As previously reported by AfroTech, in 2021 Mielle inked a significant investment — led by Berkshire Partners — which has been able to take the brand to a new level.

As a result, the latest Sea Moss collection within the company took flight.

“As we promised, with the investment that we received from Berkshire, it was going to give us the opportunity to innovate faster, to innovate with higher quality ingredients to find different sourcing, differing packaging and to be able to meet the needs of our consumers that are continually changing,” Rodriguez expressed. “You know with multicultural hair, our hair changes with the season and we have different needs. Like during the winter, our hair tends to shed more. So, I had this idea during COVID to utilize sea moss because I saw that it was trending for the immune system.”

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After further research, Rodriguez began to work with the team to concoct a collection that focused on anti-shedding properties with a goal to launch during the winter.

“I wanted it to come out this winter. So, with that partnership, we had the ability to scale our innovation efforts quickly from idea to fruition, and because of their support and of course the funding, we were able to go to market faster with the Sea Moss collection,” she recalled.

To look ahead, one must embrace the past, which is no problem for Rodriguez, who says that she would tell her younger self “that the sky is not the limit.”

“The only limits are the ones that you set on yourself,” she continued.

As she looks ahead she would also tell herself that “you can dream big, work hard, and manifest your future and everything that you put out there, positively, will come to fruition. So, just stay prayerful, always seek God first, and meditate on the good things and what you want for your life because you are a co-creator with God.”

Keisha Knight Pulliam

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