At just 12 years old, Zoe Oli has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming the youngest CEO to launch a toy brand at Target.
Oli is the visionary behind Beautiful Curly Me, a company that aims to empower young Black girls by celebrating their natural hair through dolls, children’s books, and educational products.
Beautiful Curly Me was born out of Oli’s personal experience of feeling different because of her natural hair. At the age of six, she struggled with self-confidence, comparing her curls to the straight hair of her classmates.
Even when her mother bought her a Black doll, Oli noticed that the doll’s hair did not match her own textured curls.
Determined to create a more accurate representation, Oli became an entrepreneur at the age of seven.
“My mom got me a Black doll that looked like me to help, and it really did, but I noticed that the doll did not have hair that looked like mine, and I wanted dolls with curls and braids. So, when she went back to the stores, she couldn’t find any,” Oli shared during the ForbesBLK Summit 2024. “I decided that I wanted to make my own business and do something about it, and that’s how I got started.”
Beautiful Curly Me has since expanded its offerings to include children’s books, STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics) puzzles, and an empowerment club.
Recently, Oli introduced a new line of dolls at Target, featuring three characters: Binta the scientist, Bella the entrepreneur, and Imara the ballerina, each proudly sporting curly hair.
Oli’s presence at Target is not just a personal achievement; it’s a significant cultural milestone. Her journey reflects a growing movement toward greater representation and inclusivity in the toy industry.
“Seeing our dolls on the @target shelf for the first time was surreal,” Oli expressed in an Instagram post. “It was so emotional thinking about the journey over the past four years and seeing this dream come to life is amazing. Thank you all so much for your support on our journey!”
Oli hopes to positively impact at least one million Black girls through her products, encouraging them to embrace their natural beauty and feel empowered.
As she continues to expand her brand, her story serves as an inspiration to young entrepreneurs everywhere.
