Rachel Rivera is a Massachusetts native in her 20’s now living in Connecticut. After two extremely toxic and draining work environments, she knew there had to be a better life where she could be her own boss and make her own schedule. She loves cooking and is passionate about clean eating, so she created a website and shares her favorite healthy recipes!

Can you tell our readers about your background?

I grew up in a very religious family and went to a very strict Christian college, obtaining a music degree. I married there and we immediately started working at a church, which at the time I thought I’d never leave and would always be stuck there, even though I was growing more and more unhappy and uncomfortable.

What inspired you to start your business?

While serving and working at the church, we were fired without warning and thrown into a situation where we realized we had no plans whatsoever for our future. I came across a podcast where the guest said to never put your eggs all in one basket, and I realized that’s exactly what we had done. I realized I needed to create multiple sources of income and grow to be independent of the whims of an employer. 

Where is your business based?

My business is all online, and I work out of my apartment in Stratford, CT. As an introvert, I love working from home!

How did you start your business?

What were the first steps you took?- I wanted to get my name out there a bit, so I partnered with a company I believe in and did some social media takeovers, and took any opportunity I could to work with brands and make connections. Meanwhile, I wrote some posts and created some recipes to get my blog ready.

What have been your biggest challenges and how did you overcome them?

One of my biggest challenges is comparing myself to others. Seeing how other people’s businesses have grown and exploded, or how natural they seem as an entrepreneur. I’ve learned to stay focused and put on blinders. Just getting busy and minding my business. Deleting the Facebook app from my phone has helped too!

How do you stay focused?

At the start of each week, I see what I have in my schedule. Then, I assign myself hours of work to complete each day. It's really helped me to stay focused and organized!

How do you differentiate your business from the competition?

I didn’t have any connections or an “in” before I started. I worked hard to create my recipes on a tight budget without help from an investor. Everything I’ve put together has come from my studio apartment!

What has been your most effective marketing strategy to grow your business?

While my personal life had a lot of religious trauma, I kept my faith. Most recently I decided to make one workday a week a day to pray and connect with God to get wisdom for my business. I feel I was led to take a certain course that was an investment for me, and I learned you HAVE to make investments into your own business to see a return. Freebie courses just don’t cut it. It worked! I’ve seen my site views go way up as a result.

What's your best piece of advice for aspiring and new entrepreneurs?

Go for it! Don’t wait to start. It may sound cheesy, but it’s true: If you wait to start until you’re ready, you’ll never start. I wish I’d started sooner but fear held me back. Just get out there and go for it!

What's your favorite app, blog, and book? Why?

Instagram! I follow such inspiring people on there, and some just through their content have pushed me to action and literally changed my life. So powerful. My favorite blog is the Wellness Mama blog. It got me into all things healthy and made me interested in a different way of doing life. I have so many favorite books, but I do love Sleep Smarter by Shawn Stevenson. Sleep is essential to running a business and I need all the help I can get!

What's your favorite business tool or resource? Why?

For bloggers, I HIGHLY suggest the Stupid Simple SEO course. It’s been increasing my site views, and I love that I can go at my own pace and have access to a Facebook group to ask questions and get help.

Who is your business role model? Why?

Alex and Mimi Ikonn. Their older YouTube videos are SO inspiring. Before getting fired from the church, one of their videos made me realize there has to be more out there for me than being stuck and unhappy at a job I dislike. It made me realize I could maybe, just maybe, take steps to change my life. More recently when they made a podcast for entrepreneurs, I devoured it. So many nuggets in there that have been inspiring.

How do you balance work and life?

My method of planning out my week every Sunday has been super helpful! I leave Sunday open to catch up on anything that didn’t get done, and I realized it’s ok to get behind now and then.

What’s your favorite way to decompress?

I love to watch the Office and laugh! That show never gets old.

What do you have planned for the next six months?

I have a specific monetary goal in mind. To get there, I’m pushing to complete a set amount of work hours each week, do a number of social media takeovers per month, and connect with whatever businesses I can.

How can our readers connect with you?

Either on my blog or my Instagram! Send me a message, I’d love to hear from you and I’m happy to answer any business questions you have!