

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Ross.
Hi Brianna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I began my first job at a daycare in the summer of 2010, just before turning 17. At the time, I was pressed to work for anybody to get my own money. Really, just so my parents couldn’t have too much of anything to say about how I spent it. The first six years of working were great, not having “real” bills, being a college student and living care-free with steady income was “the life.” Until, big bills, life and real desires start to become clear. By the time I turned 22, I knew the big dreams I really wanted in life were 9 times out of 10 not going to happen with a Bachelor’s degree in African-American studies or even with my Master’s degree in United States history. I knew the kind of life I wanted would require me to be my own boss. And that was my motto until I graduated from Florida A&M University (shoutout to the Rattlers).
So, over the years I took stabs at being my own boss. While in college I had my share of businesses, which weren’t really businesses but organized hobbies I was paid for. First was a custom care package business, “Out of the Box Creations” then cooking and selling “Busy B’s” plates with my college friend, and even the first try at a skin and body care brand called “Ama Oshun” with my high school friend, Paige. However, nothing really set my soul on fire enough to step into the business owner role, except that I hated being told when, where and how I could go.
It wasn’t until suffering for weeks in pain, having multiple multi-day hospital stays, two endoscopies and a dozen of lab tests did I decide to not only take my freedom in my own hands but my health as well. Once I set out on the journey of a more holistic life, changing my eating habits, practicing holistic rituals like meditation and yoga and even cleaning up my personal care and household items did I find health. peace, happiness and my spark to being a business owner. So, I decided to combine my love for helping Black and Brown people, living healthier lifestyles and bomb.com skin and body care products to create my first baby, Brown Rose Essentials.
After discovering that Black millennial women spend nine times more than any other group in the beauty and haircare industry. Paired with Black women being targeted the most by companies that use toxic and harmful chemicals in their products. And being topped off with very few Black women-owned companies handcrafting all-natural products that target minor skin concerns of Black and Brown women. I knew there was space for B.R.E. to help close an accessibility gap within the industry, tangibly help Black and Brown women live better, cultivate community and provide the freedom I desired. So, I dived in, head first, no experience.
Honestly, I didn’t know what to do or how I was going to do it but I knew it was going to get done. I didn’t know what being a business owner looked like. But I prayed, I cried, I pulled all-nighters, I woke up at 5:00 a.m. I read and did all those “successful entrepreneur” things and I still barely know what I am doing. Not saying they didn’t help me become a better version of myself, because they did. But I didn’t know becoming a business owner would highlight all my weaknesses as an individual. I didn’t know I would need to not only change my behaviors but my mindset. I didn’t know it would challenge my beliefs about myself, my abilities and my desires. I didn’t know it would strengthen my faith and my relationship with God. But here I stand, 1 and a half years in the game, a recent Boss University “Invest in Progress” grant winner with over 200 customers, a community of over 1,200 people that support the movement, invaluable relationships and a plethora of opportunities that are literally growing every day! God, gratefulness, faith, dedication and clarity has gotten me here
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 would be so nice to say “Yes” all excitedly, but absolutely not! The journey here has been a sometimes uphill and sometimes downhill battle. I think the biggest struggle for me personally has been being a Solopreneur. Naturally, I enjoy bouncing ideas around with other creative thinkers (it’s the Gemini in me) and sharing responsibility and recognition. So, tackling this journey of handcrafting and formulating products, managing social media, understanding and effectively utilizing marketing concepts, nurturing a community, providing great customer service and the list goes on, can be very overwhelming.
In all transparency, there has been multiple times I’ve taken a month-long break away from actively growing my business, for the sake of my mental and emotional sanity. So I am extremely proud of myself (and other Solopreneurs) for doing what we do, doing it well, and doing it alone. However, for me, claiming “I did this by myself” is not a flex, it’s a hard, long strenuous road that I am praying to exit soon lol.
Also, securing capital, learning and implementing systems and dealing with imposter syndrome having been on again off again challenges.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Brown Rose Essentials ?
Brown Rose Essentials, LLC is an all-natural personal care brand that handcrafts skin & body care products that target the minor skin concerns of Black and Brown women. We do this by formulating soaps, oils, butters, scrubs, etc that use non-toxic chemicals and natural ingredients to enhance our naturally melanated skin. We also seek to create a feeling of luxury for those who love self-care. Brown Rose Essentials is known for its best-selling “Turmeric & Vitamin C” Facial Bar. This bar not only targets hyperpigmentation (a common minor skin concern Black and Brown women) but provides anti-aging properties and enhances your natural glow. Crafted with sustainable goat’s milk soap, organic turmeric, kaolin clay and vitamin C, there is a reason why it’s the most reviewed product on the site.
While many skin and body care brands brag about plant-based products not many can boast on handcrafted artisanship and intentional formulations that not only target minor skin concerns but create a feeling of luxury via packaging, quality and effectiveness. I am most proud of the loyalty and love gained by our followers through our growth over the last year and a half. We have some genuine Rose Buds that have placed 9 and 10 orders and I am just truly proud and grateful the formulations and intentions of our products are effective!
Many of our products are nut-allergen free, SLS/SLES free, phathalate and paraben-free. They are crafted with high-quality and organic oils, powders and herbal and essential oils. They can be purchased on our website www.BrownRoseEssentials.com or purchased at the many in-person shopping events help in the Central Florida and Atlanta area. To stay in touch with our brand subscribe to our newsletter via the website or the links in our social media account
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
Brianna (Bree) Ross is a 2x HBCU graduate of Florida A&M Univ from Florida. Bree grew up on military bases around the world making her very culturally aware and sensitive to people’s differences. She currently resides in Central Florida where she plans to open her first warehouse within the next year.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://brownroseessentials.com/
- Instagram: @BrownRoseEssentials
- Facebook: @BrownRoseEssentialsLLC
- Twitter: @BrownRoseShop
- Youtube: B.R.E.TV
Image Credits
@Itsjustsiah