Monique Rodriguez (MR): I started Mielle Organics in 2014, out of a passion and love for hair care and entrepreneurship. Opinions expressed by Forbes Contributors are their own. Rodriguez spent over nine years as. Though 50% of businesses close by the fifth year and eight out of 10 Black-owned businesses fail within the first 18 months, Mielle Organics is thriving amidst the pandemic. }); Philanthropist. At the time, we felt that we were doing everything that we were supposed to do. Recently, Mielle hit the headlines after some white influencers, including TikTok star Alix Earle, who has more than 3 million followers on the platform, recommended Rosemary Mint Scalp and Hair Strengthening Oil in posts. window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; Im remaining on as CEO, and my husband still operates the company as COO. fbq('init', '1833586533359519'); For Rodriguez, the funding is about more than globally scaling her beauty company its also about opening the door for more Black, female entrepreneurs to gain access to capital. Mielle Organics came from a very dark place in my life, and God blessed it. Tags: #morethanastrand, BBChicago, Black Entrepreneurship, Business, mielle organics, RCoral. By providing the information below you will receive early-bird invitations to our events, exclusive musings tailored to your interests, and access to our curated mentorship program. It creates a lifelong brand. As a young girl, I knew that I wanted to be an entrepreneur, but didnt know what it would be. Founded in 2014 by Bea Dixon, who began whipping up concoctions in her home to combat her history with chronic bacterial vaginosis, Honey Pots mission was to build a collection of products supporting feminine hygiene and sexual wellness for humans with vaginas.. Monique Rodriguez is the CEO and husband Melvin Rodriguez is COO and we came together to create Mielle Organics. You can add your own CSS here. Before long, they wanted to buy them. In response to the online criticism, Dixon shared a lengthy video in which she explained that Honey Pot is still owned by her brother, myself, and the team and that she updated the wash formula for good reason while admitting the team could have shared more communication about the updates., Our customers dont need to understand business; we need to understand business and they need to understand that our business, first and foremost, is them, Dixon tells me over Zoom. If Ive been able to break this glass ceiling, that means that the women that come after me should be able to shatter it. padding: 20px; I feel that if we continue doing that and uplifting one another in our community, then that is how Black people we will get ahead. So with this campaign, we started here in the United States, going to the Caribbean and South Africa, and offering them opportunities that they probably wouldnt have received had it not been for us. Mielle co-founder and CEO Monique Rodriguez. So when I post things, I do it for inspiration because I want people to know my story, know where I came from, and see that its possible. That name Mielle will forever go on and on because Ive been able to partner with a big conglomerate that has enough support and resources to help sustain the brand and have that longevity as shown. What can this powerhouse of a woman NOT do? When I was a kid, I remember I stole something from the store like Marshalls or Kohls. "When we entered into our. Ive heard stories of people who have gone to the motherland and how life-changing it was for them, and Im looking to not only change my life but bring others with me so that they can have the same experience. You can do whatever you put your mind to. In 2021, Berkshire Partners made a significant investment in the company to support Mielles growth plans. Hypnosis Facts That Will Change The Way You Think, Why Every Woman Needs The Vagus Nerve As Her Super-Power, Need a Confidence Boost? Once the deal has been approved by regulators, Mielle will continue to be led by Monique and Melvin Rodriguez, as chief executive officer and chief operating officer, respectively, and will operate as an independent subsidiary of P&G Beauty, according to a statement. .fl-post-carousel-gallery .fl-post-carousel-text h2.fl-post-carousel-title { I really dont have a typical day. We are still staying on; we are still driving the company. I am not a person that gives up. } If were in a loving relationship together, were gonna have to go through things and get through it, and guess what? Meet Monique Rodriguez, CEO of Mielle Organics, one of the fastest growing natural hair care companies in the United States. Who has been the biggest influence on your life? But a brands legacy is not merely built on financial success. Top News Stories Alerts Straight to your Inbox. Thank you, Monique Rodriguez, for being tenacious in your endeavors and showing women that anything is possible with enough faith and hard work. } Real Times Media. And 30% of sales from the Rice Water Collection will be donated to the Mielle Maven Education and Entrepreneurship