Mo Ihekweazu shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Good morning Mo, we’re so happy to have you here with us and we’d love to explore your story and how you think about life and legacy and so much more. So let’s start with a question we often ask: When was the last time you felt true joy?
I recently came across a social media post that suggested asking your spouse what they’d assume you were arrested for, and it piqued my curiosity. So I asked my husband, who’s known me since my 20s.
Without missing a beat, he immediately replied: “Protesting.”
That unflinching answer hit me in the best possible way. It felt like something inside me smiled. It reminded me of who I’ve always been—the girl who grew up going to peace rallies and protest concerts in San Francisco. The one who can’t just watch the world burn and politely smile through it.
His answer brought me real, unexpected joy. Because it affirmed something I sometimes forget: that no matter how much life changes, I’m still myself. I still believe fiercely in what’s right. I still have strong opinions and a fire in me that won’t quit. And whether I always say things the “right” way, at least I say them.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’ve never really said this out loud, but I’m a dreamer. I carry big visions in my heart, though I don’t always share them until I’m ready to bring them to life. And today, I’m proud to share one of the biggest dreams I’ve ever had: I’ve officially launched my garden-inspired beauty brand, Bloomgarten Beauty.
This brand has been over ten years in the making, and a few weeks ago, we celebrated our launch in Houston. Now, our very first products—tinted and colorless lip balms—are officially shipping nationwide. Just writing that still feels surreal.
What makes Bloomgarten unique is how deeply personal it is. I’m fully hands-on in every aspect—from formulating the recipes to sourcing ingredients, designing packaging, building the website, and overseeing our social media. While I collaborate with trusted vendors, there’s no part of the business I’m not involved in. That level of involvement allows me to really connect with my customers—because I am the customer too.
Even before our first product dropped, I ran a nationwide poll asking women what they actually want in lip and beauty products. That feedback mattered deeply to me. I’ve always believed in listening first, especially as a busy woman (and mom), trying to solve real problems for other busy women—and anyone who wants beauty products that feel simple, effective, and real.
This brand didn’t come out of nowhere. It’s been blooming in my heart for years—ever since my childhood summers in Sonoma’s wine country. But let me be clear: those summers weren’t all vineyard views and magazine spreads. Sometimes we lived deep in the woods, in a cabin surrounded by wild animals, poison oak, and midday heat so intense it felt like the air itself might melt. But still, I dreamed.
Nature shaped how I see beauty—breathtaking, wild, and full of life. That same vision stayed with me as I went through business school, entered the corporate world, and realized I didn’t quite fit in. I kept dreaming—of building something meaningful, of creating something people could connect with, of finding spaces where I could be impactful, authentic, and deeply useful.
That dream sharpened after I lost my father to cancer and watched my career collapse during the pandemic. In that grief and uncertainty, I started my first business, a floral company called Blooming Garden Flowers. I didn’t always know how to put one foot in front of the other—but I kept going. I never could’ve imagined then that I’d one day bring my beauty school admissions essays to life—not by landing a job, but by building a brand.
And now, here we are. Bloomgarten Beauty is more than a product line. It’s the result of a decade of dreaming, learning, and fighting for what I believe in. I’m creating the role I once thought I had to wait for someone to give me.
Thank you to everyone who’s supported this journey so far. I can’t wait to share what’s next. 💄🌸
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
I think one of the greatest gifts my late father gave me was his unwavering belief in me. As my aunt used to say, my dad believed the sun rose and set with me. And because of that—because of him—even when I doubt myself, there’s a part of me that still holds on to a deep sense of self-worth. A knowing that I am special.
There were times—days, months, even years—when I felt like I was in the shadows. Like the world was moving forward while I was standing still. Watching others pass me by, wondering if I’d ever catch up. But something inside me, fueled in no small part by my father’s faith in me, told me to keep going. That I was meant for more. That I would rise.
In my adult life, whether I was venting about the daily grind or wrestling with something that felt deeply unfair, my dad was always there—cheering me on from afar. He may have been miles away, but he was always just a phone call away. Always ready to remind me of who I was and what I was capable of.
