We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Austin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

I have always been a risk taker, sometimes overly optimistic with an “it will all work out” attitude. I’ve lived abroad and traveled off the beaten path in several countries. Culture, food, and people have always held my highest interest. In 2019, our family moved to South Minneapolis, less than a year before the Covid-19 Pandemic began and the social justice movement was spurred on by the murder of George Floyd, just three blocks from our home.

My husband and I hit the streets with our four young children, he carried his trumpet and I wore my camera. Every decision felt like a risk worth taking. I shared stories with the world through photos and my husband led the street activist band, “Brass Solidarity.”

We have grown in our roles of photographer and musician, with the next big adventure of starting a chicken and waffles food truck. My husband has perfected his gluten free recipes and we can’t wait to share the joy of food and photography in and around the Minneapolis area.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

“Chasing Joy” brand was birthed nearly a decade ago when I found myself home with 3 kids under 2.5yrs old. My husband, Butchy, and I are both creative entrepreneurs with backgrounds in teaching and corporate sales. We are passionate about making professional photography accessible to all people. Some of my first newborn sessions were taken in a family shelter, capturing the adorable but all too fleeting newborn details. We come from a large family with dietary restricts which prompted a new level of creativity in the kitchen. We needed gluten free food, but wanted it to be affordable and taste GOOD. Enter gluten free chicken and waffles. We officially launch on Mother’s Day 2024 in local breweries and have hopes of one day owning a food truck.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I met my business partner, now husband, at a bar in St. Paul. I walked in with friends and called “dibs!” when I saw him across the dance floor. Who knew it would be for life.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Referrals are my highest source of new clients. I am fairly outgoing and have been known to meet new people in stores, checkout lines, and events. Networking and building relationships is so important.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.chasingjoymn.com (new site coming soon)
• Instagram: @chasingjoymn and @chasingjoywaffles
• Other: We are launching new websites in May!

Image Credits
For the profile image: Audrey Nicole Photography Other 8 images: Chasing Joy Photography