Donegal Woman – Rachel McLaughlin
Hi, my name is Rachel McLaughlin, and I’m not a Donegal woman in business. Or so I thought!
I am first and foremost a journalist. Many members of the Donegal Women in Business Network will know me as the person floating around events taking pictures and jotting down notes for articles on DonegalWoman.ie.
My business story began in 2016 when I moved back to Donegal for the launch of Donegal Woman – the online magazine for local women. The website is a sister site to DonegalDaily.com, where I am also a reporter. From day one, I have put my all into Donegal Woman to make it a varied voice and information source for women of all walks of life. A year and a half later, and I’m so delighted with the unique community and niche business our team has created.
I soon realised that launching this new website was a business ‘product’. There is goal-setting, promoting, marketing, networking, and much decision making. The Donegal Women in Business Network has been an amazing start for me to spread the word about my work and meet an amazing mix of women in various stages of their careers. Evelyn, Deirdre, Trish, and all the DWBN members have been so inspiring and encouraging on this journey. As I enjoy supporting the Network, I am so grateful for the support that everyone has given me.
My skills are in journalism, story-telling and social media. In a way, that is also my business. Whether it’s sharing a personal story, covering an event, or helping a business tell their story, I can help people get their message out to Donegal’s largest online readership.
2018 has been a pivotal year for women around the world. I think Donegal Woman was created at the perfect time to cover the progression and the breaking down of barriers by women in Donegal, Ireland and beyond. My hope for the future is that more women will use the platform we have built to share their message.
They say your hobby can signify your dream job. I am lucky because my hobby is travelling and documenting my explorations of Donegal and exciting new countries. My @RachelGoesPlaces Instagram is my own travel blog, where I love to showcase Donegal sights, businesses and holiday destinations.
The name of my blog comes from a fun Dr Seuss book. It may be basic, but I believe the words in this poem can connect with all women in business too. It’s about seizing the moment, moving mountains and journeying straight for success.
Some of my favourite quotes are:
Congratulations! Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
“You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself any direction you choose. You’re on your own. And you know what you know. And YOU are the one who’ll decide where to go…”
And will you succeed? Yes! You will, indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)
Kid, you’ll move mountains! Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So get on your way!
I’m looking forward to ‘going places’ with my work and my blog. I would invite any members of the Network to connect with me and seize the opportunity that I can give to broadcast your story.
Email: news@donegalwoman.ie
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/dglwoman/
Twitter @dglwoman
Instagram @donegalwoman
