Fractional Rachel Gogel: Designing Your Career on Your Own Terms
What happens when you stop waiting for a seat at the table and start building your own?
In this episode, we sit down with Rachel Gogel - an independent creative executive based in Paris who's spent the last five-plus years working fractionally with companies like Airbnb, Dropbox, HoneyBook, and Intuit.
Rachel shares the real difference between freelancing and fractional leadership, shares how she's designed her career to make room for teaching, mentoring, writing, and life in a new city, and offers practical wisdom on pricing, positioning, and why more women are choosing this path. Whether you're exploring a fractional career or just rethinking what success looks like, this one's worth your time.
About Rachel Gogel
Rachel Gogel is an independent creative executive and designer specializing in fractional creative leadership for global organizations. Named one of Creative Boom's "20 designers inspiring us in 2025" and a Forbes 30 Under 30 alum, she works at the intersection of brand, culture, and technology.
Topics Covered
- The difference between freelancing and fractional leadership
- What it means to be a "devoted generalist" in creative work
- Pricing strategies: hourly rates, retainers, day rates, and value-based pricing
- How fractional work can match or exceed full-time salaries
- Why diversifying your client pipeline matters
- The gender gap in creative leadership and how fractional work opens doors
- Advice for women re-entering the workforce or exploring independent careers
- Designing your time and redefining success on your own terms
Find Rachel
- Website: rachelgogel.com
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/rachelgogel
- Mentoring: rachelgogel.com/mentoring
- Teaching: rachelgogel.com/teaching
- Press & Writing: rachelgogel.com/press
- Book a session on Intro: intro.co/RachelGogel
Further Reading
- Rachel Gogel on the rise of fractional leadership - Creative Review
- The Undervalued Force of Women Founders - Print Magazine
- 20 Designers Inspiring Us in 2025 - Creative Boom
Connect with Fractional FM
- Email: fractional.fm
- Hosts: Joshua Wold & Lance Robbins