Mika Bright is the founder of The Rose Gold Garden, a floral and wellness brand that creates intentional spaces for women to bloom, reconnect and feel celebrated. A University of Maryland Eastern Shore alumna, Bright has built a business centered on healing, community and the power of authentic connection. During a fireside chat at her Flowers with Friends Friendsgiving event, which featured catered brunch and a floral workshop, she opened up about the HBCU lessons that ground her, the sisterhood principles that sustain her and the divine timing that shaped her entrepreneurial journey.
What HBCU did you attend, and what are three key lessons or principles you learned there that give you the strength and foundation you need as an entrepreneur? How do you actively apply what you learned at your HBCU to your entrepreneurial journey and everyday life?
I attended the University of Maryland Eastern Shore in Princess Anne, Maryland, an experience that truly shaped who I am today. Three key lessons I learned at UMES continue to ground me as an entrepreneur: never give up, run your own race and don’t follow the crowd, and the importance of relationships. These principles were powerful then, and they’re still the foundation of how I move today, both personally and professionally.
Being a first generation college student meant there was no blueprint for me. No one in my family had gone to college before, so I had to navigate a lot on my own. There were moments I felt overwhelmed, confused and uncertain, but I learned quickly that giving up was never an option. Whenever things felt heavy, God always sent the right person at the right time, true angels who helped me figure things out.
In entrepreneurship, that same mindset carries me. Business will test you. Plans change, dreams get delayed, and sometimes you have to pivot without warning. But I fully believe that what is meant for you cannot miss you. If you show up, stay consistent and do your part, God will always take care of the rest. Even when other people count you out, you can’t count yourself out. You have to bet on you every single time.
I’ve never been someone who follows the crowd. Even in college, I kept a small, close knit circle. I was more of a loner with a few solid friends, and I preferred it that way. I wasn’t trying to fit in or follow trends. I was trying to stay true to myself. College is a time when everyone is trying to discover who they are, so it’s easy to get swept up in what’s popular. Choosing to move at my own pace helped shape the woman I am today.
As an entrepreneur, that principle is everything. Trends come and go, and while it’s not wrong to hop on what’s hot, I’ve learned that alignment lasts longer than aesthetics. I’d rather stay in my lane, move with intention and build something authentic than chase every trend. That kind of self trust, that grace to honor my own timing, started at UMES.
College taught me that relationships matter, the real ones, the aligned ones, the people who lift you up and guide you. Those connections saved me and shaped me, not just academically but emotionally and spiritually. Today, that same value shows up in the way I build community, collaborate and show up in my business. I don’t take relationships lightly. I believe in creating meaningful connections, nurturing safe spaces and surrounding myself with people who align with my purpose.
When it comes to my brand, my HBCU pride is woven into everything I do. It shows up in the way I center community, celebration and culture. It shows up in my commitment to creating spaces where women, especially Black women, feel seen, valued and poured into. It shows up in the excellence, the intention and the heart I put into every experience. My HBCU taught me resilience, confidence and soulful leadership. It taught me to stand tall in who I am, to honor my roots and to bring my full self into every room I enter. So when you experience The Rose Gold Garden, you’re not just experiencing a brand, you’re feeling that HBCU spirit of pride, unity and love.
What does sisterhood and engagement mean to you as an HBCU alumna and businesswoman? Can you define the three core principles of sisterhood that sustain you and keep you grounded in your work?
For me, sisterhood and community engagement feel like home. At my HBCU, it truly was my family away from family. The women around me weren’t just classmates, they were support systems, accountability partners, hype women and grounding forces. That environment taught me early on that sisterhood is powerful, necessary and sacred. Now, as a businesswoman, I carry that same energy into everything I create. I want every woman who enters my spaces to feel held, supported and deeply connected.
Real sisterhood is rooted in transparency, vulnerability and truth. It’s giving women permission to show up as their full selves, imperfect, evolving, radiant and real. That’s the energy I infuse into every experience I curate through my work.
Seeing someone who looks like you, someone who shares your background or your HBCU pride, achieving success, whatever success means to them, is a reminder that you’re capable too. That kind of visibility was powerful for me, and it’s something I intentionally embody so other women can see what’s possible for them.
I truly believe it takes a village of women to raise a woman. For some of us, that village shows up early in life. For others, like me, it reveals itself in adulthood, once we fully understand sisterhood, reciprocity and what it means to nurture healthy, soul filling relationships. That foundation is why community is the heartbeat of everything I do. My work is a reflection of the sisterhood that shaped me and a space for women to experience that same love, growth and connection.
