Check Out Rachael Kraft Hassall’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachael Kraft Hassall

Hi Rachael, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My path hasn’t always been linear—and that’s what made it so exciting.

In my 20s, I became the youngest and first female Director—and later, Senior Director—at multiple companies, building a reputation as a “Renaissance woman” across industries as varied as electric vehicles and Amazon data analytics. During these roles, I rose the ranks rapidly despite being so young and being female in traditionally male-dominated industries.

This trajectory followed my completion of an MSc in Industrial-Organizational Psychology from a British university, where I also met my English husband, Nathan Hassall.

Despite these early successes, over time I found myself more inspired by creative entrepreneurs than corporate giants—especially those searching for clarity, voice, and meaning in our rapidly advancing digital world.

So, I took a leap of faith and dove into entrepreneurship. Recently, I launched a new business venture, The Poetry Vessel, with my husband, who is currently serving as the Poet Laureate of Malibu, California. It’s a creative platform that empowers poets, writers, and creatives through entertaining videos, inspiring content, educational resources, and community experiences that encourage refining craft and creative flow. Alongside this work, I also run my own consulting business, Kraft Consulting, where I specialize in helping creatives and mission-driven companies connect with their customers at every touchpoint.

Together, Nathan and I also produce The Poetry Vessel Podcast, where we feature in-depth conversations with multidisciplinary guests—poets, artists, psychologists, award-winning musicians, renowned neuroscience researchers, and more—to explore the healing and transformative power of language, and how poetry intersects with a wide variety of fields and disciplines. Beyond the podcast, we offer YouTube content, live events, and community-building projects that blend storytelling, creativity, and strategy to entertain, inspire, and educate.

Today, I feel incredibly grateful to be doing work that’s both meaningful and creative—something I never imagined would become my career. Both my parents are artists and educators, so being immersed in an artistic community feels like a full-circle moment, reconnecting me to my roots. Being part of such a vibrant, enriching network of poets and artists in Los Angeles and beyond has expanded my perspective in ways no corporate boardroom ever could.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Early on, I struggled with imposter syndrome when transitioning from corporate leadership to working for myself. Even with years of experience, I often heard that nagging voice questioning whether I was truly good or smart enough to be in the roles I had earned. There’s a unique vulnerability in putting your own name behind your services, and learning to trust my instincts outside the structure of a large organization took time.

I also had to learn how to balance structure with freedom—the very flexibility I craved could sometimes feel overwhelming without clear goals. And growing a creative brand from the ground up is humbling. I’ve learned to celebrate the small wins, stay consistent, and keep showing up even when growth feels slow. Progress isn’t always glamorous, but it’s always worth it. I try to remind myself that every step forward counts—even if it means cringing at the things I created a year ago!

Travel has also been a big part of my personal and creative journey. I’ve explored over 40 countries, and a few years ago my husband and I fixed up a Minnie Winnebago RV with the dream of visiting all 50 states while bringing The Poetry Vessel Podcast nationwide. There’s something about movement—about putting yourself in new environments—that has always helped reset my perspective and kept me on the right path.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
At the core of everything I do is a desire to help people connect—whether that’s a business connecting more meaningfully with its customers, or a writer connecting with their authentic voice.

What sets The Poetry Vessel apart is our multidisciplinary approach—we explore how poetry intersects with psychology, neuroscience, music, and more. It’s about bringing together disciplines that previously seemed separate and creating a platform for poets and non-poets to learn more about the art.

What I’m most proud of is building a career that feels both meaningful and expansive. I’ve worked with high-profile companies and led executive teams, but stepping into creative entrepreneurship and being part of a growing artistic community has been incredibly rewarding.

Who else deserves credit in your story?
Absolutely. My husband, Nathan Hassall, is not only my biggest supporter but also my creative partner—his passion for poetry and storytelling challenges me to think more expansively and stay open to inspiration in unexpected places every day, and it makes me light up seeing how much he inspires other people to take creative action. Collaborating with him on The Poetry Vessel has been one of the most creatively fulfilling experiences of my life.

I’ve also been fortunate to have had incredible mentors and leaders during my years in the corporate world—people who modeled what it means to lead with both integrity and heart. They taught me how to balance data-driven strategy with empathy, which has brought about incredible results, and those lessons still shape the way I approach projects today.
On the client side, I’ve worked with businesses who placed deep trust in my ability to guide their customer experience and marketing strategy. That trust, especially in the early days of working for myself, helped me build confidence and lean into my own voice as a consultant and leader.

And finally, I have a small but mighty circle of fellow entrepreneurs, artists, and creative friends who have been a lifeline when things felt uncertain. Their support, encouragement, and belief in me have made all the difference—and reminded me that building something meaningful is never done alone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nathanhassall.com/the-poetry-vessel-podcast
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thepoetryvessel/
• LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/rachaelkraft/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@nathanhassallpoetry?si=2CoVYqOjHu6T9P70?sub_confirmation=1
• Other: https://www.kraftedconsulting.com/

Image Credits
George Street Photography – Christie Evans