Things you didn’t know about Rachel Hughes

Earlier this year I asked several local professionals to write their first blogs – and even harder – to write and share something about themselves!  Below you will meet (if you don’t already know her) Rachel Hughes.  As with most of us, we all have a larger story behind our names and job titles.  Meet Rachel:

Things you need to know about me – Rachel Hughes.

I’ve held a number of jobs during my 30 years in the work force: pizza maker; ice cream scooper; free-lance writer; director of a day care center; consultant; administrator for a state weatherization program; ad designer; restaurant reviewer…. Some were more impressive than others. Some were more fun than others. All taught me valuable lessons.

Current job # 1

I am a wife, mother and grandmother. This is my most important job. For eight years, I was a single mother. No one has a harder job than single moms. There were times when I had to water down the milk in order to make it last until payday. I shopped at Goodwill and garage sales for Christmas presents for the kids. We had refrigerator stew (you may call them left-overs) A LOT. But through it all we had each other and when all was said and done, I ended up with some pretty terrific kids. This job taught – and continues to teach – me that nothing is impossible as long as you have faith and patience. But mostly faith.

Current job #2

I am a restaurant owner. This is my ‘before 7:30 a.m., after 5:00 p.m. and on the weekends’ job. Earlier this year, my husband, Ron, and I acquired Tom’s New York Deli, a quirky little restaurant downtown. We are working to find that balance between keeping the best of Tom’s and introducing different menu items that will entice new patrons through the door. Soon, we will be changing the name to The Tin Lizzie Cafe, in honor of our 1924 Model T Roadster. We’ll be introducing our new logo, sprucing up the façade and putting some paint on the walls. This job has taught me that no matter how good your intentions are, you can’t please all of the people all of the time and if you let that one negative comment get to you, you’re defeated. It also taught me that having the right partner is the most important part of owning a business. Yeah, my husband rocks!

Current job #3

I am a Development Officer. I have been a fundraising professional for nearly 20 years, most recently at the Wayne County Foundation. Call me crazy but I love this job. I love meeting people, learning about their passions, and then helping them find ways to support local charities and students. It’s not about asking for money. It’s about building relationships that connect people with passion and resources with organizations and students who can benefit from their generosity. This job teaches me daily that every gift is important and meaningful and there are a lot of generous people in this world who put others first.

Bobbie asked me for 6 things, I think, but as I thought about and wrote this blog, I discovered that most things in my life revolve around these 3 jobs. Jobs that I feel very blessed to have and am grateful for every day.

Rachel Hughes, MA, CFRM
Development Officer at Wayne County Foundation
rachel@waynecountyfoundation.org
@RachelHughes