English 2100 Fall 2023:  What Goes Unsaid?

Kadijah Blog Post

For today’s blog, I wanted to discuss my henna business and the world of side hustles. I launched my henna business, Allure N Galoure, in 2021. If you’re not familiar, henna is a form of art commonly used in Islamic cultures. It involves creating temporary tattoos that typically last on the skin for about 1-3 weeks. In African cultures, henna is often used for various occasions like weddings, baby showers, and the Eid holiday.

Surprisingly, it didn’t take me long to reach my desired clientele. Given the high demand for henna artists during Eid, many were already fully booked, making them open to newcomers like me. This opportunity allowed me to refine my craft, and I ended up serving a total of 100 clients over three days, earning $2,000 in the process.

My journey into the world of side hustles began in middle school when I started selling candy to my classmates. Eventually, I ventured into selling slime. It might not seem like big money, but that’s often how it all begins – starting small and gradually discovering more effective strategies. I can’t pinpoint exactly what motivated me to start making money, but you could say I was rather “money hungry.”

Growing up with limited resources, you learn how to make money from a young age, whether it’s through legitimate means or not. Side hustling holds significant importance, and, truth be told, I’ve never really envisioned myself working a traditional 9-5 job. The moment I earned my first $1,000, I realized that you have to take control of your finances if you want to meet your goals. Don’t get me wrong; there’s nothing wrong with a 9-5 job, but it’s often not enough.

If you’re genuinely interested in boosting your income, it’s crucial to have something on the side. This could involve selling products like beauty items, clothing, or e-books, or providing services such as hairstyling, nail care, or eyelash extensions. I’ve dedicated a lot of time to expanding my henna business, and I hope it will eventually lead me to where I want to be. Surprisingly, I’ve built connections and achieved milestones more rapidly than I initially expected.

You can find me on all social media platforms: @allurengaloure