Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Rasheda Jenkins. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Rasheda, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

In 2017 I was celebrating over a decade of being a commercial construction worker. As a black woman I counted as two minorities; meaning on a project that used government funding who had a minority quota, I counted as two. So in other words I was in high demand and was rarely laid off. I was making great money, I loved my career and the challenges and changes it often brought from day to day.

Then a careless act of a co-worker almost cost me my life. While pouring a concrete deck, another Laborer pulled the section of the hose I was standing on and before I knew if my foot was caught and I fell, HARD; broke my hardhat and everything. I had sustained a traumatic brain injury. In an instant the career I loved was literally pulled from under me.

After months of all sorts of therapy, from acupuncture, to occupational therapy, to physical therapy to cognitive therapy, I still suffered from sensitivity to light and sound, chronic headaches and fatigue. Even though the double vision had ceased, I still had issues with my vision. On the outside I looked the same, yet on the inside I was completely different.

I finally realized that REST was what was needed to bring me back to a sense of wholeness. REST is more than taking a nap or sitting still. REST is Recovering what was lost from over excursion, feeling Empowered to set boundaries, getting Stronger for the challenges ahead, and Transforming through consistency. REST became my strategy for success.

I knew as a black woman who regularly went above and beyond for my family, friends, community, and career, that there were other black women and their allies who did the same and needed a safe space to REST. A safe space where they wouldn’t feel guilty for putting themselves first. That is when Growth Industries was born.

Growth Industries was born from a need to be a catalyst for black women and their allies encouraging them to honor their whole selves, fight the status quo, disrupt culture and REST.

Rasheda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Since I was a child, raised in the Rondo Community in Saint Paul, I have had a love for people. In all of the jobs and careers I have chosen, all encompass a different form of customer service. When I fell and sustained a traumatic brain injury, I leaned on the gifts and talent God gave me at birth.

I now offer corporations workshops about workload management and burnout prevention, I offer a weekly mindful movement class at a community park in Minneapolis, a weekly newsletter that gives you reminders and tips on REST. I wrote a 31 day guide with tangible tools to encourage REST. I facilitate empowerment and parenting classes at local non profits in my community.

I have been blessed by God with another chance at life and my mission is to share the good news, to encourage change, be a catalyst for growth all while promoting REST as a strategy for success.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

The lesson I had to unlearn is that my worth is tied to my accomplishments.

I grew up in a middle/upper class home in Saint Paul’s Rondo Community and I saw black excellence everywhere. My principal was black, most of my teachers were black, I was raised in a two parent home. Success was all around me. However I often felt as if I needed to prove myself, prove my worth.

Growing up I made some really poor choices because the weight of perfection was too heavy. It wasn’t until I truly gave God a chance and He became my standard for worth. I finally understood that I was created to please no one but God and that set me free.

Now I share REST with the world which is a gift from God. At the end of the day, when this life is over all the things we have accomplished, all the stuff we have accumulated will amount to nothing. Why wait until you are sick or dying to REST? You are no good to anyone then, and that’s when you see who truly is for you. REST to be at your best.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

I truly believe people support people they like and identify with. I am cognizant to always be kind and loving, non judgmental and understanding. Life is hard and no one needs someone in there life pointing out their flaws. I make it my mission to encourage and uplift people where ever I go. I also send out a weekly newsletter called My Moment of REST. This newsletter uses the four sections (Recover, Empower, Stronger, Transform) to give tips, pointers and ideas that you can use to REST. Sometimes in life we need a reminder and this newsletter is your weekly one to REST.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tr.ee/RashedaJenkins
• Facebook: Woman of GROWTH
• Youtube: Woman of GROWTH
• Other: Tic Tok – @raraeda