For almost eight years, my life has been intertwined with a brand that quite literally changed my life. Okay, to be fair, it didn’t just change my life—it definedit. It gave me the freedom to be with my children, a luxury I never thought possible when I was tied to a 9-5 in the mortgage industry.
When I discovered that my very planned second child, was coming with a very UNPLANNED TWIN my world flipped upside down. Suddenly, the "dream job" I'd worked in for over a decade felt like a prison, one that would keep me away from watching my kids grow.
Rodan + Fields was my escape. It was more than just skincare; it was a ticket to freedom. I poured everything into building not only my business but also a community of women who, like me, were desperate for a way out of the corporate grind. We worked together to rise through the ranks. We ran for the same things together, and together we were building a legacy. And that is why the news hit so hard when the company announced a major shift—a shift that would upend everything I had worked for.
On September 1st, R+F officially moved away from the multi-level marketing (MLM) model that built their brand into an affiliate-based model focused solely on product sales. (alright haters, chill a bit). It might not sound like much on the surface, but to me—and to the countless women who counted on me—this was the end of an era. No more recruiting, no more team building, no more nurturing the incredible community we had created together.
I was heartbroken. 💔
How could I continue to lead if I couldn’t offer the same opportunity that had changed my life? How could I show other women a way out if the path I had walked was now closed off? The part of the business that brought me the most joy— helping others discover their own potential—was ripped away in a single announcement. I had to face a hard truth: the business I had built for almost a decade was imploding, and I had no choice but to let it go.
But that wasn’t the only bitter pill I had to swallow.
Peeling Back the Layers: The Red Flags I Couldn’t Ignore
At first, I tried to process the change. I told myself I could make it work—after all, I still had access to the products, and I could still serve my customers. But something kept nagging at me, like an itch I couldn’t scratch. Why was I so upset? Why did this shift feel like such a personal loss?
The answer hit me hard. It wasn’t just about the products or the income. It was about what I was losing—the leadership, the mentorship, the ability to guide other women to the freedom I had fought for myself. I wasn’t just selling skincare; I was offering a way out. A product that changed lives. Provoked confidence. Produced COMPLIMENTS. But without the oppotunity to pair with it, I felt like I was standing in front of anyone who ever looked up to me, completely NAKED.
No roadmap, no tools, nothing to offer those who were looking to break free from the societal norms holding us back. I spoke to industry insiders, mentors, and people I trusted. I started asking questions, looking for answers—and what I found left me speechless. 🤯
That’s when I started digging.
First, I learned that our founders—the Stanford-trained doctors who had once been at the forefront of the company's’ product innovation—had quietly stepped away from the company. They sold their stake to a private equity firm, and though we were informed when TPG Capital took over 51% ownership, there was radio silence on the rest. No farewell, no transparency, no explanation. The many men & women who built this brand—the same consultants who trusted them—were left in the dark. It felt like a betrayal for me. We had made this brand what it was, and we weren’t even given the courtesy of a goodbye?!?! 🤔
Then came the financial bombshell. Word began circulating that RF's financial stability was shaky at best. 😳 A recent downgrade in the S&P Global rating signaled that the company was heading toward bankruptcy. I couldn't believe it—the brand I had poured my heart and soul into was on the verge of collapse, and no one was talking about it. 🤔🤯
We had been told we could continue as "affiliates", but what good is that when the company itself might not even survive?
The final blow came when I discovered that while we were told we could maintain our customer base, the company was reaching out to those same customers behind our backs, encouraging them to become “Founding Brand Consultants” (a fancy new term for "affiliates" that they snuck in again, with no explanation).
Essentially, they were cutting us out of the equation entirely—taking the customers we had worked so hard to build relationships with and offering them a way to bypass us altogether. Not to mention the 87, yep EIGHTY SEVEN targeted ads they ran on Social Media the exact same day they dropped this bombshell on all of us. Ads targeting our audience, promoting the COMPANY (not us individuals who built the brand awareness in the first place). They were now directly competing with every single Consultant out there.
I couldn’t believe the audacity. After everything we had done to build this business, this was how we were repaid?
As I peeled back the layers, it became clear: R+F was no longer the company I was PROUD to represent all these years. The cracks were too deep, the trust too shattered.
I could no longer confidently stand behind them, or their products and it was time for me to walk away.
A Phoenix Rising: Finding My Non-Negotiables
Once the initial shock wore off, I started to dig deep within myself. I needed to understand why I was so devastated. Sure, the business model had changed, but I could still sell products, right? I could still serve my customers, right?
But the more I sat with it, the more I realized that it was never just about the products for me. It wasn’t just about the money, either. It wasn’t just the business I was losing; it was the purpose behind it.
I had spent years building more than just a "team"—It was a community of women I had mentored and served. I wasn’t just helping them sell products; I was helping them change their lives, giving them the tools to break free, build something of their own, and gain control over their future. It was about creating opportunities for others to thrive, and that was what gave me the deepest sense of fulfillment.
Without the ability to offer others that same opportunity for freedom and growth, I felt like I was standing at a crossroads, stripped of everything that had once given me purpose. I could continue coaching and mentoring, sure, but something was missing. It wasn’t enough to just guide people—I needed to be able to offer them something real, something they could build from the ground up, just like I had.
