Rachel McCord: From $93 and a Dream to Purpose-Driven Media Powerhouse

When Rachel McCord walked away from an unhealthy relationship with just $93 in her pocket, she had no roadmap, no safety net, and no guarantees. What she did have was a willingness to say “yes” to opportunity and that decision would ignite a journey that would transform her life and redefine how entrepreneurs amplify their voices in the modern media landscape.

Rachel’s entrepreneurial journey began not with a grand vision, but with survival. She worked three jobs just to get by. In the midst of that grind, she met someone gifted in sales who needed help with organization to launch a business. Rachel, who had started working at 13 and managed a restaurant by 16, knew how to build systems and lead.

They partnered and with that leap of faith, her first company was born. Her early experience managing operations, building standard procedures, and creating systems gave her the foundation to support growth. That moment, born out of necessity, set her on a path that would eventually evolve into her life’s work of helping others scale their voices and visions.

“My experience throughout my career, until I started my second company, The McCord List in 2013, was focused on creating systems to scale thought leaders and small businesses,” Rachel reflects. “Now, I get to do that at scale, through the systems we’ve built for television and podcast production, development, distribution, and coaching.”

That early chapter laid the groundwork for her signature approach: merging strategic structure with bold storytelling to help visionaries grow.

Rachel is widely recognized as a master of branding, but her approach goes beyond logos and taglines. “I think a lot of people forget the power of creating a movement as a way of marketing,” she says. “Companies spend so much money on sales and marketing, but they forget the importance of building a likeminded community who believes in the mission and wants to be involved.” For Rachel, marketing isn’t just about visibility it’s about impact. When individuals and companies stay rooted in their “why,” their audiences don’t just consume what they commit. This shift from transaction to transformation is what sets powerful brands apart.

Her first major business success came with an exit in her twenties, a milestone many entrepreneurs aspire to. But that win came with a deeper lesson. “The most important thing I learned during that season was to do what I’m here for,” she explains. “I started that company because it made sense on paper. But it wasn’t my passion. Sometimes the best thing you can do is move on. It’s letting go of what isn’t working so you can create space for what will.” That courage to evolve instead of clinging to what’s familiar would shape the next chapter of her career.

Rachel’s path took a pivotal turn when she began advising thousands of entrepreneurs and businesses at MAGIC, the world’s largest fashion trade show. “Helping and advising 1000s of entrepreneurs, boutiques, and businesses at MAGIC definitely accelerated my own journey,” she recalls. “Building out the seminars, show topics, talent lists, and innovating marketing ideas with the executive team really helped me come alive.” Managing high-pressure events with hundreds of thousands of attendees, negotiating talent deals, hosting the stage, and launching brands for icons like Katy Perry, Jane Fonda, and Martha Stewart honed Rachel’s ability to execute at scale. That experience would later inform how she structures education, strategy, and production at The McCord List, her flagship media empire.

At the heart of Rachel’s current work is The McCord List TV, the streaming platform that houses original content, exclusive series, and powerhouse interviews. “The McCord List TV is where all of our hard work lands,” Rachel says. “It’s the ultimate destination for powerhouse, purpose-driven women and the voices shaping today’s culture.” From business and family to faith and fashion, the platform delivers an ever-growing library of binge-worthy originals designed to inspire, educate, and elevate. More than a media network, it’s a movement designed to give entrepreneurs and thought leaders a global stage.

For many founders, the biggest obstacle isn’t lack of vision, it's fear. Rachel understands that intimately and has a clear message for those stuck on the sidelines: “Start before you’re ready, get comfortable facing fear, and create your funding with sales.” She encourages entrepreneurs to focus on service, trust divine timing, and commit to impact. “Give all you can to the people and opportunities in front of you, have faith that God directs your footsteps, and stay focused on the difference you make in the world,” she says.

Rachel’s approach to business isn’t just visionary, it's tactical. She believes in listening deeply to clients and partners to understand where they’re stuck and what they need, even if they can’t articulate it themselves.

One standout example: her collaboration with Seychelles. “We hosted a super fun event called the road-trip to MAGIC,”she shares. “We rented a party bus and took a road trip with 30 celebs and creators, blending content for a show we were filming for HBO with influencer content and press.” The result: doubled sales and a 71% increase in impressions. Creativity and strategy, working hand in hand.

Rachel’s rise from Georgia to Forbes and Bloomberg TV wasn’t just a career journey it was a mindset evolution. “For me, it’s all about shifting from survival to stewardship,” she explains. “When you grow up the way I did, success can feel scary like it’s going to slip away at any moment. But I had to reframe that. Success isn’t something I cling to; it’s something I steward for impact.” Every leap forward came from trusting God with the next step and remembering that her platform is a tool to serve others. “When you see your platform that way, the fear of failure doesn’t hold you back anymore,” she adds.

Rachel credits mentorship as a cornerstone of her journey and it’s now central to her mission. “Mentorship is everything,”she says. “The truth is, we all need someone to look us in the eye and say, ‘You’ve got this.’ I’ve had those voices in my life, and I know how much that changed me. Now, with The McCord List, I get to pour that back into entrepreneurs, authors, and coaches.” Whether she’s helping someone launch a TV show, build a podcast, or monetize their message, Rachel leads with both strategy and heart.

Looking ahead, Rachel sees a powerful shift on the horizon. “The future of entrepreneurship is all about voice and visibility,” she declares. “People don’t just want to build businesses, they want to build movements, communities, and platforms that matter. And the media landscape is the great equalizer.” Through The McCord List, Rachel and her team are pioneering what she calls “purpose-driven media.”

Their mission: to help founders and creatives expand their influence with TV shows, podcasts, PR, and live events, distributing their voices across platforms like Roku, Samsung, and Amazon Prime. “The future belongs to those who show up authentically,” she says. “And I’m honored to lead The McCord List team as we work to make sure their voices are heard.”

Rachel McCord’s story isn’t just about starting a company with $93. It’s about turning a moment of vulnerability into a movement of visibility. It’s about using media not as a megaphone for self-promotion, but as a platform to elevate others. From building her first business out of necessity to creating a media network that reaches millions, Rachel embodies resilience, vision, and faith in action. And for the next generation of entrepreneurs, she’s not just opening doors—she’s building entire stages. As Rachel puts it, “When we focus on the impact we can leave behind, our conversations change. Our content changes. And the world listens.”

Connect With Rachel

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