We were lucky to catch up with Ebony Sims recently and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Ebony , so excited to have you with us today and we are really interested in hearing your thoughts about how folks can develop their empathy? In our experience, most folks want to be empathic towards others, but in a world where we are often only surrounded by people who are very similar to us, it can sometimes be a challenge to develop empathy for others who might not be as similar to us. Any thoughts or advice?
Growing up I was exposed to hard working people. Seeing my family not put their health at priority has taught me how to take care of myself. Early in life, I witnessed my mom shifting into sickness and becoming disabled to blindness. Witnessing this made me feel discouraged and confused about what was happening to my mom’s health. I could see her having difficulty walking, seeing, and recovering. This transition changed her day to day living, which changed our predictable routines to something more complex. I could tell that her days were draining and almost depleting. Quickly I became her caregiver. A caregiver is someone who tends to the needs of a person’s care for a duration of time due to illness or disability. With being her caregiver we learned a new world created for visual impairment people. Which meant that most things that you could do on your own are now assisted with someone else. Things like driving, signing papers, or navigating a crowd would need assistance. I could see my mom drift into a world she knew little about and have to endure her physical health decreasing and her sight deminoshing. It was also a difficult transition for me. My thoughts, actions, and decisions all included taking care of my mom. That took moments of self care away from me. I did not know how to help her and help myself at the same time. Somedays were defeated by others, and I knew I had to come up with a way to support her, myself, and this new lifestyle. I created ways to feel good about myself by engaging with my interests, my feelings, and my future. My mom would join these moments with me and create moments of her own with spa therapeutics. As we grew into taking care of ourselves, I began researching more on self care. What does self care mean? Was self care only for those who could afford it? Does self care look the same for everyone? By the time I went to college it was clear to me that I wanted to help those in pain and encourage the public to take care of themselves. Whether it be a 10 minute walk, daily stretching or a simple day of you enjoying your company.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I created a brand called Nourished: For Hair & Body, a self care product line for daily needs. The mission is to present simple products, tools, and knowledge for better skin, hair and lifestyle routines.
Nourished was first created in my college dorm room out of a need for a hair oil that has quality ingredients to help my natural hair and normal to dry skin.
All products are created to leave your hair and skin feeling, nourished. The line consists of hair oil, body butters, lip balms & more! We specialize in natural products that help moisturize without tree nuts and matured with sunlight.
Our products has helped many self care journeys with hair and skin goals, and we are aiming to grow more!
Nourished is growing nationally online and locally!
Select items are sold in Austin, Texas at Sistah Sistah Beauty Supply and Precision’s Plus More Barber Salon in Phoenix, Arizona.
We have participated organizations and events. Look forward to seeing us in a local store near you!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I keep in mind with quality/skillsets explore to study, being kind, and prayer.
Pray! Pray! Pray! Something I wish I had done more often in the start of my journey. I see the difference when I pray for guidance and clarity. I can see my confidence increase while also keeping a thankful and humble heart.
Being kind is a choice that can also an act as a way of care in my opinion. It cost nothing to be kind. Some people would not even believe that kindness can come their way. That is where our light can come in and demonstrate otherwise. Showing kindness also delivers an opportunity for you to keep learning yourself.
To explore brings curiosity and an entire adventure to go along with it. When we become so interested in something it can come with the ability to seek detail and wonder. Opening the imagination doors for more possibilities. Every time I had explored what I can learn or where can my business grow next, I end up at new paths & new people.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
Right now I am facing the ways of imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is being high performing in external ways, yet feeling anxious and not feeling succesful internally. I am continuing to work really hard for the career that I am navigating; but sometimes I feel it is not enough or that I am on the wrong track.
That is far from the truth, but sometimes it is how I feel. There is a media for me where I apply for a job and submit my resume that I am reminded what I have done has lead me to this point. I can also see that the clients I have helped in their wellness journey are proof that I am doing extraordinarily well.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.nourishedhb.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nourished.hb?igsh=MWhwbzRsaDkxOHlxaA%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebony-sims-89a143151
