Social Proof Podcast She Needs 2 MILLION Dollars To Survive | Social Proof #548
In this powerful Social Proof episode, host David Shands sits down with Kim Lewis, founder and CEO of CurlMix, the Black-owned natural hair care brand that nearly went bankrupt after raising over $10 million and generating $40 million in lifetime sales.
Kim opens up about how she reached a breaking point — with –$18,000 in her account, investors backing away, and a community of loyal customers who’d been with her since Shark Tank. Instead of hiding, she made the bold choice to go public, launching the #ProtectCurlMix campaign: a plea for 20,000 orders by December 31st to keep her factory open and her Chicago team employed.
Throughout the conversation, Kim and David unpack what it means to lead transparently under pressure:
• Why venture-backed startups can grow fast but still be unprofitable.
• The tension between doing good for the community and surviving as a business.
• The mental toll of leadership, failure, and staying authentic when everything’s on the line.
• How CurlMix customers literally own 50% of the company, and why Kim believes community equity is the future of entrepreneurship.
By the end, the story shifts from fear to hope — showing how honesty, community, and accountability can become a company’s greatest lifeline.
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