Monique Rodriguez presents herself as a true Midwestern hair giant who transformed from being a medical professional to creating her empire, Mielle Organics. Though her background is in nursing, Rodriguez dreamt of being in the beauty industry. The Chicagoan describes her city as the “mecca of the beauty and hair industry.” Rodriguez reminisces about being raised in the city where Luster Products, SoftSheen Carson, and Johnson and Johnson products shifted the hair care market—igniting her passion to succeed in beauty. She confesses begging her mother to be featured in those hair campaigns where young girls would be plastered on relaxer boxes and billboards. Even though hair companies never featured Rodriguez, she embraced her natural beauty and became the face of her brand.
However, she doubted a lucrative career in haircare, hence her pursuit of science. The business owner credits her nursing background with developing the formulation behind Mielle Organics. She mixed holistic ingredients like avocado, honey, and essential oils in her kitchen. Rodriguez refers to herself as a “kitchen chemist” for her research in scalp stimulation. Later, she found a chemist to extract natural ingredients since the hair shaft repels food molecules. Rodriguez believes Mielle Organics’ products are noteworthy to consumers since her credibility in healthy hair compliments her dreams of building her enterprise with accurate results.
During Women’s History Month, Naturallycurly spoke with the self-made entrepreneur about her present and future endeavors.
Starting An Empire
NC: You created your company out of pain and purpose. Would you say Mielle Organics is your safety net?
Monique Rodriguez: God is my safety net, first and foremost. God has redirected me to that passion I had as a child. I always [ask] people, “If you go back to your childhood, what was that thing that you did effortlessly? That’s probably what you should be doing because that’s truly what God called you to be.” God put me on a path to discover my purpose and my passion.
Discovering that passion I had as a little girl, allowed me to utilize that platform for a bigger purpose. What I do is marketplace ministry. Yes, we sell amazing hair products. More importantly, we’re a faith-based organization. We’re bringing people to God’s kingdom. I look at Mielle as something bigger than hair products. We are mission-driven. I want to inspire people to identify their purpose and be their best version. Mielle allowed me to take my mind off of what I was going through with the loss of my son—it was bigger than what I can’t even imagine.
Image Source: @mielleorganics
NC: Social media helped you showcase your products when you first started. Tell me about your relationship with social media now. How did it shape your business?
Monique Rodriguez: I have a love-hate relationship with social media because I feel like it’s taken a turn. It was a positive place to share your experiences with like-minded people. I looked at it as a place to engage with people. I built this community of women who share the same passion for hair. We became this family of just sharing ideas and tips. Before I started the brand, I took my community on the journey with me. I would go to the manufacturer, think about products, [and] how I would design the packaging. I made everyone feel inclusive.
When I launched, they supported me because they felt like they’d been a part of the journey from the beginning. I thought at that time, it was great. We were able to continue to blossom. Our community dictated how we grew in retail because our community demanded that we have more shelf space and expand retailers. That was a great part of social media that I loved. My hate part is there’s a lot of negativity. It gives people a platform to say things they wouldn’t say without your presence. There are a lot of hurt people in this world, and social media gives them a voice. I know we live in a country where it’s freedom of speech, but it’s also hurting our youth.
NC: How does Mielle Organics stay authentic, especially to its audience? How do you stay authentic, especially in your brand and audience?
Monique Rodriguez: I stay authentic by just showing up. There’s no other way to do it. My community knows my character. They know a lot about me. There’s a way that you can maintain some privacy but be open and transparent with the community that you’re serving. I still respond to DMs. I try to respond when people comment on my photos. No matter what level I’m at, I’m not above.
We all bleed blood. We’re all equal. I always make people feel like you’re my best friend or sister. There’s no competition. I think people relate and connect with me because I’m the girl next door. I’m down-to-earth. That’s how you remain authentic. I feel like your character will always outweigh the negativity, haters, and criticism and silence all the noise
How To Move As A Businesswoman
NC: Aside from the scrutiny you faced behind selling to Procter & Gamble, what obstacles have you faced as a Black woman entrepreneur, especially in the beauty and hair space?
Monique Rodriguez: I would say one of the obstacles I faced as a black woman is a lack of access to capital, expertise, and mentorships. I would search outside of my culture to be inspired by other women entrepreneurs because I didn’t see anyone who looked like me. I’m adamant about making sure my voice is heard. I want to change the narrative and be an example [of how] little boys and girls can see possibilities. Kids can’t be what they don’t see. Instead of looking at things that are displayed in a negative aspect, let’s continue to show our kids something positive. So they can look at someone like me and say, “I don’t have to look outside. I had a Monique Rodriguez. I want to do what she did, and I want to do it even better.’
