Today we’d like to introduce you to Racquel Jenkins.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I began my journey in corporate America, building a career that spanned more than 20 years of leadership in Corporate Recruiting, Sales, and Nonprofit sectors. Along the way, I discovered my true passion, helping leaders solve problems and create systems that allow their businesses to thrive.
Stepping out on faith, I launched Empower Online Solutions to serve entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits who often wear too many hats and need smarter ways to run their organizations. I also invested in sharpening my skills – taking online workshops and earning a certificate in Digital Marketing Science through Kennesaw State University, because I believe passion and expertise go hand in hand.
Now, I get to do what I love most: helping entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits cut through the overwhelm with AI-powered systems, automation, and smart-tech strategies that make work simpler and growth more sustainable. My heart is to free up leaders so they can focus on what matters most, serving their people and making an impact.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
When I started Empower Online Solutions, I was stepping into a whole new industry after spending more than 20 years in sales, nonprofit leadership, and corporate recruiting. I knew I had a passion for solving problems and building systems, but I was also very aware that I was the ‘new kid on the block’ in digital marketing and automation. That meant there was a steep learning curve, and plenty of moments of imposter syndrome, as I worked to prove myself in a crowded space.
Like most entrepreneurs, I quickly realized a startup comes with wearing all the hats. I was the CEO, the marketer, the salesperson, and the admin all at once. And while I was building out contracts, proposals, and systems for my clients, I was also having to build those same systems for myself. On top of that, you face the uncertainty of income flow in the beginning, which makes every decision about investing in tools, software, or marketing feel really weighty.
Client acquisition was another big challenge. You’re trying to establish credibility, build brand awareness, and show people why they should trust you, and that takes time. For me, it also meant learning how to speak to very different audiences – entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits – each with their own unique needs and budget realities.
At the same time, I stepped into another leadership role as a Facilitator for Iron Forums, which was an incredible opportunity but also meant adding another layer of responsibility. So there I was, launching a new company, leading a peer advisory-style group for Christian women business owners, and juggling life at home as a wife and mom 5 young adults! We are empty nesters but very involved in our kids’ lives. Needless to say, time and energy management became a real obstacle. I had to learn quickly how to balance my own self-care and family needs with the demands of growing two very different endeavors.
What I’ve learned is that starting something new isn’t just about building a business, it’s about building resilience. The struggles are real: the long hours, the doubts, the uphill battle of marketing and client acquisition. But they’ve also stretched me to grow, lean on my faith, and create smarter systems not just for my clients, but for myself too.
And if there’s one lesson I’d share with any entrepreneur, it’s this: the very obstacles that feel the heaviest are often the ones that shape you into the leader your business, and your community, truly needs.
As you know, we’re big fans of Empower Online Solutions. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Empower Online Solutions was really born out of my desire to help entrepreneurs, small businesses, and nonprofits run smarter, not harder. We focus on AI-powered chatbots, automation, and SEO — the kinds of tools that save time, cut the overwhelm, and help leaders grow with confidence.
What sets us apart is the heart behind what we do. I don’t believe in one-size-fits-all tech. I take the time to really understand each client’s challenges and build systems that fit their unique goals and values. Our brand is rooted in loyalty, grit, and integrity, and I’m proud that clients feel that in the way we serve them.
At the end of the day, Empower Online Solutions isn’t just about digital tools, it’s about giving leaders the freedom to focus on what they do best: serving their people and making an impact.
How do you define success?
For me, success isn’t just about numbers or milestones, it’s about alignment. It’s when the work I’m doing lines up with my values, my faith, and the impact I want to make in people’s lives.
I spent over 20 years in corporate America chasing the traditional markers of success, but what I’ve learned is that real success feels very different. It’s not about titles or paychecks; it’s about freedom, freedom to design a business that serves others, creates solutions, and still leaves room for what matters most: my faith, my family, and the people I’m called to serve.
Success, to me, is helping an entrepreneur or business finally breathe easier because their systems are working for them, or watching a nonprofit leader light up because they can spend more time on their mission and less time buried in admin. Those moments remind me why I started Empower Online Solutions in the first place. That’s the kind of success I want to build every day.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.empoweronlinesolutions.com
- Instagram: racquel_jenkins_official
- Facebook: Racquel Jenkins
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/racqueljenkins
