one of the best things we've done at chatbooks is to create a clear set of values; we promote, reward and cut based on these values.

Welcome to the the 97th Floor Mastermind Interview Series where each week we sit down with one of the makers, thought leaders and visionaries behind the biggest and/or up-and-coming brands around. We talk about everything from business and marketplace insights to personal journeys, successes, failures and legacy.

In this episode we’re talking to Chatbooks Chief Marketing Officer, Rachel Hofstetter. Rachel joined Chatbooks in November 2015 and played a pivotal role in creating the video The Real Mom, which has since amassed more than 100 million views. Rachel did this while also overseeing the overall brand that is turning instagram photos into instant coffee table artwork. Prior to Chatbooks, Rachel worked at “O” the Oprah Magazine, Reader’s Digest, wrote a best-selling book Cooking Up a Business and founded a company called guesterly. Her insights in this interview on everything from just getting started on a project or life goal, to failing, to defining your teams’ north star are spectacularly clear and spot on. Let’s jump in!

Show Notes

0:35 An editor, best-selling author and entrepreneur—Rachel Hofstetter's start and journey to Chatbooks.

3:37 Validating an idea, starting a company and getting noticed by Glamour, Real Simple and Procter & Gamble.

6:39 Storytelling and entrepreneurship.

7:14 Chatbooks launch and the story behind the simple idea and brand.

10:58 The process (and myth) behind creating a viral video; collaborating with the Harmon Brothers.

14:58 Creating a clear vision and three objectives of a CMO.

17:27 How to grow an all-star team and defining the 5-points of the Chatbooks north star.

22:55 The remedy to fear of failure.

29:00 Rachel's guiding principle to always improving and growing.

31:37 The art of essentialism and getting the right things done.

33:27 Saying "no" without saying no.

what I give doesn't have to necessarily be what you asked for and it can still be beneficial to you.

36:24 Legacy; what Rachel wants to be remembered for.

39:04 Advice to those figuring out what they want to have, be, do next.

Links and Resources Mentioned

Learn more about Chatbooks | guesterly

Chatbooks "The Real Mom" video

Rachel's book Cooking Up a Business: Lessons from Food Lovers Who Turned Their Passion into a Career -- and How You Can, Too

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Thank You For Listening!

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