Meet Rachel Gonzales | Model & Life Insurance Agent

We had the good fortune of connecting with Rachel Gonzales and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Rachel, what do you want your legacy to be?
Legacy’s mean different things to different people. For myself, it means leaving a positive influence on the community and others doing what brings them happiness. Education plays a big role in what we learn and who we become. Giving back to the community and being an educational role model are priceless.

Life is short, so we should follow our passions (even if it means doing it on the side or part-time). I want people to remember me as the girl that never gave up on her dreams, radiated happiness, and walked with grace.

Please tell us more about your work. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today professionally. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
Getting to where I am today in the creative world wasn’t easy. If it was easy, everyone would do it right? It took learning, hard-work, and practice.

I am most excited to make a positive influence in other’s lives. When I began my creative career, most told me my hips were too big for runway. But runway wasn’t my end goal.

I overcame challenges by seeing them as learning opportunities. If I didn’t get a callback, how could my next audition be better? If my photos weren’t selected for a magazine, how could my next shoot be different?

I believe what sets me apart from the rest is my professionalism, dedication, and patience. I hear of other models/actors not coming to shoots prepared. I always make sure I respect the other person’s time and bring more options because you never know what you may need.

My brand is fun-loving, travel-addict, sophisticated woman.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There are a few favorite hidden gems in Houston that I would never get sick of. Over a long weekend, I would want to show my best friend the following:

Food:
Kolache Shoppe (in the Heights) Kolache’s are a staple and these are probably the best one’s I have had so far
Barnaby’s Cafe
Uchi or MF Sushi Museum District (my favorite sushi spots)
Squable
Songkran Thai Kitchen
Dessert Gallery Bakery & Cafe

Entertainment:
Astros Game (if they are playing)
Hermann Park
Houston Museum of Natural Science (I love the butterfly exhibit)
Space Center Houston
Menil Collection
Riding bikes on the Bayou

Hangout Spots:
Buffalo Bayou Brewing Co
Heights Bier Garden
Cottonwood
FAO HTX

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I believe everyone comes into our life for a reason, season, or a lifetime. There are a few people that have helped me become the person I am today. In my financial career, my accounting teacher (Mrs. O’Neill) in high school helped me jump start becoming a better business professional and my friend Christopher Stacy, a little over a year ago, introduced me to learning more about money that I wouldn’t have learned on my own. Christopher believed in me to take my talents and grow on them. My mother always gave me encouragement to follow my dreams (but also make sure I could pay my bills).

In my creative career, I met Erin Sweed when I began professional acting/modeling. Her positive outlook and honest feedback kept me going.

I want to thank each of them in different ways to contributing to my successes thus far. This is only the beginning!

Instagram: @rachelgonzalesss

Image Credits
Image Credits: Spiraling Photography Ryne Williams Visuals (Styles of HTX) Jessie Dee