When I asked Rachel Van Dolsen what it really takes to be seen—like, really seen—her answer wasn’t about viral Reels or flashy press hits. It was about energy. Purpose. Integrity.

(And okay, maybe just a little bit of woo.)

Rachel is a seasoned publicist and the founder of RVD Communications, a boutique PR firm she started in her twenties and sold more than a decade later. These days, she’s pivoted into something more personal, more powerful—and way more aligned.

She now works one-on-one with entrepreneurs, helping them discover what makes them mediagenic (yes, you have it too!) and pitch themselves with confidence, clarity, and service-first strategy.

What Makes You Mediagenic?

Spoiler alert: It’s not about being the loudest or having the biggest following. It’s about knowing who you are and why you care—and being brave enough to share it.

Rachel believes every founder has a story worth telling. Her job is to help you see it, shape it, and send it out into the world.

She’s not just making media lists and writing press releases—she’s helping women take up space in a way that feels good. Visibility isn’t about pretending. It’s about aligning your energy with the people you’re here to serve.

Boundaries Are the New Hustle

As a mom of two young kids, Rachel’s also very clear on one thing: You can’t pitch your best ideas from burnout. She’s learned (and is still learning) to create firm, kind boundaries that protect her creativity, time, and energy.

“You can have boundaries in a kind way,” she says. “They don’t have to be mean to be firm.”

This isn’t about doing less—it’s about doing the right things with the right energy. That’s true for pitching the media and for building a life.

Let Yourself Be Seen

We talked a lot about how visibility brings up stuff. Imposter syndrome. People-pleasing. The fear of being “too much” or “not enough.”

But Rachel gently reframed it: being seen isn’t about self-promotion. It’s about self-connection.

She even shared a recent past life regression session (yep, we went there) that helped her unpack some of the energy she’d been carrying—not just in business, but in life. Whether or not you’re into reincarnation, the message was powerful: You don’t have to carry what’s not yours.

A Reminder for All of Us

You don’t have to wait for permission to share your story.
You don’t need a perfect website or a million followers.
And you certainly don’t have to trade your integrity for attention.

Rachel is living proof that when you combine visibility with authenticity—and a whole lot of heart—beautiful things happen.

So if you’re feeling called to put yourself out there in a bigger way? Start where you are. Say the thing. Share the story. And let the world see you.

Because showing up isn’t self-centered—it’s sacred.

Find Rachel on LinkedIn or her website: https://www.rachelvandolsen.com/