We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Hengst and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Rachel, can you share a quote or affirmation with us?
I always have to remind myself of the Bible verse from Matthew: “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” It’s amazing to me how we, as humans, forget how powerful God is. He performs miracles every single day so it is pretty prideful of us to think He can’t handle our day to day problems. It’s a quick way to humble myself and also it relieves a lot of stress to know that God is in the details.
Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I find that no matter what job I find myself doing in life, I need to fulfill my creative itch. Some times it’s harder than others to find out how to do that. Some people may not think that retail is very creative but I have found many ways to be artistic. Having the freedom to layout the shop however I want is so fun to me. It’s like when when I was a kid and I would rearrange my room every few months just to refresh my daily atmosphere. I’ve also designated a shelf for seasonal displays. I get to put together an aesthetically pleasing display to showcase some of our new or popular items. When holidays come around its a perfect excuse to decorate and make the shop feel festive and inviting. Even being able to make signage for certain products or for sales satisfy my creative bug. I used to work in theater and I worked with a director many times who used to say “now make it look good” and that really stuck with me because I really enjoy making things “look good”.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
That’s such a tough question! San Diego has such a vast array of fun and beautiful things to do and see. I’ll give it my best shot. Ok, the first day would have to be a beach day because it’s usually the first thing people want to see. I may be biased, but the Coronado beaches are the best in the city. We could walk around the historic Hotel Del Coronado and have a drink while we gaze at the amazing ocean view. Coffee is always a must so I would love to take a friend to some of my favorites. There’s a place called Brew Coffee Spot in La Mesa that not only has great coffee and food but its a great central location for antique and thrift shopping. Another favorite is S3Coffee. They have so many fun and creative drink options and the location has some great photo ops. Balboa Park is so iconic that I would have to take my friend there. Walking around and checking out the museums is the perfect way to spend the day. Little Italy is also on the list. Great food, including a delicious dessert place called Extraordinary Desserts, festive environment, and very walkable. Liberty Station in Point Loma is also an amazing place. Its full of great food options, shopping, and also has a rich military history. I frequent the indoor makers and second hand market called Sea Hive Station. I could go on forever but I can’t forget to mention the Coronado Ferry Landing where my shop is located. It has some of the best views of the bay, unique restaurants, access to the Ferry and plenty of activities.
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I feel so lucky to know the people I do, not only professionally but personally. Firstly, Rob Perales, who trusts me with his business. He allows me a lot of freedom in the shop and also gives me feedback and he has a huge knowledge of all things retail. I learn a lot from him. Secondly, my sister Ruth, who manages another amazing shop a few doors down from mine. She is always willing to help me with anything. Big or small. Good questions or dumb questions. I know I can always rely on her to help me figure stuff out. Lastly, when I rely on God, my endeavors tend to be successful for the most part. When I rely only on myself, I know it will be a struggle at the very least. I’m thankful that God not only has ample grace to give but that He also has a sense of humor.
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Image Credits
Ruth Hengst, last photo is taken by Chelsea Johnson