Untold Story of Curl Fest: Black Women Plan to Bounce Back After Shutdown | DEI, Hurdles & Funding

In this episode of Earn Your Leisure, we sit down with the founders of Curl Girl Collective to unpack the journey behind one of the most iconic cultural celebrations in beauty—Curl Fest. From humble beginnings to national recognition, they share the origin story of their collective and how they built a movement that resonates deeply with the natural hair community. We discuss the business behind hosting large-scale live events, the hidden costs they faced, and the reality of still working full-time jobs while building Curl Fest. The founders open up about how DEI cutbacks and sponsorship losses forced them to pivot, cancel events, and rebuild stronger than ever. They also break down how Curl Fest sets itself apart from other beauty festivals, what it takes to compete in the event space, and the importance of community. We dive into the challenge of access to capital, offers to buy the company, and the need to be intentional with partnerships. This is an essential conversation for entrepreneurs, event organizers, and anyone invested in culture, community, and ownership. Invest Fest Ticket Link: https://investfest.com #EYL #EarnYourLeisure #CurlGirlCollective #CurlFest #BlackEntrepreneurs #BusinessBehindTheBrand #BeautyIndustry #DEI #EventPlanning #NaturalHairMovement #AccessToCapital #BlackOwnedBusiness #CommunityOverEverything #Entrepreneurship #CulturalEvents Our Sponsors: * Check out PNC Bank: https://www.pnc.com * Check out Square: https://square.com/go/eyl Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.