What are the three things that motivate you most to be an entrepreneur? How is entrepreneurship rewarding for you, even on challenging days?
I’m deeply motivated by the idea that I get to build something that reflects my heart, my gifts and my purpose. Entrepreneurship gives me the freedom to create experiences, communities and moments that feel aligned with who I truly am, not who someone else tells me to be. That kind of creative freedom is priceless.
Nothing inspires me more than seeing women light up, feel empowered or experience a shift because of something I created or even something I simply said. Knowing that my ideas, my words and my creativity can spark healing, joy or confidence in another woman is what keeps me going every single time. That alignment, that feeling of this is exactly what I’m meant to be doing, is what fuels me.
I’m motivated by the challenge of proving to myself what’s possible. I constantly want to push myself, grow, stretch and evolve. And I want to be a reminder to others that I’m no different than they are. We all have the ability to do extraordinary, supernatural things when we trust ourselves and commit to our purpose.
Even on the challenging days, entrepreneurship is rewarding. The hard days remind me that I’m building something real, meaningful and divinely aligned. Every obstacle teaches me resilience. Every delay teaches me patience. And every small win reminds me that I’m walking in purpose. Even when it’s tough, I’d still choose this path because I know I’m becoming the woman God created me to be and creating a space where other women can do the same.
How did you choose your specific industry, and what does it mean to you personally and professionally to be a leader in this particular field as an HBCU graduate?
I honestly didn’t choose this industry, it chose me, in divine timing. I realized I had to go through the things I went through so I can stand on the other side and reach my hand back to help others rediscover their light. I naturally found myself creating experiences that made women feel seen and celebrated. Over time, that passion started shaping itself into a real lane for me.
Being an HBCU graduate comes with a certain pride, a certain resilience. We’re taught that our work isn’t just for us, similar to our ancestors, it’s for the communities we represent.
Professionally, it means I carry this HBCU pride into every room I step into. I’m not just building a business. I’m creating a model of what’s possible for other women who look like me. Personally, it’s a reminder that I come from a lineage of strength, brilliance and creativity, and I get to honor that every time I host an event, launch a product or create a meaningful experience. Being a leader in this industry as an HBCU alumna feels like I’m continuing the story, adding beauty, softness and empowerment to a legacy that shaped me.
How did you select the name of your organization or business? What significance does it hold for you and the work you do?
The truth is, The Rose Gold Garden didn’t start as the floral and wellness brand it is today. I actually came up with the name during the pandemic. Everyone was home, online shopping and spending their stimulus money, and I thought, let me start an ecommerce store. My plan was to sell all rose gold items, home decor, jewelry, cute little pieces that fit the aesthetic.
But here’s the thing. I loved the name way too much to use it for something that didn’t feel meaningful. Deep down, I knew this name wasn’t given to me for that purpose. So I told myself, just hold onto it. When it’s time, you’ll know. And I did. I sat on it for a few years.
Fast forward, my love for flowers grew, and so did my desire to create a wellness community rooted in healing, love, connection and spirituality. I wanted to merge all these pieces of myself, but I didn’t know how to bring them together without confusing people, honestly, because I was still figuring it out myself.
I’ve learned that I move at my own pace, and I don’t force things. I flow. I trust divine timing. And when it finally clicked, it was so clear. The Rose Gold Garden was the perfect name for the space I wanted to create.
Rose is my absolute favorite flower, and the highest vibrational flower, closest to the frequency of love. Garden is a reminder that growth takes nurturing, pruning, weeding and intentional care. It’s exactly how we evolve when we’re practicing self love and personal growth. And like a garden, we offer a variety of things that feed the soul, love, connection, intention, community, safety and spirituality. Rose gold is a premium metal, symbolizing that we are all precious, worthy and valuable.
So the name became a reflection of the work I’m called to do, a beautiful blend of creativity, healing and heart. It represents the space where women can bloom, reconnect with themselves and feel loved on inside and out.
What do you want people to know about how they can support you and your business? What’s one tangible way we can support you today?
Follow me on Instagram @therosegoldgardenexperience. If you’re interested in hosting a floral workshop or need a flower bar at your upcoming event, email details to [email protected].
What would you tell other entrepreneurs, especially fellow HBCU graduates who may not fully understand the difficulties and challenges, about the reality of entrepreneurship?
