We were first introduced to Monique Samuels on the hit reality television series Real Housewives of Potomac. Now she’s headlining her own series, OWN’s Love & Marriage: DC, alongside her husband Chris Samuels. The power couple, along with two other married couples, is showing the ins and outs of marriage while providing an intimate look into their personal lives.
Aside from this new show, Samuels also takes viewers on her entrepreneurship journey as the founder and CEO of Mila Eve Essentials, her line of essential oils. The wife, mother and businesswoman stopped by Blavity News to discuss Love & Marriage: DC, entrepreneurship and more.
On "Love & Marriage: DC"
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Audience members first got wind of Mrs. Samuels on the second season of Real Housewives of Potomac, and four seasons later, she’s since departed and now leads an ensemble cast of her own on OWN’s Love & Marriage: DC. Samuels and her husband appear alongside other prominent DMV couples as they give viewers an insight into the peaks and valleys of Black love. While the New Jersey native may have been apprehensive about starting this new series, she has always been a person that believes in sharing her experiences as it might help someone else out.
“Initially, I was like ‘no,'” Samuels said. “One thing about me is that I’ve always been a person that wants to share with other people through my experience and be an encouragement and try to be a light. You never know who you can help, just telling one story, sharing all sides of yourself.”
On balancing entrepreneurship and marriage
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Aside from reigning over reality television, Samuels is the founder and CEO of Mila Eve Essentials. Created in 2020, the company boasts a line of essential oils designed with natural ingredients for individuals looking to incorporate them in various ways, from self-care to therapeutic uses. As a wife, mother and entrepreneur, Samuels feels that it’s important for women to have lives outside of their husband’s shadows.
“I just want to show women that you are a star, and you can shine,” Samuels said. “The same amount of brightness that your spouse shines, you can shine as well and still be a boss, mom and do all the other things that need to be done when it comes to running your household.”
On future brand expansion
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Samuels, steadily building her empire of successful brands and businesses, including the Not For Lazy Moms podcast and community where she empowers millennial mothers, is just getting started. When asked about plans to expand her empire, Samuels divulged that there’s much more to come.
“There’s so much more to be expected,” Samuels told Blavity News. “I have a whole skin-care line that will be coming out under the Mila Eve Essentials umbrella called The Flawless Collection. It will use products that I’ve actually been using on my skin. I won’t put anything out there unless it’s tried, tested and proved not just by me but by other people who have different skin types to make sure it really works for everyone.”
In addition to these ventures, Samuels has also picked up a new gig as a radio personality on WPGC 95.5, extending her reach further.
“Now, I’m the host of the Good Morning Show on WPGC. I’m a radio personality,” Samuels said. “I’m on air every day, Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. I’m covering all my bases. You’re going to hear me on the radio, you’ll see me on YouTube, Instagram, Twitter and all of social media, and you’ll see me on TV. I’m turning my passion into purpose.”
On advice for people leaving toxic work environments
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After a very public exit from her former role on Real Housewives of Potomac, Samuels’ departure created dialogue around the importance of leaving toxic work environments of one’s own accord. Samuels says that it’s all about knowing your boundaries and limits while putting yourself first.
“It all starts with integrity and knowing what your limits and your boundaries are and for you to put yourself first. You deserve everything that is good on this earth,” Samuels said. “A lot of times, we will subject ourselves to certain environments because we think that’s the best we can get, and it’s not.”
For the mother of three, she advises having a plan in place before deciding to leave any toxic work environment.
“You always have to have a plan,” Samuels said. “Once you start putting that plan in action, the universe will respond. The universe only responds to what you do, not what you say. You manifest things, but you still have to do the work.”
Check Samuels out on social media for more information on her latest endeavors.
