Jon Stojan
Image credit: ROQ Innovation
Raquel Graham’s entrepreneurial journey is a testament to the power of resourcefulness, creativity, and resilience. As the founder of ROQ Innovation, she has carved a unique space in product development by addressing everyday frustrations with practical and stylish solutions. From crafting prototypes in her home to becoming a four-time feature on Oprah’s Favorite Things, Graham’s story is as inspiring as the products she creates.
For Graham, necessity has always been the mother of invention. Her first product, NeckZ, was born during the polar vortex when her children refused to wear bulky scarves. “My kids hated scarves—they were itchy and cumbersome. I couldn’t find an alternative, so I created one myself,” she explains. Armed with fabric from local stores and her own ingenuity, Graham designed NeckZ, a functional yet fashionable neck warmer. It quickly gained traction, landing in the top 40 NCAA campuses and selling out on Home Shopping Network (HSN).
Image credit: ROQ Innovation
Her next big hit, the Headlightz Beanie, emerged from another personal need. As a runner navigating dark, cold evenings, she realized there wasn’t a product that combined warmth and visibility. “The only thing on the market at the time was headlamps,” she recalls. “I wanted something that could keep me warm, let me see where I was going, and make me visible to others.” This insight led to the creation of a beanie with a removable LED light, offering hands-free lighting for activities ranging from running to dog walking and even power outages. Its practicality resonated with consumers, and Headlightz became a staple for outdoor enthusiasts and safety-conscious individuals.
Graham’s approach to product design is refreshingly unconventional. “I don’t have a design background,” she admits. “I’ll cut and glue pieces together or show the factory something I like and say, ‘I want this stitch or that feature.’” This hands-on, iterative process ensures her products solve real-life problems. “Everything originates from my life—a frustration that I realize others share.”
As a Black woman in business, Graham acknowledges the unique challenges she’s faced, particularly around access to capital. “Financing has been excruciating,” she shares. “I relied on savings, grants, and creative financing to keep the business afloat.” Yet, her resourcefulness shines through. She cites companies like Clearco, which provides revenue-based financing, as game-changers. “They gave me $150,000 in 15 minutes—it was life-saving for inventory.”
Image credit: ROQ Innovation
Graham’s success is marked by a series of milestones that affirm her perseverance and vision. “Winning Shark Tank, being named Supplier of the Year by the Minority Supplier Development Council, and launching at REI are all highlights,” she says. Her inclusion in Amazon’s top 5% of Black-owned businesses is another point of pride, particularly as a late adopter to the platform. “I didn’t start selling on Amazon until the pandemic, but it’s become a critical channel for us.”
Sustainability is also a priority for ROQ Innovation. This year, the company became PFAS-free, eliminating harmful “forever chemicals” from its beanies. “We’re committed to keeping our products safe and eco-friendly,” Graham states, underscoring her dedication to responsible innovation.
Image credit: ROQ Innovation
Looking ahead, Graham is poised for growth. “I have new products coming in hydration, self-care, and home organization. The first launches in February,” she reveals. Each product follows her signature approach: identifying a gap in the market and creating a functional, high-quality solution.
For women, especially women of color, aspiring to enter entrepreneurship, Graham offers candid advice. “It’s not for everyone, and that’s okay,” she says. “Entrepreneurship is incredibly hard, with many lows, but the highs make it worthwhile. If it’s your dream, pursue it. The universe has a way of providing solutions when you need them most.”
Raquel Graham’s journey with ROQ Innovation is one of resilience, creativity, and community. Her products not only solve practical problems but also reflect her unwavering commitment to quality and accessibility. Whether it’s through the glow of a Headlightz Beanie or her advice to fellow entrepreneurs, Graham continues to light the way for others, proving that with determination and ingenuity, anything is possible.