Listen and subscribe to Money Making Conversations on iHeartRadio, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, www.moneymakingconversations.com/subscribe/ or wherever you listen to podcasts. New Money Making Conversations episodes drop daily.  I want to alert you, so you don’t miss out on expert analysis and insider perspectives from my guests who provide tips that can help you uplift the community, improve your financial planning, motivation, or advice on how to be a successful entrepreneur.  Keep winning!

Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Valerie Obaze.

Founder of R&R Skincare.  

🎯 Purpose of the Interview

The interview aims to:
Highlight Valerie Obaze’s entrepreneurial journey in founding R&R Skincare.
Challenge stereotypes about Africa’s capabilities and resources.
Promote African-made beauty products and their global relevance.
Inspire others, especially women and diaspora Africans, to invest in and build businesses rooted in African heritage.

🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Breaking African Stereotypes
Valerie and Rushion discuss how Africa is often misrepresented in Western media.
Valerie emphasizes that ignorance is not always malicious, but it’s time to reframe the narrative through firsthand experience and platforms like social media.

“Ignorance doesn’t always have to be an insult. If you don’t know, you just don’t know better.” – Valerie Obaze

2. The Birth of R&R Skincare
Inspired by the birth of her daughter, Valerie sought natural skincare solutions.
She discovered liquid shea oil, which became her first product.
The brand name “R&R” stands for Rebecca Rose (her daughter’s name) and also Rest & Relaxation.

“I wanted to create a product that makes using these raw materials from the continent enjoyable.” – Valerie Obaze

3. From Garage to Global
Valerie started in her mother-in-law’s garage, turning it into a compliant mini factory.
She had no formal business plan, relying on her PR and branding background.
The brand now has three stores: one in Lagos and two in Accra, including one at the airport.

4. Authenticity and African Pride
Valerie insists on maintaining the African identity of her brand.
She uses locally sourced ingredients and ensures cruelty-free testing.
The brand supports women in the supply chain, creating economic opportunities.

“We don’t intend to hide that in any way. We just wanted to make raw materials sexy.” – Valerie Obaze

5. Expansion to the U.S.
Valerie is expanding R&R Skincare to the U.S., leveraging social media, activations, and PR expertise.
Products are manufactured in Africa, but distributed from U.S. warehouses to ensure timely delivery.

“We found our tribe over here… and this was the right time to come back to America.” – Valerie Obaze

🧴 Product Highlights
Shea Oil – First product, moisturizing and healing.
Body Butter – Whipped, light, and rich in essential oils.
Liquid Black Soap – Modern take on traditional African cleansing.
Hand Cream – Convenient and portable for dry conditions.

🌍 Big Picture Vision

Valerie’s goal is to grow an African brand globally, showcasing the richness of African resources and empowering local economies.

“This is just a small representative of the entire continent and what it is capable of.” – Valerie Obaze

