The way Asha Downes came up an organic hair-coaching business based on science and self-acceptance |

Jan 27, 2023

Learn how Asha Downes has turned her natural hair-loving journey into a company of education-based coaching built on compassion, self-love, scientific research as well as science.

When she was a young girl, Asha Downes dreamed of having hair that was long. She worked as a hairdresser and enjoyed playing with her friends as she tried styles of all kinds but she was always told that it was hard to grow hair that had afro textures to the lengths she desired.

The world changed drastically when Asha was nearing the end of her teens. As she browsed YouTube she came across another YouTuber with the same hair type and naturally, long hair. However, everyone told her it was not possible, his hair was healthy and full. Asha realized that if her hair was created by her creator and she could, then she ought to be able too.

At present, Asha runs Naturally High Hair, a company that helps women grow their natural hair through personalized coaching and instructive training sessions . Asha was awarded with the 2022 Fall Creator Fellowship, and we were impressed by her caring, thorough way of looking after the clients she serves. In addition, she's currently on track to attain the highest level of the field of trichology in order to improve her knowledge of the field she is specialized in.

This is how Asha transformed her love of hair into a coaching, training and coaching company which is changing the hairstyles of women and their lives to the good.

A passion that is transformed into a business that is authentic by doing what is genuine

As Asha began to research the natural ways to care for her hair and how to maintain it, she was not alone. women from all over the world were sharing their personal hair adventures. She recalls "This was before YouTube became the business space as it is now. the users shared their tips, recipes, trials and tribulations."

"It was an eye-opener hearing the huge amount of Black women talking about the same thing despite being from different areas. We're all going through this experience that's now got an official designation: "The naturally-haired movement."

When Asha chose to publish her experiences publicly, and to reveal her story to everyone, she realized she was herself attracted to YouTube as that's where many others YouTube creators had been spending time. "I wanted to join with the other creators," she explains. "I was not sure of the direction I was going to take. I was just looking to be part of it."

On her YouTube channel, Asha captured every detail in her quest to understand and learn how to maintain her hair. This was an obsession undertaking because Asha was focused on sharing her real self. The audience was enthralled in her journey, and throughout the years, her YouTube channel and Instagram page have been growing.

"While I was taking pictures of my hair journey in its early stages, I wasn't looking at the viewers or those who read it," she recalls. "It was a platform to share my journey in my own hair. A lot of people were interested and wanted to be part of it."

The more Asha's reach on social media increased, her creation procedure was more systematic She also conceived of possible sources to assist her followers.

While she was at it, Asha was working full-time and living in various countries all over Europe. The hairdresser was a possibility at big firms however, nothing seemed to fit as she wanted it to be.

Asha began her journey as a filmmaker to talk about what she experienced. Her videos with her upbeat, transparent style and clarity were well-loved by viewers and she began to recognize that she had the potential to create a positive impact. The idea of monetization was to enable her to give back to the viewers she had influenced and increase the knowledge she had gained. She believed that this vision was becoming a business opportunity, if only she could focus on it with all her energy. After that, everything was in its correct.

Asha was in between work trips to the Caribbean as the pandemic triggered global lockdowns. There was no place to go and no time, it felt like the perfect time to get involved.

"There was not a chance in front of me to do what I was passionate about. When I was in lockdown, I had that space to myself, and I thought I'd create my own opportunity."

And so Asha began her start her day at.

Potential of a single launch

Asha originally planned to market things for her hair however, she was asked by a friend who was impressed by her internet presence and suggested she instead offer one-on-one consultation. This suggestion, along with issues sourcing items as a result of the worldwide pandemic, set Asha to go on a journey through the internet.

The first session she offered was a one-on-one regimen-building session. It was not clear how her audience would respond which is why she decided to keep her initial plan of launch straightforward. The founder of the program created a Typeform application and shared her URL via Instagram together with the description of the type of coaching she provides.

"I shared what I was working on and urged people to participate," she shares. "I received nearly 200 inquiries. Their only reason for being keen was to let me coach them and didn't need to pay, but they provided me with their email addresses and their hair concerns they had. Following that, I called them and included a booking URL."

It's a fantastic opportunity to evaluate the idea without investing any money. Asha tried her ideas on a market that's accessible and gauged how much enthusiasm she received from the people she wanted to reach.

By using the apps that she used, she learned what people wanted to hear by putting it into their own words. She also built up her email lists. The people who thought it was the right for them would be her first clients, and she demonstrated that her concept could be viable before spending many hours and millions for the launch of a major campaign.

Asha started meeting with clients, but she soon realized that the demands of clients' go beyond simply recommending hair products or formulating custom hair care regimens.

"I discovered that this job requires more than simply picking the best products or designs. You'll need focus on our thinking."

