#InConversation with Curly by Nature
#BGFCommunity is our spotlight series featuring brands and businesses led by Black women and non-binary people.
We met with Klerissa McDonald, founder of Curly By Nature. Klerissa shares more about her experience starting a business, becoming a vendor at Black Girl Festival and her plans for growing her business.
How would you describe your brand/ business?
Curly By Nature is the vehicle that allows me to guide my community through a transformational hair care experience, empowering them to realise hair health and happiness! I produce award-winning hair care products, easy to follow educational content and deliver personalised hair treatment services to support various healthy hair journeys.
Why did you want to be a part of Black Girl Festival?
Although I had given birth to baby number 3 a few months before the first BGF in November 2017, there was NO WAY I was going to miss the opportunity to support and celebrate black women. It is necessary. I was invited to be a part of the first BGF Natural Hair Panel Oct 2017. I was taken aback by the floods of beauty even from the streets before entering the building. The sisterhood, solidarity, positive energy and power that radiated the surroundings hit deep and after cruising through the marketplace (spending my coins to support another sister) and attending the varied sessions on offer, it hit even deeper. My Husband and boys felt the power from outside, sitting in the car- they were too mesmerized by our incredible collective presence! My daughter experienced it first hand as she experienced it all with me. That sense of community is essential to our development, to our growth and benefits our society in its entirety. Again, it is necessary.
How was being a vendor at the festival?
The ability to engage in real life and interact with others whether it was with our customers, fellow entrepreneurs, and general visitors will always be a luxury at Black Girl Fest. It is also an opportunity to truly learn if you are effectively serving those you aim to reach. Honestly, I am still reaping the benefits of having developed true and fruitful relationships with customers from all over the UK (Margate to Manchester!), from a wide range of industries and like-minded businesswomen. More importantly, I have learnt more about how I can better serve my community.
What was it like being surrounded by other businesses owned by Black British women?
I find it empowering, soul-satisfying and feel a huge sense of gratitude when I am at Black Girl Fest. Being surrounded by other Black British Women-owned businesses is incredibly powerful.
What does community mean to you?
To me, community means conversating, sharing, supporting, building, recognising and celebrating each other.
@CurlyByN (Business)
https://www.curlybynature.com/
https://www.instagram.com/curlybyn
https://www.facebook.com/curlybyn
https://www.youtube.com/c/curlybynature
@KlerissaMc (Personal)
