What would you do if family duty came calling – along with a big ol’ guilt trip? For Adia Howard, the COO of her family business RA Cosmetics, it meant leaving behind her steady career as an occupational therapist to dive into the unknown world of entrepreneurship. Andrea Marquez sits down with Adia to talk about how she’s not only redefining leadership but also carrying her family’s legacy forward.

Find out how Adia navigates the challenges of a family business, brings a fresh vision to R.A. Cosmetics, and discovers a whole new side of herself. Plus, you definitely don’t want to miss Andrea’s attempt at making custom shea butter with Adia – spoiler: it doesn’t go as planned.

If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to reinvent yourself inside a family business or how risk can open doors you didn’t even know were there – this episode is for you.

Got a bold leap of your own? Share it with us in an Apple Podcasts review, Spotify comment, or email us at thisissmallbusiness@amazon.com – you might hear it in a future episode.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

(1:51) Ever wonder what it’s really like growing up around a small business owner? Adia shares how watching her dad hustle seven days a week was both intimidating and inspiring.

(4:42) What would you do if you had to choose between a stable career and keeping your family’s business alive? Adia opens up about her crossroads moment and the guilt trip from her mom that pushed her to decide.

(6:04) Think you have to take a big leap all at once? Adia shows how easing in part-time gave her the confidence to eventually commit full-time.

(8:30) Worried you don’t have enough experience to switch paths? Adia proves you can learn on the job even when faced with permits, marketing and safety data sheets.

(10:13) Can bringing your personality into your business make a difference? Adia explains how her softer, community-focused leadership changed the culture at R.A. Cosmetics.

(13:50) Was the risk of leaving a secure job worth it? Adia reflects on the growth of R.A. Cosmetics and the impact of adding her own touch to the brand.

(16:40) Could your kids one day follow in your footsteps? Adia shares her hopes for her son and how she’s showing him that entrepreneurship doesn’t have to be scary.

(17:58) Can taking one big risk completely change how you see yourself? Adia reveals how stepping into the business reshaped her confidence and offers advice for anyone afraid to leap.

How Risk Helped Adia Howard Carry Her Family Business Forward

This Is Small Business