My Interview With Ranay Orton- Founder of Glowbydaye

What inspired you to take the path of entrepreneurship? Everybody has a story, what is your story?

Ever since I was little, I loved providing value to others in some way shape or form and being grateful for the rewards that came back to me both internally and financially. This started young from me and my sisters’ lemonade stand on our block or making bracelets to sell in my neighborhood. As an adult, I was inspired as I saw many examples of the limitless potential that entrepreneurship can offer in many areas of life. The obvious to many may be money, but for me, just as important, impact for others, time freedom and location freedom are just as appealing.

For years I tried many different business ideas and one day I had an AHA moment when the raggedy satin bonnet that I had on was wreaking havoc on my edges and barely holding in my braids. I wanted to create a bonnet of my dreams that would do all the things the type of bonnet I had been using for years just wasn’t doing. It would be made for hair’s vulnerability and versatility. I launched Glow by Daye 5 years ago and I am so honored we have been able to serve so many people with our products making their healthy hair care a little more simple, effective, and enjoyable!

What advice will you give your younger self?

I would tell myself to believe in myself more aggressively earlier. So many moments wasted on self doubt. It’s a wasted belief.

Have you ever raised funds for your business? If yes? How did you raise funds? Where did you seek funds?  What is the most amount you’ve ever raised?

I have raised only non equity capital for now. I have received grants via pitch competitions, the government, and amazing foundations like New Voices. There were/and still many opportunities specifically targeted for businesses owned by people of color in the past couple years. If looking for funding, there are great resources like Hello Alice, iFundWomen, New Voices, 1863, and Ureeka that can help with either funding itself or connections to funding.  We have also received an SBA loan and line of credit through my bank. My largest funding is from our LOC (line of credit) with the bank but have reserved only to use that for only short term working capital such as Inventory.

Relationship building – Let’s talk about this! How important is relationship building for you and how did it help your business?

Relationship building is sooo important and underrated by many. When growing a business, sometimes you can get caught in the day to day and think you have to have your head down, but to really make strides in your business it requires connections and relationships. As business owners, CEOs, founders (whatever you identify yourself as) we need to make a conscious effort to put our “heads up” and connect with our communities, mentors, or whomever else.  All of the capital that I mentioned above, I either learned about or was connected to the right person to help me bring that capital in to fund my business.

Do you take risks? What risk did you take? Was it a good or bad risk? What would you do differently?

I listen to a lot of audio that feeds me personally whether it’s a podcast or YouTube. I would love to start physically reading more books, but I am always moving so when I sit down to read, I fall asleep. There are many mentors everywhere. I also enjoy journaling and self assessing my goals and if they are aligning with how I am living my life.

Was there a time you felt like giving up? What inspired you to keep going?

Yup, like the other day lol. Seriously, it was  for a very brief moment (like 2 seconds) out of frustration. What I have learned is as you keep going, the moments of that thought moves further and further away and hopefully you can counter those thoughts much easier. Now it’s not about “giving up” its about “what’s next” . For instance, if I am doing things in my business that are overwhelming me and stressing me out and my thoughts move to “I’m a failure, I’m not happy, Should I give up?”, I now have better control of moving those thoughts to “who can help me with this? How can I give this “one thing up” to someone that loves doing it? How can I afford them? If I can’t afford them, what’s my other options?” I would suggest always direct your thoughts back to your “why” and what is the ultimate goal or vision for having the business. Many times my thoughts go back to the impact I can have with creating a successful organization.

How do you self care?

I’m boring (lol), at this point in my life (kids, business etc.), I just want to watch a good show uninterrupted and guilt free. I also love a good massage.

What advice would you give to anyone who is about to embark on the entrepreneurship journey?

DO as you LEARN. As soon as you learn something, if relevant, try and actually put it into practice, even in just a small way. Sometimes we can hoard information and it becomes useless to us if we don’t put it into practice.

Are you open to mentorship? How can you be reached? What are your social handles?

Of course! Feel free to reach out to me via Instagram at @naydaye. Also feel free to follow us at @glowbydaye

Make sure you visit Ranay’s company website to purchase her satin bonnets line for healthy natural hair. Show some love to Glowbydaye

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