#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

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Two-time Emmy and Three-time NAACP Image Award-winning, television Executive Producer Rushion McDonald interviewed Valerie Obaze.
Founder of R&amp;R Skincare.&nbsp;&nbsp;
<hr>
🎯 Purpose of the Interview
The interview aims to:
<ul>
<li>Highlight Valerie Obaze&rsquo;s entrepreneurial journey in founding R&amp;R Skincare.</li>
<li>Challenge stereotypes about Africa&rsquo;s capabilities and resources.</li>
<li>Promote African-made beauty products and their global relevance.</li>
<li>Inspire others, especially women and diaspora Africans, to invest in and build businesses rooted in African heritage.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
🧠 Key Takeaways 1. Breaking African Stereotypes
<ul>
<li>Valerie and Rushion discuss how Africa is often misrepresented in Western media.</li>
<li>Valerie emphasizes that ignorance is not always malicious, but it&rsquo;s time to reframe the narrative through firsthand experience and platforms like social media.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;Ignorance doesn&rsquo;t always have to be an insult. If you don&rsquo;t know, you just don&rsquo;t know better.&rdquo; &ndash; Valerie Obaze
</blockquote>
<hr>
2. The Birth of R&amp;R Skincare
<ul>
<li>Inspired by the birth of her daughter, Valerie sought natural skincare solutions.</li>
<li>She discovered liquid shea oil, which became her first product.</li>
<li>The brand name &ldquo;R&amp;R&rdquo; stands for Rebecca Rose (her daughter&rsquo;s name) and also Rest &amp; Relaxation.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;I wanted to create a product that makes using these raw materials from the continent enjoyable.&rdquo; &ndash; Valerie Obaze
</blockquote>
<hr>
3. From Garage to Global
<ul>
<li>Valerie started in her mother-in-law&rsquo;s garage, turning it into a compliant mini factory.</li>
<li>She had no formal business plan, relying on her PR and branding background.</li>
<li>The brand now has three stores: one in Lagos and two in Accra, including one at the airport.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
4. Authenticity and African Pride
<ul>
<li>Valerie insists on maintaining the African identity of her brand.</li>
<li>She uses locally sourced ingredients and ensures cruelty-free testing.</li>
<li>The brand supports women in the supply chain, creating economic opportunities.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;We don&rsquo;t intend to hide that in any way. We just wanted to make raw materials sexy.&rdquo; &ndash; Valerie Obaze
</blockquote>
<hr>
5. Expansion to the U.S.
<ul>
<li>Valerie is expanding R&amp;R Skincare to the U.S., leveraging social media, activations, and PR expertise.</li>
<li>Products are manufactured in Africa, but distributed from U.S. warehouses to ensure timely delivery.</li>
</ul>
<blockquote>
&ldquo;We found our tribe over here&hellip; and this was the right time to come back to America.&rdquo; &ndash; Valerie Obaze
</blockquote>
<hr>
🧴 Product Highlights
<ul>
<li>Shea Oil &ndash; First product, moisturizing and healing.</li>
<li>Body Butter &ndash; Whipped, light, and rich in essential oils.</li>
<li>Liquid Black Soap &ndash; Modern take on traditional African cleansing.</li>
<li>Hand Cream &ndash; Convenient and portable for dry conditions.</li>
</ul>
<hr>
🌍 Big Picture Vision
Valerie&rsquo;s goal is to grow an African brand globally, showcasing the richness of African resources and empowering local economies.
<blockquote>
&ldquo;This is just a small representative of the entire continent and what it is capable of.&rdquo; &ndash; Valerie Obaze
</blockquote>
<hr>
#SHMS #STRAW #BEST

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!

https://www.moneymakingconversations.com

https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations

https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/

https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv

https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Hi, this is Rushion McDonald. Welcome to the podcast world of Money Making Conversations Master Class. I interview profits and nonprofits to learn their "Secrets to Success."  I'm a former IBM Executive with a degree in Mathematics. I started my entrepreneurial career as a stand-up comic, then became a sitcom writer, award-winning baker, social media influencer, award-winning television Executive Producer, and brand architect for super-successful celebrities and products. Money Making Conversations Master Class interviews a diverse group of celebrities, entrepreneurs, and influencers in the financial and business community with their advice and tips so you can be successful, too. It's time to stop reading other people's success stories and start building your own. People always talk about their purpose or gifts. If you have a gift, Lead with your Gift, and don't let your friends, family, or co-workers stop you from planning or living your dream. Keep Winning!
https://www.moneymakingconversations.com
https://www.youtube.com/MoneyMakingConversations
https://www.facebook.com/MoneyMakingConversations/
https://twitter.com/moneymakingconv
https://www.instagram.com/moneymakingconversations/

Money Making Conversations Master Class

Business Tips: She inspires others, especially women to invest in and build businesses rooted in African heritage.

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/d899a536-a178-4aa2-af13-b48500ef689e/transcript