like Times Square and Langston Hughes house. (if she wanted). Maybe catch a matinee at Broadway or visit interactive exhibits like Hall de Lumieres. In Harlem, we’d stop by Malcom Shabazz market and I’d make sure that we scored reservations in advance at Tatiana by Chef Kwame as it’s known for having month-long waits. Finally hitting up Jewel Theif which is a Speakeasy located in the East Village. I’d make sure we’d explore the various thrift shops in DUMBO, walking the Brooklyn Bridge, and scoring vintage china at the Brooklyn Teacup. There’s always something going on in NY so we would end up at local events from independent artists.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Thankful to my Family and Friends who constantly push me and hold me accountable to be my best self. I started over ten years ago and my Family and Friends have been behind me every step of the way encouraging me to keep pushing forward and sharpening my skills. I probably would not be in Branding had it not been for their support.

Website: www.charisseiam.com

Image Credits
Ciana McCowin – The Offbeat Studio