Monique Rodriguez’s journey is one of resilience, purpose, and bold reinvention. She dedicated nearly a decade to healthcare as a registered nurse, but the loss of her son in 2013 shifted everything. In the wake of that tragedy, Monique found clarity—and the courage to follow a lifelong passion for beauty. With no formal business background, she launched Mielle Organics from her kitchen and built it into one of the fastest-growing textured haircare brands in the country.

Now, Mielle Organics is not only a staple in major retailers like Target, Walmart, and CVS, but also a study in authentic brand-building. Her approach is rooted in community, education, and transparency. As the CEO, she’s built trust by simply being herself—from going live every day during the pandemic to letting customers weigh in on packaging decisions. She’s also navigated the complex world of retail expansion by knowing when to say no and when to scale up.

In 2021, Mielle took on private equity for the first time. Just 18 months later, she and her COO, who happens to be her husband, Melvon, sold the company to P&G — but not before making sure the deal would preserve the integrity of the brand. Monique still runs the company today, and she’s focused on building a legacy, not just a business.

Monique recently added “author” to her list of titles with a book that helps people find purpose in their own stories. She lives in Chicago with her family, where she balances leading a global brand with slow mornings, warm lemon water, and staying grounded in faith.

Timestamps:

[00:00] Introduction

[07:52] Starting a business without experience or connections

[08:34] Learning the business side and asking for help

[09:20] The challenge of raising capital as a Black female founder

[10:10] Bootstrapping Mielle before taking on funding

[10:59] Why Monique turned down Walmart the first time

[12:30] Building long-term sustainability, not short-term hype

[13:00] How Mielle went viral with rosemary mint oil

[13:44] Creating viral moments through authenticity

[14:22] Building trust through storytelling and transparency

[15:05] Turning customers into community

[15:42] How Monique stayed present online without burning out

[16:19] The power of community to support during backlash

[18:52] The emotional link between beauty and customer loyalty

[19:30] Building real connections at trade shows

[20:02] Standing out in a crowded beauty industry

[20:50] How community building helped attract investors

[21:32] Education as a brand differentiator

[22:10] Creating emotional experiences around products

[23:02] Going big at trade shows to make a lasting impression

[23:55] Using experience to fuel word-of-mouth marketing

[25:10] Sharing behind-the-scenes with her community

[27:20] Handling criticism and negativity online

[28:13] Protecting mental health while being a public founder

[31:12] The reality of criticism for successful female founders

[31:58] Taking on private equity from Berkshire Partners

[32:44] Why Monique wanted to maintain majority ownership

[33:40] Finding the right kind of investor partnership

[34:21] What to look for in a private equity deal

[35:04] Planning for an eventual acquisition

[35:40] How fast the P&G acquisition came together

[37:06] Choosing the right partner over the highest bidder

[39:30] Benefits of selling to a strategic like P&G

[40:18] Brand globalization and new opportunities

[40:50] Access to better ingredients and scientific resources

[43:48] Balancing business and marriage

[46:00] Monique’s slow morning routine

[49:18] Key lessons around mindset, faith, and perseverance

Resources Mentioned:

The Glory in Your Story by Monique Rodriguez | Book or Audiobook

Mielle Organics | Website

P&G | Website

Berkshire Partners | Website

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