Meet Rachel Settle | Graphic Designer & Polymer Clay Earring Artist

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

Hi Rachel, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
To get to the thought process behind starting my current businesses, I have to go a ways back and give some background on how I got here. It wasn’t such a simple beginning, and it was definitely a long and winding road to figure out exactly what my “calling” was. To be completely honest, I’m still not sure I’m “there” yet. But I have learned to trust the process!

I think I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur, even if I didn’t realize it as a kid. When I was in elementary school, I always wanted to play “cashier” or build a lemonade stand, and would spend hours thinking about how to decorate the lemonade stand, how things would run, and what I would name it. When I was playing “cashier”, I was always interested in the money aspect- I think it really appealed to me that I was the “owner” of the drawer, and that people were coming into MY store. As time went on, I definitely forgot that feeling and started to think “practically”, even though by all means it would be a practical thought to become an entrepreneur based on my family’s history. My great grandfather, my uncle, my second cousin and his son have all had extremely successful careers as entrepreneurs, so, needless to say entrepreneurship is not an uncommon thing for my family.

However, I was convinced that I needed to pick something more traditional as my career, go to college for it, and come out the other side with diploma and job in hand. When I started college, I went with the idea in mind that I was going to become a high school English teacher. I loved writing, poetry, and everything having to do with that realm of knowledge. Thankfully, I was accepted into a program that Delaware offers for Delawarean high school graduates called the SEED program, where you receive your first two years of college tuition free at a local community college. In this program, you don’t necessarily choose a major until the second two years, so there is time to decide what path you want to take. I’m so glad that was the situation I was in because I ended up deciding that I hated school- not learning, but sitting in a classroom all day long was just unbearable and I was constantly bored. I knew that becoming a teacher just wasn’t for me. I attended a major fair where all (or most all) the majors the college offered were gathered in a room with tables of information about each. I gravitated towards the communications table, my interest peaking at words like “marketing”, “graphic design”, and other creative-based jobs.

I’ve always been a creative person- designing my own birthday invitations in word, making presents for people instead of buying them, crafting, painting, and dreaming up new ideas for businesses, parties, and how to make existing things better.

When it was time for me to decide on a major and go for my bachelor’s degree, I chose Integrated Marketing Communications. Basically, this is a fancy way of saying I wanted to become an expert in every way one could market their business. During my time earning my bachelor’s, I rekindled my love for party planning while planning my sister’s bridal shower. I loved all the aspects of planning- the event design, the flow of the party activities, all of it. I had also always had a love for weddings, and this led to the idea of becoming a wedding planner. I literally just googled – How to become a wedding planner – and info popped up for certification courses, including one where you could intern with David Tutera. There was a 4 day program in Philadelphia with a 2 day seminar and a 2 day internship at a David Tutera Bridal show. I signed up immediately and used all the money I’d saved from working part time at the local Rita’s Water Ice over the summer to pay for it.

The program in Philly was definitely the beginning to the entire wild ride that I’d like to call the past 6 years. It was magical in so many ways, and eye opening for sure. It gave me the confidence I needed to believe in myself and step on the path to entrepreneurship. When we started the seminar, our teacher asked us why we were there, and I gave the answer that I was earning my bachelor’s in communications and hoped to use my degree to get a job at a wedding and event planning company, and maybe one day start my own. She asked me, “Why not start your own now?”. I was both unnerved and excited by the question, and left that 4 day program invigorated. When I got home I started applying to any wedding or event company in the state, but no one was hiring. So, I took my teacher’s question to heart and started “Senner of Attention Event Planning”- a play on my maiden name, Senner.

For a few years I had clients here and there- friends or family that had small budgets that I made work and turned into cute and fun parties. Meanwhile I graduated and was struggling to find work in any communications related position. I bounced from reception job to administrative assistant job to hair salon scheduler job, to any odd thing that seemed like it would offer me the flexibility to also work on my dream. Needless to say, the pickings were slim because people were not too keen on hiring someone who “had their head in the clouds” most of the time. I finally decided I needed to buckle down and get a “real people job” as I call it. I became a leasing agent at an apartment complex full time and put my dream on the back burner for a while. I started becoming friends with entrepreneurs on Instagram and slowly built a community of incredible women who had my back and encouraged me to really go for it when it came to my dreams. I started putting more work into my business, expanding and trying new things. I offered party supply, and decor I had made myself.

