November 4, 2025
The CEO and founding father of CurlMix, Kim Lewis, says they want 20,000 orders to remain open.
One other Black-owned haircare model might must shut its doorways.
As a Black enterprise proprietor, Kim Lewis, desires to maintain her legacy alive and promote numerous entrepreneurship, however she wants her neighborhood to indicate up and assist assist CurlMix’s merchandise.
She has launched a #ProtectCurlMix marketing campaign to maintain the corporate, based in Southside Chicago, that additionally employs native employees
On Instagram, Lewis bought actual concerning the circumstances which have threatened CurlMix’s survival. She mentioned she has 60 days to get 20,000 orders of a signature bundle to be able to maintain going. In any other case, the enterprise will shut on Dec. 31.
“This has been probably the most troublesome yr in enterprise. This yr in enterprise was more durable than COVID, with tariffs and taxes and ingredient prices going up and transport time slowing down,” she mentioned in a video shared on Instagram. “Our staff went from a measurement 40 to 14, and that partially explains why, you realize, we’ve had some delayed orders or longer replies and customer support. Everybody on my staff is doing two to 3 totally different jobs.”
Curlmix is providing a $100 bundle of 10 full-sized merchandise that may assist the corporate keep alive. With flaxseed gels, leave-in conditioners, and curl lotions, the merchandise work to serve textured hair wants. Donations are additionally welcome.
The corporate first gained recognition for its 2019 look on ABC’s Shark Tank. Wanting to maintain possession in the neighborhood, the corporate’s founders rejected a $400,000 provide for a 20% stake within the firm.
As an alternative, they raised $1.2 million whereas letting go of a ten% stake. They continued to supply fairness for neighborhood members wanting to speculate, incomes one other $3.6 million in 2021.
Nonetheless, prior crowdfunding campaigns can now not maintain operations.
“You guys invested in CurlMix, you obtain fairness in our firm, and I need to proceed to indicate up for you. So I’m not giving up…If we get 20,000 orders within the subsequent 60 days, we are able to keep alive and thrive,” continued Lewis within the video. “We could have turned the enterprise round, and we ought to be self-sufficient after that. I simply need assistance one final time.”
Supportive prospects can be taught extra concerning the firm on its web site.
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