Decision-Making by Design: Say Yes, But Measure Twice with Yelitsa Jean-Charles

In this episode of The Cred Podcast, host Mack McKelvey chats with Yelitsa Jean-Charles, founder and CEO of Healthy Roots Dolls. Yelitsa shares the story of how a class project at Rhode Island School of Design turned into her mission to bring more diversity and representation to children’s toys. What began in college with just $4,000 has evolved into a national brand, with Healthy Roots Dolls now available in Target stores across the country.

Yelitsa opens up about the complexities of decision-making as a leader, emphasizing the importance of asking the right questions. She lives by the mantra, “You can’t say no before you say yes,” and leans on her creative background to view challenges from different perspectives.

At the root of her leadership philosophy is a principle she learned during a 3D spatial dynamics class at RISD, where she was working with items like wood, wire, and metals.

“We were told to measure twice, cut once. You cannot put those two pieces of wood back together. So whenever I’m approaching a situation where a decision will be detrimental, especially because I’ve had to deal with the consequences of making the wrong decision,  I don’t mess around. I’m measuring seven times, 12 times if I have to.”

Yelitsa also shares how a customer-centric approach has fueled her growth and the strategies behind scaling a brand from the ground up.