We were lucky to catch up with Drenda Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Drenda, appreciate you joining us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

In 2018 I authored a non-fiction book, The Will To Live: Finding the Strength Within to Survive recounting the tragic events of my life as a domestic violence victim but also providing guidance to others who are survivors. As I traveled the country to promote the book and raise awareness, there is still a stigma about discussing domestic violence. This sparked the idea of creating ways to increase awareness through non-traditional methods and in 2019, I launched my Reach Back Campaign.  The campaign started with an all-natural lip gloss line called JoyL. Since men are also victims and survivors of domestic violence, I developed another product for my Reach Back Campaign called Mfalme which means “King” in Swahili. It is a beard and hair oil line for men. Each product includes domestic violence facts in the packaging and displays my website address which contains more information about my personal story.

Since the Reach Back Campaign has begun, I’ve received overwhelming support from my friends, family and later clientele from all over the country. All the products I make by hand and add personal touches to the packaging. Because of this success and increased awareness, I have used my creativity to develop other products. To date I have the following products: lip gloss, beard oil, beard balm, body oil, curl definer, deodorant, body butter, and face scrub. These products are all created by hand with a formula created by me and I take pride in developing things that make people feel good about themselves while also promoting a great message.

Drenda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

A native of Vandalia, Missouri, a small Midwestern rural town. I am a first-generation college student and attended an 1890 Historically Black College and University, Lincoln University, MO. During college, I studied agriculture, natural resources, botany, and several science classes. It was these areas that allow me to have the creativity and insight to create my product line. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree with emphasis in Agriculture and Natural Resources.  Through hard work, purpose, and dedication, I have grown into an accomplished female executive.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

I use several platforms to sell my products. I promote them on social media and have a website promoting each brand. Selling items at traditional marketplace booths is also a good method to create sales. There is always a festival to promote and sell your products.

Online sales are an easier method and has a broader reach especially during COVID; however, it loses its personal touch by the consumer not meeting me in person. I would rather sell in person, but a more efficient method is online sales. I try to add personal touches though the branding some of my consumers I will never meet.

How did you build your audience on social media?

 I use several platforms to promote my business. My Facebook page is promoting to friends, family, and individuals I have met as I have traveled the country. My Instagram pages are public, so I am able to market to everyone in the public. Additionally, influencers are a great way to market your brand; however, funding is needed because the more followers an influencer has the increased rate they charge.  Collaborations are another method of growing an audience. An example is partnering with Canvas Rebel will allow me to reach audiences using social media. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.drendawilliams.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/mfalmebeardoil
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/DjoiWillz
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCuFdpRrrnf3Y6d88HZFYaQ
• Other: www.mfalmebeard.com www.joyllipgloss.com https://instagram.com/JoyL_Lipgloss

Image Credits
Photo credit: Eric Coleman Photography