Modern Entrepreneur Profile: Mississauga's Heba Mahdy

In conversation with Heba Mahdy, recipient of the Mississauga Starter Company Plus grant.

1. What does your company provide/do?
My Curly Monde Inc. (MCM) is a Mississauga-based corporation designing and manufacturing premium children’s toys that go far beyond play. We build toys that nurture confidence, identity, and self-worth from an early age.

Our debut doll line, Curlitta™, is positioned as Canada’s curly hair icon, elevating textured hair with elegance and intention. Unlike traditional dolls, Curlitta engages children in real hair play, transforming playtime into a lesson in self-care and pride. By combining sensory play, emotional storytelling, and educational hair-care literacy, we help children see their natural beauty not as something to manage, but as something to celebrate.

2. What inspired you to start your company?
As a child with curly textured hair, I experienced firsthand the emotional consequences of poor representation and the subtle messaging that my hair was a problem to fix rather than a crown to wear. MCM was founded to reverse that narrative, to flip the script from “difficulty” to “superpower.”

I’m building more than a doll. I’m building an icon that allows children to stand taller, embrace their uniqueness, and learn confidence through care. Parents want tools to help raise confident children, our dolls become part of that journey.

3. What’s been the most impactful lesson you’ve learned being an entrepreneur?

Deciding is strategic. I’ve learned that consistency compounds. Planning, leveraging my strengths, refining weaknesses, and continuing forward even when progress feels incremental; that’s how momentum is built. Entrepreneurship has empowered me to actively shape my future while creating something that can positively impact the next generation.

4. How do you unwind?
I recharge through curiosity and creativity. A thoughtful book that challenges my thinking restores my mental clarity.

But my greatest source of renewal is my family. Baking with my younger daughter, building mini cities and rollercoasters with my son; those moments disconnect me from pressure and reignite my imagination. Children see the world with possibility, not limitation. That perspective fuels my creativity and reminds me why I started this journey. Family is both my sanctuary and my inspiration.

5. What succinct advice do you have for aspiring entrepreneurs?
Surround yourself with bright people and network with people 10 steps ahead of you. And equally important, reputation is everything. If you commit, deliver.

6. What are your goals for 2026?
2026 is about transitioning from infrastructure to impact. My focus is to successfully launch Curlitta™, execute a strategic market entry, and build deep customer trust through quality and storytelling. Beyond launch, I aim to establish strong manufacturing foundations, secure strategic partnerships, and position Curlitta as a premium Canadian brand with global potential.

Also focusing on professional development, maintaining mental health, and ensuring alignment with personal values.

7. How did the Mississauga Starter Company Plus program help you start or expand your business?

The Starter Company Plus program has provided the strategic roadmap and financial bridge necessary to move Curlitta™ from a home-based startup in Mississauga toward my goal of becoming a globally recognized, Canadian-led premium doll and lifestyle brand. The Program provided me with critical support in several key areas like strategic mentorship and advisory, institutional engagement, and business planning which are essential for securing future investment and navigating global markets.