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

Hi Rachel, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
I have to admit that having a healthy work-life balance has never been easy for me to maintain. I have a habit of going through stages of life where my priorities change, and I can easily get caught up in the business of work like, forgetting that without a healthy dose of ‘me time’, I don’t often get very far. Take the past couple of weeks for example: I was so focussed on getting to the finish line before Christmas, and completing all my work, that I got ill, burnt out, and I’ve spent the last week in bed. I’m telling you this so that if you’ve ever been in a similar position, you can confidently assume (and know), that you aren’t the only one.

Needless to say, my balance changes over time, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. But, the biggest lesson that I’ve learnt in 2023, is that I need to stop saying yes to everything! Those healthy ‘me time’ moments, need to made up of activities that I love… not what other people love, and especially not what I think I should be doing to make other people happy. I appreciate that sometimes we say yes to a dinner with friends and we get to the day and really don’t feel like we’re in the mood, but I’m more so talking about those times where someone springs an activity on you and you’re debating with yourself about whether you can fit it in… or that regular activity that you used to love but now it’s not quite doing it for you. That’s absolutely ok, and it’s important that those ‘life’ activities don’t become a chore and add to the stress of your already stressful work life.

What many don’t know about me, is that I’m coming to the final year of my PhD as well as running my own business, Scarlet River PR, and for me, that’s a huge change for 2024. I’ve had to ask myself about how my balance needs to change to allow me to finish my PhD well, and not compromise my business. I am extremely passionate about ensuring that I only work with clients at a time that I know I can offer 100% and if I can’t, it’s better to say no than to do a 50% job. Whilst 2023 was incredibly focused on building my business, my team and the various avenues within it, I now need to focus on my PhD, and that might mean… it’s the season I’m in, and it might be the season you’re in… your work-life balance can change and will change, and that’s ok!

What should our readers know about your business?
“Since its origin as a boutique management agency, Scarlet River has worked with award-winning country music artists in the UK and in Nashville. Its name is widely known throughout the industry thanks to the diligence, persistence and hard work of its founder, Rachel Sellick.

Since 2020, Rachel and her business have been nominated multiple times for Fair Play Country’s music management company of the year, as well as receiving nominations from Indie Star Radio, Woods Music Norway and the International Singer-Songwriters Association (ISSA)”.

Building my business definitely wasn’t easy but it was fun! I’ve enjoyed taking something that I’m passionate about, and making it a reputable business, and I want it to be a business that people feel is trustworthy. I’ve learned that it’s really important to be myself, be honest about what I can offer, and put 100% effort into everything I do.

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.
I live in a small village-town in South Wales, UK, so I would say that with my best friend visiting for a week, we’d spend a lot of day trips travelling into the cities outside. But, not before hiking in the Wye Valley, visiting the beautiful Tintern Abbey and Chepstow Castle, and having dinner at one of the local Indian restaurants (one of the best things about small towns is their independent restaurants that you won’t find anywhere else!)

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I know that I wouldn’t be where I am today without some of the incredible people that have supported me in my passions and studies! Firstly, a lady called Keren, who was one of the first people within the music scene to support me in my journey, and give me advice whenever I needed it. It’s now something that I want to offer, and make sure that I give to those coming up behind me. And, to my wonderful husband Tyler Spicer (and incredible country music producer in his own right), who deals with my work-life balance issues, my complaining and my struggles, but also, my wins!

Website: www.scarletriverpr.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/scarletriverpr

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachelsellick/

Twitter: www.twitter.com/scarletriverpr

Facebook: www.facebook.com/scarletriverpr

Image Credits
Doddie Munro Erin Fliegel

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