#Unstoppable Female Founder
Rachel Romer, Founder & Executive Chair of Guild Education, Transforming America’s Workforce through up-skilling and higher education.
I came across Rachel’s story and was immediately inspired for a number of reasons; She turned her idea into a $4.4 Billion dollar business, she is mission driven to change the landscape of America’s workforce by offering company funded higher education and up-skilling opportunities, and her determination to not allow a stroke at 34 to stop her from achieving her goals.
Rachel Romer’s life has always revolved around a passion for education and the potential it holds to transform lives. Growing up, Rachel witnessed two contrasting worlds within her own family. One side, which included her grandfather Roy Romer, the former Governor of Colorado, had the means to support their education without financial strain. The other side struggled with student debt and limited job opportunities due to a lack of necessary skills. This disparity fueled Rachel’s desire to bridge the educational divide and help people achieve their career aspirations regardless of their economic background. With a degree from Stanford University and a drive to make a difference, Rachel co-founded Guild Education with her former classmate Brittany Stich. They envisioned an organization that would connect employees with educational opportunities, partnering with employers to foster a culture of learning and development. This vision birthed Guild Education, now a leading platform that links America's workforce to real-world education and career advancement programs.
Rachel's entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of bold moves and unwavering belief in one's mission. One of the most defining moments in Guild’s early days came from Rachel's leap of faith and sheer audacity. In the fledgling stage of Guild, Rachel took a daring step and cold-emailed Chipotle, pitching the idea of integrating educational benefits into their employee offering. This bold outreach wasn't just a shot in the dark but a calculated risk embodying the spirit of “founder-led selling.” To her delight, Chipotle saw the potential in Rachel's vision and signed on as Guild's first major client. This pivotal partnership propelled Guild into the limelight and demonstrated the profound impact that an innovative approach to workforce education could have. Following Chipotle’s lead, other major corporations, including Walmart, Disney, and Target, soon partnered with Guild, recognizing the immense value of investing in their employees’ education and career growth.
Under Rachel's dynamic leadership, Guild Education achieved extraordinary success. The company’s valuation soared to an impressive $4.4 billion, underscoring its significant role in reshaping workforce education in the U.S. Guild's innovative platform has empowered numerous workers to pursue educational programs that align with their career goals, from GEDs and HVAC certifications to coding boot camps and bachelor’s degrees. However, in the midst of this meteoric rise, Rachel faced an unexpected and life-altering challenge. At just 34 years old, Rachel suffered a stroke, a medical emergency that drastically altered her life and career trajectory. Unlike many stroke survivors, Rachel retained her communication skills—a rare phenomenon known as the “flipped brain,” where speech functions are located on the opposite side of the brain in left-handed individuals like her. This condition, present in only about 1% of the population, allowed Rachel to maintain her articulate and persuasive communication abilities even after the stroke.
Despite this, the stroke left her with significant physical challenges, including the need to regain use of her right arm and learn to walk independently again. Faced with the arduous road to recovery, Rachel made the incredibly tough decision to step down as CEO of Guild in April 2023, entrusting Bijal Shah, a seasoned executive from Visa and Ibotta, to lead the company forward. Rachel’s decision to step back was not only a testament to her resilience but also her commitment to Guild's mission and her acknowledgment of the need for strong leadership during her recovery.
Rachel's stroke and the subsequent recovery journey have profoundly reshaped both her life and the future direction of Guild Education. In her absence, the company continues to thrive, adapting to the evolving needs of the workforce. Guild is now gearing up for the significant transformation driven by the advent of AI and other technological advancements, ensuring that employees are equipped with the skills necessary for the future. Rachel remains deeply connected to Guild as its Executive Chair and continues to influence its strategic direction. Her story of overcoming personal adversity while building one of the world’s most valuable female-founded startups is an inspiration to all, highlighting the incredible impact of perseverance, innovation, and a commitment to educational equity.
Through her unwavering dedication to transforming America's workforce and her courage in the face of personal challenges, Rachel exemplifies the spirit of leadership and drive. Her legacy at Guild Education is a testament to what can be achieved when vision, passion and resilience come together to create lasting change.
The Rant
Start Self Promoting
Lately, I've found myself having countless conversations revolving around a recurring theme: why are we as women so terrible at promoting ourselves and shouting about our accomplishments? As an American, maybe it's ingrained in me to celebrate every win, no matter how small. However, I believe it’s all about momentum, celebrating one tiny win can spark a chain reaction. Yet, many women hesitate to speak up about their achievements, as if celebrating our wins is taboo. Men do it all the time! So why can’t we?
The Reluctance to Self-Promote:
Conditioned to Be Nice and Polite
For generations, societal expectations have encouraged us, women and girls, to be nice, polite, and accommodating. These traits, while positive in many contexts, can become restrictive when they suppress the natural desire to share our achievements. From childhood, girls are often praised for being “good” and “quiet” rather than for their boldness or assertiveness.
