What happens when a professional leap of faith leads to a major setback? For Naeemah Johnson, a venture to expand her business resulted in having to close not one, but two salon locations. Determined to turn the “lemon” moment into lemonade, the entrepreneur regrouped and ultimately pivoted into a new business model.
In a new episode of Lemonade Moments, the beauty professional opens up about the “lemon” moment that began when she decided to transition into a new demographic and took on business partners to move forward. This situation ended with her having to shut down two expansion locations and pivot to a completely different business model.
This period of difficulty, however, forced the Philly native to think “on a different level and more creatively” for her business. She is now the proud owner of Nbeauty Salon Suites and Hair Boutique.
Looking back, the experience taught her a vital lesson: she needed to “trust myself… trust my instincts, trust my ideas.” The healing process took time, about a year, and began when she returned to her original location.
Being back in a familiar space, surrounded by warm smiles and trusted, familiar faces, started the healing. Welcoming clients back to her original space—people she hadn’t seen since she first started her career—was especially meaningful.
Her advice to every woman who is going through a painful season? “Allow yourself to be broken down so that you can rebuild back up,” she shares.
New Lemonade Moments every Thursday! Follow BrownStyle Magazine on YouTube!
Editor’s Note: This story has been edited and condensed for clarity.
By BrownStyle Magazine in Special Editions
72 pages, published 1/17/2025
