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Meet Salma of Henna by Salma in Arcadia

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Salma.

Salma, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I was always an Artistic person and used to work on multiple projects for my family and friends like creating pictures of flora and fauna in an artistic way by doodling which I still love to do. As I have a degree in Biology and applied psychology, it helped me getting the nature’s perspective and I tried to mimic it on my projects by taking my subjects personality in view.

I came to LA in 2003 and started exploring this great city and its culture. It seemed like a mini United Nations to me and its people and culture intervened their roots into each other like a beautiful canvas so a canvas was already there. I guess all they need is one more artist J.

I always loved to volunteer in cultural fairs as a henna artist – just to give something back to the city which provided so much for the local public of various backgrounds. I started noticing that people want me to work professionally and wanted to invite me in their family occasions and enjoyed my art. They told me that I have a pleasant and down to earth personality and I am very good in what I am doing. Also, I am always careful on what I am providing. I always wanted to provide natural Henna as there were lots of cases in which non-professional artists risked people’s life with Black henna. I always warned people to stay away from these types of non-professionals and explained them how I created Natural Henna paste by myself using 100% natural ingredients. I guess these gestures of mine was loved by my followers and friends and I started my Henna work professionally in 2013.

As I always make my own henna paste with organic and natural henna powder, I am blessed to do henna on pregnant bellies as well cancer patients who lost their hair during chemo therapy. I am honored to be involved in a Short Documentary Movie “Hair” in 2015 as well https://hennabysalma.com/events/media-and-charity-events/hair-documentary/ and I guess the primary reason I was chosen was my Love and care for other human beings.

I love my work and feel happy when clients love my work too.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Well, there are challenges in everything you do. What matters is how you can overcome them and stay on your path. When I started my professional Henna services, I faced almost every day a new challenge. I didn’t know how will people find me? Of course, there are lots of ways to promote your business but because of my limited resources I didn’t want to just start with a random marketing company and pay a lot of money and then learn from my mistakes.

I started doing my own researches, made my first website by myself and then drop by drop Yelp reviews started emerging on my work but to my frustration, every other review of mine got removed by Yelp. Of course, Yelp denied removing them on purpose but I guess they didn’t believe that how come every review of mine is 5-star. Finally, they realized that it’s not a coincidence and not fake reviews. Of course, I didn’t buy any of the Yelp Business plans.

I didn’t know how to set up bank account for my limited business and when I created one it started deducting a lot of my earning which is very limited. I tried cancelling it but they threatened to charge me a big fee. Did I mention that I have a very down to earth personality? Lolz – I guess these hard minded bankers liked it as well and gave me a chance.

I seriously believe that if you work sincerely and care about your clients, express your care and most importantly trust on the Almighty God everything falls into the right places and people love your work and most importantly attitude.

Henna by Salma – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I’m a Henna and Jagua Artist who uses absolutely 100% Natural Henna made by 100% natural ingredients by me personally. I am based in Arcadia CA but cover various areas of Metro Los Angeles. I am available by appointment only and not only take personal appointments but I am very popular in social events like Weddings, Bridal Showers, birthdays parties, bar/bat mitzvahs, Sweet 16 parties, graduations, Baby showers etc.

My Henna(s) are beautiful to look at, a great topic of conversation in corporate parties and best of all; it wears off after a few days. They’re a perfect addition to your bridal or bridesmaid dress in a waterfront reception or a perfect temporary alternative for the next Halloween bash you are invited to or just for a Zen moment at the beach.

My Henna paste has the best possible combination to achieve a nice and perfect henna stain. I do not use PPD, chemical dyes or food coloring in my henna paste. I do not use BLACK HENNA. I can make any sort of intricate Henna designs and you’ll love the color when it will blossom on your skin. As I said earlier I love to doodle and draw different shapes and objects, now in my business I do it with henna & jagua.

I visualize human body as my canvas and draw free hand and always love to try new ideas. People give me crazy ideas and I drew it for them. I am all smiles and because of my fun personality people always give me really fun projects. Some of them include drawing Bob Marley on a girl’s arm, whale swimming in ocean, horses galloping around. Creating a garden on pregnant bellies and creating floral skin design son people’s scalp. Usually henna artist stays on traditional designs but I like to push myself and see the amazing glare on my client’s eyes.

I am proud that I can provide natural henna to everyone including pregnant ladies and also henna crowns for cancer and Alopecia patients who love to have my art on their heads like crowns. It’s my way of turning their frown upside down with a Henna crown.

My Henna was quite a hit at Coachella events too. They sort of lighten up the moment.

I think a beautiful henna tattoo is a great way to show the world that even though Henna is temporary but love beauty and respect for others lasts forever.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
Success – Everybody has different definition opinion about success. To me, success is when my clients are happy and satisfied when I help to make their vision into reality with my henna tattoos.

It’s a famous saying that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. When I add love and caring to my Henna Designs which are basically the key ingredients of my work, I believe I took this beauty to the next level as it gets amalgamated with this beauty with perfect proportion. When I see my client’s eyes sparkle with happiness I feel that the project is a success.

I remember making a design for one of my clients and the same night her boyfriend proposed much to her surprise but got surprised as well as when he was putting on the ring on her henna-ed hand. It was like a perfect moment and was honored to be invited to do henna for their wedding too. These humble experiences make my belief stronger that love and caring cannot be bought with money and to me, this is an ultimate success.

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Henna by Salma

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