We were lucky to catch up with Rachel Martin recently and have shared our conversation below.

Rachel, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

Naming anything, especially a business, is incredibly challenging because it has to capture who you are and what you stand for. For me, the name Love Natural Hair Care Products came from a very personal place. Since middle school, I’ve always used the word “Love” as part of my passwords. It’s a word that’s deeply special to me because I didn’t experience much love as a child. That absence made me realize how important love is, and it inspired me to spread love to everyone I meet now as an adult.

The word “Love” in my brand represents so much more than affection—it’s a reminder of the kindness and care we all deserve. It’s about pouring love into yourself, your hair, and your journey. “Natural” reflects the purity of my products and the beauty of embracing what’s authentically ours. And “Hair Care Products” is straightforward, letting people know exactly what my business is about.

This name wasn’t just a branding decision—it’s a reflection of my own journey and values. It’s a promise to myself and my customers to spread love, nurture confidence, and celebrate the natural beauty in all of us. Through Love Natural Hair Care Products, I want to inspire others to feel seen, cared for, and cherished in a way that perhaps they didn’t growing up—just like me.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Rachel Martin, and I am the founder and CEO of Love Natural Hair Care Products. I’m a mother of three, a creative entrepreneur, and a woman on a mission to inspire others to love themselves and embrace their natural beauty. My journey to this point has been filled with challenges, faith, and a deep desire to create something meaningful.

Before starting my company, I worked as a preschool manager at JCYS, where I learned valuable skills in leadership, organization, and nurturing others. However, something inside me told me there was more I was meant to do. I had a dream—something was coming that would change everything. I didn’t know what it was at the time, but I trusted my instincts and quit my job just before COVID hit.

The very next week, I asked God to guide me. I prayed for clarity about what my purpose should be, and He answered. God showed me Love Natural Hair Care Products—not just the concept but the ingredients, the mission, and the vision for what it could become. It was one of the clearest and most powerful moments of my life.

My brand focuses on providing high-quality, natural hair care solutions, including shampoos, conditioners, oils, and treatments. Each product is thoughtfully formulated to solve common issues like dryness, breakage, and lack of manageability while empowering my customers to embrace their natural beauty. What sets Love Natural Hair Care Products apart is the love and faith that go into every single bottle. This isn’t just about hair care—it’s about self-care, self-love, and honoring the unique beauty we all possess.

I’m incredibly proud of the impact my business has had. Hearing stories from clients who’ve regained their confidence or fallen in love with their natural hair is beyond rewarding. I’m also proud of my journey—leaving a steady job, trusting God’s plan, and building a business from the ground up while raising three children as a single mother. It hasn’t been easy, but it’s proof that with faith, determination, and hard work, anything is possible.

For anyone learning about me or my brand for the first time, I want you to know that Love Natural Hair Care Products was born out of faith, love, and a desire to serve. My mission is to create products that nourish not only your hair but also your confidence and spirit. This isn’t just a business—it’s my calling, and I’m honored to share it with you.

Any advice for managing a team?

Managing a team and maintaining high morale is all about fostering a culture of respect, communication, and collaboration. Drawing from my experience as a preschool manager at JCYS and as the founder of my own business, here’s the advice I’d offer:

1. Lead with empathy: Understand that each team member is unique, with their own challenges and strengths. Take the time to listen to them, show compassion, and genuinely care about their well-being. When people feel valued, they’re more motivated to perform at their best.
2. Communicate clearly and often: Open and honest communication is key to any successful team. Set clear expectations, provide regular feedback, and encourage your team to share their thoughts and ideas. When everyone feels heard, it creates a sense of unity and trust.
3. Recognize and celebrate achievements: Whether big or small, celebrate wins as a team. A simple acknowledgment or thank-you can go a long way in boosting morale. Show appreciation for hard work and let your team know their efforts are noticed.
4. Foster growth and learning: Give your team opportunities to grow, both personally and professionally. Offer training, mentorship, or new responsibilities that challenge them and help them expand their skill sets. When people see that you’re invested in their success, they feel more committed to the team.
5. Build a positive work environment: Create a space where people feel comfortable and supported. Encourage collaboration, kindness, and teamwork. Avoid negativity or blame, and instead focus on solutions and mutual respect.
6. Set the example: As a leader, your energy and attitude set the tone for the team. Stay positive, stay motivated, and show that you’re willing to put in the work alongside them. Leading by example inspires others to follow suit.
7. Be flexible and adaptable: Life happens, and sometimes your team may need support or understanding. Be willing to adapt, offer flexibility, and create a culture that prioritizes both productivity and personal balance.

Ultimately, maintaining high morale comes down to creating an environment where people feel respected, supported, and valued. When your team knows you care about them as individuals, they’ll care more about the work they do and the success of the team as a whole.

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

A powerful lesson I had to unlearn is that strength means doing everything on my own. For most of my life, I believed that relying on others was a sign of weakness. Growing up in the projects of Chicago and facing challenges like being a single mother and building a business from scratch, I developed a mindset that I had to be self-sufficient and handle everything alone to survive.

The backstory goes back to my childhood. I didn’t have a lot of support, and because of that, I learned to rely on myself from a young age. I thought asking for help was something to avoid—it felt like admitting failure. That belief followed me into adulthood, where I’d often take on too much, burn myself out, and keep quiet about my struggles because I wanted to prove I could handle it all.

But as I started my business, Love Natural Hair Care Products, and balanced being a mother of three, I hit a point where I couldn’t keep that mindset anymore. I was exhausted, overwhelmed, and realizing that I couldn’t be everything to everyone at all times. That’s when I had to face the hard truth: strength isn’t about doing everything on your own—it’s about knowing when to ask for help and lean on others.

I learned that asking for help doesn’t make you weak; it makes you human. It’s okay to delegate, to admit you don’t have all the answers, and to trust others to support you. This lesson has transformed how I approach my business and my life. I now surround myself with people I trust, seek guidance when I need it, and understand that collaboration is a key part of success.

Unlearning that old belief has been freeing. It’s allowed me to grow not only as a businesswoman but also as a mother and a person. Now, I see strength in community, vulnerability, and the ability to trust others to share the journey with me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Lovenhcp
• Facebook: Lovingurcrown

Image Credits

Jogay Tillman