fund. Mascara, lip gloss, eyeliner, and highlighter. I was already playing and mixing things in my kitchen for my hair, but I never thought I could take that and actually sell it or help other people. The reason I could do that was because Im truly passionate about what Im doing, about making a difference, and being impactful to those who are connected to me. Besides my creativity and experience as a nurse, asking myself what other value can I give my customers besides a great product its about delivering a Brand experience. left: 50%; Thinking about her purpose in life, she knew she wanted something different. To help shed light on this time of the year . One of the main things I took away from all of this is that people are really paying attention and thats the beautiful thing. It wasnt the sales. .css-13cwbfq .brand{text-transform:uppercase;}Every item on this page was chosen by an ELLE editor. When he got the news, he was in tears because he didnt know how his tuition would be paid. And He continues to bless it. } What has been the hardest part of your career? Black women, we dont have access to [the same] funding as other people in the business world. Indiana-based Mielle offers shampoos, deep conditioners, and other hair products as well as a full-line of skin care productsall made from natural ingredients such as honey, mint oil, ginger, aloe leaf juice, and more, to nourish and hydrate hair and skin. n.queue=[];t=b.createElement(e);t.async=!0; Mielle Organics continues to come out with new and exciting products. Mielle was an instant, online sensation. They like to be a part of the conversation, they want to understand whats going on. I love anything involving hair, beauty, and fashion. I still deal with it. Monique Rodriguez, the founder of the natural hair care line, Mielle Organics, recently launched her #MoreThanAStrand global beauty campaign. If she does though, Monique would advocate for herself with doctors and medical staff once again, and would encourage other mothers-to-be to do the same. Rodriguez and her husband are William Blair private wealth and investment banking clients. I understand that were held to a different standard because Black brands having major, long-lasting success doesnt happen every day. While she continued to work as a nurse for another six months before actually leaving the hospital, Rodriguezs heart and passion had always been in the beauty business. font-size: 12px !important; Insights From the Next Generation of Female Beauty Investors, Sign up for beauty news straight to your inbox every day. But to get to that global scale, you have to have help. We believed that he would wake up and no one was going to force me into doing something I wasnt ready to do. Because if I didnt have the resources and the support from my private equity investors, I can say that my business would probably still be in a state of mediocracy. We believe that health is very important and with my background in health and science and being a nurse, that is what makes Mielle different. border-radius:25%; Bestsellers include Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil, $9.99, and Pomegranate & Honey Moisturizing and Detangling Shampoo, $12.99. Monique and her husband were spotted in the 5th episode of the "Selling Tampa" series; they wanted to buy an ideal house for their family within 24hours. She was a guest on The Wendy Williams show and The Real. I feel that were so special and so powerful, but we need to be reminded of that power, especially Black women. Founded by wife-and-husband duo Monique and Melvin Rodriguez in 2014, Mielle Organics . The hair care brand was founded by wife-and-husband duo Monique and Melvin Rodriguez in 2014. We have to prove to them that it is possible to be successful like Mielle Organics just did and still keep the consistency and maintain the integrity and relationship with the community. . Mielle Organics' new Rice Water and Aloe collection. Its not necessarily a quote, but Youve already got it! .fixedad { It sold like crazy and remains a top seller today, Rodriguez said. God gave you everything that you need, you just have to use it. z-index:999; Since then, Mielle has become one of the hottest new hair and beauty companies to hit the market in recent years. MR: So weve already rewarded a young man who attends Bethune-Cookman University by paying his tuition. Why Isnt Beauty Investing More Inclusive? She wants to inspire the next generation of women of color that they can be great, they can have a dream, they can break barriers, they can accomplish a magnitude of things beyond their imagination. Mielle is an extraordinary business, but importantly has a larger purpose: to excite, empower, and serve the community, Marni Payne, managing director at Berkshire Partners, said when the firm announced its investment in the company. The content and comments on Achieva Life do not necessarily reflect the views of Achieva Credit Union. This partnership really means that we can better serve Black women in our community by combining Mielles expertise and knowledge