Chanae Jones: fashion entrepreneur, small business owner, and college student

“I’ve always been super creative,” says Chanae Jones, an Eleanor Roosevelt High School NAF Academy of Finance graduate from Maryland. “I’ve always wanted to own my own business.” Now, Chanae owns and operates Le Strassed Chae, a full-service adornment line created to empower women through henna artistry and handmade jewelry. She balances this work with her job at Completely Yours Events in Washington, DC and her studies at the University of Maryland University College (UMUC). We asked Chanae a few questions about her NAF experience and how it helped her be future ready.

Tell us more about your business, Le Strassed Chae. How did you start it?
It actually started out with me decorating phone cases and making jewelry. I’ve always done henna on the side – I started doing that when I was around 16. I was always doing it for my friends. They said, ‘Oh my gosh, why don’t you do this? You’re so creative with it.’ I started implementing henna designs onto phone cases. Then I started taking henna appointments for bridal clients and it really took off. I didn’t expect it to; I thought it would be a hobby or side hustle. I was able to pay for two vacations completely from what I made from doing henna.

You attended Eleanor Roosevelt High School’s NAF Academy of Finance. Was there a teacher there that stood out to you?
Ms. Shaw was there for at least a decade. She was amazing to say the least. She was always very encouraging and I believe she even fought for NAF to be at our high school. We were a science and tech school – she wanted to implement some kind of entrepreneurship courses into the high school curriculum. I could tell that she really loved NAF because she went at it full swing. I’m not exactly sure how I was recruited into it, but I’m glad I was. She taught most of the classes that were a part of the NAF curriculum. I mean, for one teacher to take on so many courses like that to introduce the program at the high school says a lot about her.

NAF students complete a paid internship as part of their studies. What was yours like?
During my senior year, I had a paid internship at a local spa. I continued to work there for three years until I moved on to another position. During those three years, I performed administrative tasks in the office, became a key holder, trained incoming staff, and walked away with a glowing letter of recommendation. That letter later landed me a job as an administrative assistant at a consulting firm for small businesses. Thanks to my NAF academy, I was also able to manage my first bank account, and complete and file my own taxes. I’m not sure how many 16-year-olds currently have that ability! NAF gave me guidance and knowledge regarding skills most people don’t master until adulthood. My NAF academy undoubtedly gave me a competitive edge in the workplace, and I’m thankful for the invaluable skills I learned during that time.

What are you up to now?
Upon graduating high school and my NAF academy with honors, I attended Prince George’s Community College while working part time. I currently attend University of Maryland University College (UMUC) where I am studying for my Bachelors in Communication, with a minor in Marketing. Seven years after my NAF academy, I now work as an independent marketing assistant for local small businesses, and as Administrative and Executive Assistant to Jon’ll Boyd and the Completely Yours Events team, an award-winning event planning and styling agency serving DC, MD, and VA. And, as I mentioned, I also own and operate Le Strassed Chae.

I love what I’m doing now. I love my team. I’ve always worked for women, and our company is all women. It’s great being around women who are all entrepreneurial spirits like I am. Right now, we’re working on a really exciting conference that takes place in January of next year. The conference will bring together other event planners who want to learn and educate themselves about industry best practices.

It seems like you’ve accomplished so much already! Do you have any plans for what you want to achieve next?
Long term, I see myself working for myself completely. I want to start a consulting firm for small businesses, with a focus on women-owned businesses. We have so many women entrepreneurs, but not enough firms that are built to help progress these businesses or focus on the needs of women entrepreneurs. That’s my next goal.