If I could tell other entrepreneurs, especially my fellow HBCU graduates, anything about the reality of entrepreneurship, it would be this. Your mindset is everything. Work on that first.
Entrepreneurship is not for the weak. It will test you, stretch you and pull you outside of your comfort zone in ways you never imagined. That’s why developing a strong, grounded, resilient mindset is the most important work you can ever do. Protecting your mind from negativity, distractions and comparison is what keeps you focused. Your mindset is what helps you keep going when things aren’t working, when doors close and when life throws curve balls your way. Honestly, it’s your perspective, not your circumstances, that determines whether you survive this entrepreneur journey.
I would also tell them to get a mentor. Get a coach, a consultant or someone who has walked the path you’re walking. Someone who can guide you, advise you and help you collapse time frames that would take you years to figure out alone. That is absolutely something I would have done differently. Having the right support early on can shift your whole journey.
Entrepreneurship is beautiful, but it is real work. So prepare your mind, stay rooted in purpose and remember, you don’t have to do it alone.
What do you say or do when you look in the mirror on a difficult day and need to remind yourself that you can keep going and do it all over again?
On difficult days, when I’m standing in the mirror and anxiety or imposter syndrome starts to creep in, I go back to my safety word, trust.
I’ll place my hand over my heart, take a deep breath and repeat to myself, trust. I trust that God is working on my behalf in all things. I trust that the universe is conspiring for my good. I trust that at this moment, I am okay.
That single word instantly brings me back to the present. It softens my body, quiets my mind and helps me remember that I don’t have to have everything figured out. I just have to trust that I’m supported, guided and exactly where I’m meant to be.
After you’ve had a successful event or milestone, what’s your favorite food or drink to enjoy as you relax and celebrate?
After a successful event or big milestone, I love to celebrate with a glass of champagne and a great charcuterie board. And honestly, champagne and french fries? You can never go wrong. It’s the perfect mix of bougie and cozy, a little treat to mark the moment and let myself breathe, relax and enjoy the win.
How do you stay motivated during the ups and downs of running your business?
When the ups and downs of running a business hit, I remind myself that I haven’t yet fully created the life I want to live, and I don’t just mean material things. I focus on the bigger picture, growth, purpose and the impact I want to have.
I also remind myself to stay optimistic. Challenges aren’t setbacks. They’re tests. They’re opportunities to learn, grow and level up in life and in business. Every obstacle is preparing me for the next round, the next level and the next chapter of what’s possible.
What is your favorite quote or mantra that keeps you going when times get tough?
Keep going. What if I fail? Oh darling, what if you fly?
Why is self care important for entrepreneurs, and how do you prioritize taking care of yourself while building your business?
Self care is everything for entrepreneurs. It’s how we make sure we can show up fully for ourselves and for our businesses. For me, self care is all about recentering and regrounding, especially when I start to feel overwhelmed.
Sometimes it’s a quick midday nap. Sometimes it’s treating myself to a smoothie bowl, they really do something to my soul. Other times, it’s quality time with my girlfriends or a relaxing bubble bath. The key is paying attention to what my mind, body and soul need to keep going.
I like to think of it like car maintenance. If you don’t take care of your car, it won’t run well. Our bodies and minds are no different. Self care keeps us running smoothly, ready to tackle challenges and able to create from a place of energy, clarity and joy.
Why is teamwork important as an entrepreneur, and how do you build and maintain strong partnerships in your business?
I always say it takes a village to raise a child, but it also takes a village to build a business. There’s no way you can create a sustainable business entirely on your own. Of course, what that village looks like depends on the stage of your journey, but the principle remains the same.
Teamwork is about learning from others, accepting help and being willing to give back. I love when people pour into me with insights that help my business grow, and I equally enjoy doing the same for others because I know how impactful it can be.
Honestly, in the beginning, I operated mostly solo. But as my vision and business expanded, I realized it was time to start building a team. There’s an African proverb I love, if you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. That resonates deeply with entrepreneurship. Collaboration allows you to expand, execute and create more than you ever could on your own.
I’ll admit in college, I hated group projects because I always ended up doing most of the work to make sure it was done right. But looking back, those experiences taught me how to work with others, see different perspectives and appreciate the power of combining strengths. Together, a group can accomplish far more than any one person alone, and the same is true in business.
Teamwork isn’t just helpful. It’s essential. It turns visions into realities.
Photo Gallery From HBCU’s Event
