Meet De’Vonna Pittman

We recently connected with De’Vonna Pittman and have shared our conversation below.

De’Vonna, so many exciting things to discuss, we can’t wait. Thanks for joining us and we appreciate you sharing your wisdom with our readers. So, maybe we can start by discussing optimism and where your optimism comes from?

When people ask me why I’m so optimistic, I smile and say, “Because I’ve seen too much not to believe.”

I was raised in the church—where belief wasn’t just a concept, it was a way of life. I grew up watching people pray over bills and watch checks come in the mail. I saw faith stretch meals, open doors, and break chains that statistics said were permanent. I didn’t just learn about faith—I was indoctrinated into the ways of believing.

From an early age, I was taught that the main tenet of Christianity is to believe. Not when it’s convenient. Not when it’s easy. But when the odds are stacked so high against you that believing seems like the most unreasonable thing in the world. That’s where my optimism was born—in the unreasonable.

There have been seasons in my life when things didn’t add up on paper. I’ve started businesses with more vision than capital, led programs with more passion than resources, and prayed through nights where I couldn’t see the next step. But through it all, I’ve held on to what I call my “crazy faith.” The kind that expects things to work out 99% of the time—not because life is perfect, but because God is faithful.

That kind of faith gives me grit. It pushes me to keep going when giving up seems logical. It allows me to walk into rooms where I don’t yet see the full picture, knowing the outcome is already written. My optimism isn’t naïve—it’s anchored. It’s rooted in a lifetime of seeing God make a way, again and again, even when I couldn’t.

Every obstacle I’ve faced has been a test of that belief—a reminder that optimism isn’t about ignoring reality, it’s about trusting that reality is still being rewritten. My story, my business, my life—they all stand as proof that faith and grit can build miracles out of mustard seeds.

So where does my optimism come from? It comes from the same place my faith does—from knowing that even when I can’t see how, God can.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?

I’m De’Vonna Pittman, Founder and CEO of Nature’s Syrup Beauty — a plant-powered hair and skincare company on a mission to solve the curly hair crisis. What started in my kitchen in Minneapolis has grown into a nationally distributed brand sold in Macy’s, Walmart, Amazon, and Hy-Vee, with a heart that still beats for community and culture.

What makes Nature’s Syrup Beauty special is that we’re not just selling products — we’re restoring trust in beauty. For far too long, people with textured hair have been taught to change, tame, or fight the hair that grows naturally from their heads. Our products are designed to heal that relationship — to bring hair back to health and confidence back to the mirror. Every jar, every bottle is a reminder that beauty and belief can coexist.

Our ingredients are pure and purposeful — featuring ethically sourced shea butter from women’s cooperatives in Ghana. That partnership helps provide access to food, water, and education for families there, creating a circle of empowerment that connects Ghana to our customers here in the U.S.

Locally, I opened the Curls & Culture Lounge, our luxury beauty space where beauty meets community. It’s a place where people can come for self-care, education, and connection — through events like Tu’Shea product-making sessions and our What’s Your Hair Story? campaign that celebrates the power of personal narratives.

What excites me most is what’s ahead: we’re preparing to launch our Ultimate Hair Repair System, a product we’ve tested for a year that’s showing groundbreaking results for hair growth and restoration. It’s our future hero product — the one that will change the way people experience healthy, natural hair.

Nature’s Syrup Beauty is more than a brand — it’s a movement built on faith, culture, and community. Every challenge we’ve faced has strengthened our grit, and every breakthrough has reminded me why I believe. Because with a little faith and a lot of purpose, we can create beauty that heals from the inside out.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Three Most Important Qualities, Skills, and Lessons from My Journey

1. Faith that refuses to quit.
Faith has always been my foundation. It’s the anchor that kept me steady when resources were scarce and the vision felt too big to carry. My advice? Feed your faith daily. Surround yourself with people who remind you of what’s possible, not what’s practical. Pray, journal, meditate — whatever helps you stay grounded in what you can’t yet see. Faith is the currency that will carry your dream before the money shows up.

2. Grit and adaptability.
Entrepreneurship isn’t for the faint of heart — it’s about showing up even when you’re tired, scared, or unsure. I’ve learned to adapt quickly, pivot gracefully, and never take “no” as the final answer. Grit is built in the hard seasons, not the highlight reels. My advice to anyone starting out: let failure teach you, not define you. Every setback is data — use it to get sharper and stronger.

3. Relationship building and emotional intelligence.
People have been the key to every breakthrough in my journey — from investors to retail buyers to the women in Ghana who make our shea butter. Learning to build authentic relationships rooted in trust, empathy, and shared vision has been a game changer. For those early in their journey: listen more than you speak. Build community before you need it. Success is a team sport, and your connections will often open doors your credentials can’t.

At the heart of it all, my story is one of faith, grit, and grace — believing beyond reason, working beyond comfort, and trusting that every step, even the uncertain ones, are ordered for purpose.

Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?

If I knew I only had ten years left, I’d spend them intentionally. Every minute would matter, every choice would carry weight. I’ve lived long enough to know that purpose isn’t found in things — it’s found in people, impact, and alignment with what God placed inside you.

I would spend those years pouring out everything I’ve learned — building systems and spaces that outlive me. I’d teach young women how to dream with strategy, how to build with integrity, and how to anchor their purpose in faith instead of fear. I’d make sure that the next generation knows that beauty, business, and belief can coexist — that they don’t have to choose between success and soul.

I’d expand Nature’s Syrup Beauty into a global movement that continues to empower women — from Ghana to the Twin Cities — creating economic freedom and self-worth through something as simple and powerful as self-care. I’d make sure that the Curls & Culture Lounge becomes a legacy space — a hub for entrepreneurship, healing, and creativity for years to come.

I’d spend more time with my family — loving them loudly, laughing often, traveling together, and showing them the world that faith helped me build. I’d write books, record stories, and leave wisdom behind in a way that my grandchildren’s grandchildren could still learn from.

And I’d keep believing. Because even if I only had a decade left, I’d live it like I had forever — trusting that the same God who started the work in me will carry it beyond my lifetime.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.naturessyrup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturessyrup/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bentleypittman

Image Credits

I own these photos.