How Asha Downes began her business of natural hair coach founded on self-acceptance and science |

Find out how Asha Downes turned her own natural hair-loving journey into a coaching and education business that is based on extreme gentleness, science, and self-love.

From a young age, Asha Downes dreamed of having long hair. She enjoyed playing hairdresser with her friends, and playing around with hairstyles of different types, however, she was told repeatedly that it was impossible to grow her Afro-textured hair into the lengths she desired.

All of that changed once Asha was at the end of her teens. While browsing YouTube and stumbled upon a creator with her similar hair type with long, natural hair. Despite everyone saying that it was impossible, the creator's hair was strong and healthy. Asha was aware that if the creator was able to do it, she should be able too.

In the present, Asha runs Naturally High Hair, a company that helps other women grow hair naturally through personal guidance and information-packed classes . Asha was awarded the 2022 Fall Creator Fellowship, and we were impressed by her caring, holistic way of looking after the clients she serves. On top of that she's working toward the highest level of trichology certification to deepen her expertise in the field she works in.

This is how Asha made her love for hair into a coaching, education and coaching business that's transforming women's hair and livesand lives -.

Making a passion-driven project an authentic business by being authentic

When Asha began to learn about the benefits of natural hair She wasn't the only one. Other women around the world were also sharing their own natural hair-care adventures. Her words "This was before YouTube was the internet-based commercial platform it is now, so people were just sharing their experiences, tips, recipes, and tribulations."

"It was paradigm-shifting to see so many Black women talking about the same thing in spite of being living in different places. All of us are going through this experience, and now it has a name: The Natural Hair Movement."

As Asha chose to publish her personal story She was attracted to YouTube as it's where the other creators in the space were already spending time. "I joined with them," she explains. "I wasn't sure what I was going to do. I simply wanted to join in."

On her channel, Asha recorded everything she experienced while she was attempting to learn and learn how to take proper care of her hair. It was a personal for her that was a passion project, and Asha focused on sharing her true herself. Her audience loved following along with her, and as time went on, her YouTube channel and Instagram account have grown.

"While I was recording my experiences in the beginning, I was not taking in the views, or even the readers," she recalls. "It was a platform to share my journey by revealing my hair. The people who read it were interested and started to follow."

The reach of Asha's social media was growing, her content-creation process became more strategic, and she conceived of future sources to assist her followers.

Meanwhile, Asha was working full-time as a freelancer and living in different cities all over Europe. She was looking into jobs related to hair for big companies, but nothing felt right.

Asha began her career as a filmmaker to tell her story of personal experiences. The videos she created with her upbeat, transparent style attracted attention from viewers and she realized that she had the potential to make an effect. The idea of monetization was to allow her to invest back in her fans and advancing her knowledge. In her mind, this hobby was going to transform from a hobby to an opportunity for business should she give it her full attention. Then everything fell into its proper.

Asha was on her way to the Caribbean at the time that the pandemic triggered worldwide lockdowns. With nowhere to go and a lot of time to spare the situation was like an opportunity to jump in.

"There was not a chance in my path to pursue the things I loved to do. It was during lockdown when I had that time to myself that I decided I would make my own opportunity."

And so Asha began to do her job.

Powerful and powerful simple launch

Asha initially intended to sell items for her hair, but a mentor looked at her extensive online presence and advised her to offer customized consulting instead. This suggestion, along with difficulties sourcing supplies during a global pandemic, led Asha on a digital journey.

Asha's first product was a 1-on-1 regimen-building session. She wasn't sure what her customers would think of it and so created a simple launch plan. She created the Typeform application, and shared the URL to Instagram with an explanation about her coaching services.

"I talked about what I was doing and encouraged applicants to consider applying," she shares. "I got over 200 responses. They were only applying for coaching by me and didn't need to pay, but they did provide me with their email addresses and shared the hair issues they had. They then contacted me and provided a booking form."

This is an excellent way to test your idea without making a massive cost upfront. Asha put her idea in a market that is accessible and gauged how much interest she received from her intended audience.

With the help of applications they helped her understand what her audience needed through their own words, and increased her list of email subscribers. Those who felt like it was the right fit became her first customers, and she proved that her idea had legs before spending endless hours and money on an enormous launch.

Asha started meeting with clients. However, she soon realized that the demands of clients' deeper than recommending products and formulating customized hair care regimens.

"I have realized that my job involves much more than picking the right items and designs. It's going to be necessary to do some mindset work."

"There's there is a significant link between self-acceptance and making your hair long and healthy in the very first time. Your hair can only be kept alive and then damaged. Hair is a dying fiber. It's impossible to revive it. so everything you do to your hair your hair's memory will influence the future of your hair."

