Exploring Life & Business with Angela Rivers-Harper of OKFW, LLC brands and more

Hi Angela, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio. I was a “grandparent baby.” I was their first grandchild and loved being around them and hanging with my youngest aunt. I loved learning to cook and dress like a lady with my grandma. I get my sense of style from my mom and my grandma and my gift of knowledge from my mom. I became a mother when I was 18 and a freshman in college. I wanted my daughter to look at me and see that her mom accomplished amazing things even while being a single mother. I waited until my daughter turned 7 and returned to school, and I was determined to get my degree. I was so happy when I got my first degree and didn’t stop there. Then, in 2014, I started my first Business Cincinnati Full Figured Fashion Weekend. I wanted people to experience plus-size fashion like never before. I conducted two shows under that name and then revamped the name in 2016 to become Ohio Kurvy Fashion Weekend- a weekend full of folks, fashion, and fun!

I have been in business for 10 years. Later, in 2014, I started a women’s empowerment conference called the “I Love Me” Women’s Empowerment Conference. It is a free conference where a panel of women comes and tells their stories of bravery and encouragement. I didn’t stop there. I then went on to create Keep it Kurvy Boutique, Kute Kosmetics, Keep it Klassy Handbags, Kute Frames by Angela-Nicholle, and my newest venture, H.E.R. HUSTLE, in which I teach individuals how to start their own small business or nonprofit. I am also a National Pageant Director and model coach. During the day, I am an Employment Support Manager with a local nonprofit.

It wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has always been challenging to run a business. It has ups and downs, sometimes emotional, financial, mental, and spiritual. You lose friends and customers along the way, as well as your family. Everyone isn’t always happy for you, and you must learn to keep moving and pushing even when obstacles come your way. You have moments when your sales are good, and then you have days when your sales are at an all-time low. My businesses took a big hit during the pandemic, and it is still taking time for me to get back to where I want to be. I had to pivot a few things during and after COVID, but God has kept me. I haven’t had to close my doors just yet.

As you know, we’re big fans of OKFW, LLC brands, and more. What can you tell our readers who might need to be more familiar with the brand?
I am an individual who loves fashion. I have always been curvy and fed up with the unflattering clothing I would see. I also did not understand why plus-size models existed in fashion shows and why the runway was nonexistent for the plus size industry here in Ohio. So, in 2013, I came up with Cincinnati Full Figured Fashion Weekend—a weekend dedicated to plus-size men and women featuring designers from all over. I changed the name to Ohio Kurvy Fashion Weekend in 2016. Everyone was using full figured, so I wanted to be creative and set apart; henceforth, OKFW was created. I got so much positive feedback from having this event that I turned it into a yearly event, and it was welcomed with open arms. One of the things I incorporated was to have a full weekend full of folks, fun, food, and fashion. Friday would be a gala/party, Saturday would be the huge fashion show, and Sunday would end with amazing speakers and brunch. It was a hit. 1 of the premiere fashion shows in Ohio turned 10 years old in 2024, and I am so proud of what I have accomplished. Body positivity needs to be accepted and celebrated.

Being curvy and confident is a wonderful feeling. Embrace it. Love it! Do you! Be you! I then created the “I Love Me” women’s empowerment conference because I wanted women to reach out to other women and show them they could be anything they wanted to be and achieve anything they wanted. I then created my other businesses and started H.E.R. HUSTLE (helping others, respectively) to help individuals start small businesses or nonprofits. I want people to know I love helping people succeed in anything they set their minds to. I was put here to encourage, enlighten, and inspire everyone I encounter.

Can you share something surprising about yourself?
I am also the National Director for American Beauties Plus Pageants by Royal Productions. I am one busy lady! What sets me apart from everyone else is that I am a born boss lady. I come from a family of business owners, and my grandfather had been in business for over 50 years before he gained his wings. Everyone on my maternal side has at least 2 side hustles that they are incredibly significant at. My husband, daughter, and I have several small businesses here in Cincinnati. I believe in building an empire to leave a legacy behind. I am now a grandmother, and I have instilled everything I was taught while growing up in my daughter, and I will do the same for my grandson.