Then, in 2018 my then boyfriend (now husband) and I got engaged! I knew I wanted to change the name of my business since my name would no longer be Senner, but wasn’t sure what to call it. I finally settled on “The Bold Companies”, because my friend had called me a “bold woman” for speeding one time, and I liked the sound of that. I also wanted to keep it pretty broad, because I had started designing art to raise money for a cause at my church to keep girls in Africa from being trafficked. I wanted there to be room for growth in case I wanted to sell more products. From there, I narrowed it down to “The Bold Co. Girl”- trying to bring the feminine aspect in and specify who I was in the scheme of things. Over time I stopped planning weddings and events and focused more on products and uplifting women owned businesses in my community!

That’s when the Bold Co. Girl was really born- in the weeks and months after becoming the Bold Co. Girl “officially”, I really found my groove with creating women empowerment driven products and designs (using what little design I had learned in college and tips and tricks from my sister who is a full time graphic designer)- and featuring a new female entrepreneur every month. My community of friends and sisters really flourished during that time, and I am so thankful for everyone I met and became good friends with then. It really paved the way for where I am now – and now actually all my friends are from Instagram, come to think of it.

In the start of 2021 I decided to make the Bold Co. Girl exclusively graphic design, focusing on logos for women owned small businesses. Over time my passion for creating products really waned with the difficulty of trying to hone my skills on too many different products and gauge what designs would be popular enough to sell. My passion for uplifting women in business had only grown, and so had my graphic design skills. I really only accidentally fell into creating logos, but it lit me up in a way nothing else had, and so I ran with it!

In August of 2021, I opened my second business, Monarch Solstice. It’s a hand made nickel free (and mostly polymer clay) earring business. In 2020, I fooled around with making earrings for Bold Co. in some of the product launches, and from that point on there wasn’t a launch that didn’t include earrings. Once again, I accidentally stumbled upon an absolute passion and suddenly memories of begging my parents to get my ears pierced, owning all kinds of kooky and unique earrings, trips to Claire’s spending my entire allowance on earrings, and similar memories came flooding back. Coupled with my passion for uplifting women, Monarch Solstice became a creative outlet, not only for me to create affordable and quality jewelry but for women to feel like they had a place to express themselves without judgement.

I now run both the Bold Co. Girl (solely graphic design with focus on logos), and Monarch Solstice full time. Over the years I quit my job at the apartment complex and started working for a construction company as an administrative assistant and slowly worked my way to part time- putting more time and energy into my businesses once I had found my groove. I made the official switch to full time working for myself in November of 2021. It has been an incredible year of working for myself, terrifying at times, but so rewarding.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
With both the Bold Co. Girl and Monarch Solstice, I have always made it a priority for support and community to be the baseline to the business. I pride myself in building a longer table, not a higher fence. Too often I see women tearing each other down because they think there isn’t enough room for someone in the same category/genre/field. I truly believe there is no reason for women (or anyone, really) to be exclusionary with each other. We are all starting somewhere, so why not make the journey that more enjoyable- with friends, support, love, and kindness for one another. I want women to feel like my corner of the internet is the place they can come and be accepted in- like when it’s the first day of school and you’re trying to find a table to eat lunch at. You can sit with us.

It definitely took me a couple years to get into my groove after starting my business when it came to women empowerment. I started my business in the height of “hustle” culture where Rachel Hollis was reigning queen. At first, I didn’t understand why I didn’t fit in to the “wake up at 6am and grind until 10pm” group, and wondered if it was because I just wasn’t trying hard enough. I let imposter syndrome run my life for a very long time- comparing myself to others who woke up earlier, got more things done in their 24 hours than I could get done all week.

Over time, I found my niche and my people. I learned over time that everyone lives their life differently- and that’s ok! One of the most important things I’ve learned is that not everyone is in the same stage of life- stop comparing your Chapter 1 to their Chapter 8. Also, success looks different to everyone. For some, starting the day at 6am and watching the sunrise, then completing a full day of tasks is successful. For me, being able to sleep in and take the day slowly, one task at a time is success. I spent too long living by others’ rules, so I like to be able to create my own schedule and make up the rules as I go along. I am the boss of my business (and life) after all!

I think what I want the world to know most about my brand and my story is that the Bold Co. Girl and Monarch Solstice were born out of the desire to belong and to make others feel like they belong. Community, support, kindness, and understanding are queen with me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
First, we would start the morning(s) with a late coffee at House of Coffi in Dover, and meander over to La Baguette for pastries! Depending on the time of year, it would be fun to park at the Dover Library and walk down Loockerman stopping at Black Swamp Artisanal Market (where some Monarch Solstice earrings are for sale- among a bunch of other amazing art and food). Any day of the week, it’s easy to find somewhere tasty for brunch or pastries!

