We had the good fortune of connecting with Danaia Ajeé and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Danaia, what do you attribute your success to?
Spiritual disciple is the most important factor behind the success of my business. It brings peace, it brings clarity, sharpness, and structure. Aligning me with my path. It starts with the mind; mental discipline will ultimately become external discipline in everything you do. Remaining positive and humbled. Having a relationship with God allows me to do everything with love. Everything that is done with good intent is going to reap good benefits. Even through the low times, I must connect with God and, the God in myself to persevere through those times. Remind myself that being creative is what makes me happy, and doing hair is an art to me. It’s a way I express my creativity.
My brand is about self-love. Self-love is a practice of discipline. It’s not always something that is automatic until you implement it into your daily routine. Sometimes we get caught up in work, because we are anxious to reach a certain goal, we set for ourselves, and it becomes overwhelming. This is a time where we need to pull back and let things flow. Occupy your creativity in other aspects of your life. It’s the work outside of work that is the key to success. From waking up brushing your teeth, to working out, or writing in a journal, to reading a book. The work that you put into self-love is the spiritual discipline that reflects you to the outside world, ultimately creating success.
Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I am a loctician/natural haircare specialist. I decided to expand my business with my own natural haircare line. By doing that I wanted to really express what my brand is all about, self-love. Not just to go get pampered, but actually get into the routine of pampering yourself. Sometimes we forget to love ourselves, especially parents and entrepreneurs. People that dedicate most of their time to other people or things. Some people also feel because their hair is a certain texture, or it’s this thin or this thick, or they have different scalp conditions, that they won’t be able to achieve certain looks when it comes to their hair. Some people just want a new look. I have a solution for all of that. Luv On Loc’d natural haircare line is for those that have issues with dry hair and or various scalp conditions. The lemongrass root stimulators are my best sellers and is for people with dry/ itchy/flaky scalp, psoriasis, and dermatitis. The replenishers are for dry hair. It hydrates the hair, adds shine, and brightens color. Finally, I have hydration mists, made from real roses. This is to add extra moisture to the hair, it also makes the hair feel softer. I would recommend using this a three-step routine after washing your hair. First apply the root stimulator, then hydration mist, and then replenisher to lock it all in. Then use as needed any other day. All my products are 100% natural.
As a loctician/ natural haircare specialist, I provide a therapeutic experience. All you must do is bring yourself and i’ll take care of the rest. Every service comes with a shampoo, conditioning and hydration mist session included. This is my client’s favorite part of the appointment; I think it’s the scalp massage. Some of my clients tend to doze off, but that just let’s me know I’m doing my job.
I was introduced to the hair industry at a young age. My grandmother was a hair stylist and owned her own beauty salon and beauty supply, Pamper Yourself. My sister and I would help my grandma by working at her salon during the summer. I was about 6-7 years old at the time. We would shampoo clients, take out rollers, grease scalps, clean beauty supplies, sweep and work the cash register when selling beauty supplies. So, at a young age I was witnessing how to run a business. I take what I’ve learned back then and use it to build my own business. Her salon was called Pamper Yourself, so I want to continue implementing that into the overall experience of my business.
Starting my business at first was to just see if I would be able to do it being a mother. I wanted a change in my life and I did not want to work for anyone else, especially jobs that I never really enjoyed. Initially my business failed because of the pandemic, and it discouraged me. At one point I was just going to let everything I invested in to start my business go to waste. Then I had to realize if I did it before, I could do it again. From then, I began to reflect on what went wrong and how I can make sure it’s successful this time. Once I started to believe in myself again, things started happening for me. I got my courage back and took the leap of faith I needed to take control of my own destiny. I constantly remind myself, especially those times when I’m ready to give up, I am not just doing this for me. I am doing this for my children and generations to come. Building that foundation for your children and those that will come from you is very important if you want them to live a better life than you lived. That is what keeps me going.
Overall, I want the world to know how important self-love is. Once you start doing things for yourself and not for the outside world’s validation, you will see anything is possible. Self-love will open many doors and connections that will lead to a successful prosperous life. It’s not easy, but you will never fail unless you quit. Most importantly, keep God first in everything you do.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I have lived in Georgia my whole life I am still learning places to go. We will go somewhere therapeutic and relaxing. A good place to go for that and spiritual healing is Eclectic Faith Botanica and Wellness Center. This place has literally everything you need for spiritual wellness. I love food so the first place we would go is to go get some food. There is a place in Marietta called Fresh One Kitchen, their bowls as so good and fresh. I am hooked on them right now. We will go to a Mexican restaurant, Italian, pho, Thai, everywhere. I just love good food. I don’t really have a favorite place. I make some great food myself, cooking is one of my favorite things to do. As far as places to experience Atlanta is anywhere Midtown. Piedmont and Centennial Park are always having events and festivals. Especially during the warmer weather. I enjoy going to The Beltline. They have different bars and restaurants, but I like it for the adventure, riding the electric scooters and bikes. If you come to the city or the metro area, you must go skating. I believe that is like a part of our culture. There are beautiful nature spots in Georgia I haven’t experienced yet, but there is this place call Yellow River, it’s beautiful and peaceful. I’m mostly a home body. I’m not in the club scene now a days, but I would find a good poetry night or a live band somewhere.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I have a whole village to dedicate my shoutout to. Every single person in my village plays their own special role to keep me going. My children, Damaree, D’ierre, Damiere and Damisi. They bring out that childlike energy that I sometimes need to go back to when I need a good laugh or just a good hug. They keep me moving and on my feet. They are my motivation and a constant reminder of my strength. My mom, Tonya, helps me in different ways and when I need someone to help with my children so I can focus on my business. My sister, Chelesia, for always being an emotional support system for me. Someone that I go to vent to, get my mind right, and to help me see things from a more positive perspective or to better understand a situation. My two best friends, Dyneshia and Destini, are always cheering me on and always supporting me on my journey. The Celestial Sistars Circle, a spiritual mentorship group I’m a part of. Ifa Ifé, for starting this beautiful mentorship where I met these other amazing, powerful, beautiful women, that now became my family. Her mentorship has changed so many things in my life for the better including my self love journey that is leading me to success in my business. The praises I get from family, my clients and others that support my business is greatly appreciated and is definitely something that helps keep me going. Finally, I would like to thank the owner of Vivid Salon Suites, Sonya, for giving me this opportunity to live out my dreams.
Website: https://luvonlocd.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/luvonlocd_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/luvonlocd/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCQmLC_vcWgl4fBl8pnb-6w
Image Credits
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