Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Renae Williams. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Renae, so great to have you with us and we want to jump right into a really important question. In recent years, it’s become so clear that we’re living through a time where so many folks are lacking self-confidence and self-esteem. So, we’d love to hear about your journey and how you developed your self-confidence and self-esteem.
Developing my confidence and self-esteem didn’t happen overnight—it evolved as I began embracing my natural hair and, in many ways, embracing myself. For years, I struggled with the idea that beauty had to look a certain way. Like so many women, I internalized the belief that straight, sleek hair was more “acceptable,” and that led to a lot of self-doubt. But when I finally decided to wear my hair the way it naturally grows, it felt like a personal declaration of freedom. That was really the beginning of my healing and self-acceptance journey.
Launching CoCoBella Natural deepened that process. What started as a way to solve my own hair challenges became something much bigger—a mission to uplift and empower women with textured hair to see themselves as beautiful, powerful, and worthy just as they are. Through formulating products, listening to customer stories, and watching women fall in love with their curls again, I found my own confidence growing. I realized that my purpose wasn’t just about creating great products—it was about creating space for authenticity and self-worth.
Every time I connect with a woman who says CoCoBella helped her feel seen, or made her feel beautiful again after a hard season—especially women who’ve faced challenges like hair loss from illness or personal transitions—it reaffirms my belief that confidence is something we build together. My self-esteem grew when I stopped trying to fit into someone else’s definition of beauty and started embracing my own truth. Today, I stand more confident not because everything is perfect, but because I’m aligned with who I am and the impact I’m meant to make.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m the founder of CoCoBella Natural, a natural hair care brand created to help women with textured hair embrace their authentic beauty with confidence. What makes CoCoBella special is that it was born from my own journey—learning to care for and love my natural hair after years of trying to make it into something it wasn’t. I wanted to create products that truly work for textured hair—not just to style it, but to nourish and protect it. Our formulas are designed to help women feel empowered in their own skin and see their natural beauty as something to be celebrated, not managed or minimized.
What excites me most about this work is seeing how our products and message are transforming lives. Hair may seem like a small thing, but for so many of us, it’s deeply tied to our identity, confidence, and culture. Every testimonial or photo we receive from a woman who feels renewed, seen, or proud of her curls reminds me why I started this brand in the first place.
This year has been especially exciting for CoCoBella. We recently launched our Moisture Method Trio, a three-step system inspired by the LOC method—Leave-In, Oil, and Cream. It’s designed to lock in moisture, reduce breakage, and keep curls healthy and defined, especially during cooler months when dryness can be a challenge. The Trio has quickly become a customer favorite, and it’s opened the door for us to expand into new retail and partnership opportunities.
Beyond the products, I’m also stepping into a new season personally. I recently finished my first book, Living Out Loud: Thoughts to Heal, Inspire, and Empower, which is all about helping women reconnect with their worth, find peace in their journeys, and walk boldly in purpose. It will be released in early 2026. It’s deeply connected to CoCoBella’s mission—because while the brand started with hair, it’s really about helping women feel whole and confident from the inside out.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, I’d say the three qualities that have had the greatest impact on my journey are resilience, authenticity, and vision.
Resilience was essential because entrepreneurship is rarely a straight path. There were moments when I questioned everything—whether people would care about my brand, whether I had what it took to stand out in a crowded market, or whether I could balance it all as a solopreneur. What helped me push through was remembering why I started. Every setback became a lesson, and every challenge refined my purpose. My advice to anyone early in their journey is this: don’t fear failure—it’s part of the process. Use it as fuel to grow stronger and smarter.
Authenticity has been equally powerful. When I first started CoCoBella Natural, I tried to mimic what I thought a “successful” brand should look like. But it wasn’t until I leaned into my truth—my voice, my story, and the women I genuinely wanted to serve—that things began to align. People connect to realness. Your audience can feel when something is rooted in passion and purpose. So my advice is: don’t chase trends—build from your truth.
Finally, vision—being able to see beyond where you are. From day one, I’ve imagined CoCoBella not just as a hair care brand but as a movement for self-worth and empowerment. That vision guided every decision, from product development to messaging to partnerships. My advice here is to take time to envision what success feels like for you—not just the numbers or aesthetics, but the impact you want to make. Then, align every step with that vision, even when progress feels slow.
Each of these qualities continues to evolve, but together they’ve helped me stay grounded, grow with purpose, and create something that’s not just profitable, but powerful.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
Absolutely. I’m always open to partnering and collaborating with individuals and brands that align with CoCoBella Natural’s mission of empowering women to embrace their authentic beauty and live with confidence. I love working with people and organizations who share a passion for wellness, self-care, natural beauty, and women’s empowerment—whether that’s through events, speaking engagements, content collaborations, or community initiatives.
As CoCoBella continues to grow, I’m especially interested in partnerships that help us reach and uplift more women—such as beauty retailers, lifestyle media outlets, wellness coaches, and non-profit organizations focused on women’s health or empowerment.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.cocobella62.com
- Instagram: cocobella62
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CoCoBella62/
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