This early conditioning can lead to a discomfort with self-promotion in adulthood. We learn to downplay our successes, to avoid seeming too eager, or worse, arrogant. In contrast, boys are often encouraged to be confident and outspoken, setting a foundation that can benefit them throughout their lives.
Sensitivity to Others’ Feelings
We, as women, are highly attuned to the feelings of others, a wonderful trait for our relationships but a potential roadblock in professional settings. We fear that talking about our successes might make others feel uncomfortable or insecure about their own achievements.
In a work culture that often values collaboration and team success, the desire to avoid overshadowing others can be strong. However, this can lead to a dangerous pattern of undervaluing our contributions and remaining in the background when we should be front and center.
Fear of Being Labeled as Arrogant
There’s a persistent double standard when it comes to assertiveness. While confident men are often seen as leaders, women exhibiting the same behavior are frequently labeled as arrogant or aggressive. This “likeability penalty” can discourage women from speaking up about their accomplishments.
Studies have shown that successful women are perceived as less likable, even by other women. This can create a vicious cycle: to avoid being seen negatively, women downplay their achievements, which in turn, prevents them from being recognized and rewarded for their true value.
Self-Promotion & Why It’s Essential
Building Trust and Credibility
In professional settings, trust and credibility are crucial. Whether you’re pitching to investors, collaborating with colleagues, or leading a team, people need to trust in your capabilities. Speaking confidently about your accomplishments demonstrates competence and instills trust.
Investors, for example, often base their decisions on whether they believe you can deliver on your promises. If you don’t articulate your past successes effectively, they may question your ability to achieve future goals. Confidence in your achievements can be the difference between securing that crucial funding or watching it slip through your fingers.
Boosting Self-Confidence
Talking about your accomplishments isn’t just about external perceptions, it’s also about internal validation. When you acknowledge and celebrate your successes, you boost your own self-esteem and confidence. This isn’t just feel-good fluff; it’s backed by science. Discussing your achievements can increase levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that contributes to feelings of well-being and happiness.
Celebrating your wins, no matter how small, can create a positive feedback loop. Each acknowledgment builds on the last, reinforcing a healthy sense of self-worth and encouraging you to strive for even greater heights.
Inspiring and Empowering Others
When we share their accomplishments, we not only elevate ourselves, but we also pave the way for others to feel comfortable doing the same. Being vocal about your successes can inspire other women to recognize and celebrate their own achievements. It can create a culture where self-promotion is seen as a norm rather than an exception.
Shouting Your Success: Practical Tips
Reframe Your Perspective
Think of self-promotion not as bragging, but as vital self-advocacy. You’re not just talking about your accomplishments; you’re highlighting the value you bring to your role, your team, and your organization.
Like any skill, self-promotion improves with practice. The more you do it, the more natural it will feel.
Hype Corner
The amazing female founders who have raised capital with their teams over the past week. HUGE CONGRATULATIONS TO THESE AMAZING WOMEN:
🇬🇧 Hannah Earley Co-founder & CTO of Vaire Computing
🇬🇧 Frey Wilson CTO of Cavero Quantum
🇬🇧 Poppy Brewer & Dr Philippa Horton Co-founders of Cambridge Electric Cement
🇳🇴 Ulrikke Lien Co-foundfer & CEO of Sensorita
🇩🇪 Anjali Jindal Naik Co-founder & COO of Cartken
Congrats again to all of these founders. I’m looking forward to watching the next phase of each of their journeys.
Events for Female Founders
🇬🇧 +🇪🇺 {UK & EU} Pitch Hearst: Calling all early-stage female founders – Pitch HearstLab is coming to the UK! Applications are now open to UK and European women-led businesses to be in to receive £100k in investment. Submit your application here by the 22nd July 2024. Finalists will pitch live in London on the 16th October 2024.
🇩🇪 {Hamburg} AiDiA Founder Pitch event will focus on elevating black founders as part of the wider conference happening on the 7th of Sept. 2024.
🇬🇧 {London} Sifted Summit is back on the 2nd & 3rd of October. Join 3000+ European Founders, Investors and Operators
🇫🇷 {Paris} WVC:E is back on October 7th & 8th in Paris. This conference is dedicated to female founders with previous speakers including Eileen Burbridge of Passion Capital and Sarah Drinkwater, General Partner of Common Magic.
🇸🇪 {Malmö} Nordic Fe:male Invest Summit by Minc will be held again this year on the 6th of November in Malmö is THE tech event driving diversity within the startup eco system. Tickets on sale now, Early Bird rates expire on 30th of June!
Do you know of any events or programs aimed at supporting female founders? Send them over to be featured!
UFF NEWS ALERT
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Thanks again for taking the time to read this week’s newsletter!
Have a wonderful weekend! ☀️
JH