Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with TriDereka Hall, Founder of My Black Girl Roots, located in Memphis, TN, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
"My Black Girl Roots" is my business for content creation. On my social media, I share delicious and plant-based recipes for moms who are vegan or looking to transition their families to a more whole-food, plant-based lifestyle. My content focuses on clean-label ingredients, holistic remedies, and natural alternatives for your health and family.
Tell us about yourself
I am a vegan/plant-based, stay-at-home mom and entrepreneur. I started my journey of veganism after transitioning in 2015 with inspiration from my uncle to make healthier food choices. I began my journey of content creation for my first business, "Transformation Vegan," which was a vegan meal prep service. After the start of the pandemic, I got pregnant and ended that business. But it was a blessing in disguise! After the birth of my daughter, I, with encouragement from my fiance, began creating more content that was centered around what I made for my daughter, as my fiance and I raised her in a plant-based lifestyle!
I have two things that motivate me to continue making content. One motivation is being able to help literally millions of other parents navigate a plant-based lifestyle for their families. And even if someone doesn't fully transition to the diet, incorporating more plant-based meals, foods, and snacks into their lives because of the content I made to inspire them fuels me that much more! Another motivation is being able to still be a stay-at-home mom and make income right in the comfort of my home and still be with my daughter every single day. I make my own products, but I work with brands as well, which helps with exposure and income all on my own terms.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment as a business owner is seeing the amount of people who know nothing about the power of plants and introducing them to a whole new perspective and knowledge! With the amount of healing and knowledge I've gained from this lifestyle, I simply just want to share it with everyone I know. And the most rewarding part is someone actually making that change, and they tell you it worked for them! Using my business as a gateway to help others is the best!
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
The hardest thing that comes with my particular type of business is the amount of criticism that I face being a vegan mom creating content about plant-based living. With creating content about having a vegan family, many people see so much incorrect information about the lifestyle and make uneducated comments about my content. People are always scared of something new to them or don't have knowledge about it. It bothered me a lot at first, but as I created my content over time, I simply educate or ignore comments that don't align with my own peace and values. The bottom line is that you simply cannot please everyone, and everyone is going to have their own opinion about your life on social media, even though they don't know you and only see a small glimpse of your life. I have a strong follower base now that they can also be educated by as well, but no one wants to be told some of the things I have seen throughout my journey on social media.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Be authentic. Your customers don't buy your products just because. They purchase and continue to buy, engage, and support your business because they like YOU! Be honest and love what you do. I had to realize over time that I can't be like any other content creator but myself, but that's the exact reason why I gained followers and why they have continued to watch me since the beginning!
- Be patient. If you are in content creation, you may blow up overnight...but most likely not, lol. You have to continue to be genuine, create meaningful content for your niche, keep showing up, and be consistent.
- Stop waiting and just start! When I released my first ebook, I was in shock because I had spent over a year just talking about doing it, but I created recipes, wrote, and completed it in less than a month. I spent all that time worried about what my audience would think and trying to perfect it, that I missed out on an opportunity to have it out even earlier. I can always revise it and make it better, but the point for me was to just do it. You can literally critique yourself out of great opportunities.
Where can people find you and your business?
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tridereka
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/myblackgirlroots/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/blackgirlroots
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.
