Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rachel DesRochers. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Rachel , thanks for sharing your insights with our community today. Part of your success, no doubt, is due to your work ethic and so we’d love if you could open up about where you got your work ethic from?
I dedicate this to my mom. She passed in 2020 from early onset Alzheimers and even sick she didn’t slow down. She taught me that anything is possible but kindness and hard work is what makes it possible. I think there’s a fine line in entrepreneurship of overworking, being tasked with all the roles and responsibilities. Hard work isn’t a bad thing- I think that in order to break the mold, to do things differently you have to work differently than just starting a business and seeing where it goes. It is daily time & attention, it’s sacrifice, it’s hard work to really build your vision. Thanks mom for teaching me to work hard & dream big.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I call myself a serial entrepreneur- I love building things. I look back at my almost 14 years of being an entrepreneur- the incredible wins & exceptional losses. All of that got me here. I never thought 14 years ago when I launched my first company Grateful Grahams that I would be here building Power to Pursue to support women, and I LOVE where this road has led. Everything I have built has been built through the mission of spreading the message of gratitude & building community!
In the last 13.5 years I’ve launched:
Grateful Grahams, a handmade graham cracker company
Incubator Kitchen Collective, a non profit shared use commercial kitchen that supports food entrepreneurs. We’ve helped over 180 start ups here in our 10 years of service
Power to Pursue, a women’s empowerment movement who’s mission is to create space for women to be seen heard & loved in
This combined with side projects, programs, speaking gigs and so much more! I love the work I do!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think 3 qualities or skills that have impacted me the most would be:
A gratitude practice- first & foremost this is the most impactful. I am not sure I would still be an entrepreneur with out this practice that grounds me and reminds me why I am doing what I am doing. I encourage you all to find 3-5 things a day to be grateful for
Being Nimble- The best laid plans = change. Period. I say that “I want to hold it lightly” – I can create a big vision, work out the strategy AND with out a doubt something is going to change. Be nimble. Don’t fill up all of your time with stuff, you need time to be nimble and equate for change
Kindness- Be kind. You have no clue what anyone is going through, and no matter what company or title they hold they are undoubtably human. Kindness & compassion have been two of my greatest business strengths as it creates a fair space for us to work together, build community and make an impact
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
I remember the day I wanted to close it all, it was about 5 or 6 years ago. I don’t know if anyone actually knows that, I was ready to throw in the towel. I had worked so hard for 6 years straight, no breaks, no real pay, exhausted, burned out. Done. I even typed up the letter I was going to post to say- THANK YOU and Goodnight.
I remember calling my dad talking through it- I don’t know how to keep going, I’ve lost so much money, I am so tired, I just can’t ..
And he said- I will support you no matter what, but before quitting I suggest you take a weekend off. Cancel the events, close the computer, stop. Learn to rest, not quit.
I remember taking 4 days off, not going to markets, not checking emails and guess what- it all kept running, the world did not stop, we were still a company.
I come back to that moment and it’s usually when I feel overwhelmed. Too much to do, not enough time, the hamster on the wheel syndrome, and I realize when I am most overwhelmed is when I need to rest the most. I need to step away from it, fresh eyes and perspective. What am I trying to keep up with? I am a solo entrepreneur comparing my output to large companies with teams of 100’s. What is my big goals and pictures? Do I accurately have a time goal in mind? This take time, nothing happens over night. Put it all down. The weight & the worry (gratitude helps with this too, I promise) and be here right now with it. What do you need to do in this moment? Rest? Make a list? Send the email. Start there. Nothing is more important than starting with where you are with what you have.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thegratitudecollective.org www.powertopursue.org
- Instagram: @Racheldesrochers @powertopurse
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-desrochers-b2356760/
Image Credits
Headshot/Family photo- Tasha Pinelo Photography Power to Pursue Photos Teah Longland Photography
