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

Discover how Asha Downes turned her own natural hair experience into an education-based coaching business centered on radical gentleness as well as science and self-love.

From a young age, Asha Downes dreamed of having hair that was long. She enjoyed playing hairdresser with her friends, and playing around with different styles, but she was told repeatedly that it was impossible to develop her hair with afro texture to the lengths she wanted.

The world changed drastically when Asha was at the end of her teens. While browsing YouTube she came across a creator with her identical hairstyle with naturally long hair. Although everyone said it couldn't be done, the creator's hair was healthy and full. Asha was aware that if the creator could do it, she could too.

Today, Asha runs Naturally High Hair, a company that helps other women grow their natural hair through personalized mentorship and info-packed workshops . Asha was awarded the 2022 Fall Creator Fellowship, and we were wowed by her kind, comprehensive method of caring for her clients. Additionally she's on track to earn the advanced level in trichology to further enhance her knowledge in her area of expertise.

This is the story of how Asha made her love for hair into a coaching, education and coaching business that's changing hairstyles of women and lives- for the better.

Making a passion-driven project a creative business through authenticity

As Asha started to study healthy hair and natural ways to care for it, she wasn't alone. Other women around the world were also documenting their personal hair-care adventures. Her words "This was before YouTube was the internet-based commercial platform that it is today, and the people shared their tips, recipes, trials and triumphs."

"It was an eye-opener to hear the sheer number of Black women talking about this issue together, even though we're all located in different parts of the world. We're all experiencing this that's now got an official name: "The naturally-haired movement."

If Asha chose to publish her personal story, she was drawn to YouTube as it's where the other creators were already spending time. "I was joining with them," she explains. "I did not know where I was headed. I was just looking to be part of it."

Through her YouTube channel, Asha recorded everything she experienced in her quest to understand and relearn how to take proper care of her hair. This was an obsession project that was a passion project, and Asha focused on sharing her authentic persona. Her audience loved following along as she shared her story, and throughout the years, her YouTube channel and Instagram profile have grown.

"While I was recording my journey in the very initial stages, I wasn't taking in the views, or the subscribers," she recalls. "It was a platform to document my experience with my hair. Many people found it fascinating and began to follow."

As Asha's social media reach increased, her creation procedure became more methodical, and she brainstormed future resources for her users.

Meanwhile, Asha was working full-time as a freelancer and living in different cities across Europe. She was looking into jobs related to hair for big companies, but they all didn't feel the way she wanted to be.

Asha began her career as a filmmaker to tell her story of personal experiences. Her upbeat and transparent videos resonated with people, and she realized she could have a real impact. Her understanding of the potential for monetization would allow her to invest back in her fans and growing her expertise. In her mind, this dream project was changing from a hobby to a business opportunity If she were able to dedicate her complete attention. After that, everything was in the right place.

Asha was between jobs visiting the Caribbean at the time that the pandemic triggered global lockdowns. Without a place to go, and a lot of time to spare, it felt like the perfect time to jump in.

"There wasn't an opportunity in the way of doing the things I loved to do. The lockdown was the time when I was able to be myself that I decided I was going to create my own opportunities."

So Asha went to work.

The power of a super simple launch

Asha initially intended to sell physical haircare products, but she was approached by a mentor who looked at her online presence, which was a huge one, and recommended that she provide customized consultations instead. That advice, combined with the difficulty of sourcing products as a result of the global pandemic caused Asha down the digital path.

The first item she launched was a 1-on-1 regimen-building session. It was unclear what her customers would think of it to her product, which is why she created a simple launch plan. She created a Typeform application, and shared the URL on Instagram together with an explanation of her coaching services.

"I shared what I was up to and offered encouragement applicants to consider applying," she shares. "I received over 200 applications. They were only applying for coaching by me which means they don't need to make a payment, however they gave me their email addresses and discussed their concerns about hair. Then I responded to them and included a booking link."

It's a great approach to evaluate an idea without a huge cost upfront. Asha made her product attainable and gauged how much interest the product was receiving from its target public.

Through the applications they helped her understand the needs of her customers in their own words and built up her email lists. The people who thought it was a good match would become her first clients, and she demonstrated that her concept was viable before spending countless hours and dollars on the launch of a major campaign.

Asha began to meet with clients, but she realized quickly that the demands of clients' deeper than recommending products and formulating personalized hair routines.

"I discovered that this job requires much more than picking the right products and styles. We're going to have be able to think differently."

