Frizz Fest Hosts Business Training at Cortex

African American hairstyles are inventive, eclectic, stylish and ever-escalating. Likewise, Leslie and Valerie Hughes, founders of Frizzy by Nature, the nonprofit that hosts Frizz Fest, the annual natural beauty festival, are creatively expanding their portfolio.

Last week the sisters-in-law hosted the “Blooming Business Training,” event designed to empower St. Louis entrepreneurs. A press release for the event simply defined it as a way “to help local entrepreneurs thrive.”

Inside the Cortex/CIC building on S. Sarah Street, impeccably dressed, actively engaged participants occupied all tables and chairs of the spacious exposed brick room. Backed by a host of sponsors including Square, the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC) and US Bank, the event provided vital resources and economic opportunities for over 50 small businesses in the region.