Image Credit: @jeff_savy
Today we’d like to introduce you to Fatima Farmer.
Fatima, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
The journey to get here was challenging at times, but definitely beautiful. In 2008, I launched a blog to discuss my personal journey while pursuing a fashion merchandising degree at The Fashion Institute of Technology in NYC. I would share tips about my style, going thrifting in NY, and my natural hair journey. Years later, my blog evolved into a YouTube channel where I became more transparent with my audience. I started sharing content about finding my purpose, dealing with homelessness for a period of time due to the split of my parents, and struggling with being introverted. This content really resonated with a lot of black women especially. Each time I went through something and figured out how to navigate it, I would create a video and share it with other people who might be going through the same thing. My supporters were able to watch my journey unfold.
Eventually, my YouTube channel evolved into a community for young women to connect from around the world with the same central focus of style, beauty & more importantly inner wellness. After being an atheist for a few years in 2016, I made the decision to recommit my life to God & Christianity. I shared that journey with my community as well. It was difficult because I knew that some people would not support it, but I knew I had to do it. After that shift, I completely let go of being a style and beauty influencer and my community became a safe place for honest conversations that weren’t happening very much on YouTube at that time. We explored faith, mental health, purpose, and self-love together. I think that’s what made it so unique. I wasn’t trying to be an expert or the perfect influencer. I was transparent, honest, and vulnerable online before it was deemed cool. It was a form of therapy for me honestly. I’m grateful that it just so happened to be therapeutic for the viewers also.
In 2016, I launched the podcast and the private Facebook community. I started to create resources, programs, and offering coaching services to the women in my community.
Over the years, I’ve had the opportunity to work with a number of world-renowned brands such as Red Table Talk, LinkedIn, The Muse, WeWork, The Mighty, Better Help, Creme of Nature, Dove, Scent Bird, Neutrogena, Vibe Magazine, Motions, MoroccanOil, Carol’s Daughter, OSEA, Africa Miranda Beauty, CRWN MAG, LoveBrownSugar and more.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
The first struggle was the period of time where I didn’t have a home. I felt lost and like I was so far away from what I envisioned my life to be. I bounced around from couch, to blow up mattress and spare bedrooms of friends and family members who wanted to help out. I was working at a store called KMart that required long hours and my pay was $7.25 per hour. It was really rough. During that time, I really struggled with my mental health. I had suicidal thoughts at one point because it was such a painful and lonely time in my life. However, I’m so grateful that I had people around me who were able to support me during that time with a place to stay until I got back on my feet. This is when I started seeking God. I knew that there had to be another way to live.
Another struggle was developing a relationship with God. For most of my life, I didn’t resonate with Christianity. From the ages 16-22, I completely rejected it. However, dealing with the split of my parents and being homeless really forced me to start seeking for a bigger purpose. That led me down a rabbit hole of religions. I tried them on like hats to see which one worked for me. I explored Islam, Buddhism, and Hinduism. It was rough, but that journey finally led me to Christ. It clicked when I stopped focusing on religion, rules, and people. I decided to explore how to build an actual relationship with God instead. If it weren’t for those dark moments, I wouldn’t be rooted in my faith now and able to serve others.
Please tell us about SoulBeautyChat.
I am a Certified Meditation & Mindfulness Teacher. I’m also the founder of The SoulBeautyChat. The SoulBeautyChat is a self-care community + podcast designed to empower women through faith infused resources, mental health support, coaching, and wellness events.
I’m extremely humbled by the testimonies that people have shared with me. Some women have dedicated their lives to Christ after learning about my journey and exploring it for themselves, my coaching programs have led women to launch their own businesses and my podcasts/videos provide daily inspiration to thousands of people. Every day, I’m amazed by how many people are touched by my words on social media or via my classes.
I’m most proud of what I’m working on now. I’m launching my own non-profit organization to provide mental health/ wellness support and resources to women who are homeless. In addition to creating content, guided meditation classes, providing coaching services, speaking on panels, and hosting workshops, I’m now offering meditation and journaling workshops to women’s shelters around the US. I believe if we can heal a women’s heart, we have the ability to help her transform her life and her family as well!
If you’re interested in learning about & supporting Fatima’s Non-Profit Organization launching later this year join the newsletter: http://
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing about my story. I believe in divine timing and alignment. If I changed anything, my life would probably look much different. I’m grateful that God is able to use my story as a testimony to inspire others.
Pricing:
- Coaching Services $50-$200
- Weekly Community Meditation Classes ($0- $20)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.soulbeautychat.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fatima_farmer/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/169860546707654/
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