We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Arnold and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, the decisions we make often shape our story in profound ways. What was one of the most difficult decisions you’ve had to make?
5 days after our 2019 spring recital I received a phone call saying that I had a rare and aggressive form of late stage breast cancer. The outlook was not good. My family and my business both needed me. I had a 6 month old baby and a 4 year old – both girls. My husband’s mother was extremely ill and passed away during my chemo treatment. My business was growing with new faculty who needed a leader and my business coaching was taking off. Making the decision to step back from my business and focus on my health & family was by far my hardest decision but had to be done.

What should our readers know about your business?
Being a business owner has not been a smooth road by any means. I have lost clients, let my employees down and made mistakes. However, I have worked hard to learn from those mistakes and invested in continuing education. A few years ago I completed an application to join More Than Just Great Dancing and was accepted into their amazing group of entrepreneurs. April 19th, 2019 I completed my certification as a Certified Business Coach with Misty Lown at More Than Just Great Dancing. The continuing education that has come from both MTJGD and being a certified business coach has been invaluable. It has set me up for success in dance and in other small business I own. They helped me find my true north and be the leader my employees have always needed me to be.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I would take them to The Ashen Rose located in the historic downtown Greenville, Texas for drinks. Afterwards, we would either go to a show & order dinner to our table at the Texan Theater across the street or head across town to take an Aerial Silks, Aerial Yoga or Aerial Lyra class at Dance Prodigy Studios. The next morning we would head over the Martinis Day Spa off of 1903 for a spa day. Then we could go thrifting, furniture, decor & clothes shopping at the AMAZING Vintage & Lace store off of 34 & I-30. We would also HAVE to make a run to Glenda’s for lunch!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would not be where I am today without my husband who supports my crazy ideas, my mom who has been a rock this past year, my sister & her husband who helped take care of my kids while I was sick and my staff who stepped up to the task and stepped out to support each other. I also would not have had the tools to make my businesses successful without the guidance of Misty Lown and the group of More Than Just Great Dancing. What I have learned from Misty Lown and my peers from MTJGD has been invaluable.

Website: www.RachelElizabethArnold.com & www.danceprodigystudio.com
Instagram: @danceprodigystudio & @minordetailsfurnitureco & @therachelelizabetharnold
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/justaminordetail/ & https://m.facebook.com/danceprodigystudio/ & https://m.facebook.com/rachelelizabetharnold

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