Today we’d like to introduce you to Chelsea Sumner.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I was born and raised in the hot city of Miami, Florida. I am a daughter, sister, and student. I grew up very poor. I barely had a place to lay my head at nights. My mom was a single mother with three kids who were struggling to make ends meet. When I turned six years old, that was the point in my life where I had to learn how to take responsibility to help provide for my little brother and sister. While my mother was working trying to make ends meet for us. We ended up having to live in a homeless shelter for some time before my mother got back on her feet. Later on, I started going down the wrong path in my mid-childhood. I started hanging around the wrong crowd of people, getting into a lot of trouble in school, and also at home. I eventually became very bitter and mad with the world because of not having a childhood and other things that took place within my childhood. My past life experiences kept haunting me to the point I began giving up on my education and also my life. I ended up doing drugs and becoming very addicted to drugs to the point it was slowly killing me due to a born heart defect. My mother always told me, “Drugs is not going to get you anywhere in life. Your education is the one thing that no one can take away from.” It was very hard for me to overcome this trial and tribulation I was facing. Before I die I wanted to become someone who left a great impression on people in our society, I want people to always remember me and the impact I had installed in their lives. I wanted to attend college and become somebody who helps others to do better. That’s when I decided to go to rehab and therapy which helped me overcome all of the struggles I was facing in life. Now I am brighter than ever. I currently have my Associate of Arts Degree and I am currently pursuing my Bachelor degree. I learned how to let go of my past and learned to forgive others for they have done to me. I believe one day I will become a very successful educated black woman who will achieve my life’s goals.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, the road has not been easy for me. Yes, I have faced many struggles and challenges along the way that had to deal with including the negative stereotyping, failure to succeed in the education system, family problems, substance abuse, etc. I have conquered all of these struggles and challenges that made me who I am today. My advice to any women no matter what race, sexually, cultural background or age that you are. Stop and look at yourself in the mirror and think about all of what you did to get to where you are today and made you who you are today. Tell yourself you see a great person and to keep pushing and that you can overcome anything and everything by believing within yourself. “You can do “ALL” things through Christ who strengthens you.” And to always remember God will not give you more than you can handle. He gives his toughest battles to the ones who are strong enough to fight through the end. So… Lift your head high in look yourself in the mirror and tell yourself to keep pushing. You got this!
Tell us about what you do – what should we know?
I am a Poet and a Photographer. I am mostly known for building people up who have been broken, whether its by my poems or by my photography. My poems are very profound a lot of people tend to relate to them. While on the other hand, my photography artwork makes people happy. I always capture the perfect shot of people’s and their events that will always have a major impact on their lives. Because they will always have a perfect picture to hold and cherish for a lifetime. I am very proud of making others happy and building broken people up. I want to inspire others and tell them that they are great at whatever they do and do not ever give up. We are all special in our way.
Do you feel like there was something about the experiences you had growing up that played an outsized role in setting you up for success later in life?
Yes, everything I have been through in my past childhood made me who I am today. I would not be where I am today or who I am today without facing those challenges and learning how to overcome those challenges. It made me brighter, stronger, smarter, and wiser than who I was, unfortunately, I did not know at that moment. Yet, I am very grateful for all of those past and current experiences. That made me what and who I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: SumnerChelsea.blogspot.com
- Email: Csumn004@fiu.edu
- Instagram: @The_PerfectShots & @Cea_Dej
- Facebook: @The_PerfectShots
Image Credit:
Chelsea Sumner
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