The Accidental Publisher: A Story of Resilience and Reinvention
The first edition of Wellbeing Magazine was ready, all 10,000 copies. Rachel Branson was about to set off to deliver them by hand when she pulled a heavy pine door onto the back of her legs. The pain was severe, but an osteopath she had met
The first edition of Wellbeing Magazine was ready, all 10,000 copies. Rachel Branson was about to set off to deliver them by hand when she pulled a heavy pine door onto the back of her legs. The pain was severe, but an osteopath she had met through producing the magazine gave her some advice: keep moving. And so, the first issue was distributed through an act of sheer will, combining deep discomfort with a slow, steady recovery. That painful first delivery became a metaphor for Rachel’s entire career in publishing: pushing through adversity, connecting with the community on foot, and finding healing in the most unexpected ways.
Rachel fell into publishing by accident after studying fashion. A telesales job in the 1990s ignited a love for the industry. “I guess I just fell in love with the idea of talking to people,” she says of those early days. After building and selling two trade directories, she retrained in naturopathic medicine. She never finished the course, but working in the college’s marketing department sparked an idea. It was clear the national press shied away from complementary medicine, and Rachel saw a gap that needed filling, not with opinion, but with opportunity. “I didn’t feel that it was my duty to be a gatekeeper,” she reflects. “I believe that everybody is entitled freely to information, and that every person should take responsibility and do their own research.”
“I was spending most of my time mentoring and trying to help the franchisees, which meant that I didn’t have enough time to build the business and do the things that I actually loved,”
What started as a local publication in Tunbridge Wells grew into a national franchise. But with growth came new challenges. Print costs rose, and managing franchisees became a consuming task that pulled her away from her core purpose. “I was spending most of my time mentoring and trying to help the franchisees, which meant that I didn’t have enough time to build the business and do the things that I actually loved,” she says. It was a difficult but necessary lesson in knowing when to let go. The business gradually moved online, adapting to survive.
During lockdown, Rachel’s focus returned fully to the magazine. As everyone was grappling with fear and misinformation, she felt a renewed responsibility to provide a platform for open inquiry. As Wellbeing Magazine heads towards its 20th year, that single title has evolved into a wider ecosystem. Haywood Media now supports a growing family of digital platforms, including the Spiral app and cards for personal reflection, the Storii content platform, and a return to a print edition in 2024. Inspired by her travels and time in nature, and supported by her husband’s technical expertise, Rachel continues to embrace technology not as a threat, but as a tool for connection.
Her approach is grounded in a philosophy of small, consistent steps. Rather than grand resolutions, she focuses on learning one new thing every day. This quiet, steady process of improvement has been her foundation through every challenge. “You have to stay resilient,” she advises. “You have to look after your own health and wellbeing.” For Rachel, that has meant building a business that is not just a publication, but an ecosystem for sharing stories, learning from every stumble, and always, always keeping moving.