With this understanding in mind, Asha shifted to a more holistic style with a focus on hair acceptance in addition to self-love .

"One of the fundamental principles of my program is the concept of extreme gentleness. When you are gentle when it comes to your hairstyle, you need accept it. Be patient with it and be okay that it looks a particular style. It was my realization that there is a connection between self-acceptance, radical acceptance and kindness in preserving your hair, to allow it to grow."

The feedback she received from her customers helped Asha to expand the scope of her coaching program as well as define the structure of her business in general. While working with customers, Asha found that one-off coaching was helpful to clients who had a positive relationship with their hair. But it didn't work for those who required more responsibility.

It inspired her to design the comprehensive program of coaching called Longer Lengths(tm) and offers ongoing support for a longer period of time and helps clients build healthier hair habits and mindsets.

Today, Longer Lengths(tm) is Asha's signature coaching service and is the main approach she takes to working with individuals on a personal basis. To accommodate clients at all stages in their journey to hair, Asha is also able to offer a 90-minute Grow Your'Fro Long Hair course. .

Asha sells her on-demand crash course as an evergreen product so customers can have a quick win anytime, and she takes batches of longer Lengths(tm) customers several occasions per year.

Having an intentional mix of programs is a great option for those who provide coaching. Self-serve products are more affordable and flexible, giving clients the chance to communicate with the creator before making an purchase. High-end 1:1 services are perfect for clients who want more direct interactions. With both options it is possible to reach many more of the people within your targeted group.

In the next installment, we'll look at the strategies of Asha to overcome challenges as well as ensuring a sustainable company that is in line with her interests as well as the demands of her clients.

Asha's tips for getting out of your own way

Each business is prone to having its own challenges, but Asha has learned how to deal with the challenges head-on. The secret to her success? Engage experts, combat an imposter syndrome and then lean towards the individuality.

The ability to ask for assistance will save you time.

"I am aware that I don't know everything."

"I know I don't have the complete answer... Speaking to an expert helps me sort through the chaos and avoid wasting time. That's why I place the highest value on this type of knowledge."

You need assistance with your company but don't know what to do?

Finding proof to face imposter syndrome head-on

Start by keeping an optimistic note. "I keep a list of all the good things that I have done," Asha elaborates. "I am able to keep track of my accomplishments, so I begin to train my brain to be focused on the positives within my own life."

To build your own positive record, set up an account on your personal computer where you save five-star feedback and notes from your customers. When you feel down or uncertain, open the file, and think about how awesome you are.

Second, become an expert in your subject area. According to Asha, "Another way to battle the imposter syndrome is by becoming completely obsessed with what you're offering. I'm not afraid to be obsessive about an item to the extent that some people find it odd. I have a whole database about hair. I'm constantly reading on hair, hair sciences and more."

Exploring your area of expertise and learning more about it can ease your anxiety. This can be done through individual research, practice or making the investment in higher-education qualifications like those of Asha .

In her conversation with her accountability partner regarding the incident, they discovered that a lack of specifics caused it to be difficult to record during the present moment. the script for the video wasn't completely developed, and its purpose was not clear. Once she defined her goals then rewatched the video and made changes, her feelings of Imposter Syndrome dissipated.

Now, Asha asks herself, "How can I prepare the project so that even when I'm feeling those emotions, I'm at ease? What is the reason I'm making this film, and what should I expect users to do once they've watched it? Once I have that answer it's much easier to endure any pain I'm experiencing."

Simply put, imposter condition is common occurrence for creatives however it does not have to be an issue. As Asha says, "The great thing about dealing with this is that you begin becoming a person who does not run from the fear."

Lean into the things that make you unique

Take advantage of the qualities that will make your company stand out as a creator. Being a person with a certain quality or expertise will set you apart from others and provide your business with more clients.

"Apply yourself to the task and then go for this," Asha says. "And then continue applying yourself in other areas for a unique approach to what you're doing. In my situation, I can also provide consultations on German as well as Spanish."

Asha also has a research background, which gives her writing a special scientific spin.

"Don't be too focused on the particulars of what other people within the industry are doing. Create your own angle and build on those things that make you distinct."

In asking for help by tackling imposter's syndrome and sharing your special skills and characteristics, you'll get on your way towards making a company you're happy with .

"Follow your heart's desire. I'm extremely happy that I created this program that involves the acceptance of self compassion, understanding, empathy, hair science cosmetic science, accountability and nutrition, as well as styling and overall health, and to combine all of that into one."