We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monica Banks. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Monica below.

Alright, Monica thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

I believe that friends and family *should* naturally want to support your business—whether it’s by making a purchase, donating, sharing a post, or simply recommending your services to a colleague. Support doesn’t always have to come in the form of money; sometimes, a share or a kind word goes a long way. When someone you care about is trying to build something meaningful, it feels like common sense to offer what support you can, especially when it costs you nothing.

That said, I do think it’s appropriate to *ask* for support—in good faith. There’s nothing wrong with letting your inner circle know what you’re working on and offering them a chance to be part of your growth. But where I personally draw the line is when that ask turns into guilt-tripping or repeated pressure. You shouldn’t have to beg for support, and you definitely shouldn’t make others feel bad for not showing up the way you expected. At that point, it’s not about genuine support—it becomes a transaction based on obligation, not encouragement.

For me, I’m comfortable making the ask once, maybe twice at most, especially when it’s something as simple and free as sharing a post or tagging someone who might benefit. After that, I let people decide how they want to show up. I value sincerity over obligation. If someone supports me, I want it to be because they *want* to, not because they felt guilted into it.

I think the most respectful approach is to give people the opportunity to support you, without assuming they’re required to. Ultimately, I think it comes down to balance: ask with sincerity, be grateful for any response, and allow people the freedom to choose how and if they want to show support. That way, the support you do receive feels genuine and meaningful.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

**Can you please tell our readers about yourself, how you got into your industry / business / discipline / craft, etc.?**

My name is Monica, and I’m the founder of **Mo Betta Beard Care**. I started this business because I’ve always believed that confidence starts with self-care. For years, I noticed that many men, including my very best friend—struggled to find grooming products that not only worked but were also made with quality ingredients that promote real, healthy, growth, protection and shine. What started as a journey to help those I love take better care of their beard, quickly turned into a passion to help others do the same. That’s when Mo Betta Beard Care was born.

**What type of products/services/ do you provide?**

Mo Betta Beard Care specializes in premium beard care products designed to keep beards growing fuller, healthier, and better groomed. Our lineup includes nourishing beard oils, conditioning beard butter, and other grooming essentials made from natural, high-quality ingredients. Each product is carefully crafted to hydrate, soften, and promote growth while helping men feel confident in their beard game.

**What problems do you solve for your clients, and what do you think sets you apart from others?**
A lot of men struggle with issues like patchy growth, dryness, irritation, or unruly ingrown hairs. Our products tackle those problems head-on by providing deep nourishment, taming coarse hair, and stimulating healthy growth. What sets Mo Betta Beard Care apart is our commitment to authenticity and quality. We’re not just selling products—we’re offering solutions that help men feel good about themselves every day. Unlike many mass-produced brands, we prioritize natural ingredients, attention to detail, and a personal touch that makes our customers feel valued. Not to mention the small business touch that all products are currently mixed and crafted by hand!

**What are you most proud of?**

I am most proud of the positive impact our products have had on our customers. Hearing stories from men who say their confidence has grown, or who finally feel like they have a beard they can be proud of, means everything to me. It reminds me why I started this business in the first place. I’m also proud of staying true to my vision—creating products that really work without cutting corners.

**What are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work?**

I want people to know that **Mo Betta Beard Care isn’t just a brand—it’s a movement toward self-confidence and personal pride**. Our mission to increase self care and to help men feel their best by giving them the tools to care for themselves properly. Whether it’s through our oils, butters, or grooming tips, everything we do is with the goal of making you look and feel Mo Betta. At the end of the day, it’s not just about growing a beard… it’s about growing confidence and creating a “betta” version of ones self! Everything is betta with Mo!

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

**Funding Your Business – Tell us the story of how you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business.**

When I first started Mo Betta Beard Care, I was actually without a job and looking for a way to productively occupy my time. It was a challenging period, but I saw it as an opportunity to finally take a chance on an idea that had been sitting in the back of my mind. Around that time, the government issued stimulus checks, and instead of letting that money disappear into bills or everyday expenses, I decided to invest it into myself and my future.

With less than $400, I got started right in my kitchen. That money covered the essentials: purchasing the ingredients and materials I needed to create my first line of beard care products, as well as the cost of officially registering my business and forming my LLC. It wasn’t a lot of money by business standards, but it was enough to get the vision off the ground. I spent hours researching, testing, and perfecting formulas in small batches, all while learning the ins and outs of starting a business from scratch.

What made the difference wasn’t the amount of money I started with, but the determination to make every dollar count. I treated that $400 as seed money, and every sale I made was reinvested back into the business. Starting small forced me to be creative, resourceful, and intentional with every decision.

Looking back, I’m proud that Mo Betta Beard Care was born out of resilience and resourcefulness rather than a huge bank loan or outside funding. It’s proof that sometimes you don’t need a fortune to build a business—you just need vision, discipline, and the willingness to start with what you have and the rest will come.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A big lesson I had to unlearn in this journey was, “expecting myself from other people”. By nature, I’m the type of person who shows up fully—if I commit to something, I follow through, and I’ve always assumed others would operate the same way. But I learned that’s not always the case.

The turning point came early in building **Mo Betta Beard Care**. I asked a friend to create a video review using my products to track their beard growth. The idea was to show proof to potential customers who were skeptical about whether the products really worked. They agreed, accepted the free product I gave them as a thank-you, and I even went the extra step of providing a script and an example video from another satisfied customer. But after all that, I never received the content we agreed upon.

At first, I was frustrated—because if the roles were reversed, I would’ve gone above and beyond to deliver. But that experience taught me something valuable: not everyone holds themselves to the same standards you hold yourself to. Just because I’m “Johnny on the spot” as a supportive person doesn’t mean others will show up with the same level of consistency or commitment.

That lesson shifted my perspective. I learned to release the expectation that people will mirror my level of dedication, and instead to focus on those who *do* follow through and genuinely support. It was a hard pill to swallow, but it ultimately gave me peace and helped me pour more energy into building with the right people.

Contact Info:

• Facebook: MoBettaBeardButter
• Other: Instagram Mo Betta Beard Care

  TikTok: Mo Betta Beard Care

Image Credits

Victoria “Chance Thee Barber”. Coakley