We were lucky to catch up with Raquel Tedaldi recently and have shared our conversation below.

Raquel, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

To me, success is a deeply personal and individualized concept, one that is defined differently by each person. For some, success might be measured by financial achievements—how much money they make, how many properties they own, or how high they rise in their careers. These metrics often align with the traditional “American Dream,” which emphasizes wealth, status, and material possessions as the ultimate markers of success. According to this view, success is often seen as a destination where having a large bank account, an impressive job title, and an expensive home with a luxury car symbolizes that you’ve “made it.”

However, my definition of success contrasts with this conventional view. While financial stability and career accomplishments are important, true success comes from achieving a balanced and fulfilling life. To me, success is about being healthy—both physically and mentally. It’s about feeling at peace with your well-being and not constantly stressing over bills or financial insecurity. Success, in my eyes, also means the ability to set personal goals and steadily work toward achieving them, whether those goals are related to career, relationships, personal growth, or even the simple joys of life like being able to enjoy time with loved ones without feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of societal expectations.

Unlike the stereotypical “American Dream” narrative, where success is often defined by external achievements and visible symbols of wealth, my version of success is more about inner contentment and self-sufficiency. It’s about living a life where I feel secure, happy, and in control of my own destiny. This perspective challenges the notion that success is solely about what can be seen on the outside. Instead, it places value on the quality of life, the freedom from financial worries, and the pursuit of happiness through personal milestones. I think it’s important to redefine success in a way that aligns with one’s values and what truly brings fulfillment rather than simply measuring it by traditional societal standards.

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?

I’ve always considered myself a creative person, and that creativity naturally steered me toward a career in business marketing. From a young age, I was captivated by how ideas, design, and creativity could intersect with business strategy. What excites me the most about marketing is the combination of creativity and analytics—it’s fascinating to see how a creative concept can be translated into tangible business outcomes, like driving sales or boosting brand recognition. There’s something deeply satisfying about shaping an abstract idea into a visual or campaign that resonates with an audience and then measuring its effectiveness in a way that directly impacts a company’s success.

I’ve always been drawn to the beauty of design and aesthetics, and I find immense joy in seeing that translate into branding. Branding, to me, is the art of storytelling, and it’s powerful when you can create something that captures the essence of a company and communicates it in a way that feels authentic. That’s why I got into business marketing in the first place—it was what I studied in college, and I continued to pursue it as I furthered my education. Over the years, I’ve learned that the perfect blend of creativity and strategy makes marketing impactful.

My selective approach to working with businesses sets me apart from other digital marketing agencies. I only choose to work with companies that I am genuinely passionate about. Passion is essential for delivering authentic and effective marketing. I can’t give it my all if I don’t care about the company or its mission. By focusing on businesses I genuinely believe in, I can invest the energy, enthusiasm, and creativity needed to help them succeed.

One of the things I’m most proud of is becoming an entrepreneur after spending years working for other companies. While I greatly valued my time in various roles and learned a lot about industry standards and best practices, the decision to branch out on my own felt incredibly fulfilling. It’s empowering to have the freedom to bring my vision to life and create something that reflects my values. However, what remains constant is my love for working with people—helping others, especially on the marketing side of their business. I genuinely enjoy building relationships with clients, understanding their goals, and supporting them in reaching their full potential. My experience has taught me that the key to successful marketing isn’t just about selling a product but about connecting with people on a deeper level and helping them achieve their dreams.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

One particular chapter in my entrepreneurial journey perfectly illustrates the power of resilience and the importance of embracing setbacks as learning opportunities. When I first launched my business, things were moving along smoothly. I was filled with excitement and optimism, believing that success would come quickly with enough hard work and creativity. However, the reality of entrepreneurship quickly set in, and I faced challenges I hadn’t anticipated.

One of the most challenging moments came when a key project I had poured my heart into fell through. I had invested time, energy, and resources into developing a marketing strategy for a client, only to have them back out at the last minute. It was a huge blow, both emotionally and financially. The project had been a significant opportunity for my business, and its loss made me question everything—Was I cut out for this? Was I doing something wrong?

For a few days, I allowed myself to feel the weight of the setback. But I knew that dwelling on failure wouldn’t help me move forward. Instead of letting the disappointment define me, I took a step back and evaluated what I could learn from the experience. I realized there were things I could improve—whether it was communication, expectations setting, or how I approached my client relationships. It wasn’t the end of the road; it was just a bump in the journey.

Embracing a mindset of resilience, I chose not to aim for perfection but to focus on growth. I decided not to let the setback discourage me but to use it as an opportunity to adjust and adapt. I revamped my process, learned to manage client expectations better, and proactively anticipated challenges. The next project I took on was a success, and it taught me even more about the importance of staying adaptable, persistent, and focused on my goals.

That experience reinforced one of the most valuable lessons of entrepreneurship: setbacks are inevitable, but how you respond to them defines your path forward. I learned that challenges are part of the process by staying resilient and focusing on the bigger picture. Every mistake and every challenge was a stepping stone that brought me closer to becoming the business owner I am today.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A pivotal moment came when I decided to leave my stable full-time job and pursue entrepreneurship. It wasn’t an easy choice, requiring courage and reflection. At the time, I had been working for several companies, gaining valuable experience and learning the ins and outs of the industry. Everything seemed perfect on paper—a secure job, steady paycheck, and the kind of career trajectory many would envy. But deep down, I knew something was missing.

While gaining experience, I realized that I wasn’t fully pursuing my passion. Working for someone else, with their vision and goals, was no longer fulfilling. I felt a pull to create something of my own, something that reflected my values and creativity. But taking that leap from stability to uncertainty was intimidating. The fear of failure, of not knowing if I could make it as an entrepreneur, was sometimes overwhelming.

I had to pivot my entire mindset. I had to let go of the security of my full-time job and embrace the uncertainty of entrepreneurship. It was a risk, but I knew I had to take it to pursue my true passion. The transition wasn’t without its challenges. I faced moments of self-doubt, questioned whether I made the right choice, and wondered if I had what it took to succeed. But I remembered that resilience and adaptability were key to moving forward.

Instead of letting fear control me, I saw this pivot as an opportunity for growth. I embraced the unknown, knowing it would bring both successes and setbacks. I had to trust my instincts and focus on the long-term goal, even when the short-term challenges felt overwhelming. As I navigated the early days of my entrepreneurial journey, I quickly learned that this pivot was precisely what I needed to push myself further, step out of my comfort zone, and build something meaningful.

Leaving my full-time job was among the most challenging yet rewarding decisions I have ever made. It taught me that sometimes, to grow and live authentically, you must take that leap—even if it means embracing uncertainty. Looking back, I realize that this pivot ultimately brought me closer to the success and fulfillment I had been searching for.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rgwmedia.net/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rgwmedia
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562060889216
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raquel-wong/

Image Credits

@_michaelfranco_