Monique Rodriguez

Monique Rodriguez, founder and CEO who turned a basement startup into Mielle Organics and led its P&G acquisition. She recounts risking everything to scale, navigating criticism after a major sale, and protecting her brand’s vision while expanding. The conversation touches on bootstrapping, finding mentors and manufacturers, securing strategic capital, and leading through growth and backlash.

Monique Rodriguez, the Founder and CEO of Mielle Organics, turned a personal hobby into a thriving beauty brand dedicated to textured hair. After a life-altering loss, she transformed her grief into creative expression, sharing DIY hair care tips on social media. Monique's journey highlights her shift from nursing to entrepreneurship, overcoming financial hurdles, and securing pivotal retail partnerships. With a mix of faith, hard work, and community support, she scaled her brand from Instagram to international success, all while staying true to her roots.

Beauty founders Ben Gorham of Byredo and Monique Rodriguez of Mielle Organics share their entrepreneurial journeys, emphasizing the importance of purpose over quick financial success. They discuss building authentic brands, navigating challenges in the beauty industry, staying true to their values, and the significance of community support and giving back.