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

Jan 27, 2023

Find out how Asha Downes has turned her natural hair journey into an educational-focused coaching firm that is founded on radical compassion, self-love, scientific research and the science of.

Since her earliest days, Asha Downes dreamed of having hair with a long length. Hairdressers were her profession and she loved playing alongside her peers and trying different styles. However, she was told repeatedly that it was not possible to develop her hair with afro texture into the lengths she wanted.

The world changed drastically when Asha was nearing the end of her teenage years. While browsing YouTube and came across another creator who had the exact hairstyle. It was naturally long and natural. When everyone else was saying it couldn't happen the hair of the creator was thick and healthy. Asha knew that if this creator was able to do it, she would be able to do.

Presently, Asha runs Naturally High Hair, a company that assists women in growing their hair by providing personalized mentorship as well as information-packed courses . The company was awarded the 2022 Fall Creator Fellowship, and we were impressed by her warm, holistic way of caring for clients. In addition she's working toward the most advanced quality of trichology in order to increase her expertise of her area.

This is the story of the way Asha turned her passion into a coaching and education business that's transforming women's hair -- and lives -and lives -.

The transformation of a passion into a creative business through authenticity

The moment that Asha began learning about healthy hair and the best ways to take care of it, she was not just one of the few. Many women from around the globe were also documenting their hair-related experiences. In her words "This was prior to when YouTube became the business space that it is today, and users were posting tips, recipes, trials and triumphs."

"It was paradigm-shifting to see numerous Black women discussing the exact issue, and we're all in different parts of the globe. Everybody is on this process, but it's been named: the natural haired movement."

In the event that Asha chose to publish her personal story and tell her experiences with the world and was drawn to YouTube because it was the place the place where others YouTube creators spent their time. "I became one of with them," she explains. "I wasn't sure which direction I should be taking. I simply wanted to take part in it."

Through her YouTube channel, Asha captured everything that she encountered while she was trying to learn how to properly take the proper maintenance of her hair. It was a personal project that became a passion undertaking as well as Asha determined to be authentic herself. People loved watching her channel throughout the years, and as time went on, her YouTube channel and her Instagram page have grown.

"While I was writing about my experiences during the initial stage, I was not watching the view or the subscribers," she recalls. "It was a place to document my experience with my hair. The people who read it were interested and decided to participate."

When Asha's reach on social media expanded, her content creation approach became more strategic, when she considered new resources to help her readers.

At the same time, Asha was working full-time as a freelancer, and was moving around different cities in Europe. She was looking into the possibility of working in hair for large corporations, but they all didn't feel right.

Asha began her YouTube channel to share her personal experience. Her authentic and genuine videos attracted attention from viewers , and she realized she was in a position to create a positive impact. The purpose of monetization was to enable her to put funds back into the audience as well as expanding her knowledge. Her mind was convinced that her hobby was going become a business to a potential business If she could give it her full attention. Then everything fell into the right location.

Asha was headed to the Caribbean when this pandemic was triggering the globe to lock down. With nowhere to go and no way to go, it was an indication to join in.

"There wasn't a chance in my life to engage in the things I loved to do. In lockdown, it was when I had the opportunity to express my own person that I realized I had the power to create my own opportunity."

So Asha got to work.

The possibilities of a basic launch

Asha originally planned to market the physical products for hair care, however she was approached by a mentor who viewed her vast web presence and recommended her to focus on individual counseling instead. The advice, coupled with difficulties sourcing supplies during the global pandemic, pushed Asha down the digital path.

The very first thing she offered was a one-on-one regimen-building consult. It was unclear how her audience would respond and so she came up with an easy launch strategy. She developed an Typeform application, and put the link up to Instagram with an explanation about her coaching services.

"I spoke about the work I was doing , and encouraged individuals to take part," she shares. "I received over 200 replies. The sole reason why they wanted to be interested was coaching by me which means they don't need to pay for it, however they provided the email address of their choice, and addressed their concerns about hair. After that, I replied to them with a link to book."

This is an excellent method to experiment with ideas without having to make a large cost. Asha developed a product which was reasonably priced and then analyzed how much interest she got from her target group of customers.

With the help of the apps she learned about what people needed in their own words as well as a growing list of email subscribers. People who believed they were a perfect match were her first customers and she demonstrated that her concept was feasible before investing innumerable hours and money on an enormous launch.

Asha began to meet with clients, but she quickly realized that the requirements of her clients went beyond providing products or formulating customized routines for hair maintenance.

"I found that this work involves more than just picking the right the right products or styles. We're going to have take an intellectual approach."

"There's an interconnectedness between self-acceptance and development of hair that is thick and healthy for the first place. Hair is only kept alive and then damaged. It's dead hair. There is no way to revive it. therefore, whatever you do to your hair your hair will be remembered and alter the future of your hair."

