We had the good fortune of connecting with Courtney Reed and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Courtney, what do you attribute your success to?
As cliche as it may sound, having my spouse support me has been the largest factor behind the success of the brand. Anything he is able to do to lighten my load, he does no questions asked. Mail runs? Check. Inventory spot checks? Check. Reminding me to file quarterly sales tax returns with the state? Check. Fulfilling orders? Check.

What should our readers know about your business?
Kinky Kouture is a minority owned, woman run business. One of the reasons I began my business was due to the lack of representation of women of color in the sexual health and wellness industry. It feels good when you see yourself represented in business and media. Another major reason I began my business was I’d become a point person in my friend group when it came to questions about sexual health and wellness. I decided to monetize what I love and what many others love. Lastly, there is such a stigma around sexuality with Black women specifically and I see this brand as part of breaking down that stigma.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Dallas has many exciting and hidden gems. Depending on the friend, those activities may include a combination of indoor and outdoor recommendations.

For my friends that are more of the foodie types, I would strongly recommend Union Bear in The Colony or Breadwinner’s in Plano for brunch. For lunch, I would recommend an amazing Caribbean spot in Fair Park called Elaine’s or Latin Pig in Plano. Although pricey, you cannot beat Nick and Sam’s in Dallas for dinner.

The African American Museum in Dallas is a hidden gem. While small, the exhibits are amazing and the staff is very knowledgeable. I’m also a huge fan of the Dallas Museum of Art and the Perot Museum. Klyde Warren Park is a must see as well with its food trucks and live music depending on the time of the year. The Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden are a must see as well.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My village of support has been amazing. It includes my husband, close friends who are also entrepreneurs, and surprisingly my parents. Even my oldest child, 16, has taken an interest in what I consider the day-to-day, unglamorous side of running a business (inventory, taxes, etc).

Website: www.kinkykouture.com

Instagram: Kinky_Kouture

Twitter: kinkykouturellc

Facebook: Facebook.com/kinkykouturellc

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