Michelle Woerner: Redefining Women-Owned Commerce on a Global Stage
Photographed for the Trailblazers Project branding shoot Priyanca Rao
Michelle Woerner doesn’t just walk into a room; she arrives with a kinetic energy that suggests a life lived across several vibrant lifetimes. When she sat down to discuss the origins of her brand, RPSDY, she had just rushed through her front door—a move familiar to every woman who has ever attempted to master the delicate art of the “multi-hyphenate” existence. For Michelle, this wasn’t just a busy afternoon; it was the embodiment of the very friction that sparked a movement: the realization that for women to truly thrive, they have to stop hiding their stories and start reclaiming their value.
Check out Michelle’s behind the scenes video from her photoshoot
The Architect of Pivots: From the Wings to the Boardroom
Michelle’s journey is a masterclass in the power of “seasons.” Long before she was a founder, she was a stage manager on Broadway—the invisible force behind the curtain ensuring that every cue was hit and every actor was in place. It was a world of grueling schedules and high-stakes excellence. But when she began building her family, Michelle didn’t just “settle”; she evolved. She earned a graduate degree in Education, became a teacher, and eventually stood for her local school board when she realized her community needed a leader who wasn’t afraid to fix what was broken. Each season prepared her to step into her most ambitious role yet: a curator of women’s legacies.
“I love that autonomy, I love to learn and to keep my brain functioning in different ways. I think it keeps me a little healthier and balanced as a mom when I get to step away and do something else.”
The Radical Honesty Audit: Turning Conviction into RPSDY
The spark for RPSDY was born out of a moment of startling clarity. About a year ago, Michelle realized that while she championed women’s empowerment in conversation, her digital shopping cart told a different story. Like many, she had grown reliant on the “quick click” of giant corporations and faceless apps. When she tried to change her habits, she hit a wall. She found marketplace “toggles” for women-owned businesses that were often incorrect or misleading. Michelle decided she was done searching for a marketplace that reflected her soul; she decided to build one where “women-owned” wasn’t just a checkbox, but a gold standard of quality.
“I really thought that my values matched my habits, but they did not. When I set out to shop more women owned businesses, it was harder than I thought, and that’s when I knew: I’m really not living this value.”
The 2:30 PM Reckoning: Dismantling the Invisible Ceiling of Time
For Michelle, the most profound barrier to female entrepreneurship isn’t just funding—it’s the clock. She speaks candidly about the “2:30 PM Reckoning,” that unyielding moment when the school bus arrives and a woman’s professional focus is forcibly traded for domestic management. Michelle identifies this as a deep systemic bias: the world has conditioned women to give their time away for free—through volunteering and household labor—while teaching men that their time is currency. Through RPSDY, Michelle is on a mission to reclaim that narrative, building a brand that acknowledges the “juggling act” while intentionally directing capital toward women to help them buy back their time and scale their dreams.
“Women take on so much of the family duties that we’ve been conditioned to give away our time for free… as soon as that bus drop-off hits, our house is noisy. We can’t be as intentional.”
The Curator’s Standard: Building Legacies Through Excellence
As a trailblazer, Michelle knows that “good intentions” aren’t enough—the product has to be exceptional. She rejects the idea that people should buy from women out of a sense of duty or charity. Instead, she working to curate RPSDY with a sharp, commercial eye, looking for what she calls the “magic and sparkle” in every item. Her philosophy is rooted in the “Art of Gift Giving,” filtering through the noise of mass-produced clutter to find products that are unique and deeply purposeful. For Michelle, curation is an act of psychological connection; a gift from RPSDY is a way to strengthen a relationship while cementing the commercial success of a female visionary.
“At the end of the day, if the product is not great, no one will buy it. I try to pick products that are lovely, unique and highly useful—something that would really resonate with a certain type of person.”
The Ultimate Pivot: Stepping Out from Behind the Curtain
Perhaps the most empowering chapter of Michelle’s journey was her decision to participate in a Trailblazer photoshoot. After a lifetime of being “behind the scenes” in theater, stepping in front of the lens was an act of radical vulnerability. She admits to feeling the initial discomfort of being truly seen, yet as the experience unfolded, something shifted internally. Through the lens, Michelle didn’t just see a business owner; she saw the embodiment of her own mission—a confident, professional, and joyful leader. It was the moment she finally stopped being the stage manager of her life and started being the star, proving to every woman that their visibility is one of their most powerful tools.
“It taught me that I can do more than I thought I was capable of. The shots showed me a version of myself—a confident and fun and joyful and professional person. It really reflected who I want to be just showing up in a room.”
About the Trailblazers Empowerment Project
The Trailblazers Empowerment Project was created by Priyanca Rao, a portrait photographer who helps women step into their most powerful selves. Each session is designed to honor who you are and reflect back to you the strength that’s been there all along.
Priyanca combines luxury portraiture with deep listening and storytelling, creating images that not only look beautiful, but feel like truth. This project is about visibility, confidence, and transformation. You leave with powerful wall art that reminds you everyday of your highest self.
Apply here to be part of the project.
Michelle’s Bio:
Michelle Woerner’s professional foundation was built on a drive for authentic connection and a tenacity discovered early in her childhood in Ohio. After realizing that her natural inclination for communication was a strength rather than a distraction, she found a home in the theater. Musical theater captured her heart as a space where music, dance, and emotion converge to create community.
This passion led her to the University of Cincinnati’s College-Conservatory of Music and eventually to the pinnacle of the industry. As a Stage Manager on Broadway’s Jersey Boys, Michelle mastered the art of managing high-stakes, complex productions through persistence and refined interpersonal skills. The transition to motherhood prompted a shift toward a career in education, where she earned a Master of Science in Early Childhood and Special Education.
Michelle’s classrooms prioritized experiential, play-based learning and she advocated for student needs, even when it meant challenging established administrative norms. While her career in education was formative, she eventually realized it was not her true calling and took a necessary pause to reassess her path. During this time, particularly through the holiday season, Michelle recognized that the “click and ship” nature of modern commerce had caused her to lose the soul of intentional gift-giving.
Her habits were not aligned with her values. Frustrated by the difficulty of vetting truly women-owned businesses, Michelle pivoted to entrepreneurship and formed RPSDY. This upcoming online marketplace will serve as a dedicated haven for giftable products from women-owned companies. A space where intentional gift giving thrives.
As part of the Trailblazer Empowerment Project by Priyanca Rao, we were honored to photograph Michelle Woermer, an inspiring curator who empowers women owned businesses. Priyanca Rao Photography specializes in CEO headshots and personal branding tailored for women in broadway, singers, artists, recording artists, actors, models, writers, artists, and photographers, coaches, CEOs, COOs, interior designers, influencers, HR professionals, corporate c-suit executives, marketing executives, artists, and actors. Known as a top NYC and Westchester photographer, Priyanca also serves clients throughout Connecticut (CT), New Jersey (NJ), and Long Island, delivering branding photos that elevate websites and social media presence. Whether you’re a founder, healer, or change maker, this women’s empowerment project continues to spotlight authentic voices through meaningful portraiture designed to help you stand out and lead with confidence. These Westchester Therapist Branding headshots photos hopefully help inspire and empower other therapists who are entrepreneurial and want to grow their business. Know that you can do it too!
