Questions were answered by Monique Rodriguez the CEO of Mielle Organics
Mielle Organics interview
Who are the people behind Mielle Organics? What are your backgrounds?
Monique Rodriguez is the CEO and husband Melvin Rodriguez is COO and we came together to create Mielle Organics. I’m a registered nurse, I was a nurse for 8 years. Melvin was a project engineer for 20 years.
Your brand prides itself in maintaining healthy natural hair, where did this desire come from?
I’ve always had a passion for healthier hair and healthier hair. I started creating concoctions in my kitchen and educating women on how to have healthy hair and things that they shouldn’t put on their hair and what ingredients helped to grow their hair. I’ve always had a passion for promoting healthiness and wellness and promoting healthy hair. I’ve always been a stickler about my hair from as far as I can remember, and I was always obsessed with doing different styles and ensuing my hair was in its best health. It’s important for me to continue to educate women on how to maintain their natural hair, how to grow their hair how to keep their hair healthy whilst doing different hair styles and creating great products that are natural and non-toxic.
Why was it important to use natural ingredients?
We use organic ingredients as I feel it is important to use the most natural ingredients for the health of our hair and bodies as well. I feel that we must be very conscious of what we put on our bodies and our skin. Everything we put in our bodies is a reflection of our hair skin and nails on the outside, so we not only have to be cautious of what we put on the outside, but also what we are putting on the inside. Healthy hair starts with the inside out approach and that’s one of the reasons we have vitamins in our collection
What was your biggest challenge in starting up your own business?
My biggest challenge was not having any business experience and not coming from a background where I saw entrepreneurs or people that owned businesses that I could look up to for mentorship. We had to navigate and start a company on our own with no help or expertise or funding – we looked to the internet for help and used our pay checks from our regular jobs in order to fund and grow Mielle Organics. The learning curve being a business owner and transitioning from having a career job to a now being business owner was steep.
What was your first product?
One of my first products was the Mint Almond Oil which is still selling on the market today and it’s a best seller.
What is/are your hero product(s)/best seller(s)?
Some of our top major products are the Rosemary Mint Hair & Strengthening Oil, the Rosemary Mint Strengthening Hair Mask, the Rosemary Mint Strengthening Shampoo, the Moisture Rx Collection, Pomegranate and Honey Collection just to name a few.
Mielle Organics has been described as a viral sensation. Do you believe social media has helped boost business?
Social Media gave me the opportunity to reach a lot of people and to reach them in a massive way from my fingertips at home.
How many ranges does the brand produce? (Please name)
We have many collections in our range:
- Mielle Core Collection
- Rosemary Mint collection
- Pomegranate and Honey Hair Collection
- Brazilian Curly Cocktail
- Mongongo Oil
- Mint Oil
- Honey & Ginger
- Pomegranate and Honey Skin Collection
- Moisture RX Hawaiian Ginger
- Sacha Inchi
You’re launching in Europe (thank you hair gods!), what made you decide to take this decision?
We have a large customer base in Europe, and we get many, many requests and direct messages for our products. My goal is to meet the needs of consumers wherever they are.
What advice on running a business can you give future entrepreneurs?
Make sure you are passionate about what you are doing and there is a need for your business, because when there are obstacles and challenges you need to still get up and push the business forward.
What of the future of your brand?
Continue to expand globally and continue to meet the needs of consumers and deliver to meet their need with our great products. Becoming the number one beauty brand name is our goal.
Our UK consumers can now follow us on Facebook And Instagram MielleorganicsUK
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For further information or any further images please email fosola@nelspruitcomms.co.uk
