How Asha Downes came up with an organic hair coaching business that is based on research and self-acceptance |

Learn how Asha Downes turned her own natural hair-loving journey into an educational coaching business focused on radical gentleness as well as scientific research and self-love.

When she was a young girl, Asha Downes dreamed of being able to have long hair. She loved playing hairdresser alongside her peers and trying out many styles. But she was constantly told it was difficult to grow her hair's Afro-textured length she wanted.

The world changed drastically when Asha was in her teens. When she was browsing YouTube she saw a different creator with the same hair type who was growing naturally and long hair. Although everyone said it was impossible that hair's of this creator thick and healthy. Asha discovered that if the creator could accomplish it, then she must be able to do it too.

Today, Asha runs Naturally High Hair, a company that aids women to grow their hair naturally by providing personalized guidance as well as educational workshops . Asha received an award in 2022, the Fall Creator Fellowship, and we were amazed at her exemplary, thorough approach to caring for the clients she serves. Additionally, she's striving to obtain an advanced certification in trichology to increase the knowledge she has of her particular area of expertise.

Here's the story of how Asha transformed her love of hair into a training and education company that is changing the hairstyles of women -- and lives -and lives -.

It is the transformation of passion into a business idea that has authenticity

When Asha began her research into healthy hair and ways to care for it , she wasn't alone. one. women from across the globe were sharing their personal natural hair experiences. A woman recounts "This was long before YouTube became the business space that it is today, and users shared their advice, recipes, experiences and triumphs."

"It was an important change to see the huge number of Black women in the same room discussing this even though we're across the world. All are experiencing this, and now it has a name: The Natural Hair Movement."

When Asha decided to share her story she was attracted to YouTube as it's where the others were spending time. "I joined with them," she explains. "I was unsure of the direction I was taking. I simply wanted to take part in the process."

Through her YouTube channel, Asha took pictures of everything in her quest to learn and learn how to maintain her natural hair. It was an interest for her, as Asha determined to share her true personality. People loved watching her videos , as she shared her personal story. Through time, her YouTube channel as well as her Instagram account have increased in popularity.

"While I was capturing my experiences at first, I was not looking at my followers or views" she says. "It was an opportunity for me to tell my story through my hair. People who read my blog took an interest and chose to take part."

The reach of Asha's social media grew the method she used to create content was more organized and she brainstormed future resources for her users.

In the meantime, Asha was working full-time and was living in various nations across Europe. Her research included hair-related careers in big companies, but nothing felt right.

Asha started her career as filmmaker in order to tell the stories of her personal experience. Her videos in her upbeat and transparent style were a hit with viewers, and she began to realize that she could have a real impact. It was clear that monetization would let her invest to her viewers and advancing the knowledge of her viewers. She was certain that her dream project changed into profitable if she was able to dedicate the full attention of. Everything was in order.

Asha was on her way to the Caribbean when the pandemic forced the world to lock down. There was nowhere to go, and no time this was a sign to go for it.

"There was no opportunity the front of me to pursue something I believed in. This was the moment where I realized that it was the right time for me to decide to create my own opportunities."

As a result, Asha got to work and did her job.

Simple and effective, it's a powerful launch

Asha originally planned to market products to treat hair physically, but she was invited by a mentor who looked at her extensive internet presence and suggested she provide individual consulting instead. This suggestion, along with the challenge of finding products amid the world's pandemic, set Asha on a digital journey.

Her initial offering was a one-on-one regimen-building consult. She was unsure about the reactions to her customers, so she designed her strategy for launch easy. She developed an Typeform application, and posted the link to Instagram together with the description of her coaching service.

"I told people about the things I was doing  and told applicants to think about applying," she shares. "I have received over 200 replies. The sole reason why they wanted to have me coach them and didn't need to cover the cost, however they provided me with their email addresses and expressed their concerns about hair. They then contacted me and provided a booking request form."

It's a fantastic way to experiment with your concept without having to commit a large initial expenditure. Asha created a product that could be affordable, and also assessed how much interest it was getting from its target group of customers.

By using the apps they helped her understand the needs of her audience in their own words and helped her build up her list of email addresses. People who believed they were the perfect fit could become her first clients She proved her concept was viable prior to spending hours and dollars on the launch of an important campaign.

Asha began to meet with customers, however she soon realized that the needs of her customers were more than just providing hair care products. She began to design custom hair regimens.

"I discovered that this job is more complicated than selecting the right products and designs. You'll need to perform some mental tasks."

"There's an underlying connection between self-acceptance and developing healthy hair and long for the first time. Your hair is only preserved and damaged. It's dead hair. You can't revive it, consequently, everything you make for can alter the future of your hair."

