What was the process by which Asha Downes began her company of natural hair coach founded by self-acceptance, and science
Learn the ways Asha Downes turned her own natural hair journey into a training and education company that's based on extreme gentleness, science, and self-love.
From the beginning, Asha Downes dreamed of having hair that was long. She enjoyed playing hairdresser alongside her peers and trying out hairstyles of different types However, she was told repeatedly that it was not possible to get her Afro-textured hair to the lengths she wanted.
All of that changed once Asha reached the final years in her teens. While browsing YouTube she came across an artist who had the same hair texture with naturally long hair. While everyone thought it could not be done hairstyle of this creator seemed strong and healthy. Asha was aware that if the creator could do doing it, she was capable of doing.
In the present, Asha runs Naturally High Hair, a company that aids women to grow their hair with personalized coaching and informative training sessions . Asha was awarded her 2022 Fall Creator Fellowship, and we were impressed with her gentle, holistic approach to caring for the clients she serves. In addition, she's on track for the top trichology certification to deepen the knowledge she has gained in her particular area of expertise.
This is the story of how Asha changed her love for hair into a coaching, education and coaching business that's changing the look of women's hair -and their lives -.
The transformation of a passion into a genuine business being genuine
The moment that Asha began to learn about the benefits of natural haircare, she was not the only one. A lot of women across the globe were also documenting their personal hair experiences. She recalls "This was prior to when YouTube became the business space which it is now, and the people shared their recipes, advice, experiences and tribulations."
"It was an eye-opener to be able to see the quantity of Black women who were discussing this issue together but we're across different parts of the world. We all go through this but it's been named"the Natural Hair Movement."
Asha decided to publish her story on YouTube. Asha made the decision to make her story publicly She was attracted to YouTube as it's where the other YouTube creators were spending their time. "I joined them," she explains. "I was not aware of the direction I was going to take. I was simply looking for ways to be involved."
Her channel Asha documented everything she went through as she tried to understand and master how to properly take treatment of her locks. It was an obsession that became a passion as well as Asha determined to share her true herself. Her videos were loved by viewers Over time, her YouTube channel and her Instagram account have been growing.
"While I documented my journey from the early stages, I wasn't taking in the views, or even the viewers," she says. "It provided me with the opportunity to document my experience with my hair. People found it interesting and began to follow."
With Asha's reach via social media, her creation process was more deliberate, and she was thinking of ways to create new content to offer her followers.
Meanwhile, Asha was working full-time and lived in different countries across Europe. She was looking into jobs in the field of hair at large firms, but all did not seem appropriate.
Asha was a YouTuber just to write about her own experiences. Her positive and honest videos attracted attention from people who watched them and she realized that she could make an effect. She knew that monetization would enable her to invest in viewers while also advancing her knowledge. It was her belief that the activity would evolve from being a pastime to one which could become a lucrative business If she were capable of putting all her time and attention to the subject. It all was in the right place.
Asha was on her way to work excursions to the Caribbean during the time the pandemic prompted worldwide lockdowns. There was no place to travel and plenty of time available, so this was the best opportunity to jump into the water.
"There was no possibility of taking action that I was confident in. When I was in the lockdown zone, I had an opportunity to me that I decided to take the most of."
Then Asha began to do her job.
Simple and effective, it's a powerful launch
Asha was initially planning to sell the physical products for hair care, however she was asked by a teacher who viewed her web presence and found it to be a massive one. She suggested she instead offer customized consultations. This advice, along with the difficulty of sourcing items due to the global pandemic sent Asha down the digital path.
Her first offering was a 1-on-1 regimen-building session. It was unclear the response of her followers and so kept her initial plan of launch basic. The founder created a Typeform application and shared the URL on Instagram together with a description of the coaching she offers.
"I shared about the projects I had been doing and offered encouragement individuals to take part," she shares. "I received over 200 replies. The people who submitted the form were looking for coaching and didn't need to pay but they did supply me with their email addresses, as they shared their hair concerns they were experiencing. They then contacted me with a booking form."
This is an excellent approach to test the concept with absolutely no upfront cost. Asha created a product that was affordable and analyzed how much enthusiasm she received from her targeted customers.
With the help of the applications, she learned what the customers wanted in their own words, and increased her list of email subscribers. The people who thought that it was a good match would eventually become the first clients she would work with, and she showed that it was feasible before spending endless hours and millions of dollars for the launch of a major campaign.
Asha started meeting with customers. However, she quickly learned the needs of her clients were more than suggesting hair products or developing customized hair care regimens.
"I discovered that this job requires much more than picking the right items and designs. There's a lot of intellectual task."
"There's an underlying relationship between self-acceptance, and the development of hair that is thick and healthy in the beginning. Your hair is saved and eliminated. Hair is a dying fibre. It isn't revivable, so whatever you add to your hair , your hair is a memory that will affect the hair's future."
