#MAKEITHAPPEN

Chriselle Lim, O.G. Influencer & Serial Entrepreneur

06/07/2022

If anyone is interested in personal branding, this one's for you. Chriselle Lim, the woman, the mother, and the brand, is a prime example of how to turn yourself into business—and still remain true to who you are. Since launching her YouTube channel in 2011, she's shared her life with her audience—and doesn't hold back on the raw, messy and more vulnerable parts that social media tends to gloss over. It's precisely this authenticity and deep connection that makes it all work.

Today, Lim is proving that influence can go far. The O.G. influencer has turned serial entrepreneur: The mother of two recently launched Bümo, a workspace that offers licensed childcare, and also took over PHLUR—a mindfully-formulated, clean fragrance brand—as owner and creative director. And then there's her creative studio, CINC, specializing in visual, digital and social communication for beauty, fashion, and lifestyle brands.

With each of her ventures, Lim's continued to build on her loyal following—1.4 million and counting on Instagram, 2.8 million on TikTok. But the relationship goes both ways; Lim relies on her online community as much as they rely on her. "I felt like a failure when my marriage didn’t work out, but my followers encouraged me every day," she shares. "They told me they were proud of me and how my story was empowering. I never knew that my story of heartbreak and pain and loss could inspire so many women who are also going through tough times."

Here, we chat with Lim on the importance of therapy, what keeps her focused on all her different projects, and why serving others is the greatest driving passion in her life.

Q&A

Tell us about your latest ventures…
Bümo was an idea I had after having kids. I was frustrated with the antiquated daycare model/system and there seemed to be no good solutions for working parents, especially working moms. Bümo is reimagining the future of childcare and work. We are bringing childcare to the workplace so parents can be co-located with their child—they can continue to work all while being a present parent. We opened our fist location at the Westfield Century City shopping center and are now expanding rapidly with locations in Pasadena and Newport Beach.
PHLUR is a brand I acquired with my business partner Larry, and we re-launched it. It's a modern fine fragrance brand that is mindfully formulated, responsibly sourced, and meticulously crafted by world-class perfumers. PHLUR fragrances are inspired by memories, moments, experiences, feelings—those that are intimately personal and universally shared, at once. It has been a dream to work on as I’ve been able to tell my stories through our different fragrances.

How do you balance it all?
I love having my hands in a little bit of everything, but the key to success for me has been finding an incredible team for each of my ventures. That way the team can continue to succeed without me being there day-to-day. Each has been a labor of love and always started as a passion project and eventually developed into a something bigger.

What are the driving passions that set you on your path?
I think it’s different for each of my businesses, but for Bümo, it's knowing that we are helping so many parents, especially moms, that need more support. Knowing that it will give them peace of mind that their kids are safe, happy, and thriving—there really is no better feeling. The people we are serving are my driving passion and reason.
As far as PHLUR, it is being able to be really creative with the most respected and world-renowned perfumers while sharing my stories of pain, sorrow, happiness, freedom, and joy through scent. Scent is a powerful tool and I know that with the right scent you can transform your mood and elevate your life.

What does #MAKEITHAPPEN mean to you?
To me, #MAKEITHAPPEN means that, against all odds, you went against the grain and made it happen regardless of what people told you or your circumstances. My divorce was one of the hardest periods in my life and I wasn’t sure how I was able to be happy again, but one day at a time and one step at a time, I made small changes and ultimately I ended up on the other side… happier, stronger, more resilient than ever.

And who or what inspires you to make it happen?
My kids. I look at them and I know that I have to make it happen for them—not just in financial success or career success, but also to be emotionally healthy and happy. When I’m emotionally in a good place, I can make anything happen.

Top essential work/life hacks to make it happen?
Voice notes over text all day—so much more efficient. Also limiting scrolling time during the day—for me, it’s all about maximizing the time I have while I’m awake.

Top summer fashion hacks?
Having pieces that are 2-in-1, like the dickey jacket I'm wearing in this shoot. It’s all about being able to find things where you can maximize their use and wear in multiple ways. And dresses are always an easy go-to for me as a busy mom.

...and beauty hacks?
A tinted sunscreen so you can get coverage and protection. Also a lip-cheek tint that can be used as a blush, lip, and eye color.

...and motherhood hacks?
Stick sunscreen for kids so they can apply their own sunscreen themselves! I also love making healthy popsicles, which limits them from all the unnecessary sugar. I just add yogurt into popsicle molds and freeze them overnight. Kids love them!

“#MAKEITHAPPEN means that, against all odds, you went against the grain and made it happen regardless of what people told you or your circumstances.” — Chriselle

Share one example of how you made it happen through adversity...
My divorce. I wasn’t sure if I was going to come out of it as a whole human being again, but I took baby steps. I worked with a therapist two-three times a week for six months to help me get back to a mentally healthy place. I also forced myself to go on walks and move my body daily even though I wanted to lay in bed all day. I started to read books that helped me and listened to podcasts that inspired me… and a year later here I am.

Tell us about the one thing or person who changed your life and POV?
My followers. I felt like a failure when my marriage didn’t work out, but my followers encouraged me every day. They told me they were proud of me and how my story was empowering. I never knew that my story of heartbreak and pain and loss could inspire so many women who are also going through tough times.

Advice to others to make it happen?
Find a good support system. It could be a friend, online community, parents, family, etc., but you don’t need to do it yourself. It’s better and easier to make it happen with a group of people pushing you to the top. But if you don’t have anyone, there are so many incredible resources, books, and podcasts that you can get inspired from.

How do you give back? What are the causes important to you?
I’m part of Baby2Baby, a nonprofit organization that serves families and children in need. Baby2Baby provides children living in poverty with diapers, lodging, and all the basic necessities that every child deserves.