Side Hustle School Ep. 3277 - Weekend Workshop: The Sculptor Who Thrived on Disaster
Dec 21, 2025
Discover how New York sculptor Rachel K. Vargas turned disasters into triumphs! From a studio collapse that sparked a lucrative commission to a job loss that pushed her to fully embrace her art, her journey is inspiring. A dramatic robbery reshaped her risk tolerance and priorities. Learn how she sold over 2,200 custom fire bowls to clients globally, including notable installations. The episode highlights the power of resilience, authenticity, and creativity in building a successful side hustle.
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Studio Collapse Led To Unexpected Commission
- Rachel's Michigan studio collapsed under her while she shoveled snow and the building was destroyed.
- The bank commissioned her for $10,000 after assessing the damage, which she used as a down payment on two buildings.
Crises Pushed Her To Go All In
- Rachel lost her last day job during the dot-com crash and then devoted more time to her art business.
- A later terrifying mugging with a gun changed her perspective and pushed her to go all in.
Disaster Created Business Momentum
- Rachel transformed personal disasters into business advantages by choosing resilience and opportunity.
- Those events forced others to take her work seriously and accelerated business growth.