We’re looking forward to introducing you to Niela Magwood-Phoenix. Check out our conversation below.
Niela, it’s always a pleasure to learn from you and your journey. Let’s start with a bit of a warmup: Have you stood up for someone when it cost you something?
Absolutely. I’ve lost friends, jobs, and sleep standing up for others—but I’ve never lost my integrity. I was raised to believe that your word is your bond, and once that’s broken, it’s nearly impossible to rebuild. I lead with honesty, courage, and a deep commitment to justice—even when it comes at a personal cost. I stand up for what’s right, not just when it’s convenient, but especially when it’s hard. And I hope others do the same for me—in my presence and in the rooms I’m not in.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
RydeHer is one of the first lifestyle brands dedicated solely to women riders. We offer motorcycle apparel and accessories designed with women in mind—gear that is safe, stylish, and empowering. But we’re not just selling suits and tees—we’re building a community where women can see themselves represented, feel supported, and know they belong on the road.”
RydeHer operates as a direct-to-consumer e-commerce platform, which means we control the experience, connect directly with our customers, and collect invaluable data on trends, fit, and demand. We are a Women owned, Gen X, Black Girl Magic parentship of 4 who understand women’s needs. We also partner with a female owned USA manufacturer. We are a movement.
We started RydeHer because we lived this struggle. As a woman rider, I couldn’t find gear that fit, and I knew I wasn’t alone. We built this company out of necessity, but also out of passion—because representation matters, safety matters, and every woman deserves to ride with confidence. And who better to lead this movement than someone who’s walked—or rather, ridden—that road?
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What did you believe about yourself as a child that you no longer believe?
As a child, I believed others were inherently smarter than me. It wasn’t until my thirties that I realized intelligence isn’t one-size-fits-all—people have different gifts, and brilliance in one area doesn’t guarantee wisdom in another. A rocket scientist might lack common sense, and a CEO might struggle with empathy. I’ve learned that success isn’t just about money or intellect—it’s often about resilience, curiosity, and the courage to keep going. Most people are figuring it out as they go. If they can do it, so can I.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
Stop worrying—seriously, it’s not a full-time job (even though I treated it like one). These gray hairs? They didn’t come from age, they came from overthinking everything from career moves to whether I locked the front door. Worry never paid dividends—it just charged interest. These days, I stress for a second, make a plan, and get moving before worry even finds parking. Trust yourself—you’re more capable than you know.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What important truth do very few people agree with you on?
That money isn’t real—at least not in the way most people think. It’s a social construct, a tool we’ve collectively agreed to believe in. What’s real is value: relationships, time, health, impact. Money just happens to be the middleman. I’ve learned that chasing it without purpose leads nowhere, but using it with intention can change everything. Most people see money as the goal—I see it as a resource, not a ruler.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I had just 10 years left, I’d stop sweating the small stuff—like dishes in the sink or someone being late to a meeting. Life’s too short to waste emotional energy on things that won’t matter tomorrow. I’ve spent enough time trading peace for perfection. From here on out, I’d choose joy over judgment, presence over punctuality, and leave the dishes for someone else’s existential crisis.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://rydeher.com
- Instagram: _RydeHer
- Facebook: RydeHer
Image Credits
Cle Mooring
