Rotterdam Businesswoman award 2025

Did You Know That Having Curls Was NOT DONE?

It was considered unprofessional – unkempt – and in some countries, a sign that you couldn’t afford a hairdresser (being poor).

Five years ago, I embarked on a business journey that would not only change my life but also impact thousands of people with curly hair. What started as a dream—to develop a few products that truly work without harmful ingredients—grew into Pretty Curly Girl, an INTERNATIONAL brand that is far more than just hair care products.

It has become a movement. A symbol of pride, self-love, and empowerment.

I know from personal experience how difficult it can be to find the right products for curly hair. For years, we were overwhelmed with products that dried out our hair, tried to tame our curls, or simply didn’t understand what curls needed. That frustrated me. I wanted to make a change—not just in the products available but also in how people view their curls.

With my knowledge, passion, and determination, I developed formulas free from sulfates, silicones, and drying alcohols—but also free from cheap ingredients that the mass cosmetics industry kept using.

Pretty Curly Girl is More Than Just Products in a Bottle

It’s a brand with a message:
Own your curls, be happy as you are.

A Personal Mission

For me, Pretty Curly Girl is not just a business. It’s a mission.
I want to help people embrace their natural hair and be proud of who they are. I want children to grow up with products made especially for them, so they learn to love their curls from a young age.

The messages from customers who tell me they are truly happy with their hair for the first time in their lives. Parents who share how their children stand confidently in front of the mirror. That gives me so much energy.

Fueled by this passion, I single-handedly ensured that Pretty Curly Girl is now sold in over 50 countries and that I am in the final phase of launching local production in the USA.

How do I, a girl from Rotterdam, make this happen? I’ll tell you all about it later.

First, let’s go all in and prove that anything you dream of is possible. 

My journey is already beyond incredible, but it is far from over. And with the nomination for Rotterdam Businesswoman of the Year 2025, I look forward to inspiring others to believe that anything is possible.

No matter who you are or where you come from—just jump before you are ready and enjoy the ride. 

Be Pretty. Be Curly. Be You.

Follow me on linked-in

With love,

Hanan