Editor's Note: Lillii RNB Inc. is the Blazer winner of the Software/Financial Technology category in the Atlanta Inno Fire Awards, a program highlighting the companies that showcase Atlanta's growth into a national tech hub.
Retail technology company Lillii RNB launched its Freeing Returns platform, a software that analyzes return data and detects fraudulent returns last year.
Founded in 2013, the company previously helped retail stores integrate, customize and install software to assist with transactions but pivoted during the Covid-19 pandemic. In April, the company raised $3 million, led by tennis legend Serena Williams’ venture fund. At the time, CEO Barbara Jones-Brown planned to grow her team to 27 by the end of this year.
Atlanta Inno talked with Jones-Brown about the company's growth.
Based on your experience, what would be your best advice to up and coming or aspiring entrepreneurs?
Trust and value your team. Do not try to do this alone. You will need help and someone to bounce ideas against. If you are a solo founder or entrepreneur, I encourage you to find another person who will love your “baby” as much as you do!
What are you doing to distinguish yourself from others in the same industry?
We are already unique in our space as the ONLY Black woman veteran-led business in the retail technology loss prevention and profit optimization space. On top of this, we also are bringing cutting edge technology and innovation into a space that has seen little change in 20 years.
What was the toughest decision you ever had to make in order to accelerate growth for your company?
I had to let people go who were not a good fit for the culture of my company. We had to turn down some customers and some revenue, so that we could focus and ensure that we were not stretching ourselves too thin. The quality of what we do is key, and this requires hard decisions daily to ensure we are building the best platform for retailers.
What’s next for your company?
Growth and traction. Our team has doubled in size. I am building my dream team. Our sales pipeline has tripled in size, and we convert 100% of our pilots to paying customers. Lastly, our revenue will be five times in comparison to 2021.
This interview has been edited for clarity and conciseness.