in the textured hair care space and our innovative approach to textured hair with P&G Beauty resources, their research capabilities and access to Black scientists, Monique Rodriguez said of the deal in an interview. When the pandemic affected those opportunities, we pivoted to connecting with our audience on social media, activating small business giveaways, and helping those who fell on hard times during the pandemic.. After the loss of her infant son, she began to question her purpose. Achieva Credit Union is not responsible for the accuracy of the information on Achieva Life and makes no representation regarding the accuracy of the content. That was a moment that left me in a very depressed state, she said. I started with my husband in my basement. I knew that I couldnt do it alone. After a deep spiritual journey, a lot of soul searching and self-reflection, I realized you only live once. Role Model. Note: Your privacy is important to us, so please know that your information will always remain confidential! Rodriguez says yes. All of our names start with M and being my daughters, they are both my-Elles so I combined the two and said Mielle and thats how the name came to be. January 12, 2023 by Ms. B. Monique Rodriguez and her Mielle Organics brand announced Wednesday that they are joining forces P&G Beauty pending regulatory approval, further expanding access to healthy hair products and services for Black women around the world. Theyre also health-conscious consumers interested in learning how to take care of their hair texture with natural ingredients. } Throughout this time she failed at six different business startups. William Blair advised Mielle on the deal. As a nurse I was a great advocate for myself. Federally Insured by NCUA. What are your makeup bag staples when traveling? It wasnt something that my husband and I planned, they both were born early; thats the way God planned it. Monique Rodriguez: From the beginning, the mission for Mielle Organics has always been to empower, excite, and educate women about healthy hair. April 8, 2021, 10:00am. Apr 02, 2020 11:30 am Melvin and Monique Rodriguez (Photo credit: Jason McCoy) Part of Melvin Rodriguez's secret sauce to building a multimillion-dollar beauty empire includes the. We've joined the BHM Digital family of websites and have updated our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy. And I know that God has so much more in store for me. We couldve done a better job in communicating our changes and we take full responsibility for that. However, her faith in her brand, in God, and the opportunities this partnership opens for Mielles future superseded any anxiety. header .logo-wrapper a img { Steven Spielberg 'Felt Helpless' Watching Drew Barrymore Being 'Robbed of Her Childhood' While Making 'E.T.,' but 'I Wasn't Her Dad', Scandoval Timeline "Evolves" in Final Reunion Episode, 'Vanderpump Rules' EP Says, Ivanka Trump & Jared Kushner's Reportedly Shady Finances Are Being Called Out by This Former Donald Trump Ally, Erykah Badu Calls Blueface "Trash" For Music Video. Then I still had to go back to a job that I wasnt fulfilled at. There was a back and forth in the comment section between the. RC: I know that Mielle Organics always has a philanthropic component. We really made our brand for humans with a lot of intention and responsibility and research and science. Mielle Organics CEO Monique Rodriguez On How Losing Her Son At 6 Months Old Birthed Her Purpose. Rodriquez explained that: The whole reason behind me starting this business was to create something to pass down to my kids, and set the example that asa woman, you can be an entrepreneur, you can be a wife and a mother; basically you can do it all. MR: Obviously trust is always a concern. Family Life. Instead, she decided to take a huge risk, which we all secretly wish we could take; she quit her day job. A portion of the investment will be used to support Mielles More Than a Strand charity, which is core to the companys mission to strengthen the bond between mothers, daughters, and young girls. Then, I decided to take the additional steps to legitimize what I was doing because people were really liking what I was creating, and thats how Mielle was birthed. And one of the reasons why we decided to partner with P&G is because they have a great reputation for maintaining lifelong reputable brands. I travel a lot and there are times when I am traveling to multiple cities with back-to-back flights within the same week. If He moves me to have another child, I will, but my husband and I both have to be in agreement on that.. From the day we launched, we have never not had a sale, Rodriguez said during an interview in March. We have been enslaved for so long to just be against one another instead of coming together. The 39-year-old founded. Monique Rodriguez founded MIELLE in 2014 after her healthy, hair care regimen for her tailbone-length hair became somewhat of a craze among her social media followers. Monique Rodriguez, the founder of Mielle Organics, has built a successful haircare brand