On the Job: Chantearri Dotson

Chantearri Dotson’s strongest memory of her time with TeenQuest is her first day of the program. Just as everyone was settling in for orientation, the gentleman overseeing the program at her school set a tone of encouragement and inspiration that has stuck with her through the years. 

Since her time in the program, Dotson is now a nurse with Ascension Genesys and is currently pursuing a degree in Psychology. She hasn’t settled there. She also has her own boutique that she runs. Dotson opened The Official Glam Palace, a fashion boutique, in July of 2023 to follow through on a dream she had shared with her sister, who had passed away.  

In the future, Dotson plans to continue with Psychology as a career as well as manage her boutique on the side.  

Dotson has taken the lessons she learned through her time in TeenQuest, and that initial inspiration, and is forging her path, by her rules.  

What does a typical day look like for you? 

Monday through Friday I work at the hospital from 7:30 (A.M.) to 4:30/5-ish (P.M.). I currently have two girls who work at the store. So, once I leave the hospital, I pick my kids up and head to the store.   

What skills did you use from TeenQuest/Summer Youth Initiative when interviewing for your current position? 

Teamwork was really a big one because I really like to do stuff myself. So I have to let people in more.  

What advice can you offer current and former students of TeenQuest? 

If you have a dream, go for it. Don’t ever let somebody tell you that you can’t do something. Whether you have kids early. Whether you don’t finish school. You can do whatever you put your mind to.  

To learn more about Dotson’s business, visit theofficialglampalace.bigcartel.com.