Mick Unplugged: Rachel Rodgers — Close the Wealth Gap – How I Built an 8-Figure Business
Host: Mick (Realm)
Guest: Rachel Rodgers
Date: July 3, 2025
Episode Overview
This electrifying episode of Mick Unplugged features Rachel Rodgers, self-made millionaire, business coach, author of the international bestseller We Should All Be Millionaires, and a champion for closing the wealth gap for women in marginalized communities. In a candid conversation, Rachel shares her personal journey from financial struggle to building an eight-figure business, dispels myths about entrepreneurial and attorney life, and details actionable advice for creating wealth — including her signature “$10K in 10 Days” challenge. Listeners gain valuable insights into modern leadership, wealth creation, and the empowering mindsets needed to redefine their financial futures.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Balancing Business with Life and Parenthood
[01:41 – 03:35]
- Rachel describes the challenges of managing business and family, especially during the chaotic end of the school year for her four kids.
- “We're not entrepreneurs in isolation, right? We have kids to take care of...neighbors to take [care of]...and learning how to manage it all. Right?” ([02:45] A)
- She emphasizes self-preservation and flexibility:
- “Sometimes it's about self-preservation, okay?” ([03:35] A)
2. Discovering and Living Your 'Because'
[04:07 – 08:01]
- Rachel explains her ‘Because’—her core driver beyond the surface-level ‘Why’:
- She views herself as an activist who builds systems for social and economic change:
- “Real activism is not ranting on the internet...it's really like building a system, right. To create, to affect change.” ([04:39] A)
- Changing the narrative for marginalized groups by being the evidence that wealth-building is possible:
- “I just want to create the pathway to show that it can be done. And...I'm always teaching as I go...So it's like, let me see if it could be done. I'll find out. I' ma go and find out. And then if it can...then I'm gonna teach everybody else how to do it.” ([06:42] A)
- Ambition driven by demonstrating what's possible:
- “If I'm the evidence, then we can no longer say that, you know, so that's—that's the reason; to show that a Black woman who grew up poor can bootstrap a business all the way to nine figures.” ([07:53] A)
- She views herself as an activist who builds systems for social and economic change:
3. Creating a Business You Love — For Yourself and Your Team
[08:01 – 11:38]
- Rachel and Mick discuss the importance of enjoying the environment you’ve built:
- “Most leaders and CEOs don't understand the importance of [enjoying showing up]. ...the biggest reason that you can't scale is because you don't even want to be there.” ([08:18] C)
- Rachel emphasizes: “I do not believe in...creating a job that you hate. ...I'd rather change the offer, alter the marketing, change the system...so that we can serve them in a way...at our highest and best.” ([08:58] A)
- Delegation and letting go of old responsibilities is crucial for growth:
- “Sometimes that's what's killing your vibe, is you're doing old work that you need to let go of and trust somebody else to do.” ([09:54] A)
4. Rachel’s Financial Rock Bottom
[11:38 – 19:21]
- Mick confronts the myth that being an attorney equates to financial stability, revealing Rachel’s “400 credit score” past:
- “At one point had a...400 credit score...And you’re an attorney.” ([12:06] C)
- Rachel details her financial struggles, law school debt, and the moment of reckoning:
- “I didn't trust that I was good with money...In my last year [of law school]...I literally forgot about one payment and it tanked my credit score. And then once I saw the result...I just kind of gave up.” ([12:46] A)
- After seeing the full extent of her debt upon graduation: “You see that big number...I had like $300,000 some odd dollars in total debt. ...They just, you know, wish you luck.” ([15:23] A)
- Taking control: She put all debts in Mint, faced her net worth, and committed to fixing her finances.
5. The Leap to Entrepreneurship
[16:09 – 19:21]
- Graduating during the 2008 recession, disillusioned with job prospects, Rachel started her own solo law practice despite skepticism—even from her mother.
- First year: matched her clerkship salary ($65,000). Second year: $300,000.
- “Within two years, I was making in a year what my total student loan debt was.” ([17:44] A)
- Principal lesson: taking calculated risks and betting on (believing and investing in) yourself can exponentially accelerate wealth.
- First year: matched her clerkship salary ($65,000). Second year: $300,000.
