Meet Danyell Matthews of Chi & Chiang® Body + Skincare

Today we’d like to introduce you to Danyell Matthews.

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Chi & Chiang® was born during one of the most unexpected seasons of my life. Like so many people, I lost my job during the COVID-19 pandemic. At the time, I didn’t understand why, but looking back, I truly believe God was redirecting my path. During that season, I discovered gifts and talents I never knew I had. What felt like one of the hardest moments in my life became the beginning of a purpose I believe God had prepared for me all along.

As my faith grew, I became more intentional about self-care and about creating something that could truly help others. I never imagined I would own a body care company. It wasn’t something I had planned for my life, but I believe God had a different plan than I did.

The inspiration for Chi & Chiang® came from home. My husband and son both live with eczema, and several members of our family have sensitive skin. I wanted to create products that were gentle, nourishing, and something my own family could use with confidence. That desire led me down a path of researching ingredients, learning everything I could, and spending countless hours testing and refining my formulas.

When I discovered kokum butter, I knew I had found something special. I loved how lightweight it felt, how deeply it nourished the skin, and that it didn’t leave behind the heavy, greasy feeling so many body butters have. After months of learning, praying, and trusting the process, Chi & Chiang® officially launched in 2020.

Today, I have the privilege of serving as Founder and CEO of Chi & Chiang®. My mission is bigger than creating body care. I want to build a business that reflects my faith, serves people well, and reminds others that sometimes the detours in life lead us exactly where God intended us to be. My hope is that when someone experiences Chi & Chiang®, they don’t just experience quality body care, but they also see the love, purpose, and intention behind everything we create.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road, but every challenge has helped shape both me and the business. I didn’t come from a skincare or cosmetic background, so I had to learn everything from the ground up. From researching ingredients and understanding formulation to branding, marketing, website design, and running a business, every step required patience, persistence, and a willingness to keep learning.

Like many entrepreneurs, I’ve experienced moments of self-doubt, financial challenges, and the pressure of wearing every hat in the business. There were times when progress felt slow, but I’ve learned that building something meaningful takes time. Instead of looking for shortcuts, I’ve focused on creating a strong foundation and staying committed to the vision God placed in my heart.

One of the greatest lessons I’ve learned is that success isn’t built overnight. It’s built through consistency, resilience, and faith. Every obstacle has strengthened my confidence, deepened my trust in God, and reminded me that growth often happens in the process, not just in the destination. Looking back, I can honestly say I wouldn’t change the journey because every challenge has prepared me for where Chi & Chiang® is headed.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Chi & Chiang® Body + Skincare is an intentional body care brand founded on faith, purpose, and a desire to create products people can truly trust. Our mission is simple: to help people care for their skin with thoughtfully crafted products that prioritize both performance and quality.

What makes us different is our commitment to building our brand around kokum butter, an ingredient I discovered while searching for a better solution for my family’s dry and sensitive skin. My husband and son both live with eczema, and that personal journey inspired me to create body care that feels lightweight, deeply nourishing, and non-greasy without compromising on quality. Rather than following trends, we’ve chosen to educate consumers on why ingredients matter and why kokum butter deserves recognition as one of the most effective ingredients in body care.

I’m most proud that Chi & Chiang® has grown from a God-given vision into a purpose-driven business. Every product reflects the values on which this company was built: faith, excellence, intentionality, and genuine care for the people we serve. For me, success isn’t simply measured by sales. It’s measured by the trust we earn, the confidence our customers have in our products, and the relationships we build along the way.

I want readers to know that Chi & Chiang® is more than a body care brand. It’s a brand with a purpose. Whether someone is looking for everyday hydration, products for dry skin, or simply a better body butter experience, my hope is that they discover the heart behind our company and feel confident choosing products that were created with intention from the very beginning.

Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned is that you don’t have to have all the answers to get started, but you do have to remain teachable. I believe mentorship comes in many forms. Sometimes it’s a conversation with someone who’s been where you want to go, and other times it’s learning through books, podcasts, educational resources, or simply observing people who are doing things well.

Networking has been valuable because I’ve learned to focus on building genuine relationships instead of looking for immediate opportunities. I’ve found that when you approach people with humility, curiosity, and a willingness to learn, meaningful connections happen naturally. Every conversation has the potential to teach you something.

My advice is to pray for wisdom, be intentional about surrounding yourself with people who challenge and encourage you, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. The right mentor won’t just celebrate your successes; they’ll also help you grow through your challenges. Most importantly, stay faithful to the vision God has given you. Everyone’s journey will look different, and it’s easy to compare yourself to others, but your assignment is unique. Trust the process, keep learning, and remain consistent. Growth comes one step at a time.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chiandchiang.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chiandchiang/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chiandchiang
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/danyell-m-326136221/