NC: You mentioned little boys and little girls. Your brand is named after your children. How has motherhood shaped you as a businesswoman?
Motherhood is everything. It changes the way you think, your drive, and your ambition. What I do is not for me— it’s for creating a legacy for the next generation and ensuring my kids don’t grow up the same way that I grew up and that my kids have the flexibility and the freedom to discover their passions.
It’s my job to nurture their gifts and talents and say, “Hey, do whatever you want to do. If you want to go to space, do that.”
The way I think about fulfilling your dreams, purpose, and visions— I encourage my kids to do just that. I probably wouldn’t have that same mindset if I hadn’t stepped out alone. To see what was on the other side of the process was by having faith.
NC: What are your favorite products that you invented and why?
That’s like asking me, “Who’s your favorite child? I love all the products. But the latest product innovation I love is our Rosemary Mint Scalp Scrub. You can’t have healthy hair if you don’t have a healthy scalp. This product is super innovative. It’s infused with biotin and essential oils to help scalp stimulation in the follicles and exfoliate the scalp. When you apply it, you get this squeaky clean feeling that feels amazing. When you rinse it out, it turns into a shampoo. So you don’t have to follow up and get exfoliating beads out of your hair. That’s my new favorite.
Collaborations With Idols
NC: You became an official partner with the WNBA, Howard’s swim team, and FAMU’s cheerleading squad. Why did you intersect Mielle Organics and women’s sports?
It was a huge, untapped market, especially for Black women. The stigma is Black women don’t exercise because we’re afraid we’re going to mess up our hair, which we paid a lot of money for. I feel women in sports didn’t have products that served them. They don’t have to worry about their hairstyle on the court.
They have products that will keep their hair healthy and looking good. Also, to show people they matter. Just because you’re in sports doesn’t mean you don’t have a voice and are not seen in beauty ads. We wanted to bring representation to that audience to show that these women are killing it on and off the court and that they’re beautiful. Mielle was the solution to help keep them beautified.
NC: You are collaborating with another Midwestern entrepreneur, Melissa Butler, CEO of The Lip Bar and Thread Beauty. How did that happen?
Image Source: @mielleorganics
I’ve known Melissa since we started trade shows ten years ago. When I first met her, she was wearing bright blue or orange lipstick. We bonded over the fact that we were two struggling entrepreneurs trying to build our companies together. We bonded over some of the challenges that we face as entrepreneurs. To know where we started, it only made sense to come together as two Black women to show collaboration over competition. We operate from a spirit of abundance. We can create history during Women’s History Month.
NC: Why did you choose these IT girls to represent your brand, from Megan Thee Stallion to Angel Reese and Saweetie?
I mean, number one, because they are IT girls. All of them have huge followings. They represent themselves well. Once you get to know their heart, they’re good people. We try to align our brand with people who are the same audience we’re trying to serve. They’re not afraid to rock their natural hair; they’re confident. They’re very bold.
They are doing amazing things in their industry despite the odds against them. Angel Reese is young, but her boldness and authority she commands on the court— I can only imagine what she’s going to be 20 years from now. She’s a beast because she’s well-respected on the court. She rocks her edges. They are always laid down, and people know her for this. Why not complement ourselves with someone who has an amazing reputation?
Future Endeavors
NC: Where do you see Mielle Organics in five years? How the brand is cementing itself in the natural hair space for long-term success?
I see us expanding into international markets, into new categories, not just on hair but also skin, and having the foresight to anticipate the needs of our consumers to remain ahead of the curve, innovative, and a solution-oriented brand. Yes, there’s competition, but no one’s going to outwork the brand.
NC: How did it feel being on the cover of Essence Magazine with your husband and business partner?
That cover was a dream come true. To be on the cover for my own haircare brand was like God exceeding my expectations and continuing to blow me away with the opportunities he has given me. It was super historic.
NC: Describe Mielle Organics’ innovation in four words
Our innovation is exciting, science-led, consumer-focused, and hot!
NC: What advice do you have for new Black women entrepreneurs in the haircare and beauty industry?
Remain true to who you are. Be authentic, passionate, and very disciplined because discipline will take you places that motivation can’t. You’re not going to wake up every day motivated, but you have a level of discipline to pursue your dreams. Fall in love with the process. Fall in love with the journey. Embrace it because it’s very fulfilling on the other side.
Rodriguez pushes boundaries in the hair care industry and strives for young women to follow their dreams. This naturalista crafts an empire for the next generation to pursue—making her a key leader in our Laying The Roots vertical.
Find out what other phenomenal woman was highlighted in our series.
