This episode originally aired under Cool Girls Create, now The Taniesha Westbrook Show.

In this conversation, I’m sitting down with Charmin Bates, the founder of Creative Girls Rock, a Nashville-based nonprofit created to empower young girls through creativity, the arts, and self-expression.

Charmin started Creative Girls Rock around the pandemic, and since then, she has grown it into a real movement. What started as a vision has expanded into annual experiences like Sneaker Ball, major community partnerships, and now a physical location. She has built the organization to the point where she was able to leave her job and run her nonprofit full-time.

In this episode, we talk about Charmin’s journey from loving fashion, visual arts, ballet, and tap dancing to creating powerful light shows, working with female artists, and building a nonprofit that makes space for young girls to see themselves as creative, powerful, and capable.

One of the biggest themes in this conversation is the power of relationships. Charmin shares how networking, genuine connections, and staying open to people helped create major opportunities, including sponsorships from Fortune 500 companies.

We also talk about getting out of your comfort zone, taking bold chances, and not waiting until everything feels perfect before you move. Charmin’s story is a reminder that creativity can open doors, but relationships, courage, and consistency are what help you build something that lasts.

Tune in for a conversation about creativity, purpose, nonprofit growth, community, and building the confidence to go after the ideas that will not leave you alone.