Creating videos started as a hobby for Kyra and Kali. In 2020, their mom, Shenika Paris, agreed to help them turn their YouTube channel into a business. They decided to focus on helping young Black girls love the natural texture of their curls.

The first step was coming up with a name and logo. “Koily Kurls,” with the K’s designed to look like strands of hair, seemed like the perfect choice. Next, they set up a website to sell their products.

Then, in 2022, Kyra and her sister won a contest for small businesses. The prize was $10,000! They used the money to expand their shop, adding even more items. Soon, orders were coming in from as far away as Italy and the United Kingdom.

Creating videos started as a hobby for Kyra and Kali. They had their own YouTube channel. But in 2020, they decided to turn it into a business. Their mom, Shenika Paris, agreed to help them. They decided to focus on helping young Black girls love the natural texture of their curls.

The first step was coming up with a name and logo. “Koily Kurls” seemed like the perfect choice. The sisters designed the K’s to look like strands of hair. Next, they set up a website to sell
their products.

Then, in 2022, Kyra and her sister won a contest for small businesses. The prize was $10,000! They used the money to expand their shop. They added even more items. Soon, orders were coming in from as far away as Italy and the United Kingdom.

Kyra says being a kid entrepreneur isn’t always easy. She spends about an hour each weekday on her business, plus more on the weekends. She and Kali pack and ship each order.

Some of Kyra’s 15-second videos take only a few minutes to create. But others take up to four hours. Still, Kyra enjoys the time she gets to hang out and bond with her mom and sister.  

She also loves inspiring other kids to try new looks—and testing them out herself.

“I love that my hair is curly. I love its texture,” Kyra says. “I also love being able to do different styles, such as Afros, braids, pom-poms, and buns.”

Kyra says being a kid entrepreneur isn’t always easy. She spends about an hour each weekday on her business. She spends even more time on it on the weekends. She and Kali pack and ship each order.

Some of Kyra’s 15-second videos take only a few minutes to create. But others take up to four hours. Still, Kyra enjoys the time she gets to hang out and bond with her mom and sister. 

She also loves inspiring other kids to try new looks. And she enjoys testing them out herself.

“I love that my hair is curly. I love its texture,” Kyra says. “I also love being able to do different styles, such as Afros, braids, pom-poms, and buns.”

As her business has grown, Kyra has used the attention to help others. For the past few years, she’s teamed up with an organization called The Crown Project to help collect donations for people experiencing homelessness in Montreal. 

As for Koily Kurls, Kyra’s next goal is to add a line of shampoos, conditioners, and hair creams. And she has some tips for young entrepreneurs. 

“You’re never too young to do anything,” she says. “If you set your mind to it, then you can achieve it.”

Most of all, she wants all kids to feel great about themselves.

“You are perfect the way you are, and so is your hair,” Kyra says.

Kyra’s business has grown. And she’s used the attention to help others. She’s teamed up with an organization called The Crown Project for the past few years. She helps them collect donations for people experiencing homelessness in Montreal.

As for Koily Kurls, Kyra has big plans. Her next goal is to add a line of shampoos, conditioners, and hair creams. And she has some tips for young entrepreneurs.

“You’re never too young to do anything,” she says. “If you set your mind to it, then you can achieve it.”

Most of all, she wants all kids to feel great about themselves.

“You are perfect the way you are, and so is your hair,” Kyra says.

1. What steps did Kyra Milan Brown take to start her business?
2. What does the author mean when she writes that “Kyra has used the attention to help others”?
3. Based on the sidebar, “Leading the Way,” what are some similarities between Kyra and Madam C. J. Walker?

1. What steps did Kyra Milan Brown take to start her business?
2. What does the author mean when she writes that “Kyra has used the attention to help others”?
3. Based on the sidebar, “Leading the Way,” what are some similarities between Kyra and Madam C. J. Walker?