We were lucky to catch up with Rachelle Morlok recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachelle , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Often outsiders look at a successful business and think it became a success overnight. Even media and especially movies love to gloss over nitty, gritty details that went into that middle phase of your business – after you started but before you got to where you are today. In our experience, overnight success is usually the result of years of hard work laying the foundation for success, but unfortunately, it’s exactly this part of the story that most of the media ignores. Can you talk to us about your scaling up story – what are some of the nitty, gritty details folks should know about?

One thing that people don’t see is the backside of a successful leader or business owner. They stand up in front of the crowd and see the successful person smile—the person who appears to have it all “together”. What they don’t see is the “I’m not good enough” thoughts, the late nights, early mornings, the loneliness, the hurt, the depression, the anxiety, and the loss of friendships because you keep going and you have outgrown them, which is hard.

I am a runner, and on the hard days, that is what gets me through the feeling of being alone, believing that it will all be worth it. When I run, another part of my brain opens, and I am able to focus on God and what He wants for me and of me. In order to make a change, it takes 21 days to see it through. The process is hard, but the reward is great. Once I took on this task and found people who could help me in the first part of making Bloom what it is today, I was able to go to a new level.

“In order to become the best, you will have to leave the old you behind.” – Rachelle Morlok

After Bloom International became a nonprofit in 2020, we started to level up. For the first three years, we were running at an even pace, and I got to the place where we were now being called to Bloom into America, and I took on more than I could handle. At the time, I thought I was on top of the world, which is easy to do when you start to see what you are doing is because of you and, without realizing it, put God on the sidelines. However, God got ahold of me on April 27, 2022, and humbled me. I had a seven-minute seizure—a seizure I should have died from. A seizure that took my life away from me for seven whole minutes. After that seizure, I went through a ten-month process of finding myself and who I was and who God wants me to become. The person I was on April 27, 2022, was humbled and reminded of why I do what I do.

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2

As I navigated through the depths of my own “Trenches” in the aftermath of the seizure, I found solace and clarity through writing, ultimately birthing what is now known as “In The Trenches”. Unbeknownst to me at the time, the act of processing my experiences through writing manifested into a book, chronicling the questions, obstacles, and mistakes I encountered along the way. Through this introspective journey, I found myself evolving as a leader, confronting my fears head-on in order to guide others beyond their perceived limitations. Today, I draw upon the lessons learned during that transformative season to support and uplift my staff as they navigate their own struggles.

Rachelle , 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?

At the age of 7, I felt a stirring within me, a sense that God was calling me to make a difference in the lives of others, though I couldn’t quite envision what that would entail. It was during a pivotal encounter with a missionary that my calling began to take shape. I sat attentively in the back pew of the church, hanging on to every word as she shared her experiences of living in Africa and caring for children.

In that moment, I sensed a profound clarity wash over me—I had discovered my purpose in life. Though I struggled to articulate it at the time, I knew deep within my heart that it was to care for the hearts of others and to be a beacon of hope in their lives. It was a revelation that coincided with my newfound faith as a Christian. Little did I realize that my journey from trauma to passion was on the horizon, poised to begin just a few weeks later.

Feeling like free bait for the taking. Feeling like someone’s leftover trash. At the young age of 7, I endured sexual abuse until I was 12. Without this experience, I wouldn’t have the ability to touch hearts as deeply as I do now. True connection comes from sharing our brokenness, not projecting perfection.

In life, we’re faced with two choices, and what distinguishes me from others is my decision. After two decades of grappling with inner turmoil, I finally summoned the courage to share the pain of my past. Now, I’ve transformed into a voice for the voiceless. I made the conscious choice to rise above the hurt and hatred, opting instead to ignite positive change in the world.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a team effectively requires a balance between providing guidance and empowering individuals to lead. Micro-managing can limit the potential of your team, whereas empowerment can lead to remarkable growth for both individuals and the business. As a leader, it’s essential to set aside pride and give your employees the opportunity to shine and grow.

One strategy we employ at Bloom is the S.H.A.P.E.S test, which helps identify individual strengths and weaknesses. I highly recommend this approach as it allows team members to leverage their strengths and work on areas for improvement.

To maintain high morale within our team, we’ve implemented a structured and uplifting approach at the start of each week. Mondays are dedicated to internal meetings, providing an opportunity to prepare for the week ahead. During these sessions, we celebrate successes from the past week, offer prayers for the upcoming week, and outline the tasks and assignments that need to be completed. Additionally, we incorporate a short Bible lesson to inspire and encourage our team members. Recently, we discussed Matthew 5 and the Beatitudes, highlighting the importance of relying on the Lord during challenging times.

Regardless of the industry, fostering connections and setting a positive tone at the beginning of the week is essential for maintaining productivity and cohesion within the team. Without this foundation, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by tasks without experiencing meaningful progress. By prioritizing connection and providing spiritual nourishment, we ensure that our team members are motivated and equipped to tackle the week ahead with enthusiasm and purpose.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

The most effective strategy for growing our clientele, as a non-profit organization, revolves around building genuine relationships with our donors. While the approach may differ from traditional business models, the underlying principle remains the same: prioritizing connection and authenticity.

At Bloom, we don’t view our donors as mere sources of funding; rather, we value them for who they are and seek to develop meaningful connections with each one. This involves various forms of engagement, such as sending personalized emails, birthday cards, making phone calls, and offering prayers for them. We believe in the power of building relationships based on mutual respect and care.

While it may be tempting to simply ask for donations outright, we strive to be more than transactional. We aim to cultivate a sense of community and belonging, where donors feel like they are part of something larger than themselves. This approach, rooted in soul care, is at the heart of our organization’s growth strategy. By inviting others to join us in making a tangible impact through service projects and mission trips, we create opportunities for individuals to experience the fulfillment of giving back and witnessing positive change firsthand.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bloomintl.org
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bloom_international2020
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bloomintl20/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJCMvUhwonQKa-evj7LAfiA