Rachel Axelrod on Embracing Imperfection and Owning Your Decisions

Event Producers Network

Rachel Axelrod has spent her life navigating spaces where precision is celebrated, but her most valuable lesson has been learning to let go of perfection. From her early days as a trial lawyer defending high-stakes cases to leading event productions for TEDxChicago, Rachel’s career reflects a pattern of embracing challenges, adapting to change, and finding greatness in imperfection.

Growing up in the suburbs of Detroit, Rachel wasn’t the stereotypical perfectionist, but her years in law school and a decade-long legal career ingrained in her a high standard for excellence. “In the legal world, perfection is the baseline,” she explains. “Every case, every deposition, every motion—it had to be flawless.” But her mentor’s advice, “Don’t let perfect get in the way of great,” would later become a guiding principle as she transitioned into the unpredictable world of event production and public speaking.

Rachel’s path to becoming an event producer was anything but conventional. After stepping away from her legal career to focus on family, she wasn’t quite sure what was next. A chance introduction to the TEDx organization, sparked by a friend, opened the door to a world she’d never considered. “I didn’t know anything about producing events, but I said yes anyway,” she recalls. It was a decision rooted in curiosity and the belief that she could figure things out along the way.

She and her co-founder, Jessica Lederhausen, tackled their first TEDxChicago event with minimal experience but an unrelenting drive. “We Googled how to build a website, begged for resources, and learned everything on the fly,” Rachel shares. Despite their initial hurdles, the event was a resounding success, and she discovered a love for creating spaces where impactful ideas could shine.

One of Rachel’s most enduring lessons stems from her time as a lawyer and event producer: the importance of making decisions and moving forward without getting stuck in analysis paralysis. “I’ve learned that you’re going to make mistakes. An email might have a typo. Your hair might not be perfect. But that shouldn’t stop you from taking action,” she says. This mindset has been instrumental in her ability to juggle multiple roles as a producer, coach, and mentor.

As a public speaking coach, Rachel draws on her legal background and experience producing TEDx events. She helps clients refine their messages and navigate the nerves that often accompany high-stakes presentations. “It’s amazing how much people don’t realize about the small habits that can block their message,” she notes. Her coaching style blends empathy with a straightforward approach, helping speakers grow in confidence and clarity.

Rachel’s focus on imperfection isn’t about settling for less but about recognizing when something is “great enough” to make an impact. “Perfection is often in your head. Most of the time, people won’t even notice the tiny details you’re obsessing over,” she says. It’s advice that resonates deeply, particularly with women who may feel pressured to check every box before stepping into a role.

Her story is a reminder that success isn’t always about having a perfectly mapped-out plan. It’s about saying yes, figuring things out along the way, and trusting your ability to adapt. “The only way to grow is to step into spaces where you don’t feel 100% prepared,” Rachel insists. It’s a principle she’s applied in her own career and one she encourages others to adopt.

Whether coaching a speaker on how to own a room or evaluating a venue for an event, Rachel carries the same philosophy: aim for greatness, not perfection. “The key is to do the best you can with the resources you have and keep moving forward,” she says. And for Rachel, that approach has proven to be not just great—but extraordinary.