55 Q&A: Chandra Greer of GREER Chicago

Chandra Greer first came to my attention when she was featured in O, The Oprah Magazine in a feature on Women Who Started Over. She went from being a successful marketing executive to owning a chic stationery store called Greer in Chicago.  I became acquainted with her on Twitter (you can follow her @GREERChicago) and knew right away that this stylish woman of substance would be right at home at 55 Secret Street.

Nichelle Gainer:  Did you have any inkling that you would ever own a successful stationery store?

Chandra Greer: I was on the accounts side in advertising and I enjoyed the work - coming up with ideas, getting ad campaigns produced.  But I remember working really hard and people, my co-workers, would say, "You should be working that hard for yourself."  

It's funny. I read the piece you did on Josie Natori where you mentioned that she almost opened a McDonald's franchise.  I almost bought into a Taco Bell franchise when I left my job.  I was really close to doing it but it's not enough for me to run a business to make money. I needed to have a message.  And, I don't eat Taco Bell...

Nichelle:  How did the phrase, "Civility is not a sign of weakness" become the theme of your shop?

Chandra: It's from John F. Kennedy's inaugural speech in 1961.  He was talking about geo-political relations and he was saying that dealing with each other in a respectable, honorable way is not a weakness, it is a strength. People think that it is weak to extend kindness or consideration to another person. To me, you are strong enough and secure enough to extend yourself in that way. 

Nichelle: How long did it take you to embrace social media?

Chandra: I've been on Twitter for about two years and I started to hit my stride on it about six months ago.  I just try to be myself.  It's different for me because I am the face of my store, but it is also kind of personal because the brand is me.  I also designed our website and do all of the writing and product uploading.  

Nichelle: Speaking of Twitter, you and I are always shooting the breeze about all kinds of things, from fashion to books and wine and I wanted to know some of your spring favorites in these areas. Let's start with makeup and skincare. Are you partial to anything right now?

Chandra: I recently rediscovered Clinique.  It was my college brand and now they have this new formula Even Better Makeup with SPF 15. That stuff is amazing. I am also really liking MAC eye shadows.

Nichelle: How about fashion. What are you really loving this season?

Chandra:  I'm really liking Alexander Wang a lot right now.  My style is "pretty-tough" to "edgy-pretty".  Also, I have a serious shoe problem so a lot of what I've picked up for spring is footwear. I like these Sigerson Morrison gladiator sandals and I love the "warrior woman" in the description of these Chloe sandals.  I think that might sum up my style even better than the pretty-tough, edgy-pretty description.  I also love plastic shoes and sneakers.

Also love a lot of VPL this season - especially the strappy,  slouchy things.

Nichelle: You and I have also bonded over things like wine and books so I'd like to know, what are you reading and, er uh, drinking these days?
 
   

Chandra:  I told you about the Clairborne & Churchill pinot noir, but here's another wine I love, Peacemaker Cabernet.  I'm also liking zinfandels now.

Nichelle:  Zinfandels!

Chandra: There are a lot of good ones out there now. It seems to me they are a little more sophisticated now.  I've also been enjoying sake all of a sudden.

As for the book I just finished reading, it's called Tokyo Vice: An American Reporter on the Police Beat in Japan and it's a fascinating look inside Japanese culture from two unusual perspectives, journalism and the sex industry.

*Store photos by Kitty Sheehan

Comments

[Chandra Greer]

Here's my comment...I LOVE IT!!!!

[Nichelle]

We love YOU Chandra!

[Get Togetha]

This is a great interview and I love being inspired by women who follow their passion! The gladiator sandals are fiyah! I was initially reluctant to joining Twitter because I thought it would be one step away from lunacy but I actually appreciate the networking of like minds.

Thanks for sharing!

P.S. I don't eat Taco Bell neither. Just yuck.

[a. favorite design]

i love chandra! and what a great interview, she's is honestly both style & substance mixed with kindness & beauty. thanks for sharing.
and also, thank you for posting my good karma card.

[Nichelle]

Thanks! I love that card. :)