Featured #bloomgirl: Rachel; Artist and Mental Health Therapist!

This month's featured #bloomgirl is Rachel Tenny! We are so inspired by her love and passion for others, big heart, and #girlboss mindset. Keep reading to learn more about Rachel and how she helps inspire and encourage those around her through her art! 

Tell us a little bit about yourself! 

I am an artist and mental health therapist living in Charlotte, NC. I work with women who are battling eating disorders by day and by night, weekends, and early mornings I run my own business as an artist. I created a program called "Mental Health for Creatives" that helps to promote open conversations about mental well-being for entrepreneurs.

When I'm not working, you can find me on some type of adventure, whether it's a exploring a new city or a restaurant around the corner. I have two rescue pups (a pitbull named Tinsley, and a cocker spaniel named Sophia) and I am truly obsessed with them. They make lots of appearances on my Instagram posts, and if you've seen any of my work, you know I love bright colors, florals, and a good glass of wine...but more than that I love helping women learn to accept and own who they are.

Who or what is your biggest inspiration?

My inspiration for my art comes from seeing new places when I travel. My biggest inspiration for counseling comes from relationships with the brave women I get to work with. When I see them giving 100% to focus on their recovery journey, it makes me want to be a better clinician and even a better human as well. My clients make me want to help change the way things like body image and mental health are talked about.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced, personally or professionally? How have you overcome it? 

Moving to Charlotte and having to move my business was hard on both me personally and my business. I felt really lost during the move and unsure of what I wanted to do next. I spent a month watching Netflix and feeling kind of sorry for myself, and then I realized I wanted to use my own experience to share with others who were in similar situations. This started my passion for Mental Health for Creatives, because owning a business can be isolating and difficult. It's not just a fun way to stay home with your dogs like it may appear! I was able to begin to get out and meet other people in the area, but it reminded me that we NEED other people in our lives, we need a community. 

If you could talk to yourself 5 years ago, what advice would you give yourself?

You are doing the best you can and you don't need to push yourself to get places more quickly. It's okay to take a different path than you originally planned for yourself. In fact, those side paths are where so many amazing things happen. Learn from your mistakes and remember that people matter most, more than money, followers, or sales. 

What are some key books/learning experiences that helped shape you and your company?

Joining a Mastermind with other likeminded entrepreneurs was a huge shift in the way I looked at my business. Through that process, I was able to learn about how other women run their business and what challenges they face. These women helped me to strategize and look at my business from a perspective I wouldn't have been able to on my own.

In all honesty, I don't read a lot of "typical business books" but focus more on relational books and books about how to impact others through your business/ what makes you unique. Some of my favorite books for business are: Tribes by Seth Godin, The One Thing by Gary Keller, and anything from Brene Brown!  

What are your favorite bloom products, and why?

The Contacts Book! We have moved quite a few times over the last few years and it's been SO helpful to have this tool to help keep addresses organized in one place. I am a pen and paper gal, so this is way more effective for me than storing things online and I use it all the time to keep track of where people are.

I also love the Planning Pads, because they help me to organize my day/week in a way that's both functional and helps prioritize. When I am working on a lot of things at once, I get anxiety about where to start, and this helps a lot.

We hope you enjoyed learning more about Rachel! You can check out Rachel's website here. Do you have a #girlboss story to share? Email us at bloom@bloomplanners.com for a chance to be our next featured bloom girl!

xoxo,

the bloom team