In this Business Blast podcast episode, host Tyler Wagner interviews Chantel Soumis, a brand strategist, differently‑abled advocate, and speaker. Chantel shares her recent diagnoses of multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, describing how the experience reshaped her understanding of true strength, the power of positive thinking, and neuroplasticity. She explains her role as a "brand sorceress," using personal branding to uncover hidden strengths and "superpowers" for professional success. Chantel offers business advice that everyone faces limitations and excuses are meaningless, emphasizing the importance of presence and mindset as keys to happiness and health. She recommends the book Unfuck Yourself by Gary John Bishop, highlighting its lessons on mindset and thought reframing. Her favorite childhood quote about reaching for dreams inspired the name of her branding firm, Stardust Creative. Finally, she provides her online contact points—LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and her website—inviting listeners to connect.
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Welcome to the Business Blast podcast. I'm your host, Tyler Wagner. This episode is brought to you by Authors Unite. Authors Unite provides you with all the resources you need to become a successful author. You can learn more about Authors Unite and join the free community at authorsunite.com. Now let's jump into the episode.
All right everyone, welcome back to another episode of the Business Blast podcast. I'm your host Tyler Wagner. Today I have Chantel Sumas with us. She is a brand sorceress, differently abled advocate, LinkedIn Local host, speaker, marketing obsessed, and bubbly and blessed. So welcome to the show.
Thank you so much. Thanks for having me.
Of course, pumped to have you here. We'll dive into the first one, Chantel. The first question I have for you is, what is the best story from your life that has an underlying valuable message?
Yeah, so the best story from my life is very recent. It's actually within the last 5 years. I was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis and epilepsy, and it turned my world upside down. As strong as I thought I was beforehand, I had a lot of learning to do through the diagnosis, and then applying for jobs in the workforce and finding a fit professionally, having to disclose that I had a disability on the application. So that one, it taught me a lot about true strengths and the power of positive thinking or neuroplasticity.
Yes, thank you for sharing that with us.
Yeah.
The next one I have for you is what is the most valuable piece of information we should know that is within your expertise or industry?
Yeah, so something that's newer that's catching on is personal branding. And what I do as a brand sorceress, if you will, is add some magic to the branding process. And personal branding basically helps you uncover hidden strengths or superpowers that you have and leveraging them right the right way to achieve success.
And what is your best piece of overall business advice? So not necessarily industry specific.
Mine would be, especially after being introduced to the differently-abled community, is that everybody has a limitation, no matter what you're going through. You know, if it's a visual impairment, a mobility impairment, or just a lack of confidence, everybody's dealing with limitations, and excuses are baloney.
And if you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would that be?
I feel like this is a common piece of advice, and that's to be present. You know, life is— it goes by so fast, and the little things, they're actually the big things at the end of the day. So being able to be present and appreciate that.
Yeah, I like that. And it might tie in with the next one, but in your opinion, what is the key to happiness?
Definitely being present, your mindset. Your mindset in general is the key to happiness and success. Science has proven that thought reframing attributes to overall health and wellness. So when you're healthy, you're happy, and when you're happy, you're healthy.
And what is the best book that you've read and what was the number one thing you learned from that?
Okay, so you're gonna have to help me with this one because, well, okay, it's easier to put down in writing, but it's Unfuck Yourself. Get Out of Your Head and Into Your Life by Gary John Bishop. Amazing. Let me tell you, it taught me so much about the power that we really have with our mindset and neuroplasticity and reframing our thoughts into positive, healthy, happy thoughts.
And what is your favorite quote and why?
Okay, my favorite quote, it's been hanging on my wall since I was a little girl, and that's, it's never easy reaching for dreams, but those who reach walk in stardust. And this is why I named my business, my branding business Stardust Creative, because it's so true. It's hard to reach for dreams, but when you do and you get outside of your comfort zone, magical things happen.
Yeah, love it. Thank you so much for coming on. The last question I have for you before we let you go is where is the best place for people to find and/or connect with you online?
Yeah, so I'm super, super active, painfully active on LinkedIn. LinkedIn. Also, I'm on Instagram @markhomchantal, Twitter @markhomchantal, and www.chantalseumas.com.
Perfect. Thanks again for coming on. We really appreciate it.
Thanks for having me.
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