We had the good fortune of connecting with Chanel Hurlin and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Chanel, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I’m from Cape Town South Africa, I spend every December in the city and coming back to LA brings a little loneliness after being with all my friends and family. I started Soul Prints from a place of seeking community and wanting to share some love and light with the world. I’ve had a challenging past 3 years and a lot of my healing has come through gratitude, slowing down and appreciating the small things. With this in mind, I wanted Soul Prints to also encourage people to do the same, pause and be in the present moment. Soul prints is a monthly mail club – I send out a different film print that’s also a post card from one of my travels paired with a love letter to share a story, inspire and remind people how important and beautiful they are.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m originally from Cape Town South Africa, I’ve always been a creative. I grew up as a dancer and worked as a TV host and actress in SA which all granted me my greencard & citizenship to now live and work in America.

I moved to LA in 2016 and have worn many hats since whilst following my big dream in TV hosting. It’s definitely not been an easy journey but it’s been so rewarding and I feel so lucky to have spent the last 9 years in a place I could have only dreamed of as a child.

My most exciting project right now is Soul Prints. It’s a monthly mail club where I send out a different film photograph that’s also a post card paired with a love letter aimed to inspire and remind people of their worth. I’ve always loved creating content and one of the hats I wear is in social media content creation, videography and social management so this passion project is an extension of what I’m already doing, but with more substance.

Travel is such a gift and I feel the best way to spend your money because the lessons and experiences can only make you a better individual. Soul Prints was also built from a place of seeking community and friendship after a very challenging past 3 years going through a divorce and losing my father. I think when life throws you curve balls, you have a choice to either be angry and bitter with the world or you can use what you’ve been through to have more grace and compassion for yourself and the world, we’re all just figuring it out as we go right? I hope my art can even help one person to feel seen and less alone and encourage them to keep on going because there is so much to be grateful for. This project has brought me so much joy, it’s all about the message and community. It’s only been 3 months, I have 18 subscribers and I’m so excited to keep on growing.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m recently single after being in a 13 year relationship so this question is exciting to me as I feel like I’m a tourist myself again in the city! I have fresh eyes and finding new places all the time.

I’m a coffee shop connoisseur darlinggggg so I will always take my guest to a different spot every morning. My favorite coffee in general is Blue Bottle, specifically the one on Beverly but my favorite coffee vibe is Yala in the valley, People Talk on Fairfax, Urth for the froth and Alfred for convenience (people watching)

For an Aperol Spritz I’d say Zinque for happy hour or EPLP for a great view. Alba for spritz and dinner, Mother Wolfe for gorgeous dinner vibes, Desert 5 for a razzle, Laurel Tavern for a cider, Drakes for the best espresso martini and Great White to be seen.

All the touristy things are a must but something I’ve recently done with a friend that felt so “Hollywood” and wholesome was sitting at the top of Mulholland Drive as sunset, overlooking the valley, playing good music in my little beetle convertible and either reading, doing some work / emails or just being present. Highly recommend.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My best friends and my therapist 😉

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulprints.studio

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