56: Chris Classic on Leaving the World Smelling Better Than He Found It

Today’s guest is not someone who started traditional non-profit or initiated a movement for social good, but they live their life in such a way that they have inspired many of their followers to follow their hearts, to do what they love, and to take leaps of faith; and you know by now that your host, Light Watkins, is all about a good leap of faith! 

Please join in in welcoming Chris Classic, father, founder, perfumer, artist, creative director, and personal inspiration. 

In today’s episode, Chris shares how he took a stand on what he wanted for himself and literally leapt out a window to pursue his vision, which turned out to be one of the best decisions of his life.

Key Points From This Episode:

• Chris talks about his childhood, growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness in Long Island, New York.
• Why Chris says he learned to separate himself from rejection at a young age.
• He shares his first idea of a dream job; to write commercials for an advertising agency.
• How rap music sparked his decision to run away from home and live with his aunt.
• Hear about the relevance of 310 Riverside Drive, which was the address of Zoe Ministries.
• How witnessing Rev Run become a minister confirmed for Chris that rap wasn’t unholy.
• What the beginning of Chris’ career as a rapper looked like and where his name originated.
• Chris shares how he viewed success as attainable and inevitable at that point in his life.
• What he learned from Run DMC about keeping the crowd engaged.
• How he learned that he could be professional and still have a self-identity.
• The experience of collaborating with Run on the Let’s Get Married remix and how it launched Chris’ career as a songwriter.
• Why Chris says his life would’ve taken a different trajectory if Jam Master Jay weren’t killed.
• Find out how Millésime Impérial by Creed got Chris into exploring niche fragrances.
• Where his following on social media came from: his life as a dad and a creative and a sociable person in New York City.
• How Chris came to create his own perfume thanks to an encounter with one of his followers.
• Chris’ belief that his perfume brand has been successful because it is a service to others that comes from a place of love.
• Someone connecting with his fragrances versus someone licensing one of his songs.
• How the name, Savoir Faire, reflects the plight of Black creatives.
• Discover what the significance of the crown is on Savoir Faire’s bottles.
• The trick to selling something as experiential and subjective as a fragrance online.
• The legacy Chris hopes to build for Black men and women to aspire to create for themselves.
• Find out what he has learned after 10,000 orders: that he is still knocking on doors.
• Chris reflects on his core audience, which isn’t one that he targets.
• Hear his advice for other aspiring perfumers (and creatives in general): make something you absolutely love!
• How Chris views success these days: the ability to control his time and spend it with family.

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