We sat down with Rachel Smith, THE Rachel behind our newest Rachel Dress. After holding leadership roles at Urban Outfitters, Nordstrom, WatchBox, and Nuuly, Rachel co-founded Monark & Co., a collective of business experts specializing in fashion, retail, and e-commerce. We talked about how she navigated her 5-9 while pregnant, what her day to day looks like now, and what advice she’d give to anyone starting their 5-9 journey today.
-
What inspired you to pursue work outside of the traditional 9-5 structure?
I started pursuing consulting outside the traditional nine-to-five structure when I was about 24 weeks pregnant. At the time, I wasn’t entirely sure what that would look like, but I knew that having the ability to set my own hours and shape my schedule in a way that worked for me felt incredibly empowering. I wanted the flexibility to take the space I needed during pregnancy and postpartum while also easing back into work on my own terms.
-
What do you think it takes to create something lasting outside the 9-5 structure? Is it about consistency, patience, or something else entirely?
At the core, it’s all about motivation. Everything comes back to the "why." Why are you doing this? Why does it matter to you? Why is it important?
For me, motivation is deeply tied to identity. The reason I stay so consistently driven is because my work isn’t just something I do—it’s an extension of who I am and how I want to be seen in the world. Whether you’re building a brand, creating art, teaching, or working in media, the key is making sure it aligns with your sense of purpose. Passion stems from motivation, and motivation stems from having a deeply rooted reason for doing the work. If that foundation is strong, everything else—consistency, patience, perseverance—naturally follows.
-
What does a typical day in your life look like?
No two days look exactly the same, which is something I love. I’m a Gemini, and I very much embrace change instead of running away from it. I value keeping things dynamic. I’m high-energy, extroverted, and always on the move.
Most mornings, I drop my daughter off at daycare, take my dog for a quick walk, and try to squeeze in some form of exercise—either early in the morning, midday, or at night. My workday is split between client meetings, strategy sessions, and deep work, and where I work depends on the day. Some days, I’m home on video calls, other days I’m at my co-working space, in the city for meetings, or grabbing coffee with a client/potential client.
