Pain is an inevitable part of the human experience. It can come in many forms, from the loss of a loved one to the sting of rejection, and it can leave us feeling broken and lost. But pain can also be a source of growth and transformation if we’re willing to embrace it.
Think about the most significant moments in your life. Chances are, they weren’t all sunshine and rainbows. They were likely moments of struggle, hardship, and pain. Yet, it’s often these moments that define us, that shape who we are, and who we eventually become.
By embracing our pain, we can find purpose in it. We can use it as fuel to create something positive, to inspire and empower others who are going through similar struggles. We can turn our pain into a catalyst for personal and professional success.
Jamie Batiste is one such powerful woman who after experiencing rejection and heartbreak, channeled her pain into a brand that would inspire others to embrace their inner strength and resilience.
In this Exclusive Interview with the Founder of Rejected Hearts Club, Jamie Batiste talks about her brand, her story, and entrepreneurship.
What according to you makes one a powerful woman? How do you integrate the same thought into your leadership?
Women are powerful humans all around. For me a powerful woman is someone who possesses a strong sense of self-worth and confidence, someone who is able to pursue their goals with determination and resilience. Someone who is not afraid to take risks or challenges, and who uses their voice and influence to advocate for themselves and others.
They also recognize the importance of building relationships and networks and understand that collaboration and teamwork are key to achieving success. I integrate these traits in order to build a great team and have great collaboration. Networking is a big one for me as you never know who you are going to meet and what value you can learn from someone or what value you can bring to the table to help someone else.
Talk to us about your growing up years. What is your earliest memory as a leader / entrepreneur?
Growing up I’ve always had the drive to be someone and make a difference in this life. I was in a ton of sports and played various instruments which taught me leadership and how to be a great teammate. I then also loved the idea of being in radio/tv so I started faux radio shows with my brother in my room and would do interviews and record full blown shows on a cassette player. ha-ha.
It led me to start my radio career at the age of 14! From there, I was able to produce on ESPN radio and then became an On Air radio host on KissFM Austin, TX which is now IHeartRadio. I also voiced a lot of commercials which lead to meeting tons of amazing people and I was able to communicate with various people with multiple personalities. As an entrepreneur, you have to learn to adapt to situations and people.
Talk to us about how the idea formed of starting Rejected Hearts Club?
Honestly…My best ideas and thoughts come to me while in the shower. It’s my place of alone time with my own thoughts. One day after a hard breakup I was thinking of what I would name a company to help others heal from heartbreak and loss. I realized that rejection is a universal experience that everyone goes through at some point in their lives.
Overall, the idea of Rejected Hearts Club was formed as a way to turn pain into a purpose and help others going through similar experiences to get their hearts back one piece at a time.
What is the message that you want to share through your brand and entrepreneurial journey?
The main message that is promoted with RHC is to Love Yourself. It’s okay to put YOU first. It’s important to remember that self-love is not selfishness or arrogance. It’s about valuing and respecting yourself, recognizing your own worth, and taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being. When you love yourself, you’re able to show love and compassion to others and make positive contributions to your relationships.
Looking at your journey as an entrepreneur, what would you have done differently if you were to start again?
I’ve always learned that failure leads to success. Therefore, every mistake that has been made as an entrepreneur has made me grow and learn. I wouldn’t do anything differently; I would however have started building a community for the brand in the earlier stages. RHC has the power to build a great community for people to share their own stories and to find love within themselves.
What does a day in the life of Jamie Batiste look like? How do you ensure work-life balance?
I’m sure most Entrepreneurs say there are never enough hours in the day. For myself, I am learning the art of delegating in order to be more efficient and focus more on scaling the brand and stay true to my passion of design.
What would be your advice for aspiring and emerging women entrepreneurs?
Never give up on yourself – no matter what. Remember that failure doesn’t define you but can be a great opportunity to learn and grow. Believe in yourself and be kind to yourself – because you are worth it and most importantly LOVE YOURSELF. The best way to reach success is to keep going despite obstacles, and to never be afraid to take risks.
Finally, what does the future look like for you and your brand? What are you most excited about?
Exciting things are happening for the brand and the community. RHC is a give back culture, so next up we are creating a show to have people talk about their breakups and how to heal.
I want it to be a space for people to work through their emotions and learn to love and accept themselves despite rejection. It will be a place for people to learn about healthy relationships, boundaries, and self-care practices.
This interview is part of Exeleon Magazine’s celebration for Women’s History Month. The entire month we are releasing multiple interviews, stories, and articles of established as well as emerging women entrepreneurs from across the globe.
