We were lucky to catch up with Nickie Nou recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nickie , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Do you think folks should manage their own social media or hire a professional? What do you do?

Over the years, I have adopted more of a “done with you” approach. I have hired firms to manage my social media, however even with proper onboarding, sharing every insight about my branding, target audience, voice of the company, tone, cadence, etc… there was still a visible difference in engagement from the audience, versus when I would post something. My solution was to have the team batch the content, caption and everything our social media management software, and I would go in to review and make any necessary tweaks before posts go live. Over time, I have had to do so less and less and the team caught on.

Nickie , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Thank you so much for this opportunity to share my journey! My story begins in 2015 when I launched my first business, Curls Dynasty, a line of natural hair care products born out of my kitchen. At the time, I was on a mission to create solutions for my own textured hair, but it quickly became about so much more. I realized I wasn’t alone—so many people needed high-quality, effective products that truly catered to their hair care needs. What started as a labor of love at my kitchen table has since grown into a nationally recognized brand, now proudly featured on the shelves of major retailers.

The success of Curls Dynasty fueled my passion for all things hair care, and I realized there was another area where innovation was needed: hair care services. This year, I launched IBol Beauty, the first-ever chain of 24-hour hair salons. IBol Beauty is about more than just convenience—it’s about accessibility and inclusivity for people with busy, non-traditional schedules. We provide top-tier hair care services at any hour of the day, ensuring that everyone, from working parents to night-shift workers, can feel seen, valued, and beautiful on their own time.

What sets me and my businesses apart is a deep understanding of our community’s needs and an unwavering commitment to meeting them. Whether through Curls Dynasty’s transformative products or IBol Beauty’s groundbreaking service model, I aim to empower and inspire.

I’m most proud of the journey itself—starting from nothing, breaking barriers, and staying true to my vision. It’s a blessing to be able to innovate, create, and give back to the communities that have supported me. I want potential clients and followers to know that everything I do is rooted in love, authenticity, and a genuine desire to uplift others.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

As the saying goes, “New levels, new challenges.” While I’m incredibly proud of the growth and success my businesses have achieved, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. One of the most challenging moments in my journey came when Curls Dynasty began to gain widespread attention. With increased visibility came increased scrutiny—and, unfortunately, people looking to capitalize on the brand’s success.

We found ourselves facing legal challenges from individuals trying to stake claims or make demands that were, at best, baseless and, at worst, opportunistic. It was a deeply unsettling time because I had poured my heart, soul, and countless hours of hard work into building something authentic and impactful.

But during this turbulent time, I leaned on three key things: my integrity and my faith in God & the process. I remained focused on the bigger picture, sought advice from trusted legal counsel, and made sure every decision aligned with my core values and purpose. I refused to let distractions derail me or compromise the vision I had for my company.

It wasn’t easy—legal battles can be draining emotionally and financially—but I was determined to prevail without cutting corners or sacrificing the reputation I had worked so hard to build. And we did prevail. Coming out on the other side, stronger and more resilient, reminded me why I started this journey in the first place: to serve and empower people, not just with products or services but with the example of perseverance and integrity.

This experience taught me that resilience is not just about weathering storms but also about staying grounded in your purpose. Challenges will come, but if you stay true to yourself, keep your focus, and trust the process, there’s no obstacle you can’t overcome.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

Here’s a draft for your response:

One of the most powerful lessons I’ve had to unlearn came from the cultural norms I grew up with in the Caribbean community. From a young age, I was taught the value of humility and shining—but only quietly. It was ingrained in me that I could excel, but only within the limits of other people’s comfort. There was this unspoken rule that standing out too much or being too bold might draw criticism or make others uncomfortable, so I learned to dim my own light to keep the peace.

As I grew older and stepped into my purpose, I began to feel the weight of those limitations. I realized that playing small or keeping my achievements subdued wasn’t serving anyone—not me, not my community, and certainly not the people I was meant to inspire. I had to challenge that mindset and break out of the boxes that others had imposed on me.

It wasn’t an easy shift, but it was transformative. I gave myself permission to fully own my gifts, my vision, and my voice. That decision freed me to spread my wings and serve on a much larger scale. It’s how I’ve been able to build brands like Curls Dynasty and IBol Beauty that empower people worldwide.

Now, I know that shining brightly doesn’t mean taking anything away from others—it means leading the way and creating space for others to shine, too. Learning to unapologetically step into my light has been one of the most liberating experiences of my life, and it’s a lesson I hope to pass on to others who might still feel confined by those invisible limits.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.curlsdynasty.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nickienou/profilecard/?igsh=NHJ4YTlmYzMyZWl2
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1GWfmDYA2e/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Other: https://www.curlsdynasty.com

Image Credits

Aubrey Jonsson
Joey Rosado
Joseph Karven Montinor