Meet Javier Chia | Creative

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

Hi Javier, how do you think about risk?
Risk is a tricky thing. I think it can be used in positive ways and negative ways, but something guaranteed I’m both is a payout and a lesson. I have many different areas of my life where risk plays a role. Maybe it’s trying a new idea at work? Maybe it’s helping someone, or investing in a creative project or something simple like trying a new drink/food.

I remember in 2020 when I quit a job I had been at for 7 years without a plan. Then a few months later the world shut down, also without a plan. I have struggled through out my life truly believing in myself. My confidence was always attached to something besides myself, my value like many of us was externally driven not internally fostered. During this time risk taught me the first lessons in knowing my worth, respect, value, core beliefs and trust in faith. That no matter what I would be ok, risk is a vital ingredient in developing fearlessness. Courage was developed and I was given a new opportunity. I jumped in doing a job I felt under qualified for, but I risked it. This was in July. By December I was in bed with Covid and the vice president called me congratulating me for having the number 1 store in the world. All adventures, stories and accomplishments have risk. No risk, no reward.

In 2016 I bought my first property and also a sober living business. The risk I was taking involved other peoples lives which made me take it more seriously. It was a divine moment and I have such gratitude. To see men reunite with their loved ones, start families, find love, grow and be happy. Maybe instead of calling it an ROI (return of investment) we should call it ROR (return of risk).

I recently celebrated 9 years sober. Prior to being in recovery I took a lot of one can say careless risks. The payout was low and painful. My intentions were misplaced, I guess that’s something else I’ve learned. Risk can sometimes not only affect you but those around you. Placed in the wrong hands, at the wrong times with the wrong intentions can create irreversible consequences.

Being a creative involves an interesting version of risk. We create because we were born to, so we must but often times we find ourselves to judgement and criticism. In a capitalist society that idolizes money, fame etc. Where is our focus on the joy of the process and perhaps not the results.

I believe in all circumstances, personal or professional it is important to pause, meditate and pray. Be curious and not condemning. Ask yourself why, and is the juice worth the squeeze?

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I believe that we have spent a lot of time attaching our value to what we do. I was a victim of that belief and it just led me down a path of always doing and never being, I became a human-doing instead of a human-being. I can’t remember when exactly but at some point in the last decade something shifted in me to focus more on the pursuit of my purpose instead of pursuit of (fill in the blank). I’m a creative, a vessel of healing energy, a wanderer, a dreamer, an advocate, a musician, my purpose is to use all of who I was created to be to leave people and places better than I found them. On some level I feel everyone’s purpose is the same but what varies are the gifts we have to carry that out.

Professionally – I manage one of the most successful Marc Jacobs boutiques globally. I own a small independent sober living business that helps men build new lives, heal and move forward. I am a photographer, an artist and a musician. I have also worked as a group facilitator at a treatment facility.

I have been very blessed to find success in all the areas I described above. I whole heartedly believe this is because, behind every action is my purpose. To leave people and places better than I found them.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
See the sun rise on the east coast.

Go out to breakfast (somewhere that has good hash brown.)

Go to the beach. As I’ve gotten older I’ve learned to appreciate quite spots on the beach not party beaches.

Lunch (somewhere that has good French fries)

Thrifting, massages or facials. Concerts or plays.

Dinner either at my parents house or my favorite place in the world FLANNIGANS.

Jackson’s ice creams.

See the sunset on the west coast.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Thank you to God, my husband, my family, my friends, my mentors and my dog Emma for teaching me unconditional love. For believing in me when I don’t know how to believe in myself. For giving me opportunities. For pushing me. For helping me heal and break out of these limiting beliefs.

Instagram: https://instagram.com/allijav?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/javier-chia-026794a3

Image Credits
Courtney Rodwell Erwin Georgi Paige Michels