Sanguine: being cheerful, confident, and optimistic, especially in a difficult situation. It’s more than simply looking on the bright side — it’s the ability to hold onto hope when circumstances give you every reason not to. It is optimism with a little grit behind it, the quiet belief that difficult moments do not get the final word. It is Chann Daily.
Whether he’s discussing his car being stolen, interviewing a politician or cooking a special meal for a chef he’s in love with, Chann Daily is most certainly oh so sanguine.
A native-born Charlottean, Daily is a content creator, co-owner of the event venue How Sanguine (which offers stellar dining experiences) and co-host of Qnotes’ podcast ‘The Q.’
With whatever he does, one thing is clear, Daily knows how to capture an audience in a way that leaves people wanting more. During this interview, we aim to do the same while we learn more about the force behind the face, his aspirations for a brighter future and how he avoids making dumb mistakes.
L’Monique King: Where are you originally from?
Chann Daily: I’m from Charlotte, born and raised. I left for a while and was ready to escape when I was younger, so I moved to LA and the Bay Area and lived in California for most of my 20s. I left California at the beginning of the COVID pandemic. I actually moved out at the height of COVID when there were still flight restrictions and all that — so it was very difficult.
LMK: How do you identify?
CD: I identify as queer. I feel like queerness, especially as a creative [individual], it feels like a culture and a spirit where I don’t put myself in a box. A lot of the world tries to place people in a box. For me, queerness is an open and expressive way to categorize people who are complex.
LMK: Are you partnered or single?
CD: I’m partnered. I have a husband. We’ve been together for eight years, married for four years and are still very much in love. My husband is very patient. He’s very considerate, and he is somebody who anticipates your needs before you even know that you have one. He’s perfect for me — I can be a little chaotic at times, and he calms my mind and centers me.
LMK: How do you make your livelihood?
CD: I do social media marketing for corporations and have been doing it for the past decade. I also have paid ads on my social media platforms and my husband and I also have a catering business.
LMK: Who’s the better cook between the two of you?
CD: Definitely him. He’s the chef.
LMK: How, if at all, has AI impacted your business as it relates to marketing?
CD: It’s the beginning and definitely needs regulation because it’s definitely not good for the environment. [Nowadays] it heavily impacts everything that I do, and I have a love-hate relationship with AI at the moment. It has its benefits, and I use it more like a sound board, something I use to bounce ideas off. But I challenge myself to think creatively [because] it can’t do what a human can do — in terms of soul and charm. As a [real] person, I have charisma and that lands way better when I’m moving within professional environments.
LMK: Which do you enjoy most, marketing or catering?
CD: I enjoy them both. They both satisfy different things in me. Catering is a passion, more people-driven, and does a lot for my soul. Marketing, which I went to school for, is more left brain logical and strategic – [and] I’m thinking about how to intentionally grow audiences using trends and other information to meet the needs of customers.
LMK: Where’d you attend school?
CD: I went to Elon University for undergrad and received my bachelor’s in strategic communication and entrepreneurship. I’m a first generation college student. It was an incredible experience; I loved it. After graduating, I took a break [from education before I] realized I wanted to go back to school and applied to Duke. I was accepted into their business school. It was a transformative experience, and I just got my MBA (Masters of Business Administration) this past May.
LMK: When it comes to marketing, what’s the worst part of your job?
CD: [Thoughtful pause] I’ve been lucky enough to carve out a very tailored career for at least the last seven years where I’ve been able to create my own roles, using my strengths and being partnered with very talented people, so I really don’t have any complaints about my career. I’ve been very lucky.
LMK: What’s your favorite holiday and how do you spend it?
CD: Definitely Halloween. I like spooky stuff and love to go to haunted houses. My husband and I throw a big halloween party every year. Last year’s theme was Beetlejuice, and our guests came in costumes and we had food to match the theme. My husband made bat wings: chicken wings that resembled bat wings. He had Rice Crispies that he dyed to look like brains; [giggles] he’s very creative.
LMK: Speaking of spooky things, what if any concerns do you have regarding the current administration?
CD: [Labored sigh] I have all of the concerns — where do we even start? With midterms coming it’s super important that our voices are heard by voting and using our platforms to amplify our voices. As a social media content creator I had the opportunity to work on the 2024 VP Kamala Harris election campaign, and I feel like being so intimately involved with that and her very personal team [a rarity] who were highly visible and so genuine, it crushed me when she lost, so I stayed away from politics for a while. But then, I realized that if I don’t stay engaged politically, they win and we lose hope. So presently, I’m working towards doing more and am excited about the partnerships I have lined up for the fall encouraging people to get out and vote.
LMK: You’re a co-host of Qnotes’ podcast. What attracted you to the role?
CD: Liz, a Qnotes staffer called me, said she followed me on TikTok and offered me the opportunity. I really enjoy the collaborative process of putting together the episodes that touch on everything from hot topics in the news to community interviews. It’s a great place for dialogue. It’s a great place to discuss what being queer means today.
LMK: What is the most interesting topic or person you’ve covered so far?
CD: There was this case of a couple who went to a venue to have their wedding and were denied being married at the venue because of the religious beliefs and policies of the owners. They posted about the experience on social media, it went viral and eventually the news picked it up and reported on it.
LMK: Let’s get a little more personal. What’s your worst habit?
CD: I can be a little stubborn? But I am a very collaborative person, but when I know something, you’d better have the facts to back it up [when disputing me]. I’m a Capricorn and not the most trusting when it comes to new energies.
LMK: What’s the dumbest thing you’ve ever done?
CD: I don’t play around like that; I don’t like making dumb moves. But sometimes, my optimism — how I like to find a greater meaning in things and having hope — sometimes makes me feel dumb. But I still refuse to let things dim my light. When I see people’s light flickering, I always say things like — just hold on. A big part of my brand is about being optimistic in the face of adversity. I’ve built my brand around optimism and not letting our circumstances ruin our mindset. I’ve been through a lot of things, and I’m still here and still have a smile on my face despite the crazy world out there.
LMK: With all that optimism what makes you curse, if you ever do?
CD: [Giggles] Anything. If I’m gossiping, if the story’s getting really good, I might. It’s not a big part of my vocabulary but does compliment a word or two.
LMK: Where do you see yourself 10 years from now?
CD: I hope that I’ve slowed down a lot. I move at the speed of light right now, and I would hope that 10 years from now I have a family and work I can do passively instead of my life centering around work.
LMK: Do you have any closing thoughts you’d like to share with our readers?
CD: I really want more young people — everyone, to get all the knowledge, all the certifications, all the degrees they can. It’s the thing they are attacking — the knowledge that will fuel future generations. So, invest in your brain — expose yourself to information. Organize, fact check and show up for the community. It’s time for everyone to learn something new.
This story is brought to you by Rosedale Health and Wellness and Dudley’s Place.