That’s when I realized my journey in this industry wasn’t ending. It couldn't.
In fact, it was just the beginning of something new, something even bigger.
I needed to pivot, but I wasn’t ready to walk away from the chance to keep building, to keep leading, and to keep helping others find their own path to freedom.
I wasn’t going to rush into just any opportunity. After everything I had learned, I had some serious non-negotiables for whatever came next.
For starters, the company I was seeking had to be debt-free AND cash-flow positive—no more hidden financial red flags. I needed a founder who had been in the trenches of direct sales, someone who knew what it was like to lead a team and build a business from the ground up, and emulated respect for those of us doing the same. No startups, no experimental ventures. I wanted a company with a proven track record of solid growth, respect in the industry, and credibility I could stand behind. 🌱
But it didn’t stop there. The products had to be consumable, high-quality, AND deliver results that stood out. Most importantly, I needed to have a voice within the company. An open line of communication straight to the top.
I wanted to work with a company that respected its consultants enough to include them in the conversation, and one that was committed to the direct sales model—so committed that they put it in writing for everyone to see.
These were my non-negotiables. As my friend Heather called it: "We were looking for a purple cow". And as luck—or fate—would have it, two new opportunities came my way, almost simultaneously that checked EVERY box.
The first opportunity made perfect sense for my family. We were already using many of the products they offered, but their versions were cleaner, healthier, and many offer additional benefits that our current products didn’t provide. Think brain function & clarity, increased immune support, and even stamina increase (yep, I'm talking about your libito). It was not something I ever saw myself going for,, but it was a natural fit—something that aligned with my values and what I wanted for my household. It also came with a comp plan more generous than I had ever knew existed. I was AWE-STRUCK.
The second opportunity was something I needed for me—and for all the customers who had trusted me with their skincare needs for so long. I had spent years building a reputation as "the skincare girl", helping people find the right skincare solutions, and I wasn’t ready to let go of that piece of my identity. This second company offered exactly what I needed to fill that void. It was a way to continue serving my customers with products that delivered results, (spoiler alert: the results are even BETTER than I'd ever seen!) something I could stand behind with confidence. Also cleaner, more effective, organic, and with a broader portfolio than I was ever able to offer previously.
Everything started to fall into place. The pieces were finally aligning. I wasn’t just pivoting—I was rising from the ashes of being RF'd, stronger, more focused, and more determined than ever.
Introducing Her Legacy & Co.: A New Chapter
As I looked back on my journey, it became clear that this pivot wasn’t just about finding a new business—it was about something much deeper. From the moment I started building my R+F business, I wasn’t just working for myself; I was building something for my family, for my children, and especially for my daughter, Norah—my bonus baby.
After all, it was her sheer existence that was the catalyst which changed everything for me. Suddenly, it wasn’t just about making ends meet—it was about creating a future for her.
From the moment I laid eyes on her, with her perfect little face and the biggest blue eyes, I knew my purpose had shifted. My drive to succeed wasn’t just about me anymore; it was about building something for her.
It was about ensuring that she—and every woman like her—would always know that there was another way, another option, a path to freedom and independence.
When she was just three years old, she made her first business card. On a yellow post-it, she carefully wrote “R+F” in each corner with a pink highlighter, and in the center, she wrote “R+F NORAH.” It’s a moment I’ll never forget, (mainly because her business card hung on my office wall next to my desk) but also, because in that instant, I realized that what I was building wasn’t just my legacy—it was her legacy, too.
That’s when I knew what I had been called to create.
Her Legacy & Co. isn’t just about the women I’ve mentored, or the business I’ve built. It’s about every little girl out there who will one day look up to her mother and see the power she holds, and know that she holds it within herself as well.
It’s about every woman who, like me, found herself unexpectedly facing a new path in life and needed the courage and support to step into her power.
This brand is for them—for her.
Her Legacy & Co. is more than just a business. It’s a movement, a platform for women to create their own legacies, just as I did.
It's my mission to give women the tools, the community, and the support they need to thrive on their own terms. This isn’t just about financial freedom; it’s about building something lasting, something that will stand the test of time—for ourselves, for our daughters, and for every woman who dreams of more.
Conclusion: A New Beginning for All of Us
This journey has been filled with twists and turns, highs and lows, but through it all, I’ve learned that every ending is just the beginning of something new.
The chapter with R+F may be closing, but the story doesn’t end here. In fact, this is where the real story begins.
I’m stepping into this next phase with more clarity, passion, and purpose than ever before.
Her Legacy & Co. is about more than just me. It’s about my daughter, and every little girl who dreams of creating something meaningful.
It’s about every woman who, like me, needs the freedom & opportunity to define success on her own terms. It’s about building something lasting—something that will carry us forward, not just as entrepreneurs but as women who leave an indelible mark on the world.
To all the women who have stood by my side, to everyone who has followed my journey, and to all those who are ready to build their own legacies—this one’s for you. 🥂
Let’s continue this journey together, stronger than ever.
Here’s to the next chapter. Here’s to Her Legacy & Co.
xo,
Ang
PS - Stay tuned for the official launch, and how you can be a part of legacy.
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