We’re looking forward to introducing you to Sasha Nichole Smith-Chiny. Check out our conversation below.
Sasha Nichole, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, I’ve been really enjoying visiting the theme parks in Orlando. My husband and I got annual passes to both Universal and Disney World a few months ago, and it’s been such a joyful escape. We’ve loved reconnecting with our “inner childs” and spending stress-free weekends just laughing, riding rides, and soaking it all in. Life moves so fast and it’s easy to get stuck in a constant worry cycle and these moments are such a good reminder to have fun, be present, and prioritize joy, especially in your marriage!
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi! I’m Sasha, a marketing professional by day and the founder of Sash Studio & Co—a creative side project rooted in the idea that jewelry and accessories should make you feel empowered, beautiful, and uniquely you.
One of the newest and most meaningful things I’ve been working on is a clay collection inspired by my growing love for theme parks. There’s something so special about tapping into that carefree, joy-filled energy and I wanted to find a way to bring that feeling into something you can wear or carry with you.
What makes this collection even more special is that it’s a collaboration with my mom, who lives in Australia and runs her own handmade clay jewelry brand, Wax, Wear and Wonder. She’s been a huge creative influence in both my professional marketing career and my small business journey. Together, we dreamed up this collection to celebrate fun, color, and the little sparks of happiness that accessories can bring—whether it’s a playful bag charm or a statement earring that brightens your day.
You can check it out at www.sashstudioco.com. We hope it adds a little bit of wonder to your world!
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before the world told me who I had to be, I was someone who dreamed big—without limits. I never let the constraints of society define who I was meant to become. I’ve always believed in the power of reinvention, of trying new things, and allowing yourself to grow into new versions of who you are whenever it feels right. That’s the power we all hold—the freedom to evolve and create a life that reflects who we truly are, not who we’re told to be.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Absolutely! Failing is inevitable, and sometimes it can feel like that’s all you’re doing. But something I’ve learned with time is that every failure or misstep has either taught me something invaluable or redirected me toward a path I was truly meant to be on. Without those moments of things not working out, I wouldn’t have discovered new opportunities or parts of myself. So yes, giving up or starting over is totally okay—but my biggest fear has always been not trying. You don’t have to get it perfect, but you do have to give it a go.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
As someone who works in marketing, manages multiple social media accounts and brands, and has also launched my own business, one of the biggest lies I see in the industry is that social media is a foolproof strategy for growth and sales. The truth? It’s not.
It’s easy to get discouraged when your content doesn’t go viral or even more disheartened when a video does blow up but doesn’t translate into sales. What I’ve learned is that social media is an amazing awareness tool, but it can’t be your only strategy. It’s not a guaranteed sales engine. You need to treat it as part of a larger ecosystem: email marketing, community building, paid media, and real-world brand effort all play a role.
I always try to remind new business owners, especially those without a marketing background, that while social media looks like the easy part, it’s actually one of the hardest. Building real connection online, growing followers, and converting them into loyal customers takes intention, patience, and strategy. A strong presence is essential, but you can’t expect organic content alone to do all the heavy lifting.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Have you ever gotten what you wanted, and found it did not satisfy you?
Yes, absolutely—I’ve gotten what I thought I wanted and realized it wasn’t truly fulfilling. Many years ago in my twenties, I was a singer in Asia, living what seemed like a dream: performing, working with incredibly talented people, and being in the spotlight. At first, it felt exciting and glamorous, but I quickly realized that being a performer wasn’t my true passion. What I actually loved was the behind-the-scenes work—the content creation, the marketing, the strategy, and the business side of things.
I never felt drawn to being a ‘face of perfection.’ Life is messy, and I craved something that felt more grounded, where I could use my skills in a way that made me feel secure and genuinely inspired. That realization led me to start helping others manage their brands on social media—back when the word “influencer” was barely part of a brand’s vocabulary.
Once I landed my first marketing job, I never looked back. That path has now brought me full circle, helping me build my own jewelry business where I get to combine everything I love: creativity, storytelling, and authentic connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sashstudioco.com
- Instagram: @sashaanichole (personal IG) and @sashstudio.co (Jewelry brand IG)
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sashasmith21/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@sashaanichole
- Other: TikTok links:
Personal: @sashaanichole
Jewelry Brand: @sashstudio.co
Theme Park & Couple Content with my Husband: @moeandsash