"There's an underlying link between self-acceptance and making your hair long and healthy for the first time. The hair you have is kept alive and then removed. It's dead hair. It's impossible to revive it. therefore, whatever you do to your hair, the hair will remember and affect its future."

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

"One of the core principles of my program is the concept of radical gentleness. If you want to be kind in your hair, you must to accept it. Be patient with it and be okay to look a certain style. I realized there's this connection with self-acceptance that is radical and softness as well as preserving hair to allow it to grow."

Being attentive to the feedback of her clients assisted Asha expand the content of her coaching program and establish the direction of her business in general. As she continued to work with customers, Asha realized that one-off coaching was helpful for proactive clients who already were happy with their hair. However, it didn't work for those that needed to be more accountable.

It inspired her to design an extensive coaching program known as Longer Lengths(tm), which gives ongoing assistance over an extended period while customers build healthy hair mindsets and habits.

Today, longer Lengths(tm) is Asha's signature offering of coaching and the principal approach she takes to working with individuals on a personal basis. For clients who are at different stages in their hair journey, Asha also offers the 90-minute Grow Your'Fro Long Hair course. .

Asha offers her online crash course as an in-demand service that lets customers have a quick win any time her, and she also takes groups of lengthier Lengths(tm) clients a few occasions per year.

An intentional blend of programs is a great alternative for entrepreneurs who offer coaching. Self-serve products are more affordable and expandable, giving your customers the chance to communicate with you before making a bigger investment. The higher-end programs for 1:1 are great for those who require more personal interaction. By having both it is possible to reach many more of the people within your targeted demographic.

In the next installment, we'll look at Asha's approach to overcoming challenges and maintaining a sustainable business which is in tune with her love of her work as well as the demands of her clients.

Tips from Asha for getting free of obstacles

Each business is prone to having its own challenges, but Asha is able to overcome the challenges head-on. The secret to her success? Engage experts, combat imposter syndrome, and lean into the individuality.

Asking for help will save you time.

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

"I realize that I do not know everything there is to know... Speaking to an expert helps me sort through the chaos and avoid wasting time. So, I place the highest value on this type of knowledge."

Need help in your company but don't know how to begin?

Find evidence to confront imposter syndrome head on

Start by keeping an optimistic record. "I keep a list of all the good things that I accomplish," Asha elaborates. "I have a list of my accomplishments, so I begin to train my brain to focus on positive things in my life."

For your personal excellent record, you need to create an account on your personal computer in which you can save 5-star reviews as well as notes of appreciation from clients. If you're feeling down or uncertain, open your file and remember the awesome person you are.

The second step is to make yourself an authority on your field of expertise. According to Asha, "Another way to battle imposter syndrome is to become completely obsessed with what you're offering. I'm fine with being obsessed with things to the point where other people think it's a bit strange. I have a whole database about hair. I'm always reading regarding hair as well as hair research."

Inquiring into your field and learning more about it can ease the anxiety. You can do this through personal research, practice, or investing in higher education credentials like Asha .

In her conversation with her accountability mentor about the incident, they discovered the lack of details meant it was difficult to shoot at the time -- the script for the video wasn't completely formed, and the purpose wasn't clear. Once she defined her goals, revisited her video, and made changes and adjustments, the feeling of imposter syndrome faded.

And now, Asha asks herself, "How can I prepare the project so that even if I'm experiencing those feelings, I still feel at ease? Why did I decide to create this video? And what would I like viewers to accomplish after watching it? If I can answer that question it's much easier to endure any pain that I'm experiencing."

Simply put, imposter condition is part of life for creators however it does not have to be a cause for concern. According to Asha puts it, "The great thing about confronting this issue is that you begin becoming a person who isn't afraid to walk from fear."

Lean into the things that make you unique

Embrace the characteristics that make your company stand out as a creative. A particular trait or skill set could differentiate you from others and provide you with more customers.

"Apply yourself and go for it," Asha says. "And keep applying yourself to other fields for a unique approach on whatever you're working on. In my case, I can also provide consultations on German and Spanish."

Asha is also a researcher with a background, which gives her writing it's own scientific flavor.

"Don't concentrate too much on the particulars of what the other players in the space are doing. Create your own angle and continue to strengthen the things that help you stand out."

By asking for help in overcoming imposter syndrome and sharing your special skills and characteristics, you'll be on the way towards creating a business you're happy with .

"Follow your heart's desire. I'm really glad to have created this program that involves acceptance of oneself compassion, the ability to empathize, hair science, scientific research in cosmetics, accountability and nutrition, as well as styling and health and to merge everything into one."