Podcast Summary: Women Designers You Should Know – Episode 044. Rachel Saunders: From Burnout to Alignment
Introduction
In Episode 044 of Women Designers You Should Know, host Amber Asay engages in a profound conversation with Rachel Saunders, a celebrated ceramic artist and entrepreneur. The episode explores Rachel's transformative journey from experiencing creative burnout in the competitive environment of Los Angeles to establishing her thriving ceramics brand and hosting sold-out creative retreats. Through candid discussions, Rachel shares her insights on overcoming burnout, redefining success, and embracing authentic creativity.
Early Career and Creative Burnout
Rachel Saunders began her professional journey in the bustling city of Los Angeles, working as a visual merchandiser. At just 21 years old, she pursued her dream of making it in the States, only to quickly encounter a toxic and unfulfilling work environment.
"I began my career as a visual merchandiser in LA only to realize very quickly that the path I was on wasn't aligned with the life I wanted." [00:03]
The high-stress conditions in downtown LA, combined with long hours, led Rachel to recognize that her current trajectory was unsustainable. After a brief four-month stint, she made the courageous decision to leave LA and return to her roots in Canada, marking the beginning of her journey toward creative fulfillment.
"It was a full body no. The stress signals, the symptoms. Oh, my God, this is not." [04:37]
Transition to Ceramics: Self-Teaching and Developing a Unique Style
Upon returning to Canada, Rachel immersed herself in pottery, driven by a newfound passion for ceramics that combined functionality with artistic expression. Despite initial financial constraints, she leveraged community studios and online resources to teach herself the craft.
"I found myself, you know, a community studio that could allow me to trade mopping the floors for a few hours at the wheel." [06:48]
Rejecting formal lessons, Rachel embraced a self-taught approach, which allowed her to develop a unique style unencumbered by traditional techniques. This independent learning process fostered a deep connection between her and her craft, shaping her identity as a designer.
"I think there's like ergonomic factors about things, but things always feel best to me when I figure them out for myself." [07:12]
Balancing Aesthetics with Meaning
Rachel's ceramic work is renowned for its balance of simplicity, functionality, and symbolic meaning. Her designs are deeply rooted in her childhood experiences of creativity and resourcefulness.
"Clay always represented this ability to make anything I needed, like tool wise, functionality wise, or beauty wise." [11:15]
She emphasizes that the aesthetic aspect of her work emerges naturally from her instincts, while functionality remains a core focus. This duality ensures that each piece is both beautiful and purposeful, reflecting her commitment to creating meaningful art.
"There is a sense of imagination at work there... this single material keeps me endlessly inspired." [13:13]
Evolving Relationship with Money and Business
Rachel's entrepreneurial journey with Rachel Saunders Ceramics highlights her evolving perspective on money and business growth. Initially driven by survival and the need to monetize her passion, she learned to navigate financial challenges and shift from a scarcity mindset to one of abundance.
"Moving away from that expansion and constant growth has actually resulted in even more abundance and a much healthier nervous system." [18:26]
Her experience underscores the importance of aligning business practices with personal well-being, leading her to pivot her business model to prioritize sustainability and intentional growth.
Overcoming Challenges and Redefining Success
Facing significant personal and professional challenges, Rachel confronted the suppression of her true self and the pressure to conform to societal expectations. This period of introspection led her to redefine success not by conventional metrics like growth and profitability, but by personal fulfillment and mental health.
"I define success now as a healthy nervous system... freedom and time. Time to rest, to think, play, time to do nothing." [28:53]
Rachel's journey exemplifies the importance of authentic self-worth detached from external achievements, advocating for a balanced approach to personal and professional life.
Transition to Hosting Creative Retreats
A pivotal moment in Rachel's career was her participation in an artist residency in Greece, which inspired her to create immersive experiences for other creatives. This shift from product-based business to experiential offerings allowed her to foster deeper connections and provide spaces for creative rejuvenation.
"I realized how important these periods of rest and play and... talking like, what a revolutionary idea." [25:31]
Rachel now hosts retreats and artist residencies in idyllic locations such as Greece and Tuscany, emphasizing creativity, rest, and community. These retreats have been met with enthusiastic participation, reflecting the growing demand for such holistic creative experiences.
"It is sold out, but I will be hosting more every year." [27:07]
Defining Success and Future Directions
Rachel's current definition of success revolves around maintaining a healthy balance between work and personal well-being. She values the ability to create meaningful impact while ensuring sustainability and personal happiness.
"Balance and sustainability in the sense of I can continue doing this and not burn myself into the ground is a really good marker of success." [28:53]
Looking ahead, Rachel plans to continue evolving her ceramics practice and expand her retreat offerings. She is currently building her own hobby studio, allowing her to reconnect more deeply with her art without the pressures of commercial success.
"This next chapter is really about seeing how comfortable I can get with having balance, doing less and impacting more." [32:18]
Conclusion
Rachel Saunders' story is a testament to the power of self-discovery, resilience, and the pursuit of authentic creativity. Her journey from burnout to alignment offers valuable lessons for designers and creatives alike, emphasizing the importance of mental health, sustainable business practices, and the courage to follow one's true passion. Through her work and retreats, Rachel continues to inspire and support a community of creators striving to make meaningful contributions to the world.
Notable Quotes:
- "It was a full body no. The stress signals, the symptoms. Oh, my God, this is not." [04:37]
- "I think there's like ergonomic factors about things, but things always feel best to me when I figure them out for myself." [07:12]
- "Clay keeps me endlessly inspired and connected to this ancient sense of creation and functionality that's within all of us." [13:29]
- "Moving away from that expansion and constant growth has actually resulted in even more abundance and a much healthier nervous system." [18:26]
- "I define success now as a healthy nervous system... freedom and time. Time to rest, to think, play, time to do nothing." [28:53]
- "This next chapter is really about seeing how comfortable I can get with having balance, doing less and impacting more." [32:18]
Resources:
- Follow Rachel Saunders on Instagram: RachelSondersCeramics
- Explore her creative retreats and online community: RachelSondersCeramics.com
- Contact: ceramics@rachelsandersceramics.com