Then, we could find some kind of vendor event or other festival going on- there is always something in the surrounding area to check out – especially in the spring and summer! This past year alone, my husband and I went to the Mac n Cheese Festival in Baltimore, countless vendor events like Pride Festival in Dover, Comic Con (also in Dover), the state fair in July, and more. I’m sure we could find plenty like that to do.

Also on the list to visit would be Six Flags in Jersey, any kind of exhibit either in DC, Philly, or NYC- some of the coolest ones I’ve been to are the Friends Experience in NYC, the Harry Potter store (also in NYC), and the cherry blossom festival in DC.

To finish out the night(s), we would definitely need to go to the beach for the boardwalk, do some shopping or mini golf! There are countless incredible restaurants to choose from in Rehoboth, including Somewhere, Taco Reho, and Cilantro to name a few. I’m a big kid at heart, and so is my husband, so arcade games would also be a must.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are so many incredible women I want to shout out, I literally wouldn’t be here without my incredible community, so I will just list everyone while trying to keep it short and sweet.

Danielle Sims @dlpdesigned (instagram)
This woman is my best friend and an absolute force. We met in July of 2020 when the world was only just starting to understand the lasting effects of Covid and together we navigated those waters, each taking a paddle when the other couldn’t row anymore. She is a mom of 3, the most creative and ingenious person I have ever had the pleasure of being friends with and working with, and I can’t do life without her. Danielle is an expert in Japanese seed bead weaving jewelry, and has so many skills with beading up her sleeve. We have collaborated on many occasions with Monarch Solstice, and we are the baseline to each other’s businesses. Countless cups of coffee and lunches have been consumed over business talk, deciding where to go next and how to pivot in a world that seems to keep throwing curveballs.

Aaron Settle
My loving and incredibly supportive husband has been there every step of the way. I don’t think there’s been a time where I’ve had a huge idea and he hasn’t been there to say “Go for it, beb. You got this!” He is my light in the dark and my partner in crime. So many accomplishments that I’ve made wouldn’t have been possible without him there, either physically moving the pieces into place or giving me huge warm hugs and words of wisdom and encouragement. He is the epitome of the pillar of support. He helps me see the bright side when I’m stressed, laugh off my anxiety (no small task), and find legit solutions when I’m between a rock and a hard place.

My Parents- Lissa & Tim Senner
I literally wouldn’t be where I am without them. They offered unwavering support every time I had a huge idea – and still do to this day. My mom has been my biggest customer since day one, and my dad is always coming up with innovative ideas, and sometimes even displays for my latest vendor booth. I get a lot of my creative energy from him- and my charismatic traits from my mom. Together they form the lighthouse I always come home to.

Stephanie Burgess @jadeandcrown (instagram)
My sister has been my best friend, role model, and teacher all my life. She is 8 years older than me, and has usually been the template for which I live my life- for better or worse. We moved around a lot growing up, so she will always be home to me (along with my parents). We have so many inside jokes, wonky mannerisms, and memories, and still end up making more. She is the reason I don’t quit when trying something new- I’m always so easily frustrated, but she’ll give me such a simple piece of advice that always somehow makes it all make sense. Steph is my graphic design guru, and my built in bestie for life.

Sydney Stump @signatureshotsphotography (instagram)
To the outside world she may just seem like my product photographer, but we were and always will be besties first. Syd and I found each other when we were both exhausted from the carousel that can be “influencer” friends. We were both searching for real, deep, and true friendship and we certainly found it in each other. We love hanging out in our sweats, shoveling Taco Bell in our faces, and having our phones on silent the entire time. The freedom I’ve found in Sydney’s bright personality has been a beacon I can’t live without over the years. We may get busy, but we always make time for each other and it is always worth the wait.

Other Honorable Mentions:

Laura Plenzik @fashionmemeshop
Rachel Rohm @knotsandnotes
(Us three have become fast besties and a three musketeers of sorts over the past year)

Laura Griffin @thegypsyblues (my first EVER logo and long time friend)
Liv Martin @livfornails
Kate Donovan @chasingwonderment

And so so many more

Website: www.monarchsolstice.com www.theboldcogirl.com

Instagram: @monarchsolstice @theboldcogirl

Facebook: www.facebook.com/monarchsolstice www.facebook.com/theboldcogirl

Image Credits
Signature Shots by Sydney Stump @signatureshotsphotography (instagram)