The health and wellness industry is a billion-dollar market, but many women are not being served. Samia Gore is on a mission to change that. After being the first black female founder in history to break significant ground with her innovative nutritional supplements that are changing lives worldwide, she continues on as an entrepreneur who knows how important it can be at times just getting through each day.
Her business, Body Complete RX, was created due to her own wellness journey. Body Complete RX offers a full range of plant-based products, from health to beauty supplements. Specifically designed to meet your individual wellness needs so you can discover what it is like to look and feel your best and truly start living!
In this Behind Her Brand feature, Samia shares how she used her personal journey to catapult her journey into breaking glass ceilings and empowering women in the process.
Strut: Let’s start at the beginning… growing up did you imagine being an entrepreneur?
Samia: No, not at all; growing up, I was inspired to be a dentist. However, as I began my personal wellness journey after having children, coupled with my passion for the health and wellness industry, I knew I was destined to create something unique.
Strut: A dentist, very interesting. So, how did you get started in the health and wellness industry?
Samia: I have always had a passion for self-care and wellness. But, the beginning of my journey as a wellness entrepreneur and founder of a plant-based supplement company was a bit untraditional.
It all began from a desire to become the best version of myself.
In 2014, after having my fourth child, in which I gained a considerable amount of weight, I felt my lowest. I had let myself become less of a priority, and my health suffered the consequences. I decided to set out on a – publicly documented – weight loss journey and decided to publicly share my “mommy makeover” journey on my social media channels. I soon began to share more about my personal routine, like the organic ingredients I used to aid in my weight management. Which quickly advanced into a following of like-minded women and men.
These tips and tricks, specific to my own journey, continued to catch the attention of the aforementioned audience. From that, Body Complete RX, a plant-based supplement and wellness brand for all lifestyle needs, was born.
Strut: We know you created Body Complete RX as a result of your own wellness journey – which is admirable. Tell us more.
Samia: I sought organic alternatives that could provide me with increased energy, boost my metabolism and curb unwanted hunger. Most of the weight management supplements I was trying to support my get-healthy efforts, came with undesirable side effects and contained questionable ingredients. After struggling to find clean supplements on the market, I worked with a team of experts. And a Black female nutritionist, Dr. Ruby Lathon, to create my own line of plant-based and vegan supplements, which was a weight management kit.
With the popularity of my first product, we knew we were on to something. Since then, we have expanded our business from a weight-management company to a brand centered on overall holistic health and wellness, offering various products. Last year due to our growing success, we launched at The Vitamin Shoppe stores nationwide. Becoming the retailer’s first Black female-owned supplement brand to launch in the retailer’s weight management category.
Strut: In the beginning stages of developing your business, what was your biggest struggle?
While I have faced many challenges as a Black female founder throughout my career, these challenges have only empowered me to grow into a better entrepreneur. The supplement industry is highly competitive and male-dominated; thus, I’ve had to work 10 times harder. There was no reason for me to be handling all aspects of the business on my own. It was challenging building the right team and understanding that I could not do it all by myself, but I learned to trust my team and delegate. I also learned to utilize my employees’ strengths and wasn’t afraid to teach them new skills.
As a mother of four with a full-time job, I also had to work around the clock to build a business while missing mommy moments and having no time for myself. But my children are my support system. I’ve involved them in the process of building my brand every step of the way. In the early days of growing my business, we even packaged orders in our living room as a family. Today, five years later, I am proud to show them all their hard work that came to fruition.
Strut: What is the best part of Body Complete RX (BCRX)? What keeps you motivated to keep going?
Samia: We are making a positive impact in the world by creating supplements to help those who may be struggling to get active or take better care of themselves. Our supplements make living healthy a lifestyle; they’re not just something to do this week, and this is what we are most proud of.
Strut: The past two years have been filled with uncertainty, and we’ve all had to adjust. How has the adjustment been for you?
Samia: The pandemic has hugely impacted the health and wellness industry. More people understand the importance of being healthy, taking care of their bodies, and keeping their immune systems strong. Health and wellness brands are seeing more interest in consumers looking to support their lifestyle, and BCRX certainly has.
Strut: Do you feel like you are pursuing purpose? If so, how did you know this was your purpose?
Samia: My purpose is to provide a wellness solution for all individuals, but especially women of color, and inspire other women like myself to pursue their dreams. I knew this was my purpose when people began purchasing my products, and Body Complete RX continued growing and seeing customer demand. My company has become a multimillion-dollar wellness brand and entirely self-funded in just a few years. I’ve been credited for changing the lives of thousands of consumers worldwide. I am proud to say that our products are fulfilling their purposes by not only helping people look good but feel good from the inside out.
Strut: What’s the difference between the woman (you) before starting the brand and the woman (you) right now?
Samia: Before starting my brand, I was a different person. I was on a different career path, starting a family and leading a different lifestyle. Over the years since founding Body Complete Rx, I’ve grown wiser. When dealing with all aspects of my business, I am more experienced and confident in making strategic decisions for our brand.
When I felt myself falling, I reminded myself that “failing” is just another lesson learned to better myself. The woman I am today was shaped by all of the trials and errors I have gone through in this entrepreneurial journey.
Strut: Mental Health is a taboo topic for entrepreneurs. Did starting your brand affect your mental health any?
Samia: It’s quite a paradox if you ask me. I was entering the wellness industry while struggling with my physical health and my mental health. Entering a male-dominated industry as a female entrepreneur was intimidating. Still, it taught me the importance of taking care of my emotional and social well-being, setting boundaries for myself, and learning to listen to what my mind and body are telling me.
I’ve learned that just because I’m the CEO of a company doesn’t mean I won’t deal with the daily struggles that other people deal with. As an entrepreneur in the wellness industry, I hope to live out and practice what I’m so often preaching.
…Just because I’m the CEO of a company doesn’t mean I won’t deal with the daily struggles that other people deal with. As an entrepreneur in the wellness industry, I hope to live out and practice what I’m so often preaching.
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Strut: What are some tips for Business/Brand Owners to avoid feeling burnt out and taking care of their mental health?
Samia: Check in with yourself. With busy schedules, never-ending to-do lists, and personal obligations, it’s easy for business owners to go through days on autopilot. Make it a point to check in with yourself regularly; it could even be just 5 minutes each day. Set it as a reminder on your phone or even make it an “appointment” on your calendar, so you don’t forget.
Strut: What’s the most essential piece of advice you could give to a young woman just starting her career?
Samia: There are so many highs and lows that come with being an entrepreneur and having your own business. I think my resilience and perseverance make me a powerful woman.
It’s essential to have these traits. Sometimes it’s hard to feel like there’s anything between the highs and lows, but I always tell myself I will soon reach a high for every low I hit. I would suggest an aspiring entrepreneur do the same. Always keep at it, no matter what life throws your way.
Strut: Lastly, what keeps you struttin?
Samia: As a Black female founder, my goal and passion continues to inspire other like-minded brands to join me in ensuring wellness is all-inclusive and evolves to best represent all individuals.
Connect with Samia:
Website https://bodycompleterx.com
Instagram/Twitter: @BodyCompleteRX