Not having my biggest fan here anymore is hard—more than words can say. But I know, without a doubt, that he’d be incredibly proud of me. A mother to two incredible daughters, a wife to a smart and loving husband, and the owner of not just one, but two businesses.
Honestly, I think he’d be in awe. And maybe a little speechless—though not for long. Because he’d find the words and the deep laughs. He always did.
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
I think my definition of success has evolved over time. For a long while, I thought success meant making as much money as possible. I didn’t grow up with a lot, and that scarcity mindset lingered in the background of nearly everything I did.
So when I became an adult, I pushed myself hard—through college, then business school—chasing what I thought would bring me security and status. But once I entered the corporate world, I found myself somewhere in the middle when it came to pay and performance. And honestly, that was tough. I knew I had talent, but so many of my strengths felt invisible in that environment. I didn’t feel seen, and I didn’t feel “successful.”
Starting two businesses changed that for me. And particularly, starting a beauty brand, Bloomgarten Beauty, a brand born from a dream I first wrote about more than a decade ago, has really changed how I define my own success. I’m trying to be kinder to myself, to not push myself so hard, and to appreciate that I’ve honored my own dreams. And that, in itself, is something worth celebrating.
Yes, I still hope to build something super profitable—partly because I want to be able to give a lot away to support others in need. But I have also come to see success differently. To step out on your own, to build something from scratch, to lead in your own way—that’s success. That’s courage.
There are women who’ve told me I’ve inspired them, that they can’t believe I’m doing all of this. And I tell them: it’s just putting one foot in front of the other. Make sure to show up when you can, which isn’t always and isn’t every day. Put out excellent products or services. Keep going.
Success isn’t always loud or flashy. Sometimes, it’s quiet persistence. And sometimes, it’s simply daring to believe you can do it your own way—and then doing it.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
The version of me you see in public is very much the real me—for better or worse. I’ve been told more times than I can count that I can’t hide my facial expressions, no matter how hard I try. And honestly, they’re right. I just am who I am. And in many ways, I’m proud of that.
Throughout my career, I consistently scored high on authenticity in performance reviews—no small feat in environments where blending in can often be rewarded. But being genuine has always come naturally to me. I know that direct honesty isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, but integrity matters more to me than saying what people want to hear. It’s a non-negotiable.
Truthfully, there are probably some work roles I’d never thrive in, simply because I can’t mask how I feel. But with time, I’ve made peace with that. I’ve realized you can’t be everything to everyone—and you don’t need to be.
What I can be is fully myself. Which, for me, means showing up with truth, heart, and transparency—even if it’s not always perfectly packaged.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. How do you know when you’re out of your depth?
I still remember early in my career being asked to train someone on a technical task I had absolutely no idea how to do—because I’d never been properly trained myself. It was honestly embarrassing. And to make it worse, the person I was supposed to train was rude about it—he even laughed at me. But that experience taught me something important: I never want to be in a position where I’m pretending to know more than I do.
That’s one of the reasons I didn’t pursue a generic consulting business when I first started brainstorming entrepreneurial ideas—even though I had a background in consulting. I wanted to build something grounded in real expertise. Because people can tell when you don’t know what you’re talking about. And for me, confidence comes from competence. If I’m going to ask someone to pay me for something, I need to be sure I’m offering real value.
Now, with more experience under my belt, I’ve learned to recognize much more quickly when I’m out of my depth. And instead of trying to fake it or push through, I bring in the right people. For example, I have no business trying to build a website that can compete with major beauty brands on my own—or managing a full social media strategy solo. I still oversee everything, and I have a sharp eye when it comes to editing, branding, and creative direction. But that doesn’t mean I have to do it all myself.
I guess that’s what growth looks like: knowing what you know, knowing what you don’t, and having the wisdom to know the difference—and act accordingly.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bloomgartenbeauty.com
- Instagram: @bloomgartenbeauty
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/montshona-mo-edwards-ihekweazu-363a024b/
