Business is HUMAN
To be in business is to be deeply human. It’s big feelings, trauma, lived experience, resilience, politics, nuance, art.
Your business is an incredibly vulnerable extension of who you are at your core. Entrepreneurship embodies the whole scope of humanity… so why does it feel like all of that has been forgotten or bypassed?
You’re not doing business wrong — the business space is.
Business wasn’t made with most folks in mind… especially if you’re Black, NBIPOC, LGBTQIA+, fat, Disabled, neurodivergent, or have a message that goes against the grain.
Though I don’t think it was made for anyone other than old white men, it specifically doesn’t see the lived experience of those who are constantly othered.
I saw (and felt) a need for more ease and more humanity in the business space—which is why I support entrepreneurs create human-first, leadership-driven practices so they can sell out their offers without selling themselves out.
I didn’t hire a business coach either for the first 8 years of my business.
I didn’t see myself in the spaces that were created, not only as a gay woman, but as someone who’s always had a message that goes against the grain.
No, not for the sake of being polarizing, but because I found the industry harmful—I didn’t have pretty, kind things to say. And I didn’t see the business space creating room for misfits, rebels, and those who also went a bit against the grain, too.
More so, I saw experienced entrepreneurs with brilliant ideas in burnout when they promised that would never be them, and really wanting things to feel… not easier, but less like they had to do it all in order to sustains which leaves a lot of winging it.
I wrote a book! It's called
human first
Human First is 134 pages of easy-to-read, open-to-any-page business-ish musings on human-first practices intersecting being a misfit, mental health, and putting your art (your business) into the world in ways that honor and acknowledge your whole, human self.
There are lots of different ways I work with business folks.
1:1 Mentorship
If you feel like the business space hasn’t seen you for your full humanity, if you feel like your message goes against the grain, if you want to move & lead in a human-first way—the Mindful Misfit Mentorship might be just for you.
The League
A small-group mentorship for misfit entrepreneurs with BIG feelings—who want to take a human-first approach to business, so you can sell out your offers, without selling yourself out.
The Leadership Designs
My wife Sara & I created The Leadership Designs as a lens through to look at how people exist & lead in their business: The Nurturer, The Analyst. The Conductor, & The Visionary.
The kindest words I could ever ask for—
“Working with Rachel has honestly been healing. I have worked with other business coaches before and so I was definitely hesitant, but this felt instantly different. It was clear I wasn't receiving advice or cookie cutter frameworks.
This was a true collaboration.
Rachel listened to me and held space for me that helped me rewrite the narratives so they honor my humanity and the humanity of those I work with. I have been able to identify and embrace my leadership style in a way that feels truly aligned and has allowed me to expand my business in away that meets me where I am at.” –Jodi
Wanna hear more business(ish) musings (& whatever else is on my mind?)
If yes, then toast a slice of sourdough, spread the most delicious butter to all the edges, and head on over to the blog.
Oh, and don’t forget—more butter.
For all things mindful business, authentic leadership in action, and being really gay.
