FinTech Controller by Day, Glamour Nerd by night
My enlightening conversation with the Charlotte-based 29-year-old multilingual, graduate-level educated, FinTech professional, RC Goslee, who has recently embarked upon the world of drag as glamour-nerd, RC Cola. RC is not what you would expect, and he keeps raising the bar for himself in any capacity of his life that he focuses on.
*This interview is not paid content*
RC Goslee recently showed up to my office on a quiet afternoon in December. I had seen him in drag many times, but this was the first time as the "boy version"; he was fresh off a day of calls and meetings from his day job and preparing to go to a rehearsal for a drag show after. RC walked in with a Burberry mask, a Lagerfeld sweater, iridescent purple fingernail polish, and futuristic bright white boots fit for an Instagram influencer. We had a lovely 2-hour conversation about anything and everything, and he was entirely not what I expected; he was better.
Early life:
He was born into an Air Force family in Germany and moved to the US at a young age. He lived the bulk of his childhood outside of Atlanta with a single mother that worked 50 hours a week in a chemical sales company. While having a mostly happy childhood, they were not considered well off. He and his family didn't travel too far from home much, and he spent most of his summers playing in the backyard or watching TV. In his high school years, not yet out, he was nerdy and had discovered his never-ending pursuit of learning and knowledge. College started far enough in credits from high school as a Junior at the University of Georgia and graduated with a double major in International Relations and Affairs combined with German Language and Literature and a minor in Mandarin. His initial intention was to become a career international diplomat because of his love of international affairs and foreign policy. However, as he saw the crippling effects of the government shutdown in 2013, it made him leery to become a government employee, at the mercy of Congress and the administration in office. Even though he was a non-business major, he applied and was accepted into the Master of Accountancy program at Wake Forest and once again excelled. He graduated at the top of his class with honors.
Hang on, polyglot say what?:
I stopped him here in our conversation because I was astonished how he could go from a non-business major and then graduate top of his master's program. His answer blew my mind but made total sense, "Accounting is the language of business. It has rules, and it has constructs. I speak English, German, and some Mandarin. I was just lucky enough and worked hard enough for it to make sense to my brain." Notably, he accomplished all of this while working as a teacher's assistant on student loans; he was without paid tuition or many grants.
Professional life:
After college, RC worked for a very reputable consulting firm and this provided him a basis of training for a busy life of putting on “drag.” While employed here he was required to travel five days a week to client worksites, so by the time he got home and dumped his suitcase and laundry - he had no energy for anything else. During this time, RC was finding himself professionally. He intertwined his education, experience, and many company cultures, the rigors of being the consummate professional he recalled. He found himself peering into the client-side of the industry, planning his next big move. Finally, two years ago, RC joined a Charlotte-based FinTech firm as a Controller. RC has since moved on to another firm to remain in a remote role, which provides him ample opportunity to pursue ambitions regarding his drag counterpart, RC Cola. She began performing regularly with the Charlotte Gaymers Network and the friendly push from Founder Jonathan Barrio. Since April, she has started averaging four bookings per month. For those that don't speak drag, that is exceptional for someone with a full-time job!
Glamour-Nerd Drag Queen time:
Watching RC Cola perform, I think of her as a glamour nerd with curve-hugging outfits and makeup that would make most women jealous. Additionally, she is that queen that loves climbing tables and sashaying in stiletto thigh-high boots before doing a high flying death drop that would make most people gasp and ask, "Are you okay?!" While she admits that she is not escaping into a character different from RC Goslee, the RC that sat in front of me seemed self-reflective when I asked what has RC Cola given to RC Goslee in the last few months of performing? He did not seem to have a complete answer to this, as he is still on his journey to becoming a fuller version of RC, "freedom, confidence, more anxiety, and a pulled hamstring from the energetic acrobatics."
Thank you, RC
I want to thank RC for his time and celebrate his fantastic journey professionally and personally. After speaking to this extraordinary person, I realize he is a part of the next generation of excellence in the modern LGBT+ Community. Well rounded, dynamic, emotive, professional, and approachable. He faces every day and challenge head-on, without fear, and absolutely flawless.
