Nikia Pope, one of our fabulous guest bloggers, has decided to get on the path to making her dreams a reality: She is starting her own business.
She transitioned from permed to natural hair in June 2011, and with that transition, Nikia?s interest in natural hair care and natural skincare products peeked in a major way. Because she was so intrigued by this transition, Nikia began to make all her own hair and skincare products. So, her passion project,?Lotus Love, was born! Check out FCG?s interview with her below to learn about this up-and-coming line:
Why did you create Lotus Love Beauty Product Line?
I have been a part of the post-college time for a year+, and like most of my fellow graduates, I am feeling the brunt of not being able to find employment, which can be so discouraging and can also take a toll on you. But instead of choosing defeat, I chose faith, faith that God was continuously working behind the scenes on my behalf, lining up things for me. I had applied to several jobs, some of which I knew I was supposed to have, yet I didn?t get them. I took that as a sign from God that He had something better for me, He revealed to me that I was supposed to be a business owner; you know, taking my destiny into my own hands. I shuddered at the thought first, but over this last year, God has constantly been building me up, equipping me with the necessary tools that I need to succeed. Most importantly, He has been working on me internally, for I believe that that is where most of the work is needed in any person, versus the external, which so many people focus on. Your external is a reflection of your internal. So you have to get your inside right, first. Helping me to narrow and focus my priorities, working on my self-esteem and my self-worth, building my confidence and helping me to eliminate FEAR, once I had addressed all those defeating thoughts, habits and issues, I had a peace inside about me that simply said, ?It?s time, GO,? and I have proceeded to move forward. I won?t look back.
Originally,?Lotus Love?was going to be called something else. I had to come up with a name that I was totally in love with, and after filing paperwork with the Secretary of State office, I was informed that the name had already been registered in the state of Georgia. I was crushed. Devastation set in. I was discouraged. This was what I wanted. But God, He had something better in mind for me. I went into prayer about it and asked God to direct me to what was for me. One day, while reading Queen Afua?s?Sacred Woman book, it was a paragraph that described the original Lotus People, which are black people. It read: ?We are the original Lotus People, sweet, beautiful, illuminating, spiritual, and compassionate. A being a pure light who evolves out of the mud of challenge, where the lotus seed is fertilized, and grows upward to blossom into a wondrously beautiful soul of light.??I paused. This was me, this is who I am. How could a person who doesn?t know me personally speak to the core of who I am, in just a few words? It was powerful. I had peace about it. I knew that this was the answer to my prayer. I knew that anything I created was going to be a labor of love for me, and ultimately, I want to spread and share more love, that?s what fuels me. There you have, LotusLove.
How did you become interested in beauty and beauty products?
My interest in creating beauty products developed out of a desire for affordability. Since I was a newly natural, I wanted to experiment with products, and trust me when I tell you that natural hair care is NOT cheap. I started watching videos and reading the ingredients on the back of the products I was using, and I noticed a lot of common ingredients in the products. I researched each ingredient and proceeded to buy all the common ingredients, and I headed for the kitchen; the love affair had begun. I also wanted to be in control of what I was putting on my body. I started discovering that a lot of things I was using had a lot of harmful chemicals in them, so I threw them all out and got to mixing.
What kind of products will your provide?
Lotus Love will provide products for hair, skin, bath and even babies, something for everybody.
I have been creating products for one year now, testing everything out on myself and my family and friends. They are happy guinea pigs (can you say free products?). My favorite to make is my shea butter whip and my lavender liquid black soap; they are simply divine.
What do you think makes your product line unique?
I think that my uniqueness comes from the fact that I grow a lot of the herbs I use in my own garden. I only create products that I would actually use, testing all the products on my own body.
How is your beauty regimen reflected in LotusLove?
I only use products that I create on my own skin. I wanted products that were going to aid in the overall health of my body, as well as treat any issues I was having with either my face, skin or health. I wanted to feel good about the products I was using, and after much research, I came to the conclusion that many popular products out did not do that; they had all these ingredients inside them that I couldn?t even pronounce. (I am sure that a lot of women have had that moment, when you are trying to sound out those big, obnoxious words listed under ingredients. Lol if you haven?t, go and look at the back of any products that you use regularly). Then, I had an A-ha moment, ?Why am I using products with ingredients that I can?t even pronounce?? Doesn?t make much sense, so I stopped. A lot of the products I previously used left my skin feeling so dry, tight and un-moisturized, I actually felt like my skin was stressed. I was spending all this money on these products, and I was not satisfied with the results. It was a no-brainer: Stop using them. Now, in the absence of these products, I had to use something, but what? And this is how I started creating my own products. Who knew better than me what I was looking for in a product? A year later, my skin is the BEST it has ever been; I get compliments on my skin every single day, confirmation that I made the right choice.
Who and what inspires you?
Life inspires me.
There is no golden answer to the question, ?What inspires you?? I find inspiration in more things than I can count. Inspiration comes to me in so many different ways from people to nature. I am in a constant state of inspiration. Life inspires me; the mere fact that I woke up today inspires me and fuels me to be better, create better, think better, live better. Even if today isn?t perfect, I know that today has purpose. I am inspired by people who live life on their own terms, and go get the very things they pray for. I am the most inspired by strong, black women who are defying the odds and stereotypes every day, including you, Jamie.
Why do you think people should contribute to your business project?
I am following my intuition and my dreams. It takes guts and bravery to go after what you want. Sacrificing who I am for what I shall be. My ultimate goal is to be able to provide employment for others; I believe in giving more than receiving. This business project is an extension of who I am?come share with me.
What advice do you have for young women who may need courage in pursuing their dreams?
Get alone with God and see His purpose for your life; your dreams should always align with your purpose, morals and values. Be careful who you share your dreams with because there are a lot of undercover dream killers out there, not wanting you to achieve your dreams because they were too chicken shxt to pursue their own; they let fear consume them. It would be easy because you have stretched in ways you have never imagined, you will be tested to see if you want it as bad as you say you do.
Always remember that your actions should align with what you speak. Each day, dedicate some time, even if it?s 30 minutes, to pursuing your dreams, [and] before you know it, it will be tangible. Know that anything worth having requires hard work. Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life that you have imagined for so long; it is very possible if you believe. You must FIRST see it to believe it. A goal is an intellectual concept ? can you see it? Cause if you can?t see it within, then you?re never going to accomplish it. What?s your vision? The vision will pull you forward. The goal will keep you busy.
Your donations to Nikia?s Lotus Love campaign will go toward business registration, jars, bottles, branding and marketing and more! Learn more about the campaign and contribute here.?
Jamie Fleming-Dixon
Jamie Fleming-Dixon is the founder and author of ForColoredGurls.com. Her intention is to empower readers, inspire them to live their most fabulous lives and to motivate them to reach for their dreams and goals. This is done through motivational articles and quotes, interviews with women from all walks of life, posts on topics that affect every area of women's lives and more. For more info about Jamie and FCG, email her at info@forcoloredgurls.com.
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Source: http://forcoloredgurls.com/2012/09/flyy-friday-lotus-love-beauty-product-line/
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