6. The Power of Belief and Investment in Self
[19:22 – 21:28]
- Mick differentiates between ‘betting on yourself’ and ‘investing in yourself’:
- “It wasn't a bet. It was a belief in an investment. ...If you don't believe in yourself and you're not willing to invest in yourself, you're probably going to be where you are waiting and hoping for luck...” ([19:43] C)
- Rachel: “Some people feel like making the investment in yourself and taking a risk like that is...scary...but the opposite is a big risk too, right?...there's no guarantee. So we have to be the owners of our own story...” ([20:30] A)
- Entrepreneurship taught her absolute financial security: the knowledge and confidence to create wealth repeatedly.
7. The $10K in 10 Days Challenge
[22:09 – 27:24]
- Rachel’s actionable framework for making quick money:
- Designed as a “final chapter challenge” for her book, first tested with her membership community.
- Structure: Prep week teaches key basics (offer, marketing, no website/business cards needed). Then 10 days of focus for relentless execution to generate at least $10K.
- Community results: Over $3 million collectively made in 10 days in one challenge round.
- “Marginalized entrepreneurs who didn't think that they could make money quickly...it was just a game changer.” ([23:50] A)
Steps Summarized ([24:55] A)
-
Create an offer: Simple, fast to market—a consultation, sell unused goods, collect on debts owed.
-
Identify your strategy: How/where to reach buyers.
-
Go hard for 10 days: Full-out, tenacious action.
-
Real breakthrough: Not just about the money, but discovering the power to change your situation any time.
- “You can make money whenever you want to. ...And when you know that, you just again feel that job security.” ([26:13] A)
8. Spreading Financial Literacy — Books & Giveaways
[27:24 – 30:06]
- Mick pledges to give away copies of We Should All Be Millionaires and Rachel’s new book, Future Millionaire, to listeners.
- “Everyone who attends [Lead Out Loud series events] will also get a copy of this book.” ([27:54] C)
- Rachel introduces Future Millionaire — written for Gen Z (13–27), offering a real pathway to wealth in a changed world:
- “The American Dream is no longer available to them...So they need a new pathway. ...Future Millionaire gives them that plan.” ([28:27] A)
- The book is already released and focuses on actionable strategies and mindsets, relevant for all ages.
9. Where to Find Rachel
[30:17]
- Website: Hello7
- Podcast: Hello7
- Instagram: @rachrodgersesq
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- “Real activism is not ranting on the internet...it’s really like building a system, right. To create, to affect change.” — Rachel Rodgers ([04:39])
- “If I’m the evidence, then we can no longer say that...a Black woman who grew up poor can bootstrap a business all the way to nine figures.” — Rachel Rodgers ([07:53])
- “You the one that got to come save the day for yourself. So what are you going to do, you know?” — Rachel Rodgers ([17:44])
- “I do not believe in...creating a job that you hate. ...I'd rather change the offer, alter the marketing, change the system...so that we can serve them in a way...at our highest and best.” — Rachel Rodgers ([08:58])
- “You can make money whenever you want to...When you know that, you just again feel that job security.” — Rachel Rodgers ([26:13])
- “It wasn’t a bet. It was a belief in an investment.” — Mick ([19:43])
Key Timestamps
- [01:41] Rachel on balancing school-year mom life & entrepreneurship
- [04:07] Rachel outlines her 'Because'—activist business building
- [08:18] Mick and Rachel on joy in the workplace; business culture
- [11:38] Busting the attorney/wealth myth; Rachel’s $400 credit score
- [13:30] Rachel’s law school debt reckoning & starting over
- [17:44] The pivotal leap to entrepreneurship and first major wins
- [19:22] From betting to investing in oneself—learnings for all
- [22:09] The $10K in 10 Days Challenge explained
- [27:24] Mick’s book giveaway; empowering listeners with Rachel’s resources
- [28:27] Future Millionaire for Gen Z—financial literacy for a new era
Tone & Style
Rachel’s candor and relatability shine throughout — she’s motivational but pragmatic, mixing humor (“My sister gets in that mode of do whatever. Just let mommy sit right here in this little corner and pretend like she's not here.” — ([03:28] C)) with direct challenge to the status quo. Mick provides enthusiastic support, sharp listener perspective, and actionable generosity.
In Summary
Rachel Rodgers’ story is a masterclass in building purposeful, thriving businesses and creating generational wealth—especially for communities left out of traditional financial narratives. Her practical frameworks, including the “$10K in 10 Days” challenge, and her relentless focus on belief and investment in oneself, offer an empowering call to action for every leader, entrepreneur, and dreamer ready to forge their own path.