We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Valerie Emanuel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Valerie below.
Valerie, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?
Since starting my period care brand Rif Care, I have had to deal with so many situations where I am the only woman or the only person of color in a room. Most of the times when this happens its at financial events or conferences, Every year, it gets better and better with more diversity programs that let everyone have a seat at the table, but I remember being at e commerce conferences 7 years ago and I was one black woman in a room of 800, because not many people that looked like me had connections to break into that industry.
Fundraising is also a very closed off space, and some of us that have chosen to start business with a high start ups cost need to fundraise at some point. Imposter syndrome is real when you are in a room of finance people. It was not until 10 years ago that women got active in venture capital, and still only 2% of women get VC funding every year. Is it because the other 98% of men have better ideas or better business? We know that is not true.
Every day I have to tell myself that I do not have to prove my worth to people. I know I have a great business that Is on the road to profitability. I also know I have a brand and product people love. When an investor does not understand that business and leaves me, and people like me out of those rooms and conversations I just have to remind myself that there are other doors that are being opened.
I am not ok with being the only black girl. I am used to it. I also know that I can find more inclusive spaces when I do not want to feel so alone. My fellow female entrepreneurs and groups like 10th house and Female Founder Collective have given me so many resources and even helped me to find investors, so I am leaning into these types of spaces.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Four years ago I went through a major life change. I went to a holistic doctor who checked my hormone and heavy metal levels after I was sick, had a failed pregnancy, and had a consistent PH imbalance for a year that caused a litany of problems. I had to detox my body from heavy metals and get my hormones back in balance and I wanted to choose the most natural route to get there.
After consulting a holistic doctor and scouring the internet for better-for-you products, I decided to change my lifestyle. I realized that there was not a single organic period care brand that I felt connected to or that felt comfortable and effective.
A few years later in 2020, I had the idea to make disposable menstrual pads with hemp fiber. I emailed 200 factories and got 200 N-Os! They said it was impossible and the processing capabilities didn’t exist yet. Jump to August 2021 when we received our first angel investment and I bought on my best friend as co-founder Rebecca Caputo. Two months later we got our prototype of the hemp fiber pad, and 8 months later in June of 2022, we launched Rif Care.
At Rif Care we make period and wellness products that make you feel like your best self. We believe high quality ingredients are integral for a healthy reproductive system.
Our inputs are grown without chemicals, making them better for our long term health and the planet.
This year we were featured in Season one of Side Hustlers with Ashley Graham and Emma Grede. The series follows female entrepreneurs as they turn their side hustlers into multi million dollar businesses. We ended up getting $100,000 investment from Ashley Graham which has been life changing for our business!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
The thing that made the most impact on my journey to becoming an entrepreneur was the way my parents raised me. I didn’t have a perfect childhood, in fact we had many hardships. but my parents never put a limit on what we could do or how we should live. They gave us SO much freedom and me and my siblings never limit ourselves with our ideas and thinking. We have huge imaginations. We love traveling. We get to feel like kids in the way we live, we don’t take life too seriously which allows me to be soft even when things are hard. I hope to parent my daughter this way.
Something else that helps me as an entrepreneur is my journaling practice. I love reading and writing. It helps me put my MANY thoughts on paper and out of my head. I love the 90 day habits Journal for entrepreneurs right now. I also love the 5 minute journal. Also I love reading the Bible and saving prayers based on what I am reading.
The last thing that is impactful for me is my workout routine, I keep it simple, barre and pilates. When I feel strong, and do positive things for my body it makes me feel more calm. It also helps my self confidence to get moving everyday!
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed I connect with nature. I love the beach, I love walks and I love going on hikes. I sometimes have to cancel calls as well so I can focus on what is in front of me. There are some weeks where I can only take internal team meetings. Sometimes outside meetings can be stressful if my team has a million things we need to focus on and compete. Cancelling a call to focus on my team always makes me feel more centered.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.rifcare.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rifcare/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Rifcares/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rifcares
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@rifcare
Image Credits
I own all the photos
