We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jasmin Thomas (Rahman) a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Jasmin, appreciate you joining us today. Was there a moment in your career that meaningfully altered your trajectory? If so, we’d love to hear the backstory.

My undergrad experiences led me to both of my career and business paths respectively. I was working at Macys in the cosmetics section as a beauty advisor when I realized I could make money to survive if I did makeup for people independently. For my career as a therapist, I was actually applying to Masters in Public Health programs when I landed an internship with a school counselor who was also pursuing clinical counseling. I loved being able to help people be their best selves which is the motto of both of my businesses.

Jasmin, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I believe that everyone deserves to thrive in their full potential. I am lucky enough to be able to help people achieve this through beauty and therapy. I am a Licensed Professional Counselor, and owner of a private practice called Nafs Counseling. I am also an internationally published makeup artist of over 12 years. I fell into both fields purely by being in the right place at the right time. In therapy I specialize in helping BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and other minority populations including women of color. In makeup I specialize in South Asian bridal as well as multimedia work such as music videos, film and my favorite- editorial and beauty photoshoots. My passion is creating a vision according to my clients needs in both fields. My therapy clients are highly motivated individuals, and my makeup clients are people who want their inner beauty to shine on their special occasions.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

My businesses both have thrived through word of mouth marketing. While I do my best to have an active online presence, I do most of my networking via social media and e-mail. I do my best to ensure my work is showcased through quality photography in the beauty world. In the therapy world I am blessed that my clients share their experiences with me with their loved ones.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start?

Unlike most business owners, I didn’t have anyone or anything to help me take the leap. I began the makeup business with a few products I got from my job at Macy’s in a small Caboodle box, and as I made money I invested it back into the business for a decade before reaching where I am at now. With my therapy business, I have remained employed with my full time job in order to have a safety net to fund my practice the right way. I share this because I want aspiring entrepreneurs to know that it’s okay to play it safe, and not take huge financial risks to start your business. You can build a thriving business without a huge savings either, as long as you’re strategic in how you invest back into yourself!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thejasminconnection , www.jasminrahman.com , www.nafstherapy.com
• Instagram: @jasminrthomas and @nafscounseling
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasminrahman

Image Credits
Photographers featured: Pooja Dhar, Lobando Images, Akbar, Lucijana Stylist featured Liya Samuel Other MUAH artists Arfana Jasar, Drishty D’Costa and Natalia Models and Brides: Madeline, Larina, Amy Devan