How to Make a Career Change: Advice on Writing Your Next Verse
Rachel Solomon
Founder, creative, brand builder, mother, BFF, fashion lover, recovered lawyer
What’s your G.O.A.T.?
My current “who” GOAT is Katie Porter. She’s the embodiment of pretty much every one of my goals as a human, a leader and a creative. Authentic, effectual, dedicated to her cause. And she has a good heart. My personal and forever “what” GOAT is the moment my son was placed in my arms after a 22 hour flight from Korea. There will never be a match for that.
What’s the weirdest thing in your tote bag?
A melted earbud. My son, Jack, bought me earbuds and a cute keychain case with a pom pom for my birthday two years ago, and I accidentally dropped one in the oven while listening to a book and cooking at the same time. But it still works, and I refuse to get new ones because THESE ARE THE ONES MY BOY GAVE TO ME.
The last item you marie kondo’d outta there?
A pair of kitten heel shoes that I’ve loved for a long time, but suddenly as I rounded 50 seem a little too “on the nose” and “lady” for me.
A pivot with style.
I’ve always been in love with language and storytelling. But it was very important to me to be financially independent. That’s pretty much what went into the decision to go to law school. That and watching a lot of LA Law. I went straight from college to law school on the very same campus, which seemed like a great idea at the time.
WTF did I know then? I spent three years as a litigator, and there were moments where I thought it must be normal to sleep under your desk and cry every day in an alley, sometimes with ice cream. I started writing again to feel like there was more than the world I was stuck in, and I started to get published. I’d say to a partner you should write about drug testing, then I’d ghost write it and get it published. I pitched magazine articles and got an assignment from InStyle. I left the law and began cobbling together a writing career. I finished a coming-of-age novel I’d started in law school, and it was published in 2002. Got regular freelance gigs. Then took a job at a PR firm where I created a new role as writer, then creative director. After eight years, I longed to do something involving a passion, either the Red Sox or fashion. I landed at what was then SmartBargains.com, one of the first online retailers. I built an identity for myself there, because I was incredibly (incredibly!) passionate, and I really understood the CEO. So much so that I followed him to three other businesses—Rue La La, M.Gemi and Follain.
Then I was closer to 50 and starting to really think about what I stood for as a human being and leader. I was inspired to shape a business around my own values. I suddenly felt too grown-up for BS and mean spiritedness, like the creative lead who brought a junior colleague to tears on a photo shoot. C’mon. I saw a new way forward in leadership, through being kind and telling the truth. Not only would that be more satisfying, I felt the work would improve. Think about it: How much more can you focus when you’re not embroiled in nonsense with a stomach full of dread? I would go into my second half refusing to accept anything less of myself and others I worked with, by starting my own business, Honor Code Creative. We do anything you can imagine that touches marketing, advertising, telling the stories that make addictive brands. I’m so proud of our work and clients—and most of all, the way that we do the right things, living up to our name. It makes it easier to sleep (barring the occasional menopausal insomnia).
I’ve learned I’m a live-to-work person, not a work-to-live. My two jobs are to do great work (like really great, smart, creative work) and to be a decent human. Notice I did not say to be a good mother—that’s part of being a good human. (As a mother I am totally imperfect. I miss 7/8s of the emails from school. But my son knows he’s unconditionally loved and I always tell him the truth.) I know that as long as I don’t sacrifice either one of these, everything will be OK. A friend from Rue La La and M.Gemi, a leader with a very different brain than mine, taught me that every problem can be solved. There’s nothing fatal in what we do. I used to live fear of screwing things up, with a huge case of imposter syndrome no good review could counter. Today, I know the value I bring to the table. If a client treats people poorly, or is disrespectful of our time and personhood, they don’t fit at Honor Code. I can cut ties with them. I haven’t had a Sunday scary in forever.
Some of my decisions have looked insane to others; my dad, a lifelong lawyer, said, “People don’t NOT accept an offer from Bingham” when I declined. But I’ve always been a smart quitter. Before I left the law, I tried lots of firms and roles: large, boutique, defense side, plaintiff. I didn’t leave until I sensed I could make a living as a writer. Then I went from a beautiful office with an assistant to minimum wage with no health insurance. It was the very thing I’d gone to law school to avoid. Knowing I had explored so many avenues got me through. That’s my advice to those considering a change: Figure out how to have no regrets. You don’t want to question the move, especially if you’ve invested in where you are. Be an informed quitter. Take people to lunch. Ask questions. Test another department or subspecialty. See how much you can learn for the next thing while in your current role—like my law firm writing projects. Take a class. I met my agent at an adult education writing class, and that motivated me to finish my novel.
My favorite quote is from Madeleine Albright: “There’s a special place in hell for women who don't help other women.” I deeply, deeply mean it, and I extend it to not just women but to LGBTQIA friends. If you’re reading this and work sucks, Sundays are scary, you’re going through a divorce, you’re suffering through infertility or you know a friend who is, COME TO ME. Been there. I have virtually no hobbies (well, except reading and shopping) and this is how I’d rather spend my time. (Reach me here: rachel@honorcodecreative.com.)
