# Mielle Organics: Monique Rodriguez

- Show: [How I Built This](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this)
- Published: 2023-05-15
- Length: 1h 10m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-15-mielle-organics-monique-rodriguez

## Summary

Monique Rodriguez, founder of Mielle Organics, explains how she transitioned from a nursing career to building a multimillion-dollar natural hair care brand after a personal tragedy. She details the bootstrapping process, including her initial $10,000 investment, the strategic pivot from a salon concept to product-focused DTC sales, and securing a $250,000 loan to enter Sally Beauty. Rodriguez also discusses the critical lesson of managing unit economics and profitability when scaling into retail, leading to a Series A raise and eventual acquisition by Procter & Gamble.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-15-mielle-organics-monique-rodriguez#t=0) Introduction: Monique Rodriguez and Mielle Organics
- [4:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-15-mielle-organics-monique-rodriguez#t=280) Childhood Influences and Nursing Career
- [11:34](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-15-mielle-organics-monique-rodriguez#t=694) Early Business Attempts and Direct Sales
- [20:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-15-mielle-organics-monique-rodriguez#t=1214) Tragic Loss and the Birth of Mielle
- [26:46](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-15-mielle-organics-monique-rodriguez#t=1606) From Instagram Recipes to First Product Launch
- [35:29](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-15-mielle-organics-monique-rodriguez#t=2129) Bootstrapping, Manufacturing, and Sally Beauty Entry
- [50:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-15-mielle-organics-monique-rodriguez#t=3035) Scaling Production and Retail Chaos
- [57:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-15-mielle-organics-monique-rodriguez#t=3479) Hiring, Funding, and Profitability Lessons
- [1:01:54](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-15-mielle-organics-monique-rodriguez#t=3714) Pandemic Growth and Series A Financing
- [1:07:15](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2023-05-15-mielle-organics-monique-rodriguez#t=4035) Acquisition by Procter & Gamble

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Growth, exits & acquisitions](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/growth-exits-and-acquisitions)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies, companies scaling up, large enterprises

## Mentioned

- Mielle Organics (product)
- Procter and Gamble (company)
- Sally Beauty (company)
- Target (company)
- Walmart (company)
- Berkshire (company)
- Richie Rich (other)
- ACN (other)
- Mary Kay (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [019: Organic haircare products with Susana Stewart & Caroline Maina of Fro Butter](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-09-20-019-organic-haircare-products-with-susana-stewart-caroline-maina-of-fro-butter) (Product Startup)
- [From turning down Shark Tank offers to raising $2.7 million for Nopalera with Sandra Velasquez (2023)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-10-17-from-turning-down-shark-tank-offers-to-raising-2-7-million-for-nopalera-with-san) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [021: Using Public Research to Develop WINK Lash and Brow Oil with Megan Cox of Amalie Beauty](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-10-04-021-using-public-research-to-develop-wink-lash-and-brow-oil-with-megan-cox-of-am) (Product Startup)
- [#80 From turning down Shark Tank offers to raising $2.7 million for Nopalera with Sandra Velasquez](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2023-02-21-80-from-turning-down-shark-tank-offers-to-raising-2-7-million-for-nopalera-with) (The Startup CPG Podcast)
- [Founder Feature: Maxi Heidenblut of Häppy Candy](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-startup-cpg-podcast/2025-04-04-founder-feature-maxi-heidenblut-of-happy-candy) (The Startup CPG Podcast)

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