Rachel Donnelly, Black Dress Consultants and Derek Chard, Payroc/TWC Atlanta Inc. (Family Business Radio, Episode 40)
On this episode of Family Business Radio, host Anthony Chen welcomed two esteemed business owners to the studio. Rachel Donnelly discussed her personal history with loss and what motivated her to create Black Dress Consultants, the services they provide, and much more. Derek Chard talked about the biggest concerns local business owners face in today’s economy, the biggest misconceptions of the merchant services industry, advances in technology and how that changes business, and much more. Anthony closed the show with a commentary on how financial planning can be overwhelming. He suggests starting somewhere small and keeping it simple.
Family Business Radio is underwritten and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network.
Black Dress Consultants
Black Dress Consultants handle the business of death so you don’t have to. By coordinating with attorneys, financial advisors, accountants, etc., they offload the administrative tasks that come with legacy planning and after loss, so you can focus less on the logistics and more on creating space to live worry-free and grieve peacefully.
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Rachel Donnelly, Owner / CEO, Black Dress Consultants
Some days Rachel Donnelly feels like a real-life Little Orphan Annie whose life should be subtitled “Death Becomes Her.” (She’s joking! Sort of.)
Growing up, Rachel used to accompany her father on his house calls and hospital rounds, which gave me a deep understanding of compassion and leaning into hard spaces. When she was 16, my father passed away at the age of 48. A few years later, she moved my grandmother to an assisted living home where she passed shortly after. Several years later, her mother was diagnosed with cancer and passed away shortly thereafter. Her passing left Rachel with five houses to clean out and sell, as well as her role as caregiver for her uncle.
After Rachel’s uncle passed away, she assumed the role of Co-Executrix of his estate. Needless to say… she’s dealt with a lot of death. And in these instances — especially the two where she was Executor — there were so many decisions to make and tasks to complete. And she was doing it all while trying to work full time, raise two small kids, run a house and stay married (because let’s be honest… life never stops, not even for death).
Rachel vividly remembers standing in the parking lot of the bank after spending hours trying to (unsuccessfully) open an estate banking account and thinking to herself, “Why isn’t there someone who can help project manage this dumpster fire?!” Which is how Black Dress Consultants came to be.
She created this business because this is the service she wishes she had available to her then. Many times over, Rachel has been where you are right now. She understands how overwhelming and emotionally taxing it can be. But you don’t have to do this alone.
The Black Dress Consultants are here to help you manage the expected and unexpected of end-of-life. Whether you’re looking for someone to help legacy plan, or you’re dealing with the loss of a loved one and don’t know where to start, they have ample experience in taking tasks off your plate so you can free up space to breathe.
Payroc/TWC Atlanta Inc.
Derek Chard, Owner, Payroc/TWC Atlanta Inc.
Derek Chard has been a sales professional and business owner in various industries for the last 10 years. He grew up working for his family’s businesses, attended the University of Connecticut, and then moved down to Atlanta, GA in 2017 from CT.
He has worked in and held leadership positions in financial services, telecom sales, office supply sales, and now payment processing. Derek now runs an Independent Sales Office for Payroc Inc.
Anthony Chen, Host of Family Business Radio
This show is sponsored and brought to you by Anthony Chen with Lighthouse Financial Network. Securities and advisory services offered through Royal Alliance Associates, Inc. (RAA), member FINRA/SIPC. RAA is separately owned and other entities and/or marketing names, products or services referenced here are independent of RAA. The main office address is 575 Broadhollow Rd. Melville, NY 11747. You can reach Anthony at 631-465-9090 ext 5075 or by email at anthonychen@lfnllc.com.
Anthony Chen started his career in financial services with MetLife in Buffalo, NY in 2008. Born and raised in Elmhurst, Queens, he considers himself a full-blooded New Yorker while now enjoying his Atlanta, GA home. Specializing in family businesses and their owners, Anthony works to protect what is most important to them. From preserving to creating wealth, Anthony partners with CPAs and attorneys to help address all the concerns and help clients achieve their goals. By using a combination of financial products ranging from life, disability, and long-term care insurance to many investment options through Royal Alliance. Anthony looks to be the eyes and ears for his client’s financial foundation. In his spare time, Anthony is an avid long-distance runner.
The complete show archive of “Family Business Radio” can be found at familybusinessradioshow.com.
