Monique Rodriguez, the trailblazing founder and CEO of Mielle Organics, took the stage at the AFROTECH™ Conference to offer key insights on what it takes to be a successful leader.
Speaking to an audience of aspiring entrepreneurs and tech professionals, Rodriguez shared her personal journey from being a self-taught “kitchen chemist” to the CEO of a multimillion-dollar haircare brand, stressing the importance of self-awareness and collaboration in leadership.
Rodriguez highlighted that one of the most vital traits of a leader is the ability to admit when you don’t have all the answers.
“As a CEO, I am the first to admit I don’t know everything, and I am not ashamed to say that I don’t know everything,” Rodriguez explained during her talk. “But what I do know is how to surround myself and find smart people that know more than me in areas that I don’t.”
Her message resonated with many in attendance, as she stressed the value of humility in leadership. According to Rodriguez, successful leaders understand their own strengths and weaknesses, and they know how to fill gaps by assembling a team of experts who can help them grow and scale their businesses.
“Having a sense of self-awareness is also a characteristic that I feel a successful leader needs to have because you need to be aware of your strengths and be aware of your weaknesses,” Rodriguez added.
This approach, she says, has been instrumental in her journey from experimenting with homemade haircare solutions in her kitchen to building one of the fastest-growing Black-owned beauty brands in the world.
Rodriguez’s rise to success with Mielle Organics, which is known for its natural haircare products catering to women with textured hair, has inspired many aspiring entrepreneurs.
Her presence at AFROTECH™ highlights the growing representation of Black women in leadership roles within both the beauty and tech industries, where innovation and empowerment are driving forces.
As the CEO of a thriving company, Rodriguez continues to advocate for teamwork while acknowledging the expertise of others, which has helped Mielle Organics reach new heights.