"There's the significant link between self-acceptance and making your hair to be healthy and long at first. Hair can only be preserved as well as damaged. It's dead hair. It's not possible to bring it back. Therefore, whatever does to the hair the memory of your hair will impact the future of your hair."

This is how Asha shifted to a more holistic fashion focused on hair acceptance in addition to self-love .

"One of the fundamental principles of my programme is the idea of radical love. To be gentle in your hairstyle, you must be aware of the fact that it is. You must be patient with it and confident in a certain style. There's a link with self-acceptance that's radical, as is delicate, while also preserving hair so it can get longer."

Being attentive to the feedback from her clients helped Asha to expand the scope of her coaching curriculum as well as establish the direction for her business overall. While working with clients Asha discovered that one-time coaching is beneficial to clients who are proactive and have had a good relationship with their hair. But it was not working for clients that required to be more accountable.

It inspired her to design an extensive coaching program known as Longer Lengths(tm), which offers regular support throughout the duration of time, and also helps clients build healthier hair mindsets and routines.

In the present, Longer Lengths(tm) is the most sought-after coaching program and is the principal approach she takes to working with clients individually. To accommodate clients at all levels of their hair development, Asha is also able provide a 90-minute Grow-Your'Fro Long Hair class. .

Asha offers her online crash course as an in-demand service which lets clients get a quick win at anytime , as long as they are willing to wait. she takes batches of longer Lengths(tm) customers just a handful of times throughout the year.

The deliberate mix of these software is an excellent option to creators offering coaching. Self-service products are cheaper and expandable, giving customers the ability to chat with you before making a major purchase. The most expensive 1:1 solutions are ideal for clients who want more direct interaction. By combining both services it is possible to reach more people in your sector.

In the next part, we'll look at Asha's strategies for Asha to face challenges as well as ensuring the sustainability of her company that's aligned with her passion and also the requirements of her customers.

Asha's tips for getting free from obstacles

Every business faces its fair own set of difficulties, but Asha is able to deal with obstacles with confidence. The secret to her achievement? Bring in experts, wrangle the imposter syndrome, and finally look for individuality.

Giving back to others can save you time.

"I realize that I do not have all the answers."
"I know that I'm not knowledgeable about everything there is to learn... Talking to an expert can be an excellent way to clear the air and reduce time. Therefore, I put an emphasis on this type of insight."

Do you require help with your company , but you don't know where to start?

Locate evidence to tackle the imposter syndrome head on

The initial step is to maintain an optimistic track. "I keep a record of anything good that I do," Asha elaborates. "I am able to keep track of all my achievements. I can train my mind to concentrate at the positive things in my personal life."

For your personal positive profile, make sure you set the computer with a folder where you can save feedback from five stars as well as note of thanks from your clients. If you're down or worried, open your account and recall how awesome you are.

The next process is becoming an authority in the of expertise. According to Asha, "Another way to battle imposter syndrome is by becoming extremely enthralled by the product you're offering. I'm fine with being fascinated by an item to the extent that certain people think it's strange. I've amassed a vast database of information about hair. I'm reading constantly on hair, hair sciences and more."

Inquiring into your field and learning more about it can ease the stress. This is done via the individual study, or practice, or making the investment in higher educational qualifications such as Asha .

When she spoke with her accountability mentor about the incident, they found out that there was no information, which made it difficult to record during the moment. the script for the video was not fully developed and the purpose of the video wasn't clearly defined. After she'd established the objectives, re-viewed the video and made adjustments the feelings that she was suffering from Imposter Syndrome dissipated.

Then, Asha asks herself, "How do I approach the task so that even if I'm going through those feelings but I'm still feeling okay? Why did I decide to create this video? What do I hope viewers to do after they watch the video? When I know that I'll be able to bear any discomfort I'm experiencing."

Imposter syndrome is a common problem among creatives, however it shouldn't cause a problem. According to Asha says, "The great thing about confronting this situation is that it allows you to become the kind of person who does not run out of the fear of being afraid."

Make the most of the characteristics which distinguish you

Utilize the strengths that make your company stand out as a creator. Certain skills or traits will distinguish you from others and link your business with more clients.

"Apply yourself and test the idea," Asha says. "And keep applying yourself to other fields to bring your unique perspective to the work you are doing. As for me, I assist you in German and Spanish."

Asha has also been a scientist with a background which lends her work an extra academic edge.

"Don't get too caught up in the details of what the others are doing on the field. Make your own perspective and focus on things that make you stand out."

When you seek out help, managing imposter syndrome, and sharing your special skills and talents, you'll soon be well on the road to developing a company you're confident about .

"Follow your heart's desire. I'm very happy to have developed this course, which includes self-acceptance, compassion, empathy, research in hair, make-up science, food and responsibility, along with styling and health and to merge everything to create one."

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