Mahisha Dellinger built a multi-million-dollar beauty empire and taught women to own their identity. Now, she’s doing it again. This time with a wellness drink that’s anything but ordinary.
As the founder of CURLS, the pioneering natural haircare company headquartered in Dallas, and sold in major retailers nationwide, she built more than a product line — she built a movement rooted in identity, pride and representation.
“CURLS wasn’t just about hair,” Dellinger tells Local Profile. “It was about identity, pride and tapping into underserved communities with authenticity and heart.”
This fall, Dellinger will share hard-won wisdom from her journey as a panelist at North Texas’ most powerful women’s leadership event: Local Profile’s 24th annual Women in Business Summit, presented by Bank of America, on Sept. 12. For Summit details, tickets and sponsor opportunities, visit: localprofile.com/womeninbusiness.
From Beauty to Beverages
After revolutionizing the beauty aisle, Dellinger saw a familiar gap in wellness: bland flavors, lack of innovation and no cultural connection.
Huzzy, her new beverage line, is her answer. But this time, the mission was also personal.
“I wanted something that would give me a buzz but also protect my health,” Dellinger says. “There was nothing on the market, so I created it.”
Huzzy Smart Sips is a non-alcoholic cocktail brand infused with liver-protecting properties, gut prebiotics, detoxifying antioxidants, mood-boosting adaptogens and nootropics to enhance an euphoric feeling with purpose. Each drink is designed to help women feel energized, vibrant and proud to say yes to no alcohol.
“Health doesn’t have to be boring,” Dellinger says. “It can be bold, joyful and rooted in our stories.”
That same clarity of purpose has guided every brand she’s built.
Building with Soul and Strategy
What’s Dellinger’s secret to brands that stand out and stand for something?
“Every brand I build starts with one question,” she says. “What problem are we solving in a way no one else is willing to?”
For Dellinger, mission always comes before marketing. She believes in deeply understanding her audience, telling the truth and creating with purpose from day one. “If it doesn’t spark conversation or shift culture,” she says, “I’m not interested.”
A Mindset for Boldness
Dellinger believes being unstoppable isn’t about perfection, it’s about courage.
“Unstoppable doesn’t mean unbreakable,” she says. “It means showing up even after you’ve been broken, doubted, or dismissed.”
Her advice for women who want to build something bold?
“Start where you are, with what you know, what you love and what you wish existed,” Dellinger says. “Don’t wait to be ‘ready.’ Clarity comes through action. And please, let go of the myth of perfection. Boldness is messy. Embrace it.”
Protecting Her Peace
Scaling CURLS as a woman of color often meant proving herself in rooms that weren’t designed for her. She pushed through by staying rooted in her mission and learning to guard her energy fiercely.
“Protect your peace like your profit depends on it, because it does,” Dellinger says. “Energy is a currency. Now I treat my peace as non-negotiable. It’s the foundation of my creativity and sustainability.”
One book that shaped Dellinger’s philosophy is The War of Art by Steven Pressfield.
“It changed the way I think about resistance, creativity and self-discipline,” she says. “Fear is normal, but inaction is a choice.”
A Legacy Rooted in Ownership
Now, Dellinger is focused on a different kind of legacy.
“I’m focused on building a legacy of empowerment through ownership — especially for women of color,” she says. “I want to be known not just for the brands I created, but for the doors I kicked open, the voices I amplified and the confidence I helped others claim.”
Hear More From Mahisha at Local Profile’s Women in Business Summit
Dellinger will share her story and transformative insights as a panelist at North Texas’ most anticipated women’s event: Local Profile’s 24th annual Women in Business Summit, presented by Bank of America.
Join 500 of North Texas’ most influential women on September 12 for a day of powerful conversations, high-impact networking and stories that will inspire you to build boldly.
Tickets are on sale now — and they won’t last long.
Get your tickets and all event details at localprofile.com/womeninbusiness.
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