We have some amazing people working here at Soda Inc. including our Head of Operations, Rachel Adams. In this staff profile you will get to learn about Rachel's love for concerts, what animal she’d like to be, why she likes reading annual reports and much more.

Who inspires you?‍

People who are willing to put themselves outside of their comfort zone to either make a change, improve lives, learn or experience new things.

My mother has led a life where she's often been ‘30 years’ ahead of the curve. Be it with education, healthcare, food choices, ways of approaching problems etc. She didn't succumb to societal pressures and follow the norm. Without these people, questioning ‘is there a better way?’ humanity wouldn’t have developed.‍

What’s the best concert you ever attended?‍

I have attended so many it’s hard to choose. My favourite time of the year was Big Day Out as you could see so many of your favourite artists all in one day.  If I had to pick one it would be Rolling Stones. Unbelievable performers and so many singalongs! Other highlights include Rage Against The Machine, Muse, Linken Park, Snoop Dogg, Eminem, Shapeshifter, Blindspot, Adele, Anderson Paak, Ice Cube, UB40, Lily Allen, M.I.A, Rammstein, Matt Corby, The Killers, Major Lazer, Chase & Status….the list goes on and on.

If you could be any animal, which would you be and why?

My Chinese  Zodiac animal is a rabbit…I talk fast, walk fast, eat fast, work fast and achieve a lot in a day so maybe that’s me. Although I wouldn’t mind being a Dolphin. They seem to have it all figured out; not a lot of other ocean dwellers mess with them, they surf, like having fun, are intelligent and are generally all around liked.

What’s your favourite business book/podcast?‍

Best Podcast: NPR How I Built This with Guy Raz

Best Business Book: I’ve read a lot but love 'The 4-Hour Work Week'

I also read Annual Reports… I love figuring out the insides of a business & their business model / financials.‍

What are you passionate about?‍

I’m passionate about not letting life slide by. I’d hate to get to an old age and have a stack of regrets. Hence why I try and pack as much into my day as possible. A quote that often leaves my mouth is “you can sleep when you’re dead”. I actually sleep a lot (sleeping might be one of my top 5 hobbies). I can’t function without my 8 hours but when I say that I really mean you can pack a lot in so let’s not be boring.

I’m working towards splitting my 'work week’ across being an employee (as it keeps me relevant and gives me a chance to always learn from great leaders), work for myself (to feed my entrepreneurial urges whether it be selling my time or building up assets and investments) and being a Director (thinking strategically and participating in high level conversations). I think this will give me a well-rounded view on business and will keep things interesting.‍

What’s your favourite movie?‍

I love The Notebook – an extraordinary love story that spans decades, enduring separation, war and disease.‍

What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?‍

The craziest thing I’ve done that I can share publicly….hmmm.

Became an overnight parent when my husband and I adopted my 5 year old nephew Nikau (he's now 13) at the age of 23. ‍

What are you currently watching on Netflix?‍

Queen of The South‍

If you could visit anywhere in the world you’ve never been before, where would it be?‍

So many places. Next big adventure will be sailing around the Caribbean and making our way to Jamaica.‍

Which four people, living or dead, would you most like to eat dinner with? What kind of dinner party would it be?‍

  • Oprah Winfrey
  • Nelson Mandela
  • Bob Dylan
  • Albert Einstein

The dinner party would be pot-luck so I can learn about them through their cooking. There would also be lots of wine. It would be relaxed, kiwi style. Not formal or flash. Just down to earth conversation about what excites them.‍

If you were a crayon, what colour would you be?‍

Yellow.