RCBCC: To start, can you share a little about your background and what led you to where you are today?
RF: My introduction to business relationships began in the car ride to an event listening to my father and Reverend C. L. Franklin discuss church matters and the power of community-based organizations its connections and resources. These conversations were filled with truth, reverence, and strategy. I didn’t know it then, but those early experiences were planting seeds—seeds of education, service, and purpose. Years later, I was filled with excitement after being accepted into Howard University’s College of Fine Arts. But I quickly faced a roadblock: I couldn’t register for classes because of financial delays. I made a single call to Mr. Woods at Inner City Exchange, just looking for guidance. The next thing I knew, I was being interviewed by the local newspaper. The reporter asked, “What have you had to eat today?” I answered honestly—“a cupcake”—and explained I was waiting for my student loan to come through. The community’s response was astounding. People rallied around me. The mayor awarded me a scholarship for my community service work. But not everyone celebrated—my family received calls from others questioning, “Why should your daughter go to college and not mine?”
RCBCC: What inspired you to step into this field and launch your own business? Was there a defining moment or influence that sparked your path?
RF: "My mission was to create a solution for worker exposure to extreme heat and to promote wellness mind, body and soul. Develop and tested prototype of Design Patent and received Us patent. Our product has been tested by Major metropolitan Airport Hub buyer to Security Firm. As a result, clients confirmed our product R Cool Safety ® Vest Hi Vis provides cooling relief."
RCBCC: Every entrepreneur faces their share of early hurdles. What was one of the biggest challenges you encountered starting out, and how did you overcome it?
RF: When I first started my company, I believed in my product with my whole heart — a high-visibility safety vest designed not just to meet compliance standards, but to protect lives in the heat. I knew it could make a difference, especially for frontline workers, road crews, and outdoor laborers exposed to dangerous conditions.
But believing in your product is only one part of the journey. Getting it in front of the right buyer is the real challenge.
The Hidden Gatekeepers One of my biggest early challenges was figuring out how to connect with procurement specialists at major corporations and government agencies. I would reach out, send emails, make calls — and get nowhere. It was discouraging at first, because I realized I wasn’t just competing with other products. I was competing with lack of access to the right people.
So, I made a decision: I started attending pre-bid meetings. I didn’t always know what to expect, but I showed up with one consistent question:
“Who buys the safety vests for your company?”
It was during these sessions that I discovered a critical piece of knowledge: many companies have in-house buyers specifically assigned to safety gear and uniforms. They aren’t always easy to find on a website or directory. But they exist — and they matter.
Persistence Pays Off
Armed with this new understanding I began adjusting my approach. I stopped chasing general contact emails and instead focused on learning how procurement departments operate. I listened. I asked questions. I introduced myself at supplier diversity events and kept showing up.
Each interaction became an opportunity to learn, refine, and build relationships. And slowly but surely, I started to break through.
Today, my company partners with organizations that value not only safety, but innovation and worker well-being. The journey hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it — because every vest we produce has the potential to protect someone’s life."
RCBCC: Tell us about the work R Cool Safety Vest do. What types of services or products do you offer?
RF: "We offer Hi Vis Safety vests and sportswear Tee Shirts with a Design Patent that houses a cooling component."
RCBCC: Who would you say is your primary audience or client base? Who are you most passionate about serving?
RF: "R Cool Safety Vest primary audience are traffic flaggers, vegetation, airport personnel, security, engineers and runners."
