Two invaluable pieces of wisdom have served as guiding lights throughout my career, shaping my decisions and transforming my professional journey.
(Rachel pictured with Leon Bridges)
The first is something my mother always told me as a kid and throughout my early adulthood: "Remember who you are." Whether I’d be simply going about my day or being faced with a big life decision…“Remember who you are!”
The second is advice from my former supervisor and dear friend, Trey Hicks: "Shoot your shot. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take." Yes, I realise this is a Wayne Gretzky quote (or Michael Scott, whomever you prefer), and I realise that it may seem like a very simple way of thinking. But, oftentimes I find that the simplest things can end up being the most significant.
It was mid-2018. I was a mid-level professional in my late twenties working for a notable PR agency in Austin, and I found myself at a crossroads. Despite my love for the job and clients, I was grappling with a sense of stagnation and low morale. Additionally, navigating adulthood away from the support of family, and feeling out of my comfort zone, added complexity to my personal life.
Meanwhile, there was a team within the company that specialised in music festivals, live events, as well as promoting local nonprofits and small businesses. I found myself wanting to explore different industries, specifically hospitality and CPG. I loved live music, discovering new artists, supporting independent and local businesses, and I thought maybe, MAYBE, shifting gears would lead me to feel more passionate about my work.
Wanting to learn more, I struck up a conversation with the director of that team, Trey, and we scheduled an informational meeting. Little did I know that the takeaways from that meeting, along with the replaying of my mother’s voice in the back of my head telling me to “remember…” would result in lessons that would shape my career (and my personal life) in many, and sometimes unexpected, ways.
I sat down with Trey and asked if there was an opportunity to work with his team. Yes, he said, but I’d probably have to leave my current team to work on these projects full time. I asked him if he thought that was remotely possible given that a) I didn’t know a damn thing about repping music festivals b) it would require me to leave my current team and c) leaving my team would mean the agency would have to bring on a new hire to fill my old role.
He responded, "Well, you gotta shoot your shot. You miss 100% of the shots you don't take. The worst they can say is no."
True to his word, he discussed the opportunity with the company heads. Before long, I found myself immersed in a whole new world with a trip to El Paso, Texas to work the Neon Desert Music Festival—a renowned multicultural music festival at the time.
Stepping onto the plane, a surge anticipation coursed through me like never before. I was working on everything from niche, boutique projects like Oblivion Access, a venue-based metal festival, to events like Sol Blume, an R&B festival in Sacramento. I also had the opportunity to launch internationally recognised artist-curated events such as Travis Scott’s Astroworld and J. Cole’s Dreamville Festival.
These festivals drew crowds of 50 to 55K per day over the years, sometimes selling out before lineups were even announced. It’s wild.
(Rachel pictured with her sister)
And, looking back, that experience effectively married those two nuggets of wisdom. I stayed true to myself, evaluated what I really wanted, and made moves. And it was working!
It reminds me of what five-time GRAMMY-winning New Orleans native and savant, Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr (Lil Wayne) once said, "Real G's move in silence like lasagne." To me, this quote, in essence, emphasises the importance of being intentional, making deliberate moves without unnecessary noise, and maintaining integrity in one's actions.
These insights became more than just words; they became principles that guided my decisions. "Remember who you are" kept me true to myself, not only in my career but also in personal relationships. "Shoot your shot" propelled me into a fulfilling career path and encouraged me to embrace life's opportunities boldly. The impact was transformative, leading to a dynamic professional journey and influencing how I navigate life's challenges beyond the workplace.
Over the past decade of my career, I've chosen to shift my industry focus several times. This has provided me with invaluable opportunities for growth, allowing me to learn different aspects of public relations, cultivate a diverse client portfolio, and connect with remarkably talented individuals. At every pivotal moment—every significant raise, every promotion—I proactively pursued what I knew I deserved.
Sometimes, it required patience, but I remained steadfast because I was confident in my worth. I made the bold decision to leave a job and industry I cherished because my intuition was telling me I needed change. Embracing uncertainty, I accepted a new position offered by individuals I had never met face-to-face. I relocated 500 miles away from my familiar surroundings—leaving behind my life of eight years in Austin for New Orleans, a city where I barely knew anyone beyond my professional circle.
Staying true to myself, I’ve become comfortable with saying the word “no,” and I aim to say “yes” only when I feel it is right. I said yes to a second date and now, as I write this, I am getting married in less than 100 days!
And while there are aspects of my journey I might alter in hindsight; I find myself in a place of happiness. For a long time, I doubted such fulfilment would ever be within reach, yet the decisions I made, which I believe were guided by my principles, led me to this rewarding trajectory of events and outcomes.
As my career has progressed, I aim to continually evaluate and apply this advice where applicable, adapting it to new challenges and opportunities. And it remains relevant and influential. Always telling myself "Remember who you are" has become a touchstone during change. "Shoot your shot" continues to inspire me to take risks that foster resilience and growth in various aspects of life.
Remembering who I am and shooting my shots have had a significant impact in defining my professional journey. The results may not always align with my immediate expectations, but either way, it influences how I navigate life's complexities both at and beyond the workplace.
