Connect
To Top

Meet Ingrid Chiles of Customized Carnival in Marietta

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ingrid Chiles.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Ingrid. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
When I think about my story, I cannot help but feel like it is a testimony that is continuously uploading. I could not have imagined the wonderful places, people and experiences I have gained in my life nor would have desired some of the more character and resiliency building challenges I had to walk through to be where I am. I am the youngest child of five. Born and raised in Greenville, SC. I have the greatest inspiration in my parents, Marion and the late Charles Chiles, who were the only black people I knew who owned a beauty supply store and truly embodied a vision to be creators and producers rather than only consumers. Create your own jobs. My parents always supported my dreams no matter how unconventional.

I have always had a love of art, music and science. I was a child who leapt from objects, teaching myself to fly with only a grocery cart, also hurting myself in the process. I danced, broke things apart to put them back together and loved solving problems. This love of solving problems was the reason I pursued and earned both my Mathematics B.S. degree from Spelman College and Aerospace Engineering B.S and M.S degrees from University of Michigan and University of Illinois Urbana Champaign. Even throughout my matriculation, I would join African dance groups and art meet ups with friends for creative balance and outlets.

Customized Carnival began as a group of friends who met in 2011 during the carnival festivities in the streets of Trinidad & Tobago. It was the love for the Caribbean culture and Soca music that allowed us to combine our talents to give others a customized carnival experience. Whether in the fetes, on the road for J’ouvert morning or playing with a masquerade band, Customized Carnival provides products to enhance the vibes of any carnival experience. The Caribbean has invited the rest of the world to ‘Come Play Ah Mas’ and we have accepted that invitation.

My business partner, Stacy Gooden, and I have used Customized Carnival as a business of creative expression and liberation through unique looks that are as much futuristic as they are Afrocentric.

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Not at all. I have humble beginnings. I recognize that smoothness of my road is always relative to other roads I could have had in my life. Perspective of blessings is everything. I, like many entrepreneurs, did not begin with a playbook of what to do and not do. I have also at the same time came to the realization that working a dream full time does not always pay the bills. Being a mother, I have to prioritize resources of my time and energy to raise my child. I also must remember the dream of being an entrepreneur cannot be completely sacrificed. I am motivated by the example of my parents to be an example to my child. This meant working a career that at times left little hours left to work my dreams, this meant deciding that some ventures were not going to be feasible to align with the responsibilities of home, this also meant deciding what in my life wins.

One of my favorite books is “The Year of Yes” by Shonda Rhimes. I felt deeply connected particularly to her words when she expressed that we cannot be everything at the same time. This is a struggle area for me who aspires for greatness but feel a tremendous sense of guilt in not having fulfillment in all areas of my life at the same time. This is where grace kicks in. Giving yourself grace can feel foreign when you are like me and manufactured an entire identity around being highly functional. I’ve had to remind myself through loss of career, relationships, business ventures that leave self-doubt with debts, and an easy ability to be self-critical to remember to give myself grace and remember the gems of friends and family where I can be vulnerable.

Tell us about your company. What do you do, what do you specialize in, what are you known for, etc. What are you most proud of as a company? What sets you apart from others?
Customized Carnival is eclectic! Customized Carnival is a company that believes your carnival is meant to be personalized not packaged. Inspiration is drawn from African styles, the Caribbean and futuristic fashion. We love helping others in the spirit of liberation and body positivity to create unique looks that help the individual look and feel their best self. Customized Carnival creates illuminated looks for night festivals, lit art installations/demonstrations, Afrocentric jewelry, waist beads, and more recently shifted focus of products to Ankara fabric facemasks and headwrap sets to answer the need of peace of mind with style during the pandemic.

As a company, I am most proud of staying true to the expression in which the company was founded. As time changes, needs grow and expectations evolve, Customized Carnival has prided itself on being in front of these changes even if Customized Carnival is the only company doing it.

Customized Carnival is also a company that believes in the responsibility of using our platform. Whether helping young ladies earn their jewelry girl scout badges, giving treats to orphans in Ghana or being present in peaceful protests for social reform here at home. Customized Carnival prides itself on being more than masqueraders. We are involved. Customized Carnival is a company that is connected to our shared community as contributors in fostering a better tomorrow. Our voices matter and we believe in the charge to advance the voices of others while we grow.

Customized Carnival believes in celebrating what makes us different while challenging the norms. Stay weird, be different, don’t be normal or as Stacy puts it ‘ah suh we stay’; we are proud of being atypical. It is my belief that not being scared to be different, executing on what that looks like, and creating the conversation that pushes the envelope of Afro-futuristic and body positive expression is what sets Customized Carnival apart.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I personally do not believe luck has played any role in my life nor business. I also don’t believe in coincidence nor luck, but reason and purpose in every encounter. It is not so much about where you meet people, opportunity or misfortune as to when. The person I am now guaranteed handles challenges different than I would with less wisdom, experience and discernment. I believe in a God that allows preparedness and opportunity to meet to create something great or different. The quote that necessity is the mother of invention is true.

I am extremely blessed that I have the support of the people who are in my life. They challenge me, encourage me and help keep me accountable to the goal of always aiming higher than what I have dreamed.

Pricing:

  • Ankara Fabric Facemasks – $20
  • Ankara Fabric Facemask and Headwrap – $45
  • Assorted Waistbeads – $15
  • Rep Yuh Flag Waistbeads – $15

Contact Info:


Image Credit:
Linda Costa Photography
2BKaribbean

Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in