CURLS Founder Mahisha Dellinger Is Living Her Vision Board Dreams After Landing Her OWN Series
The power of manifestation is real, and if you need any proof, just ask Mahisha Dellinger.
The South Sacramento, California native took her start-up natural and organic hair care line CURLS and turned it into a multi-million-dollar empire. Growing up in poverty led Dellinger to find her way out of the challenges her early life presented and she pursued a college degree. She entered the corporate world and spent time working with Intel until she eventually stepped out on faith and launched her hair care line back in 2002.
16 years later and Mahisha Dellinger is the "Curl Queen" whose business has inspired many of the other natural hair "gurus" we see today.
This all came to form with the help of a vision board. She knew the life that she wanted and painted a picture to help it manifest. Now, she's using her high profile business partnerships and widespread platform to help other women do the same thing.
Leaving Corporate America back in 2002 for the business world was a major step to take in and of itself, but to do so during a time where the natural hair movement didn't quite have the market it has now was an even bolder move. Sometimes the best ideas are born out of pure necessity, and Dellinger once told Curls Understood that her decision to make the transition into starting her own business was based on needing products for her own natural hair journey and not being able to find them. She says:
I was natural looking for products and couldn't find many options. I didn't want jheri curl juice and I didn't want a relaxer! So CURLS was born out of pure need and I knew there must be other women searching for curly hair products too.
Having launched her business before the Instagram and Facebook businesses of today, Dellinger used her marketing and business background and hit the pavement the old fashioned way. Increasing her brand's visibility came with its own set of hurdles, but eventually through hard work and determination, her CURLS products landed on the shelves of major retailers like Target, Walmart, and major beauty supply stores.
No doubt many people took notice of Dellinger's rise to success, so much so that it was recently revealed that she will be starring in her own show on the OWN network. In today's world where Black female entrepreneurship is rising at a rapid pace, this show couldn't come at a better time.
Mind Your Business with Mahisha will follow Dellinger as she mentors, coaches, and aids other female entrepreneurs in their pursuit of taking their businesses to "the next level." Because even though Black women are the fastest-growing group of entrepreneurs, we are still faced with a different set of challenges and nuances that people of other demographics don't necessarily have to deal with. The show will begin airing on August 11, following Iyanla: Fix My Life and is produced by Irwin Entertainment.
Dellinger made the announcement on her personal Instagram page, and in her post, she references using vision boards on a yearly basis. And wouldn't you know it, one of the constant visions she had for herself was to one day appear on The Oprah Winfrey Show. Now that she is getting her OWN show on Oprah's OWN network, who are we to doubt the true power of manifestation? Her vision board became a reality, literally. Won't He do it!
"Years back, "Be on the Oprah Winfrey Show" had a permanent position on my yearly vision board. God said, "I'll do you one better!" I am proud to say I have my own show on @owntv, pardon the pun! 😜 "
Based on the trailer, the hour-long show will get down to the nitty gritty, with Dellinger inspiring these women to greatness without mincing words and coddling feelings. In a world where so many see the fruits of success without the real grind and determination it takes to get there, Mind Your Business with Mahisha will be a welcomed look into the real meaning of what it means to be an entrepreneur.
Thanks to Oprah and the OWN network, we'll be able to take notes ourselves to fine-tune our own businesses and brands.
Michelle Schmitz is a writer and editor based in Washington, DC originally from Ft Lauderdale, FL. A self-described ambivert, you can find her figuring out ways to read more than her monthly limit of The New York Times, attending concerts, and being a badass, multi-tasking supermom. She also runs her own blog MichelleSasha.com. Keep up with her latest moves on IG: @michellesashawrites and Twitter: @michellesashas
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images