Check Out Rachel Burch’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Burch

Hi Rachel, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Three years ago, I was in a really dark place. We have all been through difficult life moments and times where we feel like we are questioning every life decision. I was in a state of enduring grief, trauma, despair, depression and anxiety. The worst part about it was that I saw my family and loved ones go through hardship in their lives. I was in a state of not knowing what direction my life was headed. My anxiety kept climbing everyday and I was losing confidence in myself and also losing sight of what matters most in life. When my family lost my cousin, Mary, and my Grandma Jessie in the same year, it was difficult to continue to climb out of what seemed like a dark hole. Both my cousin and grandma emulated light, kindness, gratitude, honesty, humor, wisdom and an ample zest for life. They are the kind of people you meet and instantly begin to feel an overwhelming amount of love, empathy and importance. They made you feel like you were the only ones in the room. The world seemed so dark when they were gone and that the sunshine had just disappeared. So, what does this have to do with Light to Life Jewelry you may ask? I created Light to Life Jewelry with the intention to continue to spread the same light that they left others with. I wanted to create an outlet and a space where I felt that other people could experience light in their personal lives. Then, I thought about jewelry and how as women, we feel confident and bold when we step into that. Jewelry is something that sparkles and adds personality to your style. It is something that is completely unique to you. It is a way to continue to shine and spread your light even when walking through darkness. John 1:5 says, “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” I love this verse because we cannot let the darkness win. There will always be light and a way to bring that into your life.

My very first market I made $25 in sales. I was ready to give up. I found passion in making jewelry and knew that I could not give up just because it was hard to start. I started researching market jewelry trends, gauging types of audiences, and connecting with others to build relationships and a customer base. I moved back home in the year of 2023 and was working out of my parent’s home for a bit. I still was seeing a little growth. I did a community market in their neighborhood and made about $300 in sales at a market. Now, I am based in Charlotte, NC and at the tail end of 2024 I have tripled in sales. I am still working on customer growth and email marketing for my website. I started this business with my own savings and have invested so much into it. I just want to see it grow and more than anything, I want to send a positive and joyous message to other women in the process who are facing obstacles and hardships in their lives. I am proud of how much I’ve grown and I am so proud that I didn’t give up on myself even when it was hard and people were telling me that I was facing more failure than success. Growth takes time, but courage, passion and authenticity always triumph and will help you reach your goals with a positive outlook and mentality.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I have invested so much into this business and used the majority of my savings to start Light to Life Jewelry. I struggled financially and had people telling me to look the other way and to give up. It has not been a smooth road throughout the process, but one of growth and trials. The words of failure I heard were defeating and I felt so much weight on top of life situations that were out of my control all white trying to maintain a small business. Trying to drown out the noise and negativity was a huge obstacle and challenge for me. I learned that just because your dream seems unattainable, does not mean you should stop chasing it. There may be so many signs pulling you away or telling you to back down, but, ultimately, it will turn out to be the best decision you made to continue moving forward. Life is going to keep going, and you have to choose what brings you joy and happiness. I chose to lean on friends and community that would support my mission and dream. They helped me take pictures of content, film videos, invest in supplies, and learn marketing tactics that would benefit the business. I am so grateful I chose yes, when I was being told “no.” I still decide to keep going because I know that one day I will see the return and the impact my message has on people. I never want to give up on my dreams because they’re too big or too small. As someone who has faced a lot of rejection in life, it is easy to slip into a negative mindset and see things as a setback. However, with this journey, it has forced me to become stronger, confident, brave, and resilient.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
In the past year, Light to Life Jewelry has been apart of some pretty amazing markets and opportunities in the Charlotte community. As we continue to grow and expand, I want to give back in more meaningful ways that help transform the lives of communities and the world. A little over a few months ago, the town of Asheville in North Carolina was hit by Hurricane Helene. It was an awful and unexpected disaster that left thousands of families and communities with little to nothing at all. Towns were decimated and homes ripped apart and lives were lost. In that tragedy, I saw so many small business owners come together and raise funds for Western NC and the regions affected by the hurricane. I was a part of multiple markets where I donated over 50% of proceeds to victims of Hurricane Helene to help them rebuild and fund what was lost. I am a huge believer in making a difference and doing that while doing something you love. I always strive to find ways to give back and fundraise by being a part of markets that raise money for Nonprofit organizations. My goal is to increase sales and to financially give back more than I have received in this next year. I am reaching to enhance and bring light, joy and beauty to the lives of others. My message is simple; everyone has certain gifts and a light to share in this world. I want to bring that out in you and help you find that when you are facing darkness. I do that by speaking to people through my jewelry creations and helping to add that light and shine back into their lives.

Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My favorite childhood memory was playing outside with my siblings and friends after school. We loved coming up with our own unique games and playing outside until the sun went down. I also loved spending quality time with my family while eating a meal together, seeing a movie or playing board games at home. When I was a kid, I took for granted the simple joys of life. I used my imagination and creativity to build memories with my friends and siblings. We would share experiences together and even make lemonade and popsicle stands on the side of the road. We didn’t care how much money we made at the end of the day, rather, who we met along the way and how we served others. I always want that to be the message I move forward with in my pursuit and business. I want to serve others and get to know people with different backgrounds and stories. I want to be present and intentional in each waking moment. I want to continue to imagine and create like I did when I was once a kid and cultivate more time for friends and family.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lighttolifejewelry.square.site/
• Instagram: @lighttolifejewelry
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-burch-719224a0/