Today I scrolled through my pictures and remembered a specific moment of being appreciative of where I am in my career.Ā As a Social Media & PR Manager for a major natural hair care brand such asĀ As I Am Naturally, within less than a years time I have learned so much. As a naturalista we often think we have a passion for our community but this has deepened my love for my experience as a woman color and what my hair represents so much more.
Initially, when I decided to ignore the opinions of others suggesting that I should to play it safe and to remain in higher education, I will admit that I was indeed nervous. What I if failed? What if my calling wasn’t to be in a creative field? Am I creative enough? Will others recognize and find value in my creativity? I questioned myself so many times but a voice inside told me to push forward. I applied for well over 1,000+ jobs, worked freelance positions, part-time positions, networked, and went on what seemed to be a never ending amount of interviews but I kept pushing.
As a little girl I learned how to braid at the age of 7 and began to style my own hair at 9. I stopped relaxing my hair during my last year of college not because I wanted my curly hair back but because I was a broke college student who was too cheap to pay for relaxers anymore. Unknowingly all of these factors were pushing me in a certain direction.
My interest in my own beauty as a little Black girl and now as a Black woman has always been there. When I started in my position at Avlon my excitement was literally shining bright on my face. This new work environment was the healthiest I had ever experienced. I naturally gravitated to the demographic that our brand marketed to because I embody that very demographic. I am our consumer. So I instantaneously understood the importance of creating meaningful content for the brand.
This company, this career was something that many didn’t understand. “So what do you do all day? You get to play on your phoneĀ tinkering around with Instagram and Twitter, hunh?” Many misunderstand the power of social media and what I do for this brand. I take my role very seriously. I am the voice of our brand that so many women, women of color specifically, who look just like me connect with.
The visual images that positively impact the psyche of a potential customer that makes her feel good about herself and builds her confidence when she decides to buy our product is a personal joy for me. My career has allowed me to travel and learn so much about the beauty industry in such a short period of time. It has allowed me to speak with women who are just now seeing their natural hair through lenses that reveal the beauty of it all.Ā I get to create content and talk about beauty as an influencer as well for our brand and our sister brands as too.
At our most recent event at BeautyCon NYC, while in the thick of the craziness at our booth was when I paused to be thankful for my experiences that led me to that very moment. If I had made any decision differently than what I had, I wouldn’t have been able to be standing exactly where I was at that moment.Ā Trade and consumer shows are a lot of work but they are fun and fast paced. It’s events such as these that helped me to learn the difference between having a job and what it feels like to have a meaningful career. I foresee more growth within my career, continued opportunities to study the beauty industry and to grow as a creative.
So I write all of this to encourage you to remain focused and positive for whatever season you are in while traveling your career path. Keep pushing. Be open. Network. Invest in yourself. Study your industry. Most importantly be thankful for the moments that are leading you to the success that is waiting for you in the future.
-TheMonaLitaš