Mielle Organics founder and CEO Monique Rodriguez joined Essence Senior Beauty Editor Akili King at Beautycon 2024 to discuss her career, self-care routine, and future plans for the brand.
Rodriguez took the stage sporting a chic curly blond bob and a shimmering short suit. As the self-proclaimed “queen of hair,” she founded Mielle Organics in 2014, growing it into a viral success with a dedicated following. Her own hair journey began, like many Black women’s, in the salon, where she regularly straightened her hair, believing it had to be pressed to be manageable.
“Growing up, my hair and how curly and thick it was always felt like a struggle,” she shared. “My mom started taking me to salons when I was about 11 or 12, so from then until my late 20s, my hair was always straight.”
After discovering the natural hair community online, Rodriguez learned how to restore and protect her curls. She began sharing hair care tips, using her nursing background to educate others on the ingredients in their products—becoming the natural hair representation she wished she had when she was younger.
At the encouragement of her followers, Rodriguez started selling her own product mixtures, eventually laying the foundation for what would become one of the fastest-growing hair care brands.
In 2023, Mielle made history as the first Black female-owned brand to be acquired by Procter & Gamble. Rodriguez described the partnership—something she had manifested in a journal entry—as a “dream come true,” hoping it will open doors for other Black women-owned brands.
She also addressed concerns about the brand since the acquisition.
“People often think that when brands get acquired, their formulas change,” she explained. “I want to make it clear that since our partnership with P&G, our formulas, ingredients, and suppliers have not changed. I am still overseeing everything, and I’m heavily invested in this brand. This brand will continue to succeed because I feel the weight of responsibility to open the door for the next generation.”
Rodriguez’s advice to aspiring entrepreneurs? Ignore the naysayers.
She wrapped up the discussion by sharing her hair, skin, and self-care routines, emphasizing the importance of setting boundaries and practicing patience when it comes to hair healing.
Looking ahead, Rodriguez plans to expand Mielle into the skin and body care space over the next 10 years. “We live in a digital age where everything is changing rapidly,” she said. “Our goal is to stay focused on how we can be solution-oriented and continue providing our community with high-quality products.”