What is something you know now that you wish you knew when you started your business?

Believe bigger and ask for more money! As a D2C business starting during Covid, I didn't fully understand the scope (i.e. cost) of getting the business off the ground. Knowing what I know now, I would have worked harder to get more seed capital which would have enabled me to make bigger decisions sooner.

Why did you decide to join The WMarketplace?

I love the concept of women-owned businesses coming together. I take great pride in being a majority Black woman-owned business. There is tremendous power when women come together to get things done, and I wanted to be a part of the magic.

What has been the most challenging thing about getting your business up and running?

Besides access to capital, every day I am inundated with someone selling "the answer." There was time and money wasted on people/agencies that said they had the answer but in fact, did not. Trying to find the right partner(s) for certain aspects of the business has been challenging.

What has been the most exciting or rewarding part of owning your own business?

Reading the comments from our customers. Getting emails and texts from friends who tell me to keep going, they are proud of me and they believe in Natural Radiant Life. The unsolicited ones make my day every time!

Can you identify a moment in your business that was pivotal in your success? Have you had an “AHA!” moment(s)?

Most recently, we launched what we are calling Natural Radiant Life 2.0. We essentially went back to the drawing board with a new logo, new brand standards, new products, and new messaging. It was a labor of love that some days didn't seem like it would come together but now that it has, I am so excited and proud of what we've done.

How long have you been in business and has your business changed since you started it?

We celebrated our two-year anniversary in September 2022. In the last two years, we've gotten very clear on who we serve, why we serve them and how we do it better. Additionally, we are two years smarter and able to make better decisions.

Do you have a mentor, formal or informal? What role have they played for you?

I had the privilege of being informally mentored by the late Chris-Tia Donaldson, CEO of TGIN. We met for a few months before her untimely passing and she helped me understand that if I am waiting for everything to be perfect, I will never move. 80% is good enough to start and fix it while you are moving. She also shared resources with me that I refer to regularly.

What communities have been important for you as you grew/developed your business?

iFundWomen, Black Girl Ventures, Fearless Fund, Conscious Beauty Collective, Buy from a Black Woman, to name a few.

Do you have items, photos or mementos on your desk that inspire you each day? What are they?

Absolutely. I have a small stuffed dog that has been on my desk since my very first job - he keeps me grounded. I have a magnet that says, "Only those who will risk going too far, can possibly discover how far they can go." Lastly, I have my vision board in my office that I look at everyday.

Do you have any advice for other women who are getting started in business?

You must be willing to be a student and learn things that may fall out of your comfort zone. You cannot pay for everything, so you will have to do a lot of it at first. Take time away from the business to decompress so you can be better for it when you are present. You may not be able to share your dreams for your business with everyone, some people won't understand and that's okay, it is not their journey, it is yours.

If a journalist were to write a headline about you/your business, what would it be?

Borrowed from Jim Rohn - " Things don't just happen, things happen just! "

Are there any apps or business services that you just can’t live without that you would like to give a shout-out to?

I recently discovered ClickUp, it is a game changer for me. Klaviyo for email marketing, also a game changer.

Thank you, Rhonda, for sharing your advice and journey with the WMarketplace!