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

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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

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.

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Feb

11

Community Conversation

Trademarks 101

Members only!

Wednesday, February 11, 2026, 1:00 PM EST

Are you looking to safeguard your brand? Join us for Trademarks 101, designed to discuss the critical role trademarks play in building and protecting your business.

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