Simone Ware, a Caribbean woman born and raised in the Virgin Islands, said her heritage deeply influences her work.
Ware, the founder and owner of the CURVD fitness brand, said that everything she creates, from her firm’s content to campaign locations, is infused with the beauty of the ocean and the beach.
As such, Ware plans to host a fashion show at Miami Swim Week for the first time this summer. The event in Florida is supposedly the world’s largest swimwear and resort wear festival. It will allow Ware to showcase her business to tens of thousands of expected attendees.
The show could help leverage Ware’s mission of helping women of all shapes and sizes feel empowered, confident, and strong in their bodies. “Miami Swim Week wouldn’t be complete without that diversity.”
But her quest early on was not easy. Ware told BLACK ENTERPRISE by email that one of the biggest challenges in launching CURVD was developing a solid business model and figuring out the most effective way to allocate the funds she invested.
As a first-time entrepreneur, Ware says there were many things to consider. These included which areas of the business would give the highest return on investment and how to balance spending on marketing, operations, and product development.
“It wasn’t easy, and there were times when I felt overwhelmed by the financial strain, but the key to overcoming that was sticking to the mission,” she said. “I relied on my intuition, and slowly but surely, we started seeing the results of that investment.”
She said a huge lesson she learned is that running a business is mostly about having the right strategy and being willing to adjust when things don’t go as planned.
Ware’s exertion, tenacity, and perseverance have helped her capture a niche. This Florida-based business now generates roughly $2 million annually, leveraging her fitness app and helping women feel strong, confident, and valued.
BLACK ENTERPRISE connected with Ware to discuss her business and entrepreneurship.
What inspired you to launch a fitness brand that caters specifically to women?
Please share feedback from Black women on how your brand has helped them.
I hear from new mothers battling postpartum depression; from women rebuilding after leaving abusive relationships, each one sharing how CURVD has empowered them, not just physically but mentally and spiritually. It’s about transformation and healing.
Given the ongoing DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion) backlash impacting many businesses of color, what steps are you taking to ensure your company remains resilient?
Diversity isn’t just a trend for CURVD. It’s at the core of who we are. My entire team is made up of women of color, and I’m committed to continuing to expand that representation. From our models to our leadership, we ensure that inclusivity isn’t just a talking point; it’s our reality. Despite the challenges, I see opportunity. The demand for authentic, diverse representation is only growing, and I’m dedicated to ensuring that CURVD remains a leader in this space, breaking barriers and advocating for visibility.
How has your firm performed revenue-wise over recent years?
Looking forward, where would you like to see your company’s revenue?
What advice would you give Black entrepreneurs looking to start or grow a business?
First, believe in yourself. That’s the foundation. Among the steps to consider are identifying your niche, finding the gap in the market, and being the solution. And while funding/capital is important, don’t wait for a big investor to get started. Bootstrapping and reinvesting in your business can take you far. Know that entrepreneurship isn’t easy and comes with setbacks. But your ability to push through challenges will define your success. Most importantly, remember why you started. When your purpose is clear, your passion will fuel you through any obstacles.
Source: Black Enterprise
