Right before Thanksgiving, when we catch up with friends and families, sharing our gratitude for everything we have and experience…
In this episode of Worthy for Thirty, I sat down with Rachel Doyle, Founder and CEO of Glamour Gals, a nonprofit that’s been changing lives for nearly 25 years. What started as Rachel’s way of honoring her late grandmother has grown into a national movement that connects teens with seniors through beauty makeovers and conversation.
What makes this conversation special is how real it is. It’s not just the startup story of a long-standing nonprofit; it’s about leadership, reinvention, community, and how kindness becomes a strategic advantage. It’s the kind of talk you have with a friend who reminds you that doing good doesn’t have to be complicated, and growth doesn’t have to mean sacrificing your values. Doing good can coexist with doing well!
Rachel breaks down how she built Glamour Gals from a single idea into an intergenerational network with national and global reach, powered by teen volunteers and strengthened through corporate partnerships. Oh did I mention breakthrough storytelling?
And throughout the episode, she gives a masterclass in leading with empathy and operational excellence, a combo we need more of in a world that often celebrates either heart or hustle, but not both.
Why This Episode Hits Different Right Now
If you’ve been paying attention to the world of business lately whether it’s how companies responded post-COVID, the rise of employee-engagement burnout, or the pressure on brands to “do good” in a way that’s actually real, you’ll hear echoes of those conversations throughout this episode.
Loneliness is at an all-time high, both among aging adults and among younger workers. Glamour Gals is a reminder that connection is still one of our most powerful tools.
Companies are looking for ways to engage employees in meaningful service, not box-checking volunteer hours. Glamour Gals’ turnkey programs are a blueprint for what real engagement looks like.
As tech continues to automate everything, leaders are realizing the biggest differentiator is human connection; Gary Vaynerchuk says he’s ‘long’ human connection in an impending tidal wave of automation. Glamour Gals has been leaning into that since day one.
And in a time when many brands struggle with authentic storytelling, Rachel shows exactly how storytelling built her movement—and continues to fuel its growth. I met Rachel through SixDegrees.org’s Stacy Huston. GlamourGal is one of the non-profits that won a spot in their ‘Purpose, Produced’ campaign.
This episode is a reminder that doing meaningful work isn’t about the perfect plan. It’s about consistent action, community, and the courage to start. Create the parachute on the way down or build the plane — either way, you’re going to find a way to land.
‘What’s the worst that can happen?’
Top Takeaways
1. Kindness is scalable when you design for it.
Glamour Gals succeeds because it gives teens a clear, structured way to make an impact. Kindness becomes repeatable when there’s a plan.
2. Intergenerational connection solves real problems.
Loneliness is an epidemic among seniors, employees, founders, everyone. Glamour Gals’ approach is a model for how simple rituals can create deep connection for everyone.
3. Corporate partnerships aren’t just about funding they’re about culture.
Companies want meaningful employee engagement, and nonprofits need sustainable support. The best partnerships treat service as a culture builder, not a photo op. There are human resource metrics to back it up, too!
4. Technology doesn’t replace humanity, it enables it.
From COVID pivots to scaling chapters, Glamour Gals used tech to deepen connection, not dilute it. It’s a reminder to build tech around human needs, not instead of them.
5. Leadership is a series of calculated risks.
Rachel’s story shows that great leaders don’t wait for perfect conditions—they move, adapt, and build community as they go.
Action Steps for the Listener
Whether you’re a founder, employee, parent, or someone trying to make your corner of the world a little better, here are ways to take this episode from inspiration to action:
1. Do one small thing to reduce loneliness this week.
Call an older relative. Visit someone in care. Text a friend you haven’t checked in on. It counts.
2. If you’re part of a company, pitch a service program.
Use Glamour Gals as an example: turnkey, structured, high-impact. Propose a pilot program or volunteer day that actually builds connection. Rachel has a tons of ancedotes from Glamour Gal alumni who are making a difference at Fortune 1000 companies TODAY!
3. Audit your culture for connection gaps.
Ask yourself: Where is my team or community feeling isolated? Then create one ritual—weekly check-ins, peer mentors, shared stories—to strengthen bonds.
4. Use technology to free up time for human moments.
Look for one task you can automate or streamline so you can use that energy toward relationships, creativity, or service.
5. Send one bold email.
A partnership ask. A mentor request. A “here’s what I’m building, can you help?” moment. Rachel built a movement by sending that email again and again. Again ‘What’s the worst that can happen?’
Why This Episode Matters
At its core, this conversation is a reminder of something we all need:
People need people. Community is a strategy. And kindness is not soft—it’s powerful.
In a business world obsessed with scale, efficiency, and metrics, Rachel reminds us that connection is still the highest-leverage play—for nonprofits, companies, and individuals alike.
This episode is for anyone trying to build something with purpose. Anyone trying to make their team feel more human. And anyone who just needs a reminder that the things we do with heart and passion are the things that are set up to last.
If you found value in this conversation, share the episode with someone you think would love it—or someone who might need a reminder that small acts really do create big change.
