Rochelle Gapere embodies the art of choosing happiness and living with intention. A Jamaican-Ugandan powerhouse, Rochelle is an Amazon best-selling author, motivational speaker, happiness coach, and attorney who believes happiness is a choice. Through her inspiring journey, Rochelle showcases how embracing purpose and resilience can transform not only a career but a life.
Rochelle’s unique background blends the warmth of Jamaica with the pride of Uganda. Born in Washington, D.C., to a Jamaican mother and a Ugandan father, she was steeped in Jamaican culture from an early age. Her formative years at institutions like Kiddies Nursery and Campion College instilled a strong sense of her Jamaican identity. “Even though I wasn’t born there, Jamaica is home,” she reflects. Her Ugandan roots remain equally significant, as she recalls a recent family wedding in Uganda: “When I saw my family, I thought, ‘They are me. I am them.’ It’s in the cheekbones, the energy—we just connect.”
Finding Her Calling Beyond the Courtroom
Rochelle’s professional path initially seemed set—she always wanted to be a lawyer. And she did become one. After studying at Tennessee State University and completing law school in Miami, she began her legal career in 2005. While the profession was fulfilling, she soon realized it didn’t ignite her passion. “Law was my dream,” she recalls, “but once I started practicing law, I knew it wasn’t my true calling.”
This realization prompted her to explore what truly brought her joy. “I always had a side hustle,” she notes, reflecting on her ventures in marketing and creative projects. In 2016, she reached a turning point. “I asked God, ‘There has to be more for me.’ I needed to discover the ‘more’ that truly represented who I am.”
What Was the Turning Point? A Breakup and a Breakthrough
The catalyst for change came unexpectedly—a breakup that deeply impacted her happiness. “It was the first time I realized that happiness could be fleeting,” Rochelle shares. This experience led her to redefine happiness through self-love and clarity of purpose. Friends were struck by her positive outlook amid the pain, urging her to write a book about her experiences. “Curious about why some people seemed naturally happier than others, I began researching the science of happiness.
My background is in psychology, focused mostly on mental illness and alleviating distress. However, by 2016, I discovered a new branch of psychology called positive psychology, which is all about human flourishing and thriving. I thought, “This is it! I want to learn how to thrive, not just survive.”
I took some time away (thank goodness I had an understanding boss). I had always been a planner, but at that point, I had no plan and felt the weight of societal expectations—like being 35 and wondering if I’d ever get married or have children. But I reminded myself that I’ve never let external pressures dictate my life. I usually make God-centered decisions and realized I needed to reconnect with that foundation..
So, I took a seven-week sabbatical, and during that time, I journaled and prayed more than ever before, determined to reacquaint myself with God and His voice. While journaling, I wrote down things that didn’t make sense at the moment, like the idea of speaking in front of an audience. I was a lawyer, unsure of my direction, but I kept writing anyway. By the end of my sabbatical, I had a rough draft of a book. After returning from my time away, I published it—One Happy Thought at a Time—and it became an Amazon bestseller. This led to podcast invitations and more opportunities I hadn’t imagined, cementing my path as a happiness coach.
In essence, I turned my heartbreak into a guide for others.
“My journey was a spiritual one,” she explains. “It was about listening to God’s voice, stripping away the noise, and finding clarity.”
Rochelle attributes much of her resilience and purpose-driven life to her faith. Raised in a Christian household that emphasized relationship over religion, the power of spirituality was ingrained in her at an early age. “I was always very connected to my faith,” she reflects. “It was more about feeling God’s presence over my life and in my decisions than following rules.” During challenging seasons, she would retreat into prayer, seeking God’s guidance in every small decision, trusting that each step was divinely ordered.
From early childhood, Rochelle has nurtured a deep, authentic connection with God that has shaped every aspect of her life. An only child, she found an outlet in church, which provided community and comfort. Reciting Bible verses, laughing with God, and keeping Him as her closest confidant, have been the cornerstones of her spiritual life. Her relationship with God has always been more than a routine; it is the foundation of her being. Rochelle recalls, “I pray over my food. I pray every morning. I laugh with God. I let God know all my secrets. I pray, I journal. It has always been relationship-based.”
At age 15, during a transformative experience at Moreland’s Camp, a summer sleep-away Christian camp, she actively gave her life to Christ, sparking a passion she would carry into adulthood. “From that moment, I remember actively saying with joy, ‘Oh, I gave my life to Christ.’ But my whole life, He has been a part of me. He was with me from the get-go, my best friend.”
Living Out Her Purpose
As she transitioned from law to happiness coaching, Rochelle discovered her passion for inspiring others. She co-founded “Women Winning Now,” a platform dedicated to empowering women. Her efforts culminated in a pivotal speaking engagement at a major conference, where she opened the conference and Steve Harvey closed. “It felt surreal,” she recalls, “like everything God had promised was unfolding.”
The Birth of a Movement—Chief Happiness Officer
Rochelle is more than a happiness coach; she is a female founder with a mission. As the founder of the Gapere Group and self-proclaimed “Chief Happiness Officer,” she travels the globe, sharing her message with Fortune 500 companies like Pepsi, Ryder, and Macy’s. Rochelle speaks passionately about the connection between employee well-being, happiness, and a company’s bottom line, bringing her message from Singapore, to Omaha, to the Caribbean. She advocates that “the happier you are, the more productive you will be at work. It impacts every area of your life, not just your personal life.”
For Female Founders, Rochelle’s advice is ingrained in personal development and the power of clarity:
Define Your Mission:
“You have to be clear on your mission. Why are you doing the work that you’re doing? If you’re unclear, the world will try to pull you in different directions. My lane is happiness, mental health, and emotional well-being. You won’t hear me talking about agriculture or taxes. Stay in your zone of genius.
Cultivate Your Circle:
“When you’re starting, be mindful of who you allow to speak into your life. Protect your vision from ‘negative Nancies’ and ‘energy stealers’ who can slow your momentum. You must have an unwavering belief in yourself to push through the valleys when things get tough.”
Find Mentors and Model Excellence:
“Success leaves clues. Find the LeBron James or Michael Jordan in your industry. Learn from their books (or the books they read, their systems, and their methods. A mentor doesn’t have to be someone you speak to every day. They can be a guiding light from afar, like Oprah has been for me.”
Invest in Personal Growth:
“Hire a coach if possible. A coach can expedite your journey. Also, remember that you are the sum of the five people you interact with most. Make sure they are people who fan your flames, provide constructive feedback, and help you grow.”
“It’s essential to be equally yoked in all areas of your life, not just in romantic relationships. This premise applies to friendships, business partnerships, and any close relationships”, says Rochelle. “Surround yourself with people who are in sync with your values and goals”.
