Thank you for 2023! Highlights and Look Ahead.

2023 was quite a year. We took some time to reflect and despite the incredible challenges we faced, we truly have so much to be proud of and thankful for. This is what we choose to focus on, as we continue on our mission to empower the next generation.

Here are a few highlights from the year:

• Zoe started the 7th grade and had a busy year juggling school, the business and all her activities. She did it with a lot of grace and had a blast! From performing in all her school theater productions, to making it on the middle school tennis team for the 2nd year, while serving a junior prefect and joining the acapella ensemble, Zoe did a little bit of everything while maintaining her A grades and we are so proud of her.              

• At the beginning of the year, Zoe expressed a desire to do more speaking and ended up giving 5 keynotes, as well as teaching a college class at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD) which was so exciting! Zoe’s speech at the Beloved Benefit in front of 2000 people here in Atlanta was incredible and an unforgettable experience.

• We were invited up to New York to speak at the Aspen Institute’s annual Awards Dinner and met so many exceptional people including Sheila Johnson (first black female billionaire), Mike Bezos (Jeff Bezos’ dad) and many other leaders. This year, Zoe also met Robert F. Smith (wealthiest black man), Chick-Fil-A Chairman - Dan Cathy, Olympian- Sanya Richards-Ross, Congresswoman Nikema Williams, Mayor Bottoms, Mayor Dickens as well as Tabitha Brown who recorded and shared a video which led to 5000 new followers and over 100 orders.

• On the products side, we released our new Bella's affirmations floor puzzle and Zoe made some great updates to the Say it Show it Gratitude Journal. Our new dolls release had to be pushed back unfortunately, but we will be excited to share these in early 2024.

• We launched in Macy's!

• We went live with our Girls Empowerment Club - The Curly + Confident Club and are excited to continue growing this in 2024. This membership is for girls ages 6-12 to connect and build their confidence, through monthly activities, book club, playdates and fun resources. If you are not in yet, what are you waiting for? Join us here!

• We also had our first Youth Mean Business accelerator this summer. This is our brand new initiative for young entrepreneurs between the ages of 11 and 17.  We brought 9 youthpreneurs together for an intensive week of learning, mentoring and culminating in pitch day where we gave out $25k in grants. This first of many accelerators was possible thanks to our partners Russell Innovation Center for Entrepreneurs, US Bank/Elavon, Partnership for Southern Equity. We are excited about the response and we look forward to building on this in the new year. Stay tuned!

• We received grants from Barclays, Lenovo, Wells Fargo and even got a special Verizon grant surprise presented by Atlanta Hawks legend- Lou Wills. 

• We gave away 1000+ dolls and books through our Gift-giving initiative and also enjoyed visiting many schools to connect and inspire.Zoe spoke to kids from Pre-K through High School on various topics covering STEM, Literacy and SEL. 

• We were featured on various media platforms including Good Morning America, CBS, Black Enterprise and many more. This is something we never take for granted and we are truly thankful to everyone who has played a part in sharing our story and amplifying our mission to empower girls.

• Zoe won several awards and recognition for her community engagement work and was named TAGIE Young Innovator of the year! 

• We enjoyed the support of many mentors, advisors, wonderful customers and our team. Thank you.                                                                                   

As we head into a New Year, we are more determined than ever to further our mission and global impact, as we focus on raising the next generation of confident leaders that will change the world. Stay tuned for some exciting announcements and we hope you will join us on this journey. We can't do it alone. 

Is there anything you'd like to see from us? would you like to partner in any way? Send us a note at hello@beautifulcurlyme.com and let us know. 

PS: Here's a visual recap of the year!  Thank you for all your support and for making 2023 a great year.