When Zoe Oli was just 6 years old, she noticed something different about her hair compared to her classmates. Most of her peers had straight hair, while Zoe had curls and coils. She didn't see many other Black girls at her school, and her peers' questions and comments made her feel uncomfortable. Zoe’s mother, Evana, was deeply affected when Zoe expressed her dissatisfaction with her hair. Determined to boost her daughter's self-esteem, Evana bought Zoe a Black doll with straight hair. But Zoe had a better idea: dolls with hair like hers.

Evana, a marketing consultant from Atlanta, initially wasn't convinced. It took Zoe a few months of persistent asking before Evana realized how serious her daughter was. So, she withdrew $5,000 from her savings to create a prototype and find a manufacturer. After about a year, the first 18-inch doll with brown skin and textured hair was ready. This was the birth of Beautiful Curly Me, a brand that now includes books, puzzles, journals, and natural hair care products.

In 2019, at the age of 7, Zoe became the CEO of her company. Though she mainly handles the creative aspects, she often sits in on business meetings to learn the ropes. Evana manages the administrative side, from setting budgets to drawing up contracts. The company had a successful year in 2022, bringing in a low six-figures in revenue. Evana is proud of the impact her daughter's dolls have on young Black girls. "Seeing their smiles when they see dolls that look like them is amazing," she says.

A Young CEO's Dream: Dolls with Curls and Coils

Actions