We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Hankins and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Rachel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind me starting a business comes from several directions that led me on this path. It was the infamous year of 2020, and we were all quarantined at home due to Covid-19. My job made the decision to deem us as essential workers and sent us back to work a month after the nationwide shelter in place was initiated. I was furious at how they were able to control our lives and livelihood with a simple decision that would put our health and family at risk of catching the virus. That decision made me feel as if I had no value as a person or human. While we were all quaratined at home I took that time to reflect on what was happening in the world and around me personally. My eyes were witnessing humans dying from Covid-19, there was a seismic shift in American culture and politics, dealing with my wife being laid off several times from corporate companies, and we were also fighting for permanent guardianship of a child that was given to us by a stranger . In this moment I came to the realization that employers have the power and ability to control your life, health, and income without any care on how their decision affects you or your family. I realized that I no longer wanted to be a part of the rat race and that’s when I began to entertain the possibility of starting my own business. The 2nd moment that occurred was the continuous gaslighting of being passed up for promotions and opportunities that I knew I rightfully deserved at my job. It seemed that no matter what I did or had to offer my company, others who were less qualified, talented, and ambitious were being promoted over me. This showed me, once again, that employers have the ability to control whether you get promoted, how much time you can take off, and control your raise in pay. Employers can essentially steal years of your life trying to prove your loyalty to the company. I couldn’t take the constant rejection, embarrassment, gaslighting, anxiety, and self-doubt that I was experiencing. I knew that I had much more to offer and that my job was actually holding me back from reaching my highest potential. I decided that I could use my skills, talent, education, experience, and ambition to build a business that makes me feel empowered about who I am and what I can offer to the world.
The 3rd moment was me witnessing the laws and bills being passed across our country regarding the LGBTQ+ community, which is a community that I am proud to represent. Banning trans youth from participating in sports, the daily murder of trans men and women, and the political targeting that resulted in our community being afraid to essentially exist within this country. With my background in sports, fitness, and recreation I realized that I could offer something that could really make an impact in the lives of others and the world. I realized that everything I had done up until that moment was preparing me for this moment. It was time for me take action and create something influential. I wanted our community to feel safe and become healthier, happier, and empowered human beings.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am originally from Florence, AL. where I was a local star athlete in volleyball, basketball, and softball. I also went on to play volleyball and basketball at our local junior college. I moved away from Florence to pursue a career in Nursing at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. I was rejected 3 times into the nursing program and realized that maybe that career path wasn’t the one I was destined to take. I saw an ad in our local newspaper one day about becoming a volunteer coach and that’s when I decided that maybe the universe was telling me that this was the path I was supposed to take. I enrolled at the University of Alabama A&M University to pursue a career in coaching and physical education. I started to volunteer as a coach at our local recreation center and I instantly fell in love with the profession. While going to school I quit my full-time job as an EKG tech to gain experience coaching and working with youth. I was afforded the opportunity to serve as an assistant coach for a Division II women’s college basketball team. That experience proved to me that coaching at the college level was not where I wanted to be. I graduated Magna Cum Laude and decided to pursue my Masters’ degree in this field. I enrolled to Concordia University in Irvine, CA. to pursue my Masters in Coaching and Athletic Administration. During this time I experienced some depression because I felt stuck due to the lack of job opportunities available in my city. I knew that the life I had envisioned for myself could never be attained if I continued to live in Alabama. I decided to sell all of my possessions on Craigslist to gather money to move to Dallas, TX. I moved to Dallas with one suitcase, $1,000.00, and a vision. I moved into the Red Roof Inn hotel when I landed a job with Hertz rental company. I worked there for maybe 2 weeks before I quit and landed a job at Capital One where I worked in a fitness center for their employees. While discovering Dallas and navigating my life in this new world, I was in school working on my Master’s degree. I completed my Master’s degree in 1 year and maintained a 4.0 GPA. I was fortunate to land a new job that validated why I moved to Dallas in the first place. As a program coordinator for a local municipality, I was able to acquire new skills, pursue my passion, and make a difference in my community. Throughout this entire journey I learned how the power of resilience, strength, and authenticity can be the difference in you achieving success or crumbling to defeat. What I have experienced throughout my life has led me to create the life I had always imagined. Of course, I had many failures along the way that could have deterred me from striving for success. The one lesson I have learned is that no one can tell you the correct formula to attaining success and that only you can determine the outcome of how you want your life to be. My brand reflects everything I have experienced in my lifetime as a black, lesbian, woman in this country. My brand is a reflection of who I am, where I have come from, and what I have overcome.
Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Everything in Dallas is one of a kind, and I consistenly share with others that it is impossible to experience everything Dallas has to offer. I would love for my best friend to visit Klyde Warren Park in downtown Dallas. We would eat and drink at the many restaurants throughout the city. I would definitely take them to The Shops of Legacy to visit the food hall. We would hang out in Deep Ellum and visit the rainbow strip on Cedar Springs to party. A visit to the Perot Museum would definitely have to be on the list. We would also take a stadium tour of the Dallas Cowboys, Texas Rangers, and the Dallas Mavericks event venues. Steaks and Cakes in Southern Dallas is a must, touring downtown Dallas at night would be required, and visiting the State Fair of Texas at Fair Park.
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?
Since starting this business, I have met some amazing individuals who have been profound and instrumental to the success of my business. First, my wife Chaz Hankins, has been my biggest supporter, ambassador, and cheerleader since starting my business. There were many times when I wanted to quit and give up and she wouldn’t allow it. Her positivity, encouragement, and unwavering belief in me kept me pushing forward even when I doubted myself.
The other amazing individuals that deserve a shoutout are our customers, social media followers, and close friends whom have supported me in various ways. You learn quickly that the people who don’t know you personally will be your biggest cheerleaders. Their support has been instrumental in providing validity to myself because I never felt confident that my idea could actually one day become a successful business.
Website: www.prydefitpire.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prydefitpire/?hl=en
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-hankins-4a510828b
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PFitpire
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/prydefitpire
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKPwK0t8j4n5evvoEnfgGiA
Other: http://tiktok.com/@prydefitpire
Image Credits
Pryde Fitpire