Today we’d like to introduce you to Chanya Crane.
Chanya, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
During my time at Ensign College studying Interior Design, my cousin became ill for the second time with Leukemia. I wanted to do something about it but wasn’t quite sure how because she lived in Washington State and I am here in Utah. I wanted to do something BIG! Bake sales and car washes are great and beneficial ways to raise money but I wanted something bigger for Jaelyn. She is an amazing singer so I thought why not put on a benefit concert? I got my closest friends together and they helped me organize and execute a benefit concert. We had 10 bands perform including our headliners The Backseat Lovers, Harbor Patrol and The Harpers. Businesses such as Ikaika Studios, Nu Skin, Chick Fil A, Warren Orthodontics, Sodalicious, Johnson Tires and many more donated items to our silent auction to raise more money for Jaelyn and her family. We had a Be The Match booth as well to get more donors for bone marrow and blood cell transplants. I was amazed at how the community rallied together in support of Jaelyn and this cause. After this single event, I knew that I wanted to make a living out of something like this.
Growing up, I seemed to be surrounded by those that suffer with severe anxiety, depression and PTSD. I came to find out I have anxiety and seasonal depression myself! Knowing a lot about mental health and having it be a big part of my life I knew I wanted to base my career around it. I thought about studying psychology and becoming a therapist, I loved the idea behind designing comfortable spaces for those that face autism but I wasn’t quite sure yet what I wanted to do. After the benefit concert, I realized I definitely wanted to do something with charity work and event planning but I decided to complete my Interior Design degree first. During my second to last semester in October of 2020, me and my husband Porter went to Oregon for our 6 month marriage anniversary. The next day we got home was my mom’s birthday and the day that Porter’s brother John, 15 years old, took his own life.
After months of grieving, I finally wanted to act. You hear about all of the fundraisers for cancer patients which are absolutely amazing, but where are the fundraisers for those that struggle with crippling depression? Those that have so much anxiety that they cannot leave their house? Those that think killing themselves is the absolute best option that they can make? I finally had a passion for something again and it was like all of my past experiences with school, charity opportunities and personal tribulations had come together. This was it— The Kindness Kampaign.
I launched The Kindness Kampaign in October of 2021, exactly a year after John had passed away. I started with a t-shirt design with a quote I had on my wall growing up. “Do what you have to do for you.” I took a photo of my childhood bedroom wall, removed the background and slapped it on a shirt! In November Porter’s cousin asked me if I wanted to participate in Provo’s Downtown Art Stroll and put up some of my photography in his Barber Shop, The Man Barber. I told him I just launched a business and asked if I could put some of my products in there. He said sure and asked if I had any art prints and I replied with a, “Nope! But I can make some!” The first art print I made was a copy of a Statue of Liberty Drawing that John drew when he was in school. Needless to say, I sold out of John’s art print along with 16 other designs the night of the art stroll. Since then I have done several other pop-ups such as The Valentine’s Museum, Orem Farmers Market and Creative Pop Up’s along with my own markets and events that I host. At every event and market, I have products surrounding those in the community that are suffering with mental health. When these products are purchased 100% of the profits are donated to them. There have been several times that I have thought I should quit, and pursue something that is easier and helps me pay my bills faster, but I have always met someone during those tough times that remind me of my “why” and remind me of my true purpose and passion. I do not want anyone to think that killing themselves and ending it all is the better option, because it is not. Moving forward and pushing through those hard times will pay off and we will be able to see the benefit of our hard work eventually. This business and this campaign is a reminder of that.
The Kindness Kampaign is inspired by John, my mother, and all of the other people in my life that have been affected by mental illness. The Kindness Kampaign is a place where we become a part of something much bigger than ourselves by working together to raise awareness for mental health and help those that are struggling with it. It is a safe place for me to create passion projects whether it be an event or putting a positive design on a t-shirt or an art print. It is a place where we are kind not only to each other, but to ourselves.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The hardest part about this business is sharing why I started. It instantly gets very heavy and serious whenever someone asks me. It can be difficult sharing my story to 20 or 30 people at a market once or twice a week. It is definitely very emotionally draining but can be very rewarding too when you find those that can empathize with you and connect with you on the subject of suicide and mental illness. Because of how impactful this area can be it can be hard for me to pick myself up again and continue working on new ideas and events. But that is again another reminder of why I am continuing to pursue this career. Life can be tough and you’ll face challenges mentally and/or physically but you have to keep pushing on and you will eventually be able to reap the rewards of all of your hard work. This applies to a business, school and even your own mental health.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about The Kindness Kampaign?
We raise awareness for mental health through products and events. We have several products such as art prints, t-shirts, stickers, bracelets, rings, phone cases, hats, beanies, an interactive kind book journal with prints and our monthly newspaper. We have a monthly newspaper subscription about our past markets, events, pop-ups, new items, and mental health stories from our Kind Klub.
We constantly have a fundraiser going and are supporting our community. We just started a Kind Klub group chat where we will share Kind Kues which are 2-3 prompts I share with our klub a week. These cues are there to help you remember to be kind to yourself and to others through things such as going outside for 10 minutes today, buying yourself flowers, or doing something kind for someone in need.
At markets and events, I always offer to take attendees’ photos because it is a great marketing tactic, fun, and kind, and who doesn’t want to remember the fun things you go do? I will post the photos on my story the next day with a link to download their photos from my other business photography website.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
The biggest thing that has helped me is networking. Say yes to new opportunities because you start to meet these people and those people and they know people and others have these connections and it is great for business and even better for friendship. All of the people I have connected with have related to me on something business-wise and it can be very empowering and comforting to know that you are not the only one that could be struggling with a certain issue. I have had times where if this happens, me and a now friend have been able to solve issues within our own businesses together.
Pricing:
- Monthly Newspaper Subscription $10.00
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.thekindnesskampaign.life
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thekindnesskampaign?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
Image Credits
@chanya_photovideo
@whatsonchanyascamera
