Today, we’d like to introduce you to Maria Driver.
Hi Maria, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I started by opening my first business at the age of 19 in Gloucester, VA. Re-Ons Designing Impressions. I lost my mother shortly after, and my father had a stroke six months later. Through stress and pride, I lost my eyesight at 23. I was completely blind. A young mother of three, business owner, and single black female. But through perseverance, I made it through!
By age 24, I had purchased my first home, 2,500 square feet and business was growing. At 27 I began teaching cosmetology and barbering part-time. Opened my own school, the first cosmetology and barbering school in my hometown of Gloucester! Became a Mary Kay Director in 2002.
In 2003, my high school asked me to be an instructor in the cosmetology department where I was once a student. What an honor! Of course, I said yes! Sold the businesses and properties (I owned five houses at this time) and moved to Philadelphia after 23 years in business in Virginia. I opened my kid’s salon called Oria’s For Kids and Development, and I also opened Oria’s O’shay Body Butter. Whole Foods picked up my brand, and I was in 23 stores from Va to New Jersey for seven years!
I had my own TV show called Detours on Bounce TV and a radio show on love860. Won the Ma’am CJ Walker Award 2014 in Philadelphia. Moved to Georgia and started the Real Beauty Talk Radio Show in Atlanta. Did another TV show called Sample This One for 1 season because I had no funding.
In 2019, I announced I was creating a pet line called Fresh Mink Pets. It launched on Chewy.com in 2022 with the help of Herman Moore, wide receiver for the Detroit Lions. I am the First Black American who has a national pet line. We are currently regrouping to add bigger sizes and a new brand look for Fresh Mink Pets on Chewy.com. I received the Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2023 in Atlanta from the Georgia Minority Business Awards.
I start a Fresh Mink Pet Expo at the Georgia International Convention Center Annually. Fresh Pets Magazine, Oh Just Pets Podcast this fall, My hometown in Gloucester, VA, will be premiering the documentary of my success on Juneteenth weekend 2024. On October 3, 2024, I will be presenting my namesake award, the Maria Lee-Driver Entrepreneur of the Year Award, in Jacksonville, Florida.
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?
No. Funding and marketing were a big struggle at the beginning of my business. You can have something awesome but if no one knows about it it doesn’t matter.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a creator, an author, and a visionary. I make this come to pass! I love making things that help issues and solve problems.
That’s why I have an all-natural product hair care line for growing hair, issues with dry skin, and healthy nails. My pet line, Fresh Mink Pets keeps your fur babies nice, clean, and fresh! We are set apart from others because of the uniqueness of our products that Actually works!
How do you define success?
Success has something someone else wants and they are willing to pay you for!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.freshminkpets.com
Image Credits
Darryl Peek and Sean Clinkscales
