Sommer Curry’s journey into entrepreneurship is deeply rooted in family, resilience, and an unwavering belief in self-investment.
“I’ve always been around hair,” Sommer Curry recalls. Her mother, who had been a licensed aesthetician and cosmetologist, not only introduced her to hair care but modeled what it meant to be a Black female entrepreneur balancing business and family. That early exposure planted a seed, but it wasn’t until years later after Curry lost a job, that the seed took root. “That pushed me to bet on myself. I’ve done that for 20 years, and here we are.”
Her hair-styling business, Designs by Sommer, has since traveled with her and her family across the country, from Panama City to Las Vegas, and to South Florida. At first it was a side business while taking care of her family, but as her kids got older, she had much more time to devote to her business, and when her military husband retired several years ago, they would be staying put in South Florida. Curry’s business, five years in Florida, has won multiple awards, but this April 18th marks a major milestone: The grand opening of Curry’s first fully independent brick-and-mortar salon in the City of Homestead. After years of working as a booth renter in other salons, this space represents ownership, stability, and a vision realized.
The new location is thoughtfully designed. The front of the space is her hair styling salon designed for a luxury salon experience, Curry says. The back of the space houses the Sommer Curry Experience, which is an incubator space for people to come in and rent the space and for youth mentorship programs, she explains. Through partnerships with vocational rehabilitation programs and local organizations, she works with young people, including those with developmental challenges. “We help them with communication skills, soft skills, team building,” she says. “It’s exciting to see the children step out of themselves and step into new roles.”
Like many small business owners, Curry, a licensed cosmetologist, has faced obstacles. Hiring and retaining stylists remains one of her biggest challenges. “We are a training salon,” she explains, noting that she often brings in aspiring professionals to learn braiding, wigs, and styling. Still, building a consistent team is a work in progress.
A major catalyst in her growth has been her involvement with Florida SBDC at FIU, the small business development center within Florida International University that offers no-cost business consulting and training in Miami-Dade and Monroe Counties. She first connected with the center through the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) Miami-Dade Business Navigator program several years ago and continued with training through the SBA BizGap program for Florida’s 27th Congressional district. Both programs were run by FSBDC at FIU and focused on hyperlocal consulting and training in communities in Miami-Dade County. “FSBDC at FIU gave me the confidence to be able to sustain in this business,” Curry says. “It’s refreshing to run into programs… that are truly there to assist, and they work. I think more people need to utilize the resources and tools and stick with these programs. You have to commit to it and follow through with the homework.”
Working with FSBDC at FIU consultant Adriana Madrinan, a specialist in business models, strategic planning and innovation, Curry strengthened her business strategy, digital marketing, and operations. From improving brand consistency to optimizing her online presence, the results were immediate, Curry says. For instance, Madrinan gave her homework to update her Google and she received two great clients from the Google reviews.
Curry has been working with Madrinan since February 2025 on strengthening both her coaching business and Designs by Sommer’s visibility and positioning. This has included work around content, thought leadership, brand clarity, and improving the salon’s online presence and local marketing foundation. “She is not simply building a business for herself; she is building something that allows her to serve, support, and uplift others. That sense of purpose comes through clearly in the way she works and in the direction she is creating for her business,” Madrinan says.
“She is also very action-driven. Sommer is someone who takes ideas and turns them into movement. I appreciate that she is open to learning, willing to apply recommendations, and committed to taking practical steps forward. Her progress has come from that combination of heart, discipline, and follow-through,” Madrinan continues. “She has the passion to inspire people and the drive to keep building in a thoughtful and consistent way.”
Beyond the salon and her coaching business focused on mindset, financial literacy and AI, Curry also launched her own hair product line, including a signature oil designed to address dryness and breakage. “I’m always looking for a solution and a one-stop shop,” she explains. She also developed a clothing line, creating a full-service experience for her clients. “My women are very happy… and if they come in after work and they are running late, they can get an outfit and head out the door. It’s all strategic.”
Her journey has also been shaped by bold, decisive moments, such as when she secured her current salon space. She wasn’t looking for it, but when she happened to learn a location was available for rent but there was a potential tenant already on the way with a check, she acted quickly. “I said, ‘If they don’t come, I have a check ready’.” They didn’t show up – and the grand opening is set for April 18th.
For Sommer, success is about more than business growth, it’s about impact. “Follow your passion, follow your heart,” she says. What keeps her going? “My faith, my children, my clients,” she says, “because I know that I’m changing lives with every person.”
Website: designsbysommer.com