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In this episode of How I Got Here, Dreena welcomes Melissa Chanel, lifestyle blogger, content creator, sneaker connoisseur, and Founder and Creator of Kicks and Fros, a kick community for Black and brown women. On top of all that, she’s also the Head of Global Community & Communications at Cantu. Listen in as Melissa shares about her love of sneakers and the steps she took to establish herself as a Black female influencer in the sneaker, fashion, and lifestyle space.
Melissa highlights the power of building and nurturing community, what led her to create merch for Kicks and Fros, and how she balances and optimizes her time spent on Kicks and Fros, her full-time job at Cantu, and her personal brand.
“If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing it right!”- Melissa Chanel
Stay tuned to hear Melissa’s top tips for overcoming creative blocks and refueling your creativity, along with advice for aspiring content creators on staying relevant and organized. Plus, Melissa shares the mantra that keeps her focused and confident, as well as her pro tips for cleaning and protecting your sneakers.
“Give yourself grace. Don’t feel like you need to keep up with anybody else. Do what you came to do, what you want to do, your style of sharing, of teaching… whatever it is you do as a content creator, just stick to your true and authentic self.”- Melissa Chanel
Connect with Melissa:
Visit her blog: www.melissachanel.com
Follow her on Instagram: www.instagram.com/melissachanel
Follow her on Twitter: www.twitter.com/MelissaChanel2
Resources & Apps Mentioned:
Kicks and Fros: www.kicksandfros.com
SNKRS: www.nike.com/snkrs-app
GOAT: www.goat.com
StockX: www.stockx.com
Social Status: www.socialstatuspgh.com
Request Boutique: www.requestboutique.com
Calendly: www.calendly.com
Later: www.later.com
About the Host:
Dreena Whitfield has a proven ability to create tangible outcomes that helps clients exceed expectations. Her diverse career has led her to spearhead the communications and marketing efforts for leaders in the nonprofit, corporate and political sectors, as well as small businesses internationally.
With more than a decade of experience, Dreena and the WhitPR team have a proven ability to spot opportunities for our clients to grow their brand recognition in saturated markets that are in alignment with their overall objectives.
The Huffington Post listed Dreena as one of their “Top 25 African American Millennials in PR to Watch.”
Follow Dreena & WhitPR on all the socials:
@Dreenawhitpr & @whitpr
Join The WhitPR Collective: www.whitprcollective.com
This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit howigotherewdreenaw.substack.com
Creators and Guests
Host
Dreena Whitfield
Dreena Whitfield-Brown is the Founder and CEO of WhitPR, an integrated strategic communications agency with 15+ years serving clients in the nonprofit, corporate, and political sectors. Recognized as one of PRWeek's 40 Under 40, a PR News Top Woman in PR, and named to Inc.'s 2025 Female Founders 500 List. She created How I Got Here to have the raw, honest conversations about entrepreneurship that nobody has on the record.
What is How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield?
How I Got Here with Dreena Whitfield goes beyond the highlight reel with Black women founders, executives, and leaders. Real conversations about the pivots, the setbacks, and the purpose behind the work. From bootstrapping a beauty brand with $500 to leading a professional sports franchise, each episode explores the moments that shaped who they became and the cost of building something meaningful.
For women navigating leadership, business ownership, career reinvention, and the cost of ambition.
New episodes biweekly on Wednesdays.
Host: Dreena Whitfield
Executive Producer, Writer & Creative Director: Keena Williams / Struxa
howigotherewdreenaw.substack.com