Imani Nathan-Brown | 03.2021

SRHMA:

How are your spirits Imani?

To be honest it’s all over the place. The lockdowns and social distancing makes me feel unsettles and so anxious at times. I always try to keep a positive mindset, so I’m currently writing down daily affirmations to help with the anxiety.

SRHMA:

Have you always written down daily affirmations, or is this something you started due to the virus?

The affirmations are something I started recently, as the pandemic caused me to lose hope and question my ability to run a business.

SRHMA:

In what way?

Every time I take a step forward, lockdown causes me to take a few steps back. After a while I begin to lose hope out of frustration. However, lockdown was actually a blessing in disguise as it made me find myself.

SRHMA:

How has your rediscovery led to you feeling more confident about running your business?

I mostly counted my blessings rather than the losses, which the former outweighed the latter. Daily affirmations also played a part in my confidence as it made me have a more gratitude.

SRHMA:

Was your business affected by the pandemic in any way?

My salon business opened two months before the first lockdown, so that was affected. It took a massive toll on both myself and my sister, as the first 6-12 months of a business establishment is the most important. We couldn’t advertise properly; get to know the area and neighbours, nor put out offers. We tried to keep our followers entertained until lockdown was lifted, but there was no definitive end to lockdown at the time.

SRHMA:

You have other businesses as well correct? Did the pandemic affect those in the same way?

Yes. I have a lash business and a hair business. Selling lashes doesn’t require much contact so was relatively unaffected. On the other hand my hair business did take a slump. With the right safety precautions, I was able to serve a few clients per week. The lockdown closed the beauty industry, so I was busy doing hair as many girls wanted to maintain their health.

SRHMA:

How did you manage three businesses, and taking care of yourself during the pandemic?

I didn’t take care of myself much during the early days of the pandemic. I got so caught up in business that I forgot to do. Many entrepreneurs are in work mode until it gets too overwhelming.

With the second lockdown that began in December, was you able to take more time for yourself compared to March 2020?

No. I would say that I took more time for myself in March 2020. Everything was locked down, and we all abided by the laws. I was much more relaxed during the first lockdown compared to the second. As previously mentioned, my affirmations began in January this year, so mentally I’m in a better place, compared to the first.

You recently came out with some new lashes for Blinked Cosmetics. What was the reason behind the decision to add new lashes.

Juggling three businesses is hard. I often tend to leave one in the dark due to having too many projects on at once. I was behind on a lot of the plans for Blinked, which led to me re-designing the brand.

SRHMA:

What is the process behind choosing new lashes?

I begin by making polls on Instagram to see what my followers want. Judging by their answers, I’ll see it the revenue will be as expected for the lash and contact my vendor. A few individuals who work closely with my brand will try the samples, with the lash being released shortly after.

SRHMA:

In your opinion, how important are lashes when it comes to beauty?

I feel like lashes can never be too much. There are ranges of lashes for different occasions, which makes them a shout with or without makeup.

SRHMA:

Lashes are difficult to apply. What is your method?

I use a tweezer to hold my lashes for stability. Next I glue the weft, and wait for it to get tacky. Then I line up my lashes with the weft, and stick down the middle of the weft to the middle of my lash line. Once that is done the corners are easy to do.

SRHMA:

What goals do you have for the immediate future?

I’m trying to be secretive with my next moves. I can say that I hope to be on a new journey in the beauty industry, and one step closer to my lifetime goal of financial freedom.

SRHMA:

Are there any people you take great inspiration from?

Yes. My older cousins and family friends inspire me. They teach me life skills such as saving, properties and travelling the world. These are the important things I never learnt in school which are life changing, when you apply the knowledge to my life correctly.