“In your purpose is your prosperity. Find your passion, and you’ll find your prosperity.” – Dr. Myles Munroe

Last night, my sisters and I spent three hours on the phone — laughing, reflecting, dreaming — and I couldn’t imagine a better way to celebrate our first year in business.

We started our holistic health and beauty company, Seven Sisters & Co., as a shared vision to bring our gifts to our community in a way that felt authentic to us.

 

My older sister has been in the beauty space for almost two decades as a master cosmetologist, esthetician, and celebrity hair stylist. For years, she has understood the importance of using clean beauty products that support the health of hair and skin.

 

After graduating from Yale School of Public Health, I wanted to use my research and training in community health — and my understanding of how stress impacts the body — to create something that would have a positive impact in our community.

 

After one year of building the foundation of our company, this blog post highlights key insights and reflections from our journey.

 

In just twelve months, we’ve shown up at pop-ups at Ponce City Market, earned five-star reviews from several repeat customers, shipped countless packages with love, received retail and media attention, and connected deeply with women who share our mission.

 

 

Rooted in Heritage, Built on Sisterhood: The Heart Behind Seven Sisters & Co.

The story of Seven Sisters & Co. is one of resilience, heritage, and a powerful return to our roots. Long before “clean beauty,” “holistic wellness,” or “plant-based skin and hair care” became trending topics, our family lived these principles naturally — out of necessity, culture, and tradition.

 

Our journey stretches back generations to our great-great-grandfather, Joseph Levi Harrell, and his family, trailblazing Black entrepreneurs in Hawkinsville, Georgia during the Reconstruction era. Formerly enslaved, they built a prosperous farm on over 111 acres, working hand in hand with the land and providing natural, organic goods to their community.

 

Their legacy of perseverance, faith, and stewardship of the earth laid the foundation for everything we do today.

 

Now, fast forward to 2024, and life has brought us full circle — back to Georgia, the very soil that nurtured our ancestors’ dreams. Here, we carry forward their tradition of holistic care by creating herbal-infused, plant-based beauty products that nourish hair and skin from the inside out.

 

As a family-owned and Black-owned business, Seven Sisters & Co. is more than a brand. It is a continuation of our family history — one built on unity, wellness, sisterhood, and entrepreneurship. Our parents, Elaine and Hubert Harrell, raised ten children — seven daughters and three sons — in a home filled with faith, love, and community.

 

The name “Seven Sisters” reflects both our biological bond and the shared vision we hold: to carry forward the legacy of strength and generational empowerment. Our brothers cheer us on, foundations steady beneath our wings.

 

Our story is still unfolding — but our foundation is strong, our purpose is clear, and our roots run deep.

 

Founder Insights After One Year

When I left my full-time corporate role last year to begin this journey with Seven Sisters & Co., I had no concrete roadmap — only a calling. I simply knew I owed it to myself, and to the women in my family, to build something purpose-driven, legacy-rooted, and aligned with my soul.

 

A year later, I can say that entrepreneurship has stretched me, humbled me, and strengthened me in ways I could never have imagined. If you’re on your own journey — or preparing to take that first leap — here are a few lessons from my first twelve months as a co-founder and CEO:

1. It does get tough — and that’s normal.

Building something meaningful requires sacrifice, resilience, and patience. There are days when the outcome isn’t clear, but those are the moments that sharpen your faith and your discipline. Remember, difficult does not equal impossible — it equals growth.

 

2. Lean on your support systems and vocalize your needs.

Support doesn’t always show up unless you ask for it. Family, community, mentors, and fellow founders can pour into you — but only if you give them the space to show up. Entrepreneurship may be a personal calling, but you never have to walk it alone.

 

3. Personal growth is tied to business growth.

Your business will only grow as much as you do. Mindset, emotional regulation, wellness routines, and inner work matter just as much as strategy. When you elevate internally, your business begins to transform externally.

 

4. Not everyone will understand — and that’s okay.

Some people will question your vision, not because they don’t support you, but because they cannot yet see what you see. Protect your dream. Stay grounded. Let action be your proof.

 

5. Learning how to execute is everything.

Ideas are powerful, but execution turns vision into reality. Develop discipline, systems, and habits. Start before you feel ready. Small steps compound into momentum.

 

6. Don’t wait for validation as you forge your own path.

Trailblazers rarely receive applause at the beginning. Believe in your inner knowing. Trust your intuition. Confidence is built in motion, not in hesitation.

 

7. Have fun — this is a long-term game.

Entrepreneurship is not only about outcomes; it’s about the becoming. Find joy in discovery, experimentation, and the little victories along the way. When you stay rooted in gratitude, the journey becomes lighter.

 

8. Educate yourself — constantly.

Study business, wealth-building, leadership, community development, and personal healing. Become a student of life and a student of your industry. Knowledge compounds — and it becomes a competitive advantage.

 

9. Revisit your intention frequently.

Businesses evolve, and so do founders. Check in with yourself. Ask why you started, and ensure you’re building from alignment rather than fear, ego, or urgency. Vision without intention becomes noise.

 

10. Your mindset is your greatest asset.

Read. Study. Surround yourself with others who are building boldly. Join communities that challenge you, support you, and expand your capacity. Your environment shapes your elevation.

 

Bonus Insight: Understand the system you’re operating within.

Whether it’s the corporate world, entrepreneurship, or the beauty industry — learn the rules, the culture, and the structure. Awareness is empowerment. When you understand the system, you can navigate it strategically rather than becoming a casualty of it.

 

 

Conclusion: The Journey Has Only Just Begun

One year in, we are just scratching the surface — and we are more inspired than ever. Seven Sisters & Co. is proof of what happens when women lead with purpose, honor their roots, and build with faith and discipline.

 

Thank you for walking this journey with us. The seeds have been planted — and the next chapter will be even more beautiful. 🌿✨