Meet Rachael Knox-dandridge

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rachael Knox-dandridge. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rachael below.

Rachael, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?

I think I was born with resilience and it just got stronger and stronger the older I got. My childhood was rough. There was lots of economic hardships, violence in the home and dysfunction. Living in trauma as a child, I learned to just keep going. There were many times I could not participate in school functions or get new clothes or something I really wanted, we often did not even have the basics. I would imagine my life as an adult. I was successful and cultured. I knew I had a lot of work to do if I was going to make that happen.
I learned as a child to allow myself just a little while to cry and feel sorry for myself, pick myself up and just keep moving. I still do the same thing now. This has helped to keep me out of “victim” mode. Victim mode is a dangerous place to dwell.
When we grow up, we sometimes, blindy go down the same path we swore not to when we were younger. I was no different. My first marriage was also very dysfunctional and traumatic. I had 2 kids that I had to raise, and once again, when you live in trauma, disappointment and defeat is served daily. Just as in my childhood, teen years and now, as a adult, I did not dwell in my troubles and problems for too long. If I did, I would not be able to problem solve and see clearly in order to overcome them. If the obstacle seems too hard for me, I break it up into pieces and deal with each piece of the problem until I feel I can see my way out. I have practiced this all my life and in everything I do.
My resilience comes from my experiences, I learned very early, no one is coming to save me. If I want it or need it, I have to pick myself up and figure out how to get it.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

I work in Healthcare IT. My passion is my business. I am the owner of Laine Essentials, LLC. Home & Body Fragrances. I create non toxic candles, skin care products, perfumes, and other scented essentials for your living space and body. My business is only 2 years old. I am 55 years old and I am so excited to be building a brand I can be proud and concentrating on my goals since I am now a empty nester. It is super hard, owning a business is not for the weak, but I am learning and growing so much! I am super excited about going into the new year. I have so many ideas that I am working on. I am currently trying to expand in the wholesale market and get into shops & stores. I am also working on new product lines that I am pushing to be ready for Valentines Day.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I would say..1. Resourceful 2. Critical Thinker 3. Focused.

It is super important to be resourceful, especially if you have a disadvantaged background because you are often overlooked, priced out, ineligible and a afterthought. Being resourceful will help you find the solution or information need. Critical thinking skills are important and definitely not a given. It will help you discern, strategize and make more sound decisions. The ability to focus will help you reach the goal you set at a given time even among obstacles and tough situations.

I would advise young ones to practice these skills. I intentionally used the word “practice” because I feel the more your do it, the more natural these skills will come to you. All 3 of these skills are practiced by successful individuals.

How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?

I still work a full time job, and I am older now so, It is a great challenge to stay focused on my business and give it the time and focus it needs in order to grow. I manage all of this by keeping myself accountable to my business. I set short term and long term goals. Rest when I am tired and I give myself grace.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.laineessentials.com/
• Instagram: Laine_Essentials
• Facebook: @Laineessentials