Rachel Rozen is the founder of Connection Catalyst, a coaching and community-building practice centered around networking, relationship-building, and human connection. Before becoming a networking coach, Rachel spent more than two decades in hospitality, culinary arts, tech, and executive leadership roles. Her journey took her across industries, across the United States, and through moments of burnout, reinvention, and rediscovery.
Today, Rachel empowers people to reshape the way they connect—with themselves, with others, and with their future. Humans of Fuzia is honored to feature her story because her journey embodies resilience, reinvention, and the power of showing up, even when you’re unsure of the next step.
Q: Rachel, what inspired you to become a networking coach? Was there a defining moment?
Rachel: I spent over 20 years in hospitality. I went to culinary school, cooked professionally, then moved into hotel operations and worked for Hyatt across the country.
In 2013, I left Hyatt, moved from Seattle to New York City with no job lined up, and had to rebuild everything from scratch.
I eventually got my dream job at ABC Kitchen in New York because the general manager recognized my Seattle experience. I worked my way up to managing multiple restaurants, then transitioned into tech startups.
When COVID hit, my company laid off most of the staff except my team and engineering, and I suddenly took on nearly every operational responsibility. Later, I became a Chief Customer Officer at another startup, managing global teams.
But eventually, I burnt out. I didn’t know what I wanted next, so I took a learning sabbatical, traveled, took courses, and realized my network wasn’t deep or wide enough for the transition I wanted.
I started reaching out—five messages led to 40 conversations, which turned into 300 one-on-one conversations in a year. That experience changed everything.
Someone in my community suggested I offer a webinar on networking. Nearly 200 people joined my first session. Then a coach told me, “Rachel, you should turn this into a business.”
I didn’t know how at the time, but I figured it out. In May 2023, I launched my networking coaching business, and I’ve been evolving it ever since.
Q: Tell us about Connection Catalyst. How does your coaching model work?
Rachel: I offer both one-on-one coaching and group coaching.
My signature program is called Networking Accelerator, a 12-week group program that helps people build confidence, take action, and develop networking habits that stick. Networking isn’t one-size-fits-all, and group coaching creates a powerful environment for learning, practicing, and reflecting in real time.
People practice conversations in a safe space, take those skills into the real world, and then bring their experiences back to the group so we can refine them together.
I like to say:
“I want to empower others to take the icky out of networking and turn it into sticky relationships.”
Whether someone is job searching, exploring a new industry, building a business, or seeking a promotion, networking is the top of the funnel. It’s the foundation of every opportunity.
I also host executive and entrepreneur dinners in New York City twice a month, speak at events, and run workshops to help individuals and organizations build meaningful human connection.
Q: What are your thoughts on women empowerment, especially when it comes to networking?
Rachel: Women often underestimate what they have to give. Many think networking is transactional—“I give something, you give something.” But relationships don’t work that way. Sometimes it’s 90-10, sometimes 70-30, and that’s okay.
We all have agency. But nothing happens unless we take the first step.
Women often struggle with perfectionism—waiting to feel fully ready before showing up. But we learn by doing.
There’s a concept I love: QTIP — Quit Taking It Personally.
Everyone is human, and opportunities only come when we try. If we don’t put ourselves out there, we miss connections that could change our lives.
Q: What is your perspective on AI? How do you use it in your work?
Rachel: A lot of people fear AI will replace human connection. But I believe AI will actually help us connect better.
It can help us practice conversations, understand interactions, and strengthen our social muscles. But real connection—human-to-human—cannot be replaced.
AI can recommend who should meet, but only humans can actually build a relationship.
We’re also living in a global loneliness epidemic. People socialize less, especially after COVID. Physical “third places”—like parks, cafés, and community spaces—are disappearing.
AI can help make processes faster, but conversations, trust, and relationship-building will always require humans. Humans buy from humans. Humans connect with humans.
“Opportunities don’t come to those who wait—they come to those who take the first step. Real connection starts when you show up.”
Connect with Rachel Rozen:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-rozen
http://connectioncatalyst.me
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