Who’s Creating? Wednesday: Rachael Herrscher

Today’s inspiring creative chick is the brilliant, talented Rachael Herrscher of TodaysMama.com.

Rachael Herrscher is CEO and co-founder of TodaysMama, an online  media and publishing company founded in 2004. In her role as CEO  Rachael oversees general business operations, new market development, partnerships, and marketing initiatives. She is a featured blogger on Entrepreneur.com,  a contributor to StartupPrincess.com, and is a regular speaker at new media, women in business and mom conferences.  Rachael was a finalist for the 2007 Stevie Awards “Best Young Entrepreneur” award and was named one of Utah Business Magazine’s 30 Women to Watch in 2009.  She was also recently featured in the book “UpStarts!: How Gen Y Entrepreneurs are Rocking the World of Business. Rachael has a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah and currently serves on the marketing board of Discovery Gateway Children’s Museum.

1. Why is creativity important to you?

To me, being an entrepreneur is all about creativity! At first it was a book, and I loved the graphic elements and getting our cover art done. We went to an incredible children’s illustrator in London (Alison Jay) to do our cover art. Seriously – click here to see all of the cool books she has done. I have original oils for each of our book covers from her.

As time has gone on I have become obsessed with good branding and design. I love color and I love revision!

2. What do you enjoy creating the most?

Well, right now I guess as I’m a geek I’d say websites. But through the life cycle of my business I have enjoyed just about everything we create. I have loved the layout process for books and LOVED creating our own magazines. I have to say I also love good paper. I’m a fan of the matte finish – you know the kind – it’s the kind of paper Real Simple uses throughout their mags. Heaven.

I also can’t resist great stock photography. Veer.com is one of my favorites.

3. Do you have any fears when creating? Are your family & friends supportive of the things you create?

I’m not very fearful at all. As I said before I LOVE revision. I’m OK to make mistakes. They can be fixed. Without them I wouldn’t have learned as much as I have. Guy Kawasaki once said that if they had waited for the products to be perfect at Apple they would have never made anything. His mantra was “Just Ship It”. You have to get to a point with a personal project, with a product, a website or anything you do where you say “Just Ship It” and you get the thing out the door. (rinse and repeat) :D

4. How do you find time to create?

If you are truly creative or passionate about what you do, it’s actually hard to find time NOT to create. Creativity changes the way you see the world around you. We are inspired by little things and big things. I have to keep a notebook with me all the time (even by the side of my bed) – so I can dump the crazy ideas out on paper. If I were a designer of some sort I would see design all around me. Our designer said her favorite part of going to the grocery store is looking at branding and packaging. Creativity is simply how we see the world around us and how it inspires us.

5. Words of inspiration to creative chicks:

Do. I guess that’s the best word to sum it all up. Go about doing the things you love. That will lead you to where you are suppose to be. Learning by doing is the best way to do business (or create) in my opinion!

Everyone has a role model in business and Rachael is mine.  Her passion for her work, her enthusiasm in supporting creativity in those around her and her incredible business ethics (in her words: business mojo/good business comes back around) have helped me navigate exactly how I want to be in business.  You’ll never find Rachael in a petty chick fight and you’ll always find her working on something that inspires her.  I would guess that if I were to ask Rachael she would probably say something like “I don’t work on things that don’t inspire me,” because that’s just how Rachael is.  Not only has she become a close friend of mine, but I continue to look up to her.  Thank you so much, Rachael, for being so true in business.  Your creativity and integrity inspires me daily!

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And since we’re featuring Rachael today, it’s only appropriate to mention the fantastic giveaway TodaysMama and Provo Craft are bringing to creatives this holiday season!  Check out the “sleighful of gifts:”

To enter to win, check out Rachael’s post HERE to get all the info.  Wouldn’t you just love to win that?  Think of all the creative things you could do with it all!!  Wow.  Thanks, again, Rachael!