Dr. Monica's Natural Beauty, LLC, in business for 7 years, offers luxurious, handcrafted, sustainable bodycare and fragrances. Led by award-winning CEO, Dr. Monica Riley, MD, with over 30 years of expertise in Holistic Health, they specialize in inspiring women over 40, particularly women of color, to prioritize daily self-care. A carefully selected team ensures personalized service; delivering nutrient-rich, toxin-free products that have been featured in MACYS.
Dr. Monica Riley, MD, Award-Winning CEO, Educator, Philanthropist
Hi Dr. Monica, thanks for joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
When I think back to how I started my business, I must go way back; even before 2016. The idea for clean beauty self-care, with special care to women of color, really began in my Nana’s kitchen. I was only 4 years old, but I remember being mesmerized by the plants and flowers that she would boil in this huge soup pot every Saturday. I mean the incredible aromas that wafted from that pot; lavender, lemon, orange, vanilla, lily-of-the-valley, peony and cinnamon, carried me into my own little world of bliss. And, to my 4 year old self, I was living my best life…munching Nana’s homemade biscuits with strawberry jam and watching her create elixirs that healed the body, mind and spirit. Nana instilled in me respect for daily self-care. In her words, “no woman, regardless of what stage of life she’s in should ever sacrifice her vim, vigor and vitality.”
Dr. Monica’s Natural Beauty, LLC is my Afro-Indigenous story of limitless longevity. My family’s eclectic legacy of longevity, living well into their 100’s, just made sense to be the secret sauce for my company. I had 100 years of family beauty and longevity recipes, I had family support and I had my 30 years of expertise in the Holistic Health Sciences of Aromatherapy, Herbology, Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine. We just celebrated our 7th “Bizversary” and at the beginning of this year, I decided to “JUST DO ME.” I decided to walk my talk and make my own self-care my first priority! “Me plus Me equals Me” is my daily mantra and this is where my pivot gets good! I AM Fortified!
When my business was featured with MACYS as the NEW & NOW “It” Beauty brand for Summer/Fall 2019-2020, I went from the little girl in the red coat with my Paddington bear, peering through the Christmas window displays at Macy’s Herald Square, to featured Biz CEO with my custom display in MACYS Fashion Show Mall on the Las Vegas Strip! My company valuation hit six figures! Now that was a whole rollercoaster ride that needs to be made into a LIFETIME movie! But, I save that for another day.
We appreciate you sharing your insights. Can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your background and context?
I’m a Native New Yorker happily implanted in Las Vegas! I am an active Vassar College Alum and 2-time Emmy Award-winning documentary producer from my days with PBS/BBC. My MD is in Integrative Medicine. My superpower is to inspire communities to action through my activism against human trafficking and cyberbullying. I’m a sought-after public speaker and podcast guest, and a celebrated college professor! Mi Familia is my private place. My daily WOW (words of wisdom): “Self-Care IS Healthcare"™
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I must be transparent and admit that the loss of my Nana, followed by my beloved Father in 2017, affected my mental health more than I thought. They transitioned just 67 days apart and I was left holding the broken pieces of their legacies. I guess I was just moving through the motions of life. I thought I was keeping myself up and holding steady, but I really wasn’t.
I developed an extreme case of anxiety that crippled my lifestyle and my interactions with my loved ones. I was triggered into a flood of emotions by just about everything. Leaning into my faith in God and blending my botanicals, on a daily, in my Aroma-Lab saved my life. Remembering that I had a legacy of healing to continue saved my sanity. And, remembering Nana’s words: “you’ve got to commence to gettin’ or get got,” healed my heart. I refuse to “Get Got.” This year has been MY year of self-discovery and self-love. I must give myself grace and allow myself to just be. I am unapologetically me!
What Is The ONE Thing You Know For Sure?
If I can make someone’s life a little easier and a lot healthier; I’m ALL In! My company has scaled quickly over the last 2 years and with the addition of the Amazon Handmade store, to our thriving e-commerce platform. God continues to bless my journey. I’m grateful to be in this position, but it’s a little scary too. The main lesson that I’ve learned, which is HUGE for me, is that I cannot do this alone and I need to reach out for help. “Breathe and Release”
