Today we’d like to introduce you to Rochelle Webb.
Hi Rochelle, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Optimist Made was started from a place of frustration and need, but not in the way that one might think. I was consulting across marketing and business strategy for companies of all sizes with a focus on start-ups. It was a wildly unpredictable job, and at peak frustration, I decided I wanted to start something that makes money that I could be in control of. With that, Optimist Made was born. It started as a hobby, and literally overnight as my brain was working overtime, it turned into a full fledge corporation. I was in London for the holidays, but immediately upon my arrival back to LA, I got a lawyer and an accountant and made it official.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Start-ups are never smooth. I started Optimist Made just ahead of the global pandemic while the volume of investment channeled towards black women was and continue to be embarrassingly low. With everything stacked against me, it still made me run hard towards the opportunity to be an entrepreneur, which has been one of my life’s all-time greatest dreams!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
I am the CEO of Optimist Made, a fashion technology company. It is a big vision that excites people that hear about it and one that I am very excited to bring to life in a very real way as I know it will change the lives of consumers everywhere. I am proud that after 4 years, I am still very fanatically chasing my dream. I am most proud of all of the designers’ lives I have changed for the better. My commitment and perseverance sets me apart from others. It is truly unwavering when I have my mind set on something.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory was playing office. I was always the CEO, and my stuffed animals were my colleagues. We had a chalkboard to make sure that everyone stayed on task.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.optimistmade.com
- Instagram: optimistmade
- Facebook: optimistmade
- Twitter: optimistmade
- Youtube: optimistmade
