CEO & Founder: Rachel Condos-Fields
Rachel Condos-Fields. Rachel is a seasoned executive leader and director with over 30 years of experience in the professional and financial services sector, the not-for-profit sector, and the sports industry. She is also the proud Mother of two teenage girls and loves family adventures.
At the age of 17, Rachel left Australia to spend time in Nepal volunteering in a disadvantaged village to bring empowerment to children through the opportunity to access education. She is still highly connected to this Community in Nepal and serves on the Board of World Youth International to support change-making programs across the world.
In Nov 2022, she launched her own venture, The WattleNest, to empower, celebrate, and connect elite athletes and help them overcome financial barriers and pursue their career goals. She is passionate about people, sports, and social change, and strives to make a positive difference in the communities she serves.
You are passionate about supporting and empowering athletes to achieve their goals – how did you first become involved?
I was mentoring athletes for a number of years and heard far too many stories of hidden hardship that no one else was prepared to tackle. After hearing of Olympians living in cars, sleeping in swags and living below the poverty line I just knew I had to act. It’s a hardship that people don’t see – most Australian’s only see the rewards of sport and not the hardship.
You recently also started a company to help achieve this - The WattleNest, what has been your biggest hurdle to date with building the business?
Meeting the athlete demand – we have 150 athletes in our portfolio but could have 5,000 overnight if we had the funds to support them. We receive on average 4 athlete applications every day.
A big part of your work with athletes is helping them to achieve financial success while in training, what are some of the ways you go about this?
Financial education, direct athlete funding, networking opportunities and providing a support network outside of sport is really important for our athletes. Ultimately we aspire to provide continued income streams through flexible employment opportunities and athlete appearances so they can source some financial security with hope to have stability in the long term.
Tell us about starting your YouTube channel ‘For The Glory’?
We actually started a TV production through Sports Entertainment Network and then decided to feature it via YouTube. We have not pushed the YouTube channel as we received 2.2 Millions views through the SEN Sports app weekly. IT was a really daunting initative and something that although was fun, it was scary and took a lot of courage to overcome. It was important for me to share stories from sporting heroes that don’t get the TV time and so we invested in a studio and off we went.
Is it fun to host your own show?
Absolutely – it was so much fun. We had an absolute ball. The laughter not captured on camera are the memories we all walk away with.
What was your favourite subject at school?
I was not very academic at all and school wasn’t really my thing. I tended to enjoy Biology but more so because of my relationship with our teacher as opposed to the content.
You’ve been named on the Power 100 list as one of the most influential women in Australian sport – what does that feel like?
I am still pinching myself – I just can’t believe it. It’s so humbling and rewarding to receive the endorsement and it certainly gives you the extra motivation you need when you feel like everything is too hard.
What’s your favourite part about your job?
Enabling people to reach their full potential and ease the burden. There is something purely magical about helping others – nothing is more rewarding that giving someone unexpected help and making a real difference to the lives of others.
What would you say the most important skill to have in running a business is?
Strategic Thinking – being able to develop a long-term vision and strategies to achieve it is essential. This involves identifying opportunities and anticipating challenges. You also most definitely need Courage and Passion.
What do you want to achieve with The WattleNest in 2024?
We need to grow our corporate income in order to leave a lasting legacy for not just athletes of today but generations to come. We aspire to help 200 athletes before Christmas and triple our partnership portfolio.
Franc’s Fast Five
Favourite country? Outside of Australia, definitely Nepal.
Mountains or Ocean? That’s a tricky one. Mountains with an ocean view!
Favourite day of the week? Sunday.
Current song on repeat? Halo by Beyonce.
Secret skill? I’ve never lost a game of Connect4!