Emily Kenison ’14, Founder and Inventor, RobeCurls
Emily Kenison ’14 is the founder and inventor of RobeCurls, a brand best known for the Original Heatless Curling Headband, the #1 award-winning heatless curler, regularly featured in top press like Glamour, BuzzFeed and the Today Show. Her time at NYU Law, particularly in Walter J. Derenberg Professor of Intellectual Property Law Jeanne Fromer’s intellectual property law classes, inspired her entrepreneurial journey, and her legal expertise gave her the foundation to invent category-defining products and scale RobeCurls into a seven-figure business. Emily’s advice to students: embrace curiosity, take risks, and leverage your legal training to build something impactful. Read more below.
What made you decide to pursue a career in entrepreneurship/venture capital/startups after NYU Law?
If it weren’t for NYU Law, I don’t think I would have become an entrepreneur. My time at NYU Law, particularly in Professor Jeanne Fromer’s intellectual property law classes, sparked both my curiosity and a belief in the transformative power of innovation. Her teachings demonstrated how the law could not only protect creativity but also serve as the foundation for building something entirely new—something category-defining—that could benefit generations. I began inventing products—first Straplets, then RobeCurls—while working full-time as a lawyer. My confidence in research and my background in intellectual property law gave me the courage to take the leap into entrepreneurship. Knowing how to secure patents and protect my ideas became my mental safety net, empowering me to challenge industry norms and build products and their brands that aim to make a lasting impact.
How did NYU Law prepare you for this career?
NYU Law prepared me in countless ways. The critical thinking, deep research skills, and methodical planning I developed in law school align seamlessly with the demands of both invention and entrepreneurship. These skills are essential, not just in the creative process of developing products, but also in finding product-market fit and building a scalable business. Equally important is the confidence NYU Law instilled in my ability to navigate complex legal landscapes. Whether negotiating with major retailers, tackling the challenges of modern counterfeiting, or understanding how broader issues like antitrust regulations impact my business, the tools I gained at NYU have been indispensable. In fact, I’m certain our business wouldn’t have survived the headwinds we’ve faced—especially in combating counterfeits—without the foundation NYU Law provided.
Why do you think lawyers find success in this career path?
Start-ups are an unpredictable world, and while it’s impossible to make the journey predictable, I think lawyers are uniquely suited to adding structure to the ambiguity and taming the chaos. Lawyers are disciplined problem-solvers, trained to analyze complex issues, anticipate risks, craft well-thought-out strategies, and be a tenacious advocate when the time calls for it. All in all, I believe these skills build a stronger foundation for any business to grow upon, giving an edge in the unpredictable startup world.
What was the biggest challenge you faced as a lawyer in this career path?
The biggest challenge I’ve faced as a lawyer turned inventor/founder is navigating the disconnect between law and business. Large corporations, due to their scale, have an opportunity to operate on a different playing field—where ignoring the law can be justified if the profits outweigh the consequences—and at times, they do. This creates a ripple effect of harm, not just to smaller businesses but to the broader ecosystem as well. For a start-up who ended up on the receiving end of this reality, it’s not only challenging but also deeply disheartening—especially with a legal background, which can make you even more acutely aware of the injustice. Yet, that same awareness fosters resilience, pushing you to find creative ways forward despite the odds.
What is the most important thing students should do while they are still in law school to prepare themselves for a career in entrepreneurship, in venture capital, or at a start-up?
Entrepreneurs are lifelong learners, and as a student, you have a unique opportunity to fully embrace that mindset. So be a sponge and soak it all in. Explore the breadth of your legal education—many courses will become unexpectedly relevant later on. Take full advantage of NYU Law’s Entrepreneurship & Venture Capital Program—it’s a fantastic way to dive into the startup world. Build strong connections—NYU Law’s community of classmates, professors, and alumni is invaluable. Lean into it. Alumni, myself included, are eager to help, so don’t hesitate to reach out. And of course, explore and enjoy New York City.
What was the most important lesson you learned in your career thus far?
Build with intention, give back more than you take, and remember that progress isn’t about rushing—it’s about creating something that lasts, leaving the world and your community a little better, and more connected, than you found it.
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