Sometimes life takes us down paths we never planned to travel. For LaRae Prunty, entrepreneurship wasn’t part of the original blueprint. Her goal was to become a police officer.

For years, Prunty dedicated herself to law enforcement training, working with respected instructors and preparing for a career in public service. After more than a year of training, she successfully passed the physical fitness test for the Penn Hills Police Department in the fall of 2022.

But just as one door seemed ready to open, life delivered a series of heartbreaking losses. In 2023, Prunty lost three cousins and her grandmother within a six-month span. The emotional weight of those losses changed everything. Rather than allowing grief to consume her, she searched for a positive outlet. What she found would ultimately become the foundation of her entrepreneurial journey.

At the time, Fresh Nutrition in Penn Hills was growing rapidly and had recently lost its sea moss supplier. Prunty had already been creating sea moss products for family and friends, and an opportunity emerged.

Working alongside Fresh Nutrition owner George Luck, she helped fill that need and quickly built a loyal following. Her sea moss products became known by many customers as bringing “vibes in a jar,” helping establish her reputation as a local entrepreneur.

But her most meaningful business venture was still to come. Inspired by her daughter Adriane, Prunty set out to solve a problem she had experienced firsthand. As a mother committed to holistic wellness, she became frustrated with the lack of results from many commercial hair products. Determined to find something that worked, she immersed herself in learning about natural ingredients and hair care.

Although she wasn’t a hairstylist, she trusted her research, passion, and determination. Working from her own kitchen, Prunty developed a formula and began sharing samples with family and friends. The positive feedback was immediate.

What started as a personal solution soon evolved into Adriane Organics, a natural hair care brand built on love, wellness, and the desire to help others achieve healthier hair using natural ingredients.

Today, Adriane Organics continues to grow while Prunty looks toward her next venture.

Her latest project involves fragrance vending machines that will be placed in popular venues and nightlife locations throughout Pittsburgh. The concept remains largely untapped in the region, offering customers convenient access to fragrances while introducing a unique business model to the local market.

Looking back, Prunty’s journey is a reminder that some of life’s greatest opportunities emerge from its most difficult moments. What began as a dream of serving the community through law enforcement transformed into serving people in a completely different way—through wellness, entrepreneurship, and innovation.

Her story is one of resilience, reinvention, and refusing to let life’s setbacks define the future. For LaRae Prunty, entrepreneurship wasn’t the plan. It became the purpose.

 

Did you ever imagine you would become a business owner?

No. My original plan was to become a police officer. I spent over a year training with OJ Macklin. We worked really hard, and I passed the Penn Hills Police Department physical fitness test in 2022. Things just didn’t work out with that, so I had to go back to the drawing board. Entrepreneurship was never part of my plan, but life led me in a different direction.

 

How did losing multiple family members impact your life and mindset?

Losing three cousins and my grandmother within six months was devastating. It was one of the hardest periods of my life. Then I lost my job! My credit score went down. I was taking L’s left and right in 2023! I was forced to reevaluate where I was putting my energy. Instead of allowing grief to consume me, I decided to channel it into building something positive for myself and my family.

 

How did the partnership with Fresh Nutrition come together?

At the time, Fresh Nutrition was kind of new to the area, and I’d go in there periodically to get protein shakes. I was already making sea moss for close friends and family, so I was known to have a good product. One day I went to the shop, and George (the owner) said his supplier was moving out of state and asked me if I could get the job done. I was hesitant because I didn’t want to commit to anything long-term. We ended up coming up with a recipe and system that worked for us, and now we have the best “vibes in a jar” in the city.

 

What made sea moss products stand out with customers?

TASTE!!! So many people complain about how awful sea moss tastes! We created a secret recipe mixed with fruit to create something special! What started as something I made for family and friends has grown into a product that people across Pittsburgh know and love.

 

What inspired you to launch Adriane Organics?

My daughter, Adriane. She is my biggest motivation. I struggled to find products that worked for her hair, and after trying countless options, I decided to create my own. What started as a homemade solution in my kitchen eventually became a business.

 

What was the process like creating your first hair care formula?

I focused on ingredients I believed in and created a product for my daughter’s hair. After seeing great results, I gave samples to family and friends. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive, which gave me the confidence to take the next step and produce the products on a larger scale.

 

What has been the biggest challenge as an entrepreneur?

Financing! I’m a mom who is single, so I can’t just waste money. I have to make sure investments make sense! My brother and his wife were my only investors. And the saying “it takes money to make money” is so true! Starting a business requires confidence, consistency, and resilience. There were moments when I questioned everything, but I kept moving forward. And it took a whole year from idea to a physical product.

 

What has been your proudest moment so far?

Seeing an idea become something I can actually hold in my hand!

 

Tell us about your upcoming fragrance vending machine business.

I’m currently launching fragrance vending machines throughout Pittsburgh. The machines will be placed in popular venues and nightlife locations, offering people convenient access to premium fragrances while they’re out. It’s a unique concept that I’m excited to introduce to the city. Basically, you’ll be able to pay a dollar or two in the restroom to freshen up with luxury fragrances.

 

Why do you think entrepreneurship is important in communities like Penn Hills?

I feel like most of us from Penn Hills are pretty tight with each other. If we aren’t friends directly, we know a brother, sister, or cousin! If more of us become entrepreneurs, we can reach back and help whoever is coming next with a great idea.

 

What advice would you give someone thinking about starting a business?

Don’t wait until everything is perfect. Start where you are with what you have. Some of the best opportunities come from unexpected situations. Stay consistent, trust yourself, and be willing to learn as you go. And don’t skip steps! Write out a plan and move step by step!

 

What’s next for LaRae Prunty?

What’s next for me is what’s next for Pittsburgh: establishing fragrance vending machines throughout Pittsburgh and creating different lines of products for different hair textures. And check out my sea moss at Fresh Nutrition in the Penn Hills Shopping Center.