Events

Beyond the Launch: Scaling Brands for the Long Term with Julissa Prado, Founder & CEO of Rizos Curls

​What does it really take to scale a beauty or personal care brand without losing trust, culture, or the community that made it successful in the first place? ​Join us for a live session with Julissa Prado, Founder and CEO of Rizos Curls, for a candid conversation designed for early-stage consumer founders, especially those building in beauty and personal care.

Date

Thursday, February 12, 2026, 4:00 PM EST

RSVP HERE - REQUIRED TO ATTEND

​What does it really take to scale a beauty or personal care brand without losing trust, culture, or the community that made it successful in the first place? 

​Join us for a live session with Julissa Prado, Founder and CEO of Rizos Curls, for a candid conversation designed for early-stage consumer founders, especially those building in beauty and personal care.

​Rizos Curls is often referenced as a standout example of values-led, community-driven growth. Built from Julissa’s own lived experience and a deep understanding of an underserved customer, the brand scaled by prioritizing education, trust, and representation long before those became industry buzzwords.

​In this conversation, we’ll explore:

  • ​What founders should focus on when evolving from scrappy startup to scaled brand

  • ​When to bootstrap vs when to fundraise

  • ​How to build a beauty brand with your community, not just market to it

  • ​The realities of scaling through the “messy middle” without overextending or diluting your values

  • ​Navigating DTC and retail growth while staying close to your customer

  • ​Lessons from building in a crowded category

​This session is especially relevant for founders thinking about long-term brand building. This is for those founders who are balancing growth, capital decisions, retail expansion, and staying true to the customer who got them here.

ABOUT THE GUEST

​Julissa Prado is the Founder and CEO of Rizos Curls, a curly haircare brand known for its loyal community, inclusive approach, and strong omnichannel presence. What began as a solution to Julissa’s own unmet haircare needs grew into a nationally recognized beauty brand rooted in education, authenticity, and representation.

​As a founder, Julissa has remained deeply hands-on across brand vision, product development, community engagement, and leadership, guiding Rizos Curls through growth while maintaining the values that define the brand. Her journey is frequently cited as a blueprint for building beauty brands that last by leading with trust, not hype.

Events

Upcoming Events

From summits, to courses, to workshops, to meet-ups and ask-me-anythings - there is something for everyone here. Listen in, attend in person or virtually, ask questions, or simply add to your when-you-can checklist of everything you need to know.

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Jan

16

10th House HUddles

Fashion and Accessories Huddle

Members only!

Friday, January 16, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

Are you a building a Fashion or Accessory business? Come join this 10th House Huddle to meet and network with fellow founders!

Register now

Jan

20

Workshop/Panel

Inside the Buyer’s Mind: Building for Retail Success with Nordstrom’s Denise Junell Johnson

Members only!

Tuesday, January 20, 2026, 1:30 PM EST

​Join us for a live interview with Denise Junell Johnson, Vice President and Divisional Merchandise Manager for Handbags, Jewelry & Watches at Nordstrom, as she shares insider insights from two decades shaping some of the most coveted categories in retail.

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Jan

21

10th House HUddles

Community Builders Huddle

Members only!

Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

Come join this 10th House Huddle for all things community! This is an amazing opportunity to meet and network with fellow founders!

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Jan

21

Community Conversation

Just Be: A Grounding Circle with Wendy

Members only!

Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 2:00 PM EST

Come join Wendy for a safe space to just "be".

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Jan

23

Community Conversation

Get Your Assets Together: A Modern Entrepreneur's Guide to Monetization, Growth & Acquisition

Members only!

Friday, January 23, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

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Jan

28

10th House HUddles

Fashion and Accessories Huddle

Members only!

Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

Are you a building a Fashion or Accessory business? Come join this 10th House Huddle to meet and network with fellow founders!

Register now

Jan

28

City Sessions

New Year Refresh: FFC x BELONG Happy Hour

Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 6:00 PM EST

Ring in the new year with an evening hosted by the Female Founder Collective and BELONG.

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Jan

28

City Sessions

{SANTA MONICA, CA} FEMALE FOUNDERS AFTER HOURS

Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 5:30 PM PST

Join us for an intentional happy hour designed for female founders who value meaningful connection, thoughtful conversation, and real business support.  

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Jan

28

City Sessions

{SAN DIEGO, CA} Member Mingle

Wednesday, January 28, 2026, 6:00 PM PST

Join us for an intimate gathering of San Diego based female founders, created to foster meaningful connection, shared insight, and genuine community.

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Jan

29

City Sessions

{SANTA MONICA, CA} FEMALE FOUNDER FLOW & FOCUS

Thursday, January 29, 2026, 12:30 PM PST

Join us for an intentional afternoon designed for female founders who want space to reset, connect, and gain clarity in their marketing and business.

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Jan

30

Community Conversation

The Legal Aspects of Early Stage Fundraising

Members only!

Friday, January 30, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

Are you preparing to raise capital but feeling overwhelmed by the legal complexities of fundraising? Join us for an informative and practical session designed to demystify the legal aspects of the fundraising process!

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Feb

4

Community Conversation

Building Smart: Starting Your MVP the Right Way

Members only!

Wednesday, February 4, 2026, 7:00 PM UTC

A Q&A for non-technical founders on what to think about before building — validating your idea, scoping your MVP, and choosing the right tech path.

Register now