Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Pedersen.
Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My journey began as a single mom in Anoka, Minnesota. While working as a hairstylist, I stumbled into social media marketing, discovering a natural talent for creating engaging content. This led to my first marketing client and the start of my entrepreneurial journey.
I built my business from the ground up after meeting my husband, Poul, and working tirelessly to master every aspect of social media marketing. I spent countless hours studying trends, testing strategies, and refining my approach. In the early days, I’d work late into the night after putting my kids to bed, creating content and managing accounts for a growing list of clients. I leveraged my success on platforms like Facebook and Instagram to attract bigger clients and expand my services. As my reputation grew, I began offering coaching and courses to help other entrepreneurs harness the power of social media. Through tons of hard work, I transformed my side hustle into a thriving agency.
This is still so wild to type… Today, I’m the founder and CEO of RBP Productions, an 8-figure digital marketing agency recognized as one of the Inc. 5000 fastest-growing companies in the Midwest. I’ve been honored with multiple Two Comma Club awards for generating over $1 million from a single sales funnel, received a Silver Creator Award for 100,000 YouTube subscribers, and given a TEDx Talk on how professionalism is destroying creativity.
My social media influence has grown exponentially, with over a million followers on TikTok alone. I’ve had the privilege of working with major brands like American Express and Square, and I’ve been featured in numerous publications including Cosmopolitan and Huffington Post.
Minnesota has always been and will always be my home. I loved spending summers in Alexandria and Rush City with family growing up, exploring Taylor’s Falls and the Boundary Waters with my dad, and strolling through Stillwater on lazy weekends. From cheering for the Vikings to enjoying a Juicy Lucy, this state has truly shaped who I am. I’m proud to build my dreams right here in Minnesota, proving that you don’t need to leave home to make it big in the digital world.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road to success has been far from smooth. One of the biggest setbacks came just a week after I left my full-time job to pursue entrepreneurship. I lost a major client that accounted for nearly $2,000 a month in income due to a misunderstanding about Facebook advertising campaign results. This loss was devastating and forced me to quickly adapt and find new clients to replace that income.
Another particularly challenging period came when my business partner, who was also a former business partner we had promoted to acting CEO of our marketing agency, suddenly left the company. This happened while my husband Poul and I were on a rare vacation in Jamaica. The shock of this betrayal, coupled with the realization that our mentor had played a role in poaching our partner, sent our business into a tailspin. Our revenue tanked for the next few months as I struggled with doubt and insecurity.
But perhaps the most challenging period came when I experienced a severe mental health breakdown. The stress of running the business, coupled with undiagnosed Bipolar Type 1, led to a crisis point. I found myself unable to function, experiencing extreme mood swings and struggling to keep up with work and family responsibilities. This breakdown forced me to seek help, leading to my diagnosis of Bipolar Type 1. Getting the right medication and support was a turning point, allowing me to better manage my mental health and ultimately thrive both personally and professionally.
We’ve been impressed with RBP Productions (Rachel Pedersen, The Viral Touch, Pelanora), but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
At RBP Productions (the umbrella for our portfolio of companies), we specialize in creating customized, high-impact social media strategies for our private clients. We work with businesses of all sizes, from emerging startups to Fortune 500 companies, to dramatically boost their online presence and drive real business results.
For our private clients, we offer comprehensive social media management, content creation, strategic planning, and performance analysis, as well as select done-for-you services, such as copywriting, funnel building, offer creation, and social media management. We’ve worked with clients like Dean Graziosi, Lionsgate, and other industry leaders.
We’ve had the privilege of working with major brands like American Express and Square, developing tailored campaigns that align with their unique goals and brand voice.
Our strategies have led to remarkable successes. We’ve helped clients 10x their business in a single year through focused video content strategies. For one client, we generated $1.6 million in revenue from a $25,000 ad spend. We’ve also worked with high-profile individuals and industry leaders, helping them build and maintain influential online personas.
What sets us apart is our ability to stay ahead of social media trends and our track record of creating viral moments that translate to tangible business growth. Our expertise spans all major platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, and TikTok, where we’ve shown particular prowess.
Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Oh! I love so many things that make me happy. Most of all, I absolutely love the simple moments at home with my family. There’s something just so special about board game night, seeing the competitive spark in my kids’ eyes playing Pictionary and sharing laughs with my husband. He makes me so happy :] I’ve also found unexpected joy in gardening (especially weeding!) too – there’s massive satisfaction in nurturing plants and watching them thrive.
Reading has always been my escape and happy place. Lately, I’ve been loving fiction books like Babel, Piranesi, and A Little Life. I’ve also been exploring my storytelling voice by writing high fantasy fiction and cozy murder mysteries. Languages are another passion and always have been – I speak Spanish, dabble in French, and am currently trying to take on the challenge of Polish. On quieter or rainy days, you will absolutely find me in thrift stores for hidden treasures, playing classical music (Debussy) on our piano (a 1904 vintage find I got for $800!), or trying to cook new meals in the kitchen. I’m obsessed with our 3 horses, 2 dogs, and our cat! These simple pleasures keep me grounded and remind me of what truly matters, especially in this wild word of entrepreneurship.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.rachelpedersen.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/themrspedersen/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/the.mrs.pedersen
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/RACHELPEDERSENSOCIAL?sub_confirmation=1
