Today we’d like to introduce you to Rylee Goolsby.
Hi Rylee, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I grew up in Wortham, Texas, a small town where community means everything. After graduating from Wortham High School, I attended Navarro College and Blinn College before earning my degree in Agricultural Economics with a concentration in Rural Entrepreneurship from Texas A&M University.
Throughout college, I worked in customer service, banking, and hospitality, which helped me develop a passion for business, marketing, and creating great experiences for people. I always knew I wanted to help small businesses and rural communities thrive. I especially enjoy connecting with people and finding creative ways to bring them together.
Today, I serve as the Assistant Manager and Marketing & Events Coordinator for The Old Gin in Wortham. What started as helping with day-to-day operations has grown into overseeing marketing, social media, events, community partnerships, and customer experience. I’ve had the opportunity to help create everything from live music nights and brunch events to community fundraisers, market nights, and special experiences that give people a reason to get together.
We just celebrated four years of The Old Gin being open this past April. Watching how much we’ve grown along the way has been amazing. What started as a restaurant has become a true gathering place for our community. The Old Gin feels like a second family to me, and I’m grateful every day to work alongside such an amazing team. I love my job and the coworkers who have become close friends through this journey.
Being part of The Old Gin’s growth has been incredibly rewarding, and I’m excited about what the future holds.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like many people in their careers, I’ve spent a lot of time figuring out exactly what path I wanted to take and learning through experience.
Professionally, one of the biggest challenges has been balancing multiple responsibilities and adapting quickly. At The Old Gin, no two days are the same. Whether it’s managing events, marketing, staffing challenges, customer concerns, or day-to-day operations, I’ve learned that flexibility and problem-solving are essential.
Working in a small-town business also comes with unique challenges. Resources can be limited, and growth often requires creativity, persistence, and a willingness to try many different things. There have been plenty of long days and situations that didn’t go as planned, but those experiences have taught me some of the most valuable lessons.
Looking back, the challenges have helped me grow both personally and professionally. They’ve taught me resilience, strengthened my leadership skills, and shown me the importance of staying focused on the bigger picture even when challenges arise.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I serve as the Assistant Manager and Marketing & Events Coordinator for The Old Gin in Wortham, Texas. My role includes overseeing guest experience, marketing, social media, events, and day-to-day operations. I specialize in creating experiences that bring people together, whether that’s through live music, community events, promotions, or creative marketing campaigns.
In addition to my role at The Old Gin, I own and operate a social media marketing company, RDG Media, where I help small businesses grow their online presence through content creation, social media management, branding, and digital marketing strategies.
What I’m most proud of is helping businesses grow while creating meaningful connections within the communities they serve. At The Old Gin, I’ve had the opportunity to help build a strong brand presence and create memorable experiences for guests. Through my marketing business, I enjoy helping other business owners achieve similar success.
What sets me apart is my ability to blend business operations, marketing, and community engagement. I genuinely enjoy wearing multiple hats, solving problems, and finding creative ways to help businesses stand out. Whether I’m managing a restaurant, planning an event, or creating content for a client, my focus is always on building relationships and creating value for the people I serve.
How can people work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
The best way people can support me is by supporting the small businesses and communities they’re a part of. Whether that’s visiting local restaurants, attending community events, shopping local, or simply sharing a business’s content online, those actions make a bigger impact than most people realize.
For those interested in working with me professionally, I’m always open to connecting with businesses that want to strengthen their brand, improve their social media presence, or create meaningful experiences for their customers. Through both my role at The Old Gin and my social media marketing company, I enjoy collaborating with business owners, community organizations, and other entrepreneurs who are passionate about growth and making a positive impact.
I believe some of the best opportunities come from building genuine relationships, so I’m always excited to connect with people who share a similar passion for business, marketing, and community involvement. Feel free to contact me at (940) 231-5643 or rdgmediatx@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Instagram: rdgmediatx
- Facebook: RDG Media
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryleegoolsby
