Entrepreneurial Ambitions Help Business Administration Major Thrive

Kailee Chappell Parrish

Business Administration Major
Hometown: Tyner, North Carolina 

“A Day in My Life as a 20-Year-Old Business Owner” is how the TikTok video begins that has gained nearly 1,200 views to date. The one minute and 40 second clip features Kailee Chappell Parrish, a December 2022 graduating senior and honor student from Elizabeth City State University, taking viewers through her typical day, including attending class, exercising and creating products for her thriving online business, Kailee’s Threads. 

Personalized Passion
Hailing from Tyner, N.C., in Chowan County, Chappell Parrish started her embroidery and vinyl personalization line in 2018 after finding an embroidery machine at an online yard sale. She credits social media for helping quickly expand her business.  

“I wouldn’t have a business, reach the amount of people I do and expand my online footprint without social media,” states Chappell Parrish.  “I’m looking at new trends and finding a way to incorporate them into my business and designs. I have several older age clients who purchase items for their grandchildren, nieces and nephews. However, my strongest client base is women between the ages of 25-35 who are either buying gifts for their children or living their best lives and ordering items like a monogramed jacket.”  

The range of products Chappell Parrish can create varies from custom towels for church pastors to pacifier clips for babies. “I believe that personalization is a bridge between an individual’s personal connection and an item. It brings a whole new meaning to a piece—such as a monogram for a newlywed.” Since beginning her entrepreneurial venture as a high school sophomore, she has upgraded to owning a commercial embroidering machine.  

The Educational Investment
A legacy Viking, Chappell Parrish’s mother, Kari Chappell, and aunt, Tammi Procter, are both ECSU graduates.  

In 2020, Chappell Parrish graduated from John A. Holmes High School in Edenton and also earned an Associate of Science degree, graduating Cum Laude, from College of the Albemarle the same year. She made the decision to stay close to home and be a commuter student, but desired the opportunities offered at a larger institution. After speaking to her mother who advocated for her to discover more about ECSU, Chappell Parrish chose to attend the university. She was accepted into the Honors Program and also received a Chancellor’s Academic Scholarship.  

“I’ve loved my experience with the Honors Program; it has allowed me to interact with so many students outside my major,” says Chappell Parrish. She has been an active member of several campus organizations, including the National Honor Society; National Society of Leadership and Success, the nation’s largest leadership honor society; ENACTUS Club, an international experiential learning platform partnering with universities to develop entrepreneurial leaders and social innovators; and the Beta Gamma Sigma business honor society.  

“The Chancellor’s Academic Scholarship paid for all my schooling—tuition, textbooks and anything I needed to be successful–and I’m graduating completely debt free,” she says. 

Dr. Debjani Kanjilal, Ph.D., professor and chair of the Department of Business, Accounting, and Sport Management, notes, “I was assigned as Kailee’s academic advisor and also had her in a few of my classes. She is a very dedicated and sincere student, which is evident in her performance in all classes. She has also excelled in extracurricular activities and undoubtedly deserves to be recognized as the outstanding graduating senior in the department.” She continues, “I am confident Kailee will excel in all areas of life.” 

Chappell Parrish spent the summer of 2022 in a paid internship at Gregory & Associates, CPAs, PC in Hertford, thanks to the State Employees Credit Union Foundation’s partnership with ECSU.  

Long term, she aspires “to have letters behind my name—perhaps CFP, a Certified Financial Planner, or CEPA, Certified Exit Planning Advisor.” “I want to further my education and don’t want to stop there.” She desires to earn more credentials, such as a Series 6 or Series 7 license.  

“I already have my associate’s degree in science —I absolutely love science—and now I’ll have my Business Administration degree. Being able to say that I have graduated from the Elizabeth City State University makes me extremely happy.” 

In addition to becoming a financial advisor, Chappell Parrish hopes to open a brick-and-mortar boutique location for Kailee’s Threads in the future. She’s taking her threads and her 3.957 GPA with her as she embarks on the next phase of her journey—two and a half years ahead of schedule.