Haslam College of Business - Diamond Monroe: A Proud Entrepreneur

Diamond Monroe, a driven Full-Time MBA student at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Haslam College of Business, is the founder of Diamond Monroe Organics, an all-natural skincare and hair growth brand built with purpose, passion and plenty of research. With a dual focus in supply chain and entrepreneurship, Monroe brings both scientific rigor and entrepreneurial hustle to everything she creates.

Her brand centers around holistic healing, harnessing the power of organic ingredients to address common skin and hair concerns such as dryness, damage, pigmentation and breakage. Every product is carefully formulated with researched-backed ingredients that prioritize safety and effectiveness. Monroe also handcrafts each item in her Greensboro, North Carolina kitchen, proving that growth doesn’t have to come at the expense of quality or authenticity.

A Student Entrepreneur on the Rise

Monroe calls being a student entrepreneur a privilege — something she doesn’t take for granted. She makes full use of campus resources, especially the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. The center’s events like Vol Court have allowed her to connect with other entrepreneurs, hear their stories and build her confidence as a businesswoman. Like any founder, Monroe has faced hurdles, especially in marketing her products, but by taking the time to learn more about her audience and committing to posting on social media more consistently, she’s already seen a boost in engagement and sales. She also credits her faith as a motivator for chasing her dreams, seeing her journey as a testimony to God’s purpose for her life.

One of Monroe’s most surreal moments came when she had the opportunity to pitch her business to Daymond John of Shark Tank, who called it one of the best pitches he’s heard in under three minutes. That validation was powerful, and it was a spark that fueled her even more.

Now, Monroe is competing in the Entrepreneur of Impact competition — not just in hopes of winning funding and recognition, but as a way to celebrate how far she’s come and to launch the next chapter of growth for Diamond Monroe Organics.

About the Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation

The Anderson Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation, housed in Haslam, is the front door to entrepreneurship at UT, connecting entrepreneurs and innovators at every stage with the resources, networks and expertise needed to solve real challenges. By cultivating an entrepreneurial mindset across campus, connecting entrepreneurs with resources and mentorship they need to grow and collaborating with the UT and regional ecosystem, the Anderson Center is developing an entrepreneurial culture where Volunteers are empowered to identify unmet needs and take bold action to create value through new ventures.

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Contact:

Morgan Lounds, marketing and events coordinator, mlounds@vols.utk.edu