Today we’d like to introduce you to Alina Marmolejos and Stephanie Ruiz.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Back in the fall of 2017, Stephanie and I (Alina) decided to both take a leap of faith and join forces to create a business Instagram that focused on our natural hair journeys.
A “natural hair journey” is basically accepting one’s curly hair as it is which means it is relaxer-free hair, chemical-free, and heat-free.
This was a form of us as individuals accepting exactly how we were born, starting with the hair that grows out of our scalps. Now, the reason we call this a journey is that we are accepting a path of self-love, and refraining from what society finds beauty as “acceptable” or “normal” for women and men.
Stephanie and I both come from a Latin Caribbean family upbringing. I (Alina) am Dominican, and Stephanie is (Cuban/Dominican). This means that we were accustomed to spending every Saturday of every week at a hair salon blow drying and straightening our hair in order to look “presentable” and “beautiful.”
It sounds ignorant but that was all we knew and wearing our naturally curly hair was frowned upon. We both decided not to let that ignorance continue for the rest of our lives and at some point, both of us chopped off our hairs along with all the negativity and began our individual journeys. As adults now, we have learned to love ourselves in every way possible curly hair and all.
Stephanie has a background in make-up artistry and hairstyling. I (Alina) have a background in law and social media marketing. Together we have created a platform where we get to test out different hair products, hairstyles, and network with different women and men within the natural hair community and help one another out with our journeys.
On March 24, 2018, we had our first (1st) networking event in my backyard which started off small with just of group of 12 people. Fast forward to the present time where we had our third (3rd) networking event of over 40 people at a restaurant with tickets being sold online.
Natural Hair events are everything to us naturals! It is where we can go to meet our social media hair idols, make new curl friends, hear about different natural hair and self-love journeys, advise each other about great hair products as well as learn hair tips & tricks. We believe the most important reason to attend a natural hair event is to be in an environment where you can feel comfortable in embracing your natural beauty while receiving support and encouragement from women & men that are on similar hair journeys and lifestyles as you are.
One of our many goals is to at some point create our own line of natural hair products that we can share with everyone. It will happen god willing. Until then we aspire to inspire anyone and everyone that is willing to listen, learn, teach, and grow with us.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
We have been extremely blessed to have the support we have gained in order for it to be a smooth road. We would say that the hardest part is creating original content and being consistent with it. But all is possible.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
What sets us apart from most of the natural hair guru pages is the fact that it’s two of us and we look completely different, have different hair types, and people can relate to either of us.
Is there anyone, in particular, you would like to recognize? Mentors, etc?
We honestly let GOD lead our path and because of that, we believe things have been happening the way they should.
Contact Info:
- Email: gurlzwithcurlslifestyle@gmail.com
- Instagram: @GURLZWITHCURLS
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Gurlzwithcurls-372442699833450/?hc_ref=ARRzuEiCBZgegDqS2Zgwuv7o3Gxe3L-EPituJiH6_usBHxwgd86U_TpsCtwMwsnkERI&fref=nf&__xts__[0]=68.ARCErnb0sZVt6kCpccwVGXpD0kotFVdIg6nD0sa5xXfJomN0zr1xKR0QZuW2z6yK1IA2aYiNOn5FQ3IOxjoqwiZtigGcBoqA-evt1MWZl8vD2fbEHXkZ3Ia8E5ieHsxpGXOTDWdFo0N_-4d7NPHuZy-jGQuA84brdRa_aTxCaafl9SqvX6bIcqOc3NPBRT_QKY8V3n2wtMAuCjhJ52VtKhQlJBDeFRCOY_fszp8W5UEHvWSa62J1iR937rsM3mJRZBdExwyniT_mHIFZN-sHfXcb1FGZKWFQPwYhkj1USluwMTPFv5Gahocob5TQX9oXa1LEOchxzNv3qXfEDTGO35g&__tn__=kC-R
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