Writer Raquel Kelley on Overcoming Rejection and Paving Her Own Path

Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:

My name is Raquel Kelley and I'm a writer, TV producer, and host of the MOMGUL Podcast. I began my career at E! Entertainment where I worked for over a decade on shows such as Live! From the Red Carpet and Fashion Police. I've also been a contributor to Conde Nast and HuffPost. My debut book, Where'd I Go?, which is the first lift-the-flap book made for moms, is inspired by the identity crisis I had after having my kids and is available now. A portion of the proceeds goes to Mental Health America. Both my book and my podcast, MOMGUL, strive to achieve my ultimate career goal-- Make hard things easy to talk about.

What excites you about being an Entreprenista League member?

Being able to connect with other like-minded mamas!

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

Being my own boss and writing and creating my own projects to produce has always been a lifelong goal. Always my side hustle while working my 9-5 corporate job, the pandemic inspired me to go after what I've always wanted to do. Life was too short to keep waiting.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

Producer at NBCUniversal for 11 years, Sr. Digital Project Manager at WD Partners for clients like Aramark, Purina, Target, & Starbucks

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

I've never believed life should be lived A, B, C, D. The people I've most looked up to are the ones who have paved their own path.

Take us back to when you first launched your business, what was your marketing strategy to get the word out, and did it go as planned?

MOMGUL was my first podcast and business venture. My co-host and I took on the marketing responsibilities but with the motherhood space being so cluttered it was hard to cut through. This is what made me hire a dedicated person to market my first book!

What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way and what did you learn from it?

Rejection comes with the territory. Instead of letting it get me down, I tell myself "no means next."

What is the accomplishment you are the proudest of to date?

Birthing my first book and my third baby in the same year!

Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?

I believe in Life/Work balance and in that order. I've learned that doing it all, means doing nothing very well. My to-do list some days is just to survive and I've allowed myself to be kinder and okay with that.

What's a piece of advice you can share that you wish you'd known when you first started your Entreprenista journey?

No one will work harder than you for your dreams.

What have you achieved recently that you'd like to celebrate with our community?

The launch of my new book Where'd I Go?

What's next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

I'm hoping to grow the MOMGUL Podcast, sell the kids' Christmas movie I wrote, as well as start Book #2 upon returning from maternity leave in the New Year.

Learn more about the Entreprenista League and join today!