MIELLE ORGANICS FOUNDER MONIQUE RODRIGUEZ IS A master AT MAKING PIVOTS THAT pay off…
big time.
With a knack for business and a hunger for reinvention, Monique (a former nurse) and her husband Melvin started Mielle from their kitchen in 2014. Twelve years later, The Rodriguez’s sold their company to Procter & Gamble in a historic 9-figure deal. What happened for Monique wasn’t luck; it was the result of hustle, persistence, and an unwillingness to compromise on her vision.
Read about Monique Rodriguez’s journey in her C&C 100 interview below.
What is your earliest beauty memory?
My earliest beauty memory really started with my love for hair at a young age. I’ve always been passionate about taking care of it and understanding what makes it healthy. That passion deepened years later when I began creating natural products in my kitchen out of a need for better options. After experiencing a personal loss in 2013, I leaned into that passion with more purpose, sharing my journey online and eventually launching Mielle Organics with my first product, the Almond Mint Oil.
When you created Mielle Organics, what was your original mission? And do you think that mission has been completed based on where the brand is now?
When I created Mielle Organics, my mission was to provide high-quality, natural products for textured hair because I saw a real gap in the market. It was also about empowerment and helping women feel confident in their natural beauty while giving them healthier options they could trust. That mission was deeply personal for me, especially during a time in my life when I was searching for purpose. Today, I wouldn’t say the mission is complete, it’s evolved. We’ve grown in ways I could have only dreamed of, reaching women around the world, but the core purpose remains the same. If anything, the impact has expanded, and I’m even more committed to continuing that work and serving our community at a higher level.
Did you raise capital to launch Mielle Organics—and if so, what surprised you most about the process?
I didn’t raise outside capital when I first launched Mielle Organics. I bootstrapped the business from the very beginning. It was important for me to build something authentic and stay closely connected to my community and my vision. What surprised me most as the brand grew was realizing how powerful it is to bet on yourself first. Starting without external funding taught me discipline, resilience, and how to truly understand my customer. Later on, when I did enter partnerships, I was in a much stronger position to scale the business while still protecting the integrity of the brand.
In 2023, you and your husband made history when Mielle was acquired by P&G in a 9-figure deal. What do you wish more founders understood about exiting their business?
I think one of the biggest misconceptions is that an exit means you’re “selling out,” when in reality, it can be a powerful step forward. For me, it was about scaling the brand in a way that I couldn’t have done alone and creating long-term impact, not just for the business but for the community we serve. I also want founders to understand how important it is to choose the right partner and structure the deal in a way that protects your vision. I was very intentional about maintaining my role and ensuring the integrity of the brand stayed intact. An exit should feel aligned, not forced. At the end of the day, it’s not just about the transaction, it’s about legacy, growth, and creating opportunities that extend far beyond you.
Where, if at all, do you think the industry is still falling short when it comes to inclusivity or representation?
I think the industry has made progress, but there’s still a gap when it comes to true inclusivity. Representation can’t just be a moment. It has to be consistent, intentional, and rooted in really understanding the needs of the consumer. For a long time, women with textured hair were overlooked, and while that’s changing, there’s still work to be done. Another area is access, especially when it comes to capital and resources for Black founders. There are so many talented entrepreneurs who don’t always get the same opportunities to scale. For me, inclusivity isn’t just about what you see on the shelf, it’s about who has the opportunity to build, grow, and succeed behind the scenes as well.
As you think about the future of your brand, what is a goal you have that both excites you and scares you?
As I think about the future of Mielle, one of my biggest goals is continuing to scale the brand globally while expanding into new areas of beauty and wellness. That excites me because it means reaching more women around the world and continuing to serve them in a deeper way. At the same time, it’s a little scary because I’ve always been so hands-on and intentional about the integrity of the brand. Mielle is very personal to me, so as we grow, I’m constantly thinking about how to maintain that authenticity and connection to our community. But I believe that growth and purpose can coexist, and that’s what I’m focused on every day.
What’s one product that never leaves your purse?
The Rosemary Mint Scalp & Hair Strengthening Oil. It’s one of our hero products, and I love that I can use it anytime my scalp or hair needs a quick boost. Whether it’s adding a little shine, nourishing my scalp, or just refreshing my hair throughout the day, it’s something I always keep close. It really represents what Mielle is all about.
What is a goal you have that both excites and scares you?
I know that I work very hard. Anytime I say that I’m going to do something, I’m going to do it. I’m very, very favored. God loves me. With that being said, I know this may be where I’m at right now, but I’m going to take over the world.
What’s one piece of advice you’d give to an aspiring beauty brand founder? What do they need in order to stand out?
One piece of advice I always give is to stay rooted in your purpose and trust your vision, even when others don’t fully understand it yet. For me, everything started from a personal need, and that’s what made the brand authentic from day one. To stand out, you have to focus on creating real solutions and building a genuine connection with your community. It’s not about following trends. It’s about consistency, quality, and truly serving your customer. When people can feel that authenticity, that’s what sets you apart.
Rapid fire POP QUIZ:
The first thing I do when I wake up in the morning is:
spend quiet time in prayer and devotion.
A risk I took in my career that paid off was…
leaving my career as a registered nurse to pursue Mielle Organics full-time.
A song that describes the era I’m in right now is:
“Golden” by Jill Scott
My current obsession is:
getting back into the trenches of building with my new venture with my husband, WIND ATHLTX
3 words to describe the legacy I want to leave behind:
purpose, impact, and empowerment