Today we’d like to introduce you to Sarah Royer.
Hi Sarah, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
In 2016, I received my last keratin relaxer. I made one of the best decisions of my life, which was going natural. My transitioning journey was a tough one and I was so ready to give up. I stuck through it and decided to cut off the remaining relaxer strands in December 2017. I spent many years watching YouTube videos, reading blogs and articles, and conducting my own research as well. Thanks to the natural hair blogs, gurus, and you-tubers, I learned about the many damaging chemicals put into relaxers and hair products catered to black women. A lot of the “so-called” natural hair care products had many chemicals that are damaging to the health and well-being of many women, more specifically black women. I saw that issue within my community and decided to fix it. While on this journey, one of the most important things I learned was to incorporate natural/organic products into your regimen. I started researching the effects of organic ingredients on hair and concluded that those ingredients were the key to proper hair nourishment because they stimulate hair growth, retain moisture, reduce shedding, and more.
I remember being so frustrated with my new big chop back in 2017 but my first natural DIY product, the “aloe remedy” spray, became my new prized possession. Little did I know that this product would be a top-seller product like it is now. I was using it almost every day and my hair truly took a turn for the better. I saw that I was retaining length and my shedding decreased dramatically. Another staple product in my journey was tea rinses. Our lemongrass and moringa tea rinse come straight from my backyard. Our co-founder, chief financial officer (CFO), and also my wonderful mom, Carolyn, takes care of the lemongrass and moringa plants right here in Miami Gardens. The business started as an idea at the dinner table around the time of August 2019.
My mom, Carolyn Francis-Royer, encouraged me to start sharing my DIY products with everyone. She recognized that I had a strong passion for hair care and encouraged me to share that with everyone. Amidst the Covid-19 pandemic, I used me free time to start planning the launch of my business. In August 2020, I launched my Shopify store. I immediately received orders within a couple of minutes of the launch. My success comes from all my supportive family, friends, and colleagues. Lastly, I’m glad to be able to use my platform to educate many women and men on healthy hair care, how to go about it, and how to find their own routine/regimen.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It was definitely a bumpy road traveling along this path to success. One of the biggest struggles was money. Being that I’m a college student, my money had to go elsewhere. I had to take care of rent, tuition, supplies, groceries, and a lot more. I did have a lot of scholarships but that money goes straight towards school. I did have a job on campus but student jobs don’t pay much. The next biggest struggle was finding inventory and suppliers that I can trust. I spent time researching which companies would supply me with the certified natural and organic ingredients that I needed to make my products. Some companies pose as being natural and organic but are not. I came across some of those and had to start a search elsewhere.
I was originally trying to launch in April 2020 but the Covid-19 pandemic took the world by storm. My job wasn’t able to pay us for a couple of months. All the different things I had to pay for, such as my Shopify plan, domain purchase, business cards, ingredients, and etc. had to be put on pause. Shipping was also a big issue at the beginning of the pandemic. I know that I would be using the USPS. They were slowing down and had trouble adjusting to the new surge of mail coming in and out. Now, it feels as if it’s almost back to normal. My products ship out pretty fast. Amidst all the obstacles and challenges, I was able to have a successful launch and still have good sales coming in after.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My passion for the environment began at an early age and remains strong today. My goal is to promote environmental, economic, and social sustainability. A primary focus is to hold big polluters accountable and educate them about eco-friendly alternatives to doing business. I would also like to focus on minority communities by educating them about sustainability, the environment, and environmental justice issues within their community. I’m currently a student at the University Of Central Florida. I’m majoring in Environmental Studies and minoring in Political Science. Once I graduate from UCF, I will be attending law school to prepare for a career in Environmental Law. I’m currently involved in undergraduate research conducting an independent project on the City of Houston’s management of storm and floodwater.
This past summer and fall semester, I was selected as one of the Sustainability Education Interns for the City of Orlando. I was assisting in coordinating workshops to educate middle schoolers on the environment and monthly training sessions that was held at the community centers. I’ve also been a Zumba instructor at the UCF Recreation and Wellness Center since January 2020. I’m most proud of contributing to the environment and educating kids on how to do so because they are the future. What sets me apart from others is that I know my purpose, exactly what I want to do and I’m working towards it. I can successfully be involved in multiple activities and fields.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can support me by sharing my social media and telling others to shop at my store. Hairstylists can also purchase my products to use on their clients. I am willing to make wholesale orders for them. Companies with similar missions as far as selling natural and organic products can collaborate with me if our products are complimentary, then it can be promoted together. We can put together a gift basket deal for our customers. For example, if you buy from company XYZ, you can get 50% of Ro’s organics and vice versa. I would love to participate in pop-up shops that anyone is hosting. If anyone would like for me to be a vendor, I’m open to it.
Pricing:
- $7
- $8
- $12
Contact Info:
- Email: ro1sorganics@gmail.com
- Website: https://rosorganics.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rosorganics1/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ros.organics.7
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ro_Organics
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4V5HheLP4-3AOipxkTSXRw?view_as=subscriber
Image Credits
Zakaria White Photography Logo Design by Desilus Designs, LLC
