Rachel Tomlinson is a first-generation American with parents who escaped a culturally rich yet poverty stricken little island in the Caribbean we all know as, Haiti. She has two siblings and came from humble beginnings in Jersey City, NJ in a single family household filled with love and strong ethics. Rachel studied journalism and became a journalist in NYC at networks and local stations. She has always wanted to be a business owner to leave a legacy for her 2 year-old daughter, strengthen her marriage and make her parents proud to see the fruits of their tireless efforts. She loves to dance, tell jokes and make people laugh, spending weekends with her family and being outside. Rachel is grateful to intertwine her passion and desire to help impoverished children with an opportunity to education, and access to clean water. She is the shop owner of Truly Rachel an online jewelry and accessories shop offering competitive prices on fashion jewelry you love!
Learn more about Rachel in this week’s Spotlight Saturday.
WHAT TRULY RACHEL DOES
“We offer handmade personalized jewels, hand painted mugs, totes as well as curated jewelry pieces. Our shoppers also love to give back. With each purchase, a child from an orphanage in Haiti called Hands and Feet, Inc. gets a meal. Truly Rachel hosts pop up shops and vendor tables at local fairs and women events.”
WHAT TRULY RACHEL IS KNOWN FOR
“We are known for our humanitarian efforts, personalized pieces and a family business made in America. Those 3 attributes helps us make a deep connection with our shoppers.”
HOW TRULY RACHEL GOT STARTED
“Truly Rachel was birthed out of my huge interest in wearing and shopping for beautiful accessory pieces. From there I took my interest to the next level by creating pieces that are full of meaning and hope to shoppers. I combined it with my passion to help orphaned children and the poor.”
ADVICE TO SOMEONE PURSUING THEIR DREAMS
“Locate what you are passionate about and what you are skilled in and perfect your craft every day. Don’t compare your assignment to other people or your competitors. Comparison is a huge confidence robber.”
GREATEST INFLUENCE
Her mother.
Rachel explains: “My mom inspires me to never quit. She sees the potential in me and challenges me to tap into the greatness that I tend to overlook.”
FAVORITE QUOTE
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” -MLK
FAVORITE PASTIME
“I love being outside in nature. Whether I’m biking, running, swimming, hiking or sitting out reading a book, it’s my favorite thing to ease my mind and take a break.”
IF HER LIFE WERE A MOVIE
It would be title, “So What I’m Weird”.
ADVICE TO YOUNGER SELF
You don’t have to try so hard to be accepted.
Do not quit a job before a year because it’s ‘too hard’.
Nothing worth fighting for gets easy. It’s just that you get tougher and a stronger fighter.
In the end you will always win with God on your side.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE FUTURE
“My line being featured in a local shop, producing more brand videos and on-air work from me, another baby (being a 2nd time mother) and being featured in online and print publications.”
To learn more about Rachel Tomlinson, visit her website at www.trulyrachel.com. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram. Like her on Facebook. Visit her blog at trulyrachel.blogspot.com.