that has changed the crowns and lives of many Black women. We have to constantly earn their trust, we have to earn their money, we have to earn their love and their friendship. googletag.enableServices(); She launched her foundation, Mielle Cares, to help unite and empower other women. I knew I needed more access to better scientists and better technology and innovation because I want to be able to continue to evolve and not just be a hair care company, but an overall beauty brand. !function(f,b,e,v,n,t,s){if(f.fbq)return;n=f.fbq=function(){n.callMethod? In the early months and years she continued to focus on building Mielles e-commerce platform. It was a high-risk pregnancy, I had a uterine rupture and my son passed away. What started as isolation changed into a community of others relating to her pain. Joining P&G means our loyal customers can expect the same high-quality products tomorrow that they have today.. Rodriguez spent over nine years as a registered nurse, a background she leveraged to start Mielle Organics in 2014. I started educating women on social media about how to take care of their hair, how to grow healthier hair, and how to have longer hair. One of the things that I struggled with when I was younger was not being confident in myself and my ability. Rodriguez worked for over eight years as a registered nurse. n.callMethod.apply(n,arguments):n.queue.push(arguments)}; Mother. IG: @exquisitemo; @mielleorganics; @1015designs, Favorite Food:Basil fried rice, hummus, asparagus, Travel destination:The Caribbean Islands, Actor/Actress: Denzel Washington and Halle Berry, Interview with Beauty Expert and CEO Monique Rodriguez, Interview with Pop-heavy R&B singer Parker Polhill, Why Making Your Home More Energy Efficient Is Not As Hard As It Sounds, Interview with London Singer, Songwriter and Producer Honey Gentry, Interview with Stunning Social Media Star, Gamer and Influencer Alyri, Interview with The Detour star Ashley Gerasimovich, Interview with Talented YouTube Guitar Sensation Cole Rolland, Interview with superstar YouTuber, Rapper and Dancer Lev Cameron. In fact, she named the company after her two daughters: They are a constant reminder of why I do what I do, and they keep me motivated to keep pushing towards my goals and striving for greatness. As the CEO of a multi-million dollar beauty company, the aspects of Mielle Organics that are most important to me are product development and customer engagement, says Rodriquez. . We have also honored individuals who are excelling and making an impact within their community. We stand up to our word and Im always listening to the community. And I dont believe in hiding anything from the customer because consumers nowadays are very, very smart. What a lot of people dont know is Mielle was birth from a painful situation. Changing careers after already investing time seems like a loss. Monique Rodriquez is the founder and CEO of Mielle Organics, a skin and hair care company that uses natural ingredients to bring organic products to market. I started with one product in 2014 and four years later, we have over 30 products in major retailers. P&G Beauty has acquired Mielle Organics, a Black-founded textured hair care brand, for an undisclosed sum, with the founders stressing that the deal will increase availability of products, and that there are no plans to change formulas. Globally, Mielle is distributed in more than 87 countries in Europe, Africa, and the Caribbean. max-height: 40px !important; Just as Im sharing my mine, our testimonies are there to help one another. We will emanate out from this space over the years but for now, I want Honey Pot to be the brand people think about when they hear vagina, when they think about wellness, when they think about shame. Were having all of our influencers that participated in the #MoreThanAStrand campaign join us to share their stories of how they overcame. Monique Rodriguez is the CEO at Mielle Organics and a mentor of female entrepreneurs; she is a public feature and has 243k followers on her Instagram account. What continues to inspire me daily is the people around me, especially my daughters. The owner and CEO of Mielle Organics, Monique Rodriguez, commented on the video that Linda was "using the products incorrectly". With the recent launch my custom fashion line, 1015Designs, I also spend time sketching and picking out fabric with my Mom. Mielle Cares has grown over the past three years and we have helped several teenagers, women, families and community organizations. document,'script','https://connect.facebook.net/en_US/fbevents.js?v=next'); var googletag = googletag || {}; Nerisha is the beauty commerce editor at ELLE.com, covering all things beauty (and fashion and music). In 2014, Rodriguez started Mielle Organics in her garage, fast. . Mielle Organics transformed from a DIY concoction that started in a garage to an international sensation. My mother had to figure it out growing up because her mother died before [she] got her menstrual cycle. 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