Finding your footing while dressed to meet your dreams
This year, I contemplated whether I would write an end-of-year blog post. It was when I read the biography of Robert Iger, The Ride of a Lifetime, that I felt safe to share the lessons of my journey thus far.
In one of his chapters, Robert talks about finding your footing, and that resonated with me because, after three years of NAHLA, I can say that we have finally found – or I personally have found – my footing in this space.
I have always said that a business is the quickest way to meet yourself: so much of who you never thought you were is revealed to you.
I come across as confident to someone who doesn't know me, but starting NAHLA taught me that I am not as confident as I believed, and that I – like many – struggle with people-pleasing. I wasn't entirely confident in my ideas, and in my pursuit of perfection, would often slump into a deep depression.
Constantly, I would question if my ideas or the product were good enough. No matter how often you, my ladies, would tell me you loved the product, I never felt it was worthy of the compliments.
Indeed, this stems from my need for perfection, but I realise it became my excuse to not execute ideas because I felt we were not ready, and would console myself with this reason.
I believe nothing in this life is a coincidence – no dream is from nowhere. It is God-given. And where God sends, he provides. He equips. And so, in 2022, I found my footing in the space God chose for me: letting go of control and surrendering to a dream. In that surrender, one should know what they know and equally know (and own) what they don't. That is the sweet spot where growth happens.
It is often difficult for a black woman to admit that she has a talent or an eye for beautiful things and for creating them. It's inconceivable to the world that we could be not only good, but great, at it. We, in turn, have internalised that, breeding doubt in ourselves and our capabilities.
Sleepwear is such an intricate part of a woman's life. I believe we should meet our dreams in our finest threads – for sleep is where we hear the voice of God. It should not be an afterthought: it should be as considered as our daily outfits.
As the year comes to a close, I reflect on how far NAHLA has come. I reflect on the work it has taken for the product to be as delicious as it is now, not a stitch out of place. I can finally admit to myself that we did it.
It warms my heart with so much pride when I pack your orders – to know that this will make another woman happy. Because even though I have no design experience, what I do know are beautiful things. And women are beautiful and magnificent in every imaginable way and even in unimaginable ways.
In his book, Robert Iger writes: "Know what you don't know and trust what you do know." I wish I had known this. I wish I had been gentler with myself on this journey.
I write to urge you to be more delicate to yourselves in the pursuit of your dreams. I write to also thank you for opening your hearts to NAHLA and being generous with your kindness towards us.
Thank you for holding my hand through this journey. Thank you for this sisterhood.
I wish you light, goodness, courage and love for the new year.
Edited by Pearl Boshomane