Based on this knowledge, Asha shifted to a more holistic method of paying attention to hair acceptance in addition to self-love .

"One of the fundamental principles of my program is this concept of extreme tenderness. To be gentle in your hair, you must accept the fact that your hair is. Be patient with it, and acknowledge that it is a particular style. It was my realization that there is a connection with self-acceptance radical and compassion as well as preserving hair so it can get longer."

Being attentive to the feedback from her clients helped Asha create the details of her coaching courses and establish the structure of her business overall. When she worked with customers, Asha realized that one-off coaching worked well for clients who enjoyed a relationship with their hair. But it didn't work for those who required more responsibility.

This inspired her to create the comprehensive program of coaching known as Longer Lengths(tm) which provides ongoing assistance for a greater duration of time while clients develop healthy hair mindsets and practices.

In the present, longer Lengths(tm) is the most sought-after type of coaching and the principal approach she uses to work with individuals on a one-on-one basis. In order to accommodate clients from all phases of their hair development, Asha provides the 90-minute Grow-Your'Fro-Long Hair class. .

Asha is offering her online class to customers as a product that is in demand to allow customers to be able to win any time as well as she accepts batches of Longer Lengths(tm) clients on a few times each year.

A deliberate blend of various applications can be a great choice for people who offer coaching. Self-service products are less expensive and flexible, giving clients the chance to communicate with you before making a bigger expenditure. High-end 1:1 services are perfect for those who require greater personal interaction. Through having the capacity to connect with many more of the people within your targeted demographic.

Next, we'll examine the methods used by Asha to conquer challenges while keeping a business in line with her interests as well as the requirements of her customers.

Tips from Asha to escape from obstacles that you've created for yourself

Every business faces its fair number of problems. Asha is able to face obstacles with confidence. The secret to her success? Get help from experts, fight imposter syndrome, and lean towards the individuality.

Helping others is a time-saver

"I am aware that I'm not a professional in all things."

"I am aware that I do not know all there is to know... talking to experts is an excellent method to sort through the noise and avoid wasting my the time. This is why I put importance on that kind of expertise."

You need help with your business but don't know what to do?

Find evidence to confront the imposter syndrome head on

Start by keeping a positive track. "I keep a record of every good thing I do," Asha elaborates. "I am able to keep track of all my achievements. I am beginning to train my brain to be focused on things that are positive in my own daily life."

In order to build your own great history, make a PC with a folder that lets you save five-star feedback and notes from your customers. When you're feeling low or worried, open the folder to remember the glory of your accomplishments.

The second step is to become an expert in your field. According to Asha, "Another way to battle imposter syndrome is to become completely captivated by the item you're marketing. I'm fine with being fascinated by certain things, to the point where some people find it somewhat odd. I've got a huge database about hair. I'm constantly reading about hair, as well as doing studies on hair."

Investigating your area of expertise and learning more about it can ease those feelings of uncertainty. You can do this through your own research, practicing in the field, or investing in advanced education certifications like those offered by Asha. .

When she spoke to her accountability partner on the situation, they realized the lack of details meant it was difficult to shoot at the time -- the film script was not fully completed, and the goal was unclear. After she had defined her objectives then rewatched her video and made adjustments, her feelings of being untruthful reduced.

Then, Asha asks herself, "How can I tackle the task so that even if I'm experiencing those sensations it will make me feel better? What is the reason I'm making this film in the first place, and what will I like people to do when they've finished watching the film? If I'm confident that I'm in a position to endure whatever discomfort I'm feeling."

In simple terms, Imposter's Syndrome is a frequent occurrence for creatives, but it shouldn't be an issue to worry about. According to Asha writes, "The great thing about dealing with this is that you begin to develop into a person who does not run out in the worry."

Pay attention to the factors that distinguish you from others

Make use of the characteristics that can make your business shine as an innovator. Being able to demonstrate a unique character or skill could differentiate you from your competitors and supply your company with more customers.

"Apply yourself to the job and then go for the top," Asha says. "And you can continue to apply your talents in various areas in order to add your unique twist to what you're doing. In my situation, I assist in German and Spanish."

Asha has also got a research background that gives her work an additional science-based twist.

"Don't be too focused on the particulars of what other people do in this space. Find your own unique perspective and keep enhancing your own strengths, which will enable you to stick out."

In asking for help in the fight against imposter syndrome through sharing your own unique talents and qualities, you'll be you on your way to building a company that you can be happy with .

"Follow the path you've always wanted to follow. I'm really glad to have developed this program which focuses on acceptance of oneself, empathy, hair science, makeup science, responsibility hair styling, nutrition and overall well-being, and to incorporate all it into one."

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