With this information, Asha shifted to a more holistic method that focuses on acceptance of self-love and hair .
"One of the core tenets of my program is the concept of total tenderness. If you're looking to feel gentle with your hair, you must to be willing to accept that. Accept it with patience and confident that your hair looks in a particular way. There's a link to self-acceptance, which is significant as well as softness and keeping the hair in order for growth."
The comments she got from her customers proved invaluable in helping Asha create the content of her coaching programs as well as define the framework of her business as a whole. While working with clients, Asha discovered that one-time coaching is great for customers who have an excellent relationship with their hair. However, it wasn't working for customers that needed to have a more accountable relationship with their hair.
This inspired her to develop the comprehensive program of coaching called Longer Lengths(tm) that provides continuous help over a longer period and helps clients build healthier hair mindsets and habits.
Today, longer Lengths(tm) is Asha's signature coaching offer and the primary method she uses to work with her clients one-on-one method. For clients who are in different phases of their path to having hair, Asha is also able to offer the 90-minute Growing Your'Fro Long Hair course. .
Asha is selling her on-demand crash course as an on-demand item so that clients can get a quick win any time, and she takes batches of lengthier Lengths(tm) clients every year.
A carefully planned mix of applications can provide a great alternative for companies that offer training. Self-service services are more affordable and scalable, giving customers an opportunity to interact with the creator before investing. High-end 1:1 services are perfect for clients who want more direct interactions. Through both programs, you have the opportunity to reach out to more individuals within your targeted demographic.
Next, we'll examine Asha's strategies for Asha in overcoming challenges and keeping a business in line with her interests and also the requirements of her clients.
Some tips from Asha for getting away from your own barriers
Every business faces its fair number of difficulties, however Asha is able to face the challenges head on with confidence. What's her secret? Get help from experts combat the imposter's syndrome and tap toward the individuality.
Asking for help is a time-saver
"I realize that I do not know all the answer."
"I am aware that I don't know everything there is to know... talking to an expert helps me sort through the mess and prevents me from wasting my time. That's why I place most importance in this kind of knowledge."
You need assistance with your business , but aren't sure what to do?
Look for evidence that can confront the this imposter syndrome head-on
Get started by keeping an energetic beat. "I keep a list of all the good activities I've done," Asha elaborates. "I keep a record of my achievements, and then I begin programming my brain to consider positive things that occur in my daily life."
To build your own good track record, you need to create an account on your personal computer where you save five-star feedback as well as notes of appreciation from clients. If you're feeling down or uneasy, access the fileand then consider how amazing you are.
The next stage is to become an authority in your field. According to Asha, "Another way to battle imposter syndrome is to become absolutely captivated by the products that you're selling. I'm okay with being enthralled by certain things, to the point where some people find it odd. I've got a huge array of info about hair. I'm constantly reading about hair and researching hair."
Investigating your subject and gaining knowledge can lessen those feelings of uncertainty. This can be done through personal research, practice as well as investing in higher-education certificates like Asha .
In the aftermath of her conversation with her accountability coach about the incident, they realized that lack of specifics made it difficult to film during the present time. the video script wasn't fully completed, and the goal was not clear. When she clarified her goal then rewatched the video and made changes, her feelings that she was suffering from Imposter Syndrome dissipated.
And then, Asha asks herself, "How can I tackle this challenge in a manner so that even when experiencing these feelings, I still feel good? The reason I decided to create this video? What am I hoping viewers to gain from viewing it? If I answer that question I'm able to sit through any discomfort I'm experiencing."
Simply put, imposter syndrome is a common occurrence for creatives, but it's not a dealbreaker. According to Asha she says "The great thing about fighting this issue is that you begin to develop into a person who isn't afraid to leave when faced with anxiety."
Be aware of the aspects which make you different
Embrace the characteristics that make you distinct as a creative. Certain skills or qualities could differentiate you from others and provide you to more prospective clients.
"Apply yourself to the field and try this,"" Asha says. "And you can apply yourself to other fields in order to add your unique twist to the subject you're working on. If you're in my situation I'm also able to offer help either in German as well as Spanish."
Asha is also a researcher with a background which lends her work an extra scientific twist.
"Don't focus too much on the specifics of what the other players in the space are doing. Create your own angle and keep enhancing your strengths that allow you to stand out."
When you seek help from others in overcoming imposter syndrome by sharing your personal strengths and abilities, you'll soon get on your way towards creating a business you're proud of .
"Follow your heart's desire. I'm very happy to have developed this course, which requires self-acceptance as well as the ability to empathize research in hair, cosmetics research, nutrition and accountability and styling as well as the health. I've also merged everything into one."
Article was posted on here