"Women helping women turn their passions into a livelihood": How Stephen Curry’s wife Ayesha Curry helped two sisters with a $100,000 doll business that sold fewer than 100

A $100,000 investment should give a business a strong start, but Carlissa and Laken King soon faced a difficult reality. The twin sisters had spent that amount manufacturing 3,000 dolls for Worldgirls, their inclusive doll company, yet they had sold fewer than 100. They needed more than a good product to reach customers. In 2019, Stephen Curry’s wife, Ayesha Curry, stepped in through Fempire, her series for female entrepreneurs, offering the sisters connections and opportunities to help them build their brand.Ayesha did not simply offer encouraging words. She connected the sisters with people who could help them understand their audience, improve their branding and find new ways to sell their dolls. Her support opened doors to major retail opportunities, including QVC and the American International Toy Fair. However, the sisters’ experience also showed that business growth takes more than one big break.How Ayesha Curry helped Worldgirls after its $100,000 investment struggled to pay offWhen Carlissa and Laken King appeared on Fempire, which premiered on EllenTube in Nov. 2019, their business needed a clearer direction. They had invested $100,000 to manufacture 3,000 dolls but had not sold even 100. The problem was not simply making the dolls. They needed to reach the right customers and help people understand their brand.Ayesha Curry wanted to help entrepreneurs turn their ideas into sustainable businesses. In her Dec. 27, 2019, interview with Forbes, she described the purpose of her series, saying, “Fempire is women helping women turn their passions into a livelihood.” She also explained, “A great idea unfortunately doesn’t always equate to a successful business.”Ayesha put that approach into practice with the King sisters. She introduced them to Lauren Auslander, CEO of public relations firm LUNA. Auslander helped them define their target audience and refine their brand.Ayesha also helped the sisters secure a booth at the 2020 American International Toy Fair in New York City. She arranged an appearance on QVC and meetings with five toy stores. These opportunities gave Worldgirls more chances to introduce its inclusive dolls to retailers and potential customers.The support offered something the sisters had struggled to gain on their own: access to people who could help them grow. Still, getting noticed did not guarantee sales, and the sisters remained aware of the work ahead. Why the Worldgirls founders said building their brand was no quick fixDespite the new opportunities, the sisters did not pretend that Ayesha’s help had solved every problem. In the profile, Laken King explained that the business continued to struggle with visibility.“Even after all of the exposure, it’s been really hard to gain that visibility,” Laken told.She then offered the line that captures the reality behind their experience: “It’s not a miracle, it’s not a magic pill.” Laken explained that one of Ayesha’s most useful lessons was to keep going because building a business and creating brand awareness takes time.The sisters’ experience showed that manufacturing 3,000 dolls was only the first step. Reaching customers required a separate effort. The Toy Fair booth, QVC appearance and toy-store meetings created opportunities, but they did not guarantee sales.Ayesha’s own experience helped explain why she wanted to support women like the King sisters. She told Forbes, “Empowering yourself to tell people what you need is the hardest part, but the only way to manifest it.” Her message encouraged entrepreneurs to seek help instead of struggling alone.In Worldgirls case, the opportunity was a chance to learn, build connections and put its dolls before a wider audience. The sisters’ story also offered a realistic lesson for other entrepreneurs: outside support can open doors, but building a lasting business still takes persistence and time.Stay updated with the latest Asian Games 2026 news, check the Asian Games medal tally and complete Asian Games schedule.Get the latest Sports News and Live updates. Download the TOI app.