The natural hair care community has been buzzing with concerns about Mielle Organics, one of the most popular Black-owned hair care brands. Some consumers they’ve experienced adverse effects after using the company’s products, sparking a wave of criticism online. But beyond the specific complaints about the brand, the controversy has highlighted a larger issue. Black-owned businesses often face intense scrutiny, particularly once they expand and partner with larger companies.

The Mielle Organics Claims: What’s Really Happening?

Mielle Organics, founded by Monique Rodriguez in 2014, quickly became a household name among Black women. The brand’s focus on hair health earned it loyal followers. In 2023, Procter & Gamble (P&G) acquired Mielle, further expanding the brands reach.

However, the sale also sparked mistrust in some consumers. Many have taken to social media to claim that Mielle’s formulas changed after the P&G acquisition, leading to reactions like hair loss. In response to the backlash, Rodriguez took to social media to address the concerns. The CEO reassured customers that the formulas had not changed and that she remains involved in the brand’s development.

Despite her efforts, the claims have persisted. Another Black-owned brand, The Honey Pot, experienced a similar controversy when consumers accused it of altering products following a corporate expansion. The common denominator between both instances is a wave of suspicion directed at Black-owned businesses after they achieve mainstream success.

Unfair Expectations?

Blavity CEO, Morgan DeBaun, highlighted the sentiment that Black-owned businesses, particularly those run by Black women, often face harsh scrutiny when they begin to grow and scale.

“We have literally no grace for them,” DeBaun said. “It’s like we’re thriving on conspiracy theories… [this] piling on has got to stop,” she said in a recent video.

It’s not just about constructive feedback. DeBaun, like many other entrepreneurs, emphasized that while consumers should certainly hold businesses accountable for the quality of their products, constant criticism can be counterproductive. Especially in the case of Mielle Organics, some of the claims are difficult to prove. In instances where there may have been manufacturing issues, the company has to be given the chance to investigate and correct the problem.

“Stuff happens in business, especially when you’re growing quickly,” DeBaun noted about the fact that errors are part of scaling any company, whether Black-owned or not.

Black Business and Corporate Expansion

When Black-owned businesses expand or sell to larger corporations, they often find themselves navigating loads of expectations. On one hand, consumers want to see these businesses succeed and grow. On the other, there’s a deep-rooted fear within the Black community that selling to “the big guys” might lead to the dilution or exploitation of the brand’s original mission.

For Black consumers, supporting Black-owned businesses goes beyond just shopping. It’s an investment in the collective economic advancement of the community. This mindset can lead to heightened expectations and, sometimes, unrealistic demands.

DeBaun summed it up perfectly, “If you tear down every single entrepreneur who wants to build products for us, you’re just signaling to other people coming behind us… to not even bother trying to build for Black people.”

The co-Founder and CIO of RedDrop, a company that makes period products for tweens, shared a similar sentiment.

“As black founder we should have the luxury to scale and sell, if we desire with no burden of expectation that we must keep it for the ‘culture,'” Dana Roberts wrote in a Threads post.

Black entrepreneurs face systemic barriers that make scaling a business more difficult. Limited access to capital, fewer networks for mentorship, and a marketplace that can be hostile or dismissive of Black-owned ventures are just a few hurdles they face. When these business owners do manage to break through, the stakes are incredibly high. The risk of failure feels far more consequential, not just for the individual entrepreneur but for the community that rallies behind them.

Accountability and Grace

There’s no doubt that businesses, Black-owned or otherwise, should be held accountable for the quality of their products and services. If you’ve had a negative experience, it’s important to share your feedback directly with the company, whether through emails or other channels.

For Mielle Organics, it’s entirely possible that consumers experienced genuine issues with their products, and their concerns are valid. However, it’s also important to recognize the fine line between holding a business accountable and perpetuating harmful conspiracy theories that can ultimately weaken Black entrepreneurship overall. Accountability and grace are not mutually exclusive.

Moving Forward, Finding Balance

The controversy surrounding Mielle Organics offers a critical lesson for both consumers and entrepreneurs in the Black community. Growth is hard, and no business is perfect. Supporting Black-owned businesses without demanding perfection or assuming that every corporate move is a betrayal can be the first step to a more constructive path forward; leaving room for growth, imperfection, and the challenges that come with scaling a company.

“The only way we’re going to reduce the wealth equity gap is through entrepreneurship. And if you tear down every single entrepreneur… you’re just signaling to other people coming behind us that trying to build for Black people isn’t worth the effort,” DeBaun said.