Meet Love Atiya | Self Care Enthusiast and Animal Activist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Love Atiya and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Love Atiya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
All of my businesses are surrounded with the intention to increase the self love within everyone I reach.

I created my photography business The Lens Goddess because I’d had one too many negative encounters while on set. These experiences not only took a toll on my love for modeling but they took a toll on my overall confidence. I set the goal to make sure that everyone that stepped in front of my camera left feeling comfortable, confident and with an extra dose of self love.

My vegan hair and skin care company is no different than any of my other companies, in the way that I focus on creating not only quality products but a beautiful EXPERIENCE with my products.

I knew that there was a direct correlation between my hair health and my confidence when I was younger and there were no products on the market that actually WORKED on my hair.

After experiencing my own trauma with my hair when I was 17, I used that as the driving force to create my now life changing Ethereal Hair Growth Oil.

I knew that if this one product could increase MY confidence, how could it not help others too?

My thought process was simple but complex. I used my own needs, along with my empathic nature, to create ground breaking products that were missing from people’s lives.

Transparently, I was also sick of working for someone else. I knew I was an amazing sales woman but I was selling OTHER people’s products. I finally had the courage and the confidence to take the leap and here we are.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have been so blessed to have had the experience that I’ve had as a business owner thus far.

In 2019 I set the intention to work 100% for myself and being that 2020 unfolded the way that it did, this manifestation became real.

I had to make MAJOR shifts from losing vendors and wholesale connections because of shortages in stock, to ordering bottles and labels I later decided couldn’t be used at all, to suddenly having to uproot my entire Ethereal studio & work place.

This experience has definitely had it’s ups and downs.

One of my highest highs was having the ability to gift seven single mothers with self care products for themselves and for their children, in honor of mothers day.

During my first year in business I remember not having the ability to gift people with products the way that I wanted to because I was so low in stock. My goal is to be able to contribute to my community as much as possible, especially when it comes to helping others love themselves.

I also set the intention to help close the gap between humans and nature. Nature is THE most healing thing in the world (including energy.)

All of the ingredients used in my products are plant based and 100% vegan. I want to remind anyone reading this, if the products you use are not cruelty free, it means at some point cruelty was inflicted on an animal.

Another thing about being a business owner is that your income is NEVER set in stone. At first I thought of this as such a challenge. How was I going to be able to sustain my business when I would sometimes go months without making a sale.

This obstacle allowed me to get creative, I had to once again step outside of my comfort zone and exude the courage that I so badly want all of my customers to feel within themselves.

Overall, I am SO PROUD of myself and so thankful for all of my friends and family and people who have supported me and never met me a day in their life.

I am so grateful.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend come to town I would definitely invite them out to brunch at Cafe Sunflower which is one of my favorite vegan restaurants. After brunch we’d shop at the Imani Jewelry studio and then go shopping for crystals at The Honey Pot Art and Energy in little five points. Then lastly, we’d get dinner at the Plant Based Pizzeria.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to give a major shoutout to my mother, Traci Lilly, who has been in business for over 35+ years with her jewelry company Imani Jewelry.

I’ve learned everything I know about providing EXTREMELY SUPERB customer service from her.

Not only that but my mother taught me about how important quality is.

The importance of the quality of our handmade products but also the quality of our lives.

My mother was on a MISSION to teach me how to love myself in ALL aspects but especially when it came to my hair.

I am so grateful for all of the days she let me make concoctions in my room when I was younger & allowed me to creatively express myself. She supported my fan making business when I was 4 years old and my second business Power Girl when I was around 10 years old.

Without her, I wouldn’t be the entreprenuHER that I am today.

I’d also like to give a major shoutout to my grandma, Norma Lilly & great grandmother, Cora Lee Jones for creating our foundation.

Website: https://www.loveatiya.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/loveatiya/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etherealbyloveatiya/

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuOZTBh2mYDPD9Jr8WVb5qg

Image Credits
The Lens Goddess