Save Curvy Divas: Empower Women Together

Curvy Divas needs your help! Curvy Divas is a small, plus sized boutique in West Fargo, North Dakota.

What started out as simply a "plus sized" retail store, has turned into so much more. It has become a safe haven for not only plus sized women, but women of all sizes.

Their Facebook page has become an inspiration for women everywhere. Curvy Divas started a private page for customers as more of an inspirational page, that also offers support for some of the most personal issues that us Curvy Divas rely on for comfort and belonging. (Curvy Divas Inspiration)

Rhonda, the owner, is very transparent in speaking publicly about her own struggles such as, anxiety, depression, early childhood trauma and health concerns to let women know that they are not alone. Not only does this take place on social media, but in store as well.

Many women have come into the store specifically to meet Rhonda, to give her a hug and thank her for the difference she has made in their life. For example, a long time customer was diagnosed with the a terminal illness and did not have much longer to live. She was brought into the store by a caregiver, the client said "I wanted to see you one last time before I die, and thank you for all you have done for me." Instances like this happen often.

Rhonda is a great advocate for women, as well as the community. She will often pull resources for families in need. She has pulled together resources from her wonderful group of 7000 followers to collect and organize needs for families that have lost their homes and personal possessions due to house fires, families going through crisis in need of clothing, hygiene products, shoes, household needs. The giving is endless.

Rhonda is always busy helping all of us and would never ask for help herself, so I am stepping in to ask. This has become more than just a women run small business in our community, this has become our "Girl Tribe". I became part of this "Girl Tribe" right at the beginning, because I drove by her boutique and her "Curvy Divas" sign spoke to me. I went into her store and the first thing she told me was "Girl, we need to give you a lift. Can I do a bra fitting for you?" I left with 2 new bras, a couple shirts and a new friend. I have been a client at the store and a daily visitor to both the Curvy Divas and Curvy Divas Inspiration Facebook pages ever since.

Rhonda started this store 8 years ago to give plus sized women a judgement free zone to shop and feel beautiful. I don't know if you have ever noticed when you have been in the store but all the ceiling lights are different, but they all are beautiful and sparkle in their own way. Rhonda says she did this on purpose because they are just like her customers.

She also specializes in bra fittings so that women's breast health and back pains were not an issue. Ever since post Covid the store has been struggling to bounce back due to many, many hurdles endured since Covid that has greatly impacted this small business.

Many vendors were lost due to Covid, manufacturing and shipping times were delayed, the last hurdle, the bra company we love was cyber ware attacked and shut down for several weeks, costing upwards of $35,000 in revenue.

At this time, Curvy Divas is in financial trouble. Rhonda feels like it could be time to close the doors once all pre orders for clients have come in.

I sat down with Rhonda and asked her what it would take to help the store get back up and fully running. The store needs to be fully stocked. Funds to catch up some outstanding responsibilities such as rent (her landlord has been very patient), catch up on store loans and credit cards, utilities, etc. New POS system equipment.

The ultimate goal would be to have enough funds left over to purchase a "Booby Bus" so she can travel with her bra fitting expertise, which would greatly benefit women all over, but would be a financial gain and growth for the business.

Rhonda has put everything, and I mean everything into this store that we have all come to rely on for not only clothes and bras, but a community of supportive women who have lifted one another up in many situations.

Rhonda has not been able to pay herself a paycheck in more months than I have fingers and toes because she puts everything she makes back into the store to keep it going. The financial strain this has caused her own family is tremendous. We need to make sure that Rhonda is able to bring home a paycheck for all that she does everyday for the community that she serves.

Let's show Curvy Divas the love and support that they have been providing us for the last 8 years. Let's light this fundraiser up so that Miss Rhonda can get us a new bra company, stock the store, so it can sustain an income and make sure that everyone that works there is also able to keep their lights on at home.