ST. LOUIS, MO (KMOX) - Being furloughed during the pandemic has led one young woman to explore how she can be her own boss. "This process has taught me that as long as I am willing and able," explains Rajanea Prude, "as long as I can wake up every day and apply myself then anything is possible."
Prude is part of the first cohort at Rung for Women. Rung could be described as both a community and a program. Its South St. Louis City headquarters is a gathering place for women, where they can access supports like health care and meals. It's also a program where women are provided life and career coaching.
Prude had just launched a side hustle when the pandemic hit and she was furloughed from her job. "I feel like being at Rung teaches me that you never really realize how uncomfortable and amazing it is to be in the driver's seat to improve yourself, until you have somebody telling you there's more inside of you, what else can you do, what else can you label yourself as."
Prude is back to work, but wants to expand as an entrepreneur -- eventually relying on her own businesses for financial stability. Prude tells KMOX, along with the health and wellness business she has launched, she also has a non-profit called the Amazing Embrace she hopes to grow with the mission of empowering and encouraging other women.
100 women are in the midst of a new personal and career journey with Rung for Women. The organization launched it's life coaching and career guidance program this year.
President Leslie Gill says this first cohort of women is in the 4th month of the process, starting to explore career options. "We're seeing that its really focused on technology. Lots of new opportunities and growth opportunities in the technology space and for women many of those opportunities are home-based," which Gill adds is a great way to have work-life harmony. Hear more about Rung by clicking the link below.
In particular Gill says she's expecting new opportunities in the geospatial industry in St. Louis as well as continuing opportunities in health care and customer service.
Rung will welcome it's second cohort in fall. The application process for the program starts July 1st.
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