Based on this knowledge, Asha shifted to a more comprehensive approach to focusing on hair acceptance as well as self-love .

"One of the core ideas of my program is the concept of total compassion. When it comes to your hairstyle, you need be able to accept that it's. Accept it with patience and be okay to look the way you want to. It's an association between self-acceptance as well as radical acceptance as well as preserving your hair order to allow it to grow more."

Paying attention to the comments of her clients assisted Asha to expand the scope of her coaching program as well as establish the direction of her business overall. As she worked with clients, Asha realized that one-time coaching could prove beneficial to clients who already had a relationship with their hair. But, it wasn't effective for clients who required greater commitment.

This inspired her to create a comprehensive coaching program called Longer Lengths(tm) that provides continuous help over a prolonged duration of time, while clients develop healthy hair practices and mindsets.

Today, Longer Lengths(tm) can be described as her most recognizable service of coaching, and is the principal approach she takes to working with individuals on a personal basis. In order to accommodate clients of all stages in their hair journey, Asha is also able to offer clients the 90-minute Learn to Grow Your'Fro Long Hair Course .

Asha offers her online crash course as an in-demand service that allows clients to receive a quick win at anytime, she also takes groups of Longer Lengths(tm) customers a couple of times a year.

A well-planned mix of courses can be a great option to those offering coaching. Self-serve services are cheaper and can be expanded, offering customers an opportunity to talk to your company prior to making a larger purchase. Premium 1:1 services are great for customers who prefer hands-on interaction. With both options, you can reach many more of the people within the group you are targeting.

In the next installment, we'll look at Asha's method of overcoming obstacles and maintaining a company that is in line with her interests as well as the demands of her clients.

Asha's suggestions to get out of your own way

Each business is prone to having its own challenges But Asha is able to face challenges with confidence. The secret to her achievement? Seek help from experts and fight against the imposter problem and find your own uniqueness.

Ability to seek assistance can save time.

"I realize that I do not know all the solutions."
"I realize that I'm not able to have all the answers... A consultation with an expert could assist me to sort out the confusion, and help me avoid spending time. Therefore, I put high value on this kind of insight."

You need help with your company, but you're not sure how to begin?

The search for evidence that can help us confront the imposter syndrome head-on

Begin with a positive note. "I keep a journal of all the good things that I accomplish," Asha elaborates. "I am able to maintain a record of my accomplishments which means I am able to start to train my mind to consider positive things that occur in my life."

To create your own positive records, make sure you set up the PC with a file where keeps five-star reviews along with notes of appreciation from clients. When you're feeling low or uncertain, access your folder and recall the glory of your accomplishments.

In the second, you can establish yourself as an expert within your domain of specialization. According to Asha, "Another way to battle the imposter syndrome is by getting completely captivated by the product that you're selling. I don't mind being fascinated by things so much that people think it's odd. I'm the owner of a collection of information about hair. I'm constantly reading about hair and hair science."

The pursuit of your expertise and gaining knowledge can lessen the anxiety. It can be accomplished through personal research, practicing or taking the time to obtain higher-education certificates like Asha .

Following her conversation with her accountability supervisor about the incident, they were able to see that the absence of any particulars made it difficult to film at the current situation. The video script was not done, and the objective was unclear. Once she was able to define the goals, revisited the video and made improvements to the quality and made changes it, the impression of imposter syndrome faded.

And now, Asha asks herself, "How do I plan the task so to ensure that, even when I'm feeling those feelings that I'm not feeling them? Why did I decide to record this film? And what would I like viewers to do after they watch the video? Once I'm confident I'm capable of enduring the pain that I'm experiencing."

Simply put, the Imposter's disorders are an unavoidable element of creativity to all. It doesn't have to be an issue. As Asha declares, "The great thing about confronting this issue is that it allows you to develop into a person who isn't afraid to speak up when faced with anxiety."

Be aware of the aspects that distinguish you

Be aware of the traits which help your business make a mark as a unique. Being able to identify a specific personality characteristic or specific skill sets you apart from your competitors and will help connect your business with more potential customers.

"Apply yourself task and go after it," Asha says. "And keep applying your skills to different areas to bring your own unique spin to the work you're doing. For me I also offer advice in German as well as Spanish."

Asha has also been a researcher who has a background which gives her writing a scientific spin.

"Don't be too focused on the details of what others are doing in your area. Make your own unique angle and build on the things which help you make yourself stand out."

If you seek help to overcome imposter's disease by sharing your own unique talents and characteristics, you'll get on your path towards creating a business that you are happy with .

"Follow the desires of your heart. I'm very happy to have developed this program. It requires self-acceptance and understanding. It also teaches empathy hair science makeup science responsible hair styling diet and the health. I've also integrated everything into one."

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