We had the good fortune of connecting with Diamond Downs and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Diamond, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my aroma business was healing. I was in desperate need to navigate through a hardship of becoming a single mom three weeks after giving birth. My son’s father was in a car accident that left him with traumatic brain injury and short term memory. As a new mom, trying to effectively juggle trauma and the beginning of a newborn life, I had to cling onto something that would keep me sane. It was music and scents that relieved me from ongoing anxiety. In order to maintain a healthy mental, physical and emotional state of being, I had to create daily regimens and rituals. These techniques included the ongoing usage of candles and air fragrance sprays, which contributed to peace in the midst of my chaos.
What should our readers know about your business?
My brand is called GEHATI (gee-au-tee). The motto behind it is, “Where a pampered soul lies, chaos can’t reside.” As I grow this brand everyday, it becomes more clear that it’s a vessel in helping “ALL” become more aware of their self and soul care needs. We have to consciously prioritize our well being and start our days off with purposeful intention that can be formed through consistent routines. My business has evolved into other products but the core of it started with candles. A candle is a mood setter and symbolizes light in the darkness of life. I created this aroma business in search of light in a dark place of my life. I believe what sets this brand apart contributes to what it stands for and the authentic journey behind its development. The unexpected curveballs of life happens, everyday. So, the question becomes, how to maneuver forward? How should that (personally) look and feel? This is how rituals and regimens are born. A lot of times, it takes going through something out of our control that stops us in our tracks to realize a change needing to form. Recently, I believe the world has seen through the pandemic a healthy need for change. A need to step back and vitalize our mental and physical health. A need to curate a schedule that consists of daily showing up for ourselves even in the smallest ways. I’m most proud to have a brand that makes it into the everyday lifestyle of people from being a part of their soul care ritual to skin care routine.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting, I would book tickets to go to the High Museum of Arts to view the current “featured” artist collection. We would have dinner at Bangkok Station which is a yummy Thai Restaurant in Buckhead. Next day, we would either walk the beltline or rent city scooters, to get in a workout. While on the beltline, we would stop for Acai Bowls at Playa Bowl. After the beltline workout, we would head over to shops of Buckhead to shop and indulge in a spa day. I love a great hydrafacial. We would then grab drinks and tapas food from “The Garden Room.” Then later that evening, we would go dancing at Whiskey Mistress. Next morning, we would start out with meditation in the park then head over to “Breakfast at Barney’s” for brunch. Later that evening, head to dinner and watch a local artist perform at City Winery. Another day, we would start our morning with a soul care routine and later indulge in Top Golf and do dinner at Agave (a local yummy Southwestern Cuisine) restaurant. Another day we would head to Serenbee for a day of relaxation. We would do Yoga with Goats. Go wine tasting. Do dinner at one of their farm to table restaurants within the community. Overall, her visit would be filled with zen and soul.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My parents deserve a shoutout in my journey of becoming the woman and entrepreneur I am today. They built my strength to push through any obstacle along the way to success. They have never supported me giving up on my dreams, even in the most trying times that knocked me off my feet and straight to the knees. They are firm believers in following your personal pursuit to happiness. By having that consistent reminder and support, I’ve overcome so many times of feeling defeated. Their combined love and encouragement has helped me hold on one more day, which has turned into years in entrepreneurship. I’m forever humble and grateful to my parents.
Website: www.gehati.com
Instagram: @gehati
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gehati
Image Credits
GEHATI