Meet Emily Nolan | Curl Specialist

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

Hi Emily, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The decision to start The Curl Collective was inspired by my daughters. I wanted to change the narrative of the hair industry into one that celebrates natural beauty all while inspiring confidence for women and young girls to embrace their natural texture. Seeing how many women struggle to manage their curls and feel overwhelmed by products that don’t work for their hair inspired me to create a unique service that not only gave them a beautiful haircut tailored to their hair, but that taught and equipped them to manage and even enjoy styling at home! The goal is to provide a solution that simplifies hair care, embraces natural textures, and empowers women to pass on a positive message of self-love to the next generation. It’s about building confidence, saving time, and fostering a love for natural curls both in the salon and at home.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I believe that The Curl Collective is so much more than a curly hair salon. The business creates a positive impact encouraging individuals to embrace their natural curls and beyond hair care, the work inspires a ripple effect of confidence and self-love.

The most proud moments happen for me when I turn my salon chair around and someone sees themselves in a brand new light. They often tell me they didn’t know their curls were capable of looking so great! Then to have them reach out and say they learned so much about how to care for their curls is just the icing on top of the cake!

The most exciting project I’m working on right now is the opportunity to empower women with a digital course designed to simplify the process of styling natural curls. This course offers a straightforward methodology tailored for busy women who want to embrace their natural texture with confidence and ease. It’s all about providing tools and techniques that fit seamlessly into a hectic lifestyle, transforming hair care from a source of stress into a celebration of beauty and individuality.

I have been so blessed with the growth of my business! It hasn’t been easy, but it was always had a natural progression. Early on, it was easy to feel overwhelmed by the demands of both work and family, but as time went on, the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing self-care became clearer.

The Curl Collective is built on the belief that natural curls are something to celebrate, not struggle with. It’s a story of simplifying hair care for women and empowering them to feel confident in their natural beauty. By offering practical tools and guidance, the mission is to transform overwhelm into joy, helping women embrace their unique textures and reclaim time for what truly matters in their lives.

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.
The city of Fort Worth has so much to offer! The first place I would take a guest would hands down be the Fort Worth Stockyards! You could spend a whole day visiting The Cowboy Museum, seeing the rodeo, watching the live cattle drive or visiting Billy Bob’s for some honkey tonk fun! I would end the day at the iconic Joe T Garcia’s for their famous margaritas and beautiful outdoor seating areas.

The next place I would take a guest who was visiting Fort Worth would be the Cultural District. We could explore The Modern Art Museum, The Kimball Art Museum and The Amon Carter Museum of American Art.

I’d love to take a guest to explore some outdoor activities that Fort Worth has to offer. I would suggest The Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, I especially love the Japanese Gardens. The Trinity Trails are great for walking or biking, and one of my favorite restaurants is right along the trail, The Woodshed, we would have to stop for BBQ! If my kids joined us, their favorite Fort Worth outdoor activity would absolutely be The Fort Worth Zoo! They just completed a new Big Cats exhibit that had us all in awe!

To wrap up our tour of Fort Worth, I would take my guest to the West 7th District for shopping, dining and entertainment. West 7th is known for all things trendy from boutiques to bowling alleys, it’s a really fun area to wrap up our tour!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a heartfelt shout-out to my mentor, Jody Brinkmeier, for encouraging me to take the leap and start this incredible journey. Her guidance and belief in me have been invaluable. I also want to express my gratitude to the small but mighty group of curl specialists who have paved the way for this celebration of texture and natural beauty. Their dedication and expertise have inspired me to carry the torch and help others embrace their natural curls with confidence.

Website: https://Thecurlcollective.net

Instagram: thecurlcollectivedfw

Image Credits
Danielle Nicole Photography