Rising Stars: Meet Rachel Knopf

Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Knopf.

Hi Rachel, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory. 
It’s a long story, but after nearly six years with a previous employer, I left to pursue my career in real estate. I took the course starting in October 2022 and completed the course at the end of December 2022. Passed the state and national exam in January of 2023 while simultaneously growing my renovation business. My background is in flooring; that is my passion and what I love to do. Due to a noncompete, I signed at the age of 27 – and two years after I started with said previous employer – I had to branch my reach out 50 miles from RTP. In January, while on vacation in the Dominican Republic, I was sued for Breach of noncompete, which was a nightmare because, I mean, who gets sued while on vacation lol. Anyway, despite all of the hurtles, I have a flourishing cabinet and countertop business in the Raleigh area and another booming business well outside the Raleigh area where I can do what I love – selling flooring – without violating my noncompete. I am excited to see where the remainder of this year takes me and has in store for my business. 

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I have been ROUGH filled with obstacles. Starting a business is hard enough, but add a lawsuit on top of it for just trying to work is a nightmare; I have been fortunate to have family and friends to see me through the hard times. I rely upon my resilience to keep going even when I felt that I couldn’t. I do this for my clients and because I truly love what I do. 

Thanks – so, what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I can resonate with Molly Bloom – from Molly’s Game – when she states in her book that what sets her apart was that her answer was always “yes.” I love being in charge and being able to say, “Yes,” I can do that, or “Yes,” I can help with that aspect of your renovation. When I was told I couldn’t do one thing, I set out to prove I am not defined or limited to providing one service to my clients. I can and do offer multiple services with the goal to be a one-stop shop for clients. Not only can I renovate your home, but I can also help you list your home and/or help you find your dream home. 

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
Raleigh is truly a city full of opportunity. I have never met a city where you do not step on your “competition’s” toes. It is a friendly market where there seems to be enough work for everyone. Only companies that come from other states to this area with a limited and greedy mindset miss out on seeing and experiencing that. Since I have a location in seven lakes, I get to see not only the beauty of Raleigh but all over this beautiful state – some areas include Mt. Gilead, Wilmington, Mount Airy, and even areas of Virginia. Although I cannot sell flooring in Raleigh at this time, I am thankful for the time to build my real estate, cabinet, and countertop business in the Raleigh area while simultaneously building my seven lakes location where I can offer all home services without limitation.