Long before her haircare brand Rizos Curls reached retail shelves, Julissa Prado was sharing homemade formulas and teaching classmates how to care for their curls. That desire to help others understand their hair continues to guide her work as founder and CEO.
On Volume Up by The Tease, Julissa Prado discusses the community behind Rizos Curls, the family who helped get it up and running, and why growing gradually has worked.
Helping Classmates Embrace Their Curls
Prado remembers wearing her natural curls to school at 15 year sold and becoming a resource for classmates who usually straightened theirs.
“I became a magnet for these undercover curlies,” she said.
Questions in hallways and bathrooms turned into curl lessons and lasting friendships. For Prado, learning to care for textured hair turned into a way to express herself and experiment with different styles.
Growing With Family
Prado launched Rizos Curls with her brother Tony Prado in 2017. Their cousins contributed bottle artwork, took photos, modeled, and helped pack orders. Their support was essential in getting the business started. As the brand grew, Julissa reinvested sales into its next steps, expanding inventory and the team over time.
She describes retail growth as a series of smaller moves that required prep and learning. Sharing that process matters to her because she wants other entrepreneurs to see that starting a small business is a possibility.
Making Products With Purpose
A connection with customers also shapes product development. Prado discusses the Gloss + Repair collection, which includes shampoo, conditioner, a mask, and a serum oil designed for shine and repair.
“I want their life to be easier in some way with our products,” she said.
Julissa considers how each formula feels, smells, and fits into someone’s routine, bringing the same attention to the customer that began with those early curl lessons.
Listen to the full conversation on Volume Up by The Tease wherever you pod. Follow @readthetease and @volumeupbythetease for more.
