Overcoming Trials to Build a Mission-Based Brand
Entrepreneurship is often painted as a thrilling journey of innovation and success, but for Kurt and Deanna Mangum II, the reality was much tougher. As the co-founders of CoupleyFit, they faced setbacks that tested not only their business but also their resilience, faith, and marriage.
In 2019, things got so tight financially that they considered selling their wedding rings just to stay afloat. They had already pawned other valuables, were down to one car, and Kurt was carpooling at 5:30 AM just to save on gas. These weren’t minor sacrifices—they were survival moves for two entrepreneurs determined to build something meaningful.
What made their journey even more remarkable was their choice to bootstrap instead of seeking outside funding. After watching other founders regret giving up equity too soon, they turned down a million-dollar investment to keep full control over their company. That decision meant the struggle lasted longer, but it also gave them the freedom to pivot and grow on their own terms.
With financial resources limited, they focused on social capital. They became a benefit corporation, pouring their time into speaking engagements, community work, and social media growth. By engaging with schools, nonprofits, and businesses, they built a network of 20,000 followers and a reputation that would later become their biggest asset.
Then came 2020—a year that nearly broke them but also opened unexpected doors. After their Instagram was hacked and they were hit with extortion attempts, they found themselves in the spotlight when corporations began seeking experts in diversity, equity, and inclusion. Brands like Walmart took notice, leading to national partnerships, magazine covers, and TV appearances.
By 2023-2024, their perseverance had turned into recognition. They were named Black Health Heroes by Walmart, honored in the Power 50 Under 40 by the United States Black Chamber, and became Titan 100 executives. They even visited the Vice President’s residence and partnered with Forbes BLK for wellness workshops.
Through it all, they learned key lessons: everything takes twice as long and costs twice as much as you expect, relationships and timing are everything, and “sow where you want to grow.” For couples in business together, they stress the importance of boundaries, communication, and remembering that while a business can fail, a marriage shouldn’t.
The CoupleyFit story isn’t just about success—it’s about holding on through adversity, trusting the process, and knowing that even at your lowest point, opportunities are forming that you can’t yet see. Or as Curt puts it, quoting John 3:30: “He must increase, and we must decrease
