From Michele: You may already know Rachel from Rachel’s overnight oats. She was the first to market a dry Organic Overnight Oats Mix. Over time, she has created a certified organic line of Overnight Oats in four classic flavors Cinnamon Raisin, Pumpkin Spice, Original (along with their newest flavor…Apple Cinnamon). Amazing, isn’t it?
Truth be told, Rachel’s path wasn’t always so simple. Like any entrepreneur, there were many challenges. So read her point of view about them below and if you would like to support her, check out her page below!
The Start Of Rachel’s
I started making my own overnight oats right at home, measuring out all of the ingredients each time. I really liked them and I finally found a breakfast my fiancé would eat. He was known for skipping breakfast, so when I discovered he loved overnight oats, I was making them nightly. Overnights oats were something we both loved, so I tried to find a ready-made overnight oat mix at the store to save time in the kitchen. I tried soaking nearly every flavored oatmeal out there and was disappointed that nothing turned out just like mine. I found myself back in the kitchen measuring out each ingredient any time we wanted overnight oats. It took time and in our busy lives, I needed something healthy but convenient. It was from this Rachel’s brand was born. I was the first to market a ready-made overnight oat mix and we are now seeing other brands entering the space.
Challenges I’ve had to overcome:
Feeling rejected. The road has been anything but smooth in this business. Breaking into the food industry with a new product is probably the biggest challenge I have ever faced. I introduced a product when most people didn’t know what it was and some still don’t. I have been turned away many times by retailer buyers and manufacturers. This can leave you feeling rejected the same way you feel rejected in any other aspect of life. I used this feeling of rejection to motivate me to keep going and keep trying. I highly encourage anyone starting their own business to keep at it, even if the first response is not what you want. Feeling rejected is hard, but it doesn’t mean that you are not worthy or capable, sometimes the timing isn’t right either. I know this sounds cliché, but it’s true…never give up!
Before Rachel’s:
I went to school in Chicago for my Bachelor degree and MBA in Finance. I am now a California girl and have been living in Manhattan Beach for almost a decade. I was once a personal trainer and taught group fitness classes at gyms and fitness studios in Chicago. Out of college, I worked for a construction company as a Project Accountant for about 5 years. When I left that job, I worked at a jeweler for about a year and studied to take my real estate exam in the interim. There were times that I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with my life but I always defaulted to the things I felt passionate about. Gemology has always been one of my passions and food and fitness, too. I am all for working within your comfort zone, but stepping outside of those areas of comfort will allow you to grow the most. Go for it!
Thank you for sharing your experience. This gives me hope as I true to pursue my own dreams and not get caught up in the rejection.
Good luck girl! It’s hard to be an entrepreneur!