Mentoring and style coaching is a combination of personal styling advice, image consultancy tips, and life coaching motivational techniques rolled into one. By approaching the coaching process from the appearance perspective women, may benefit from gaining a better personal understanding of self and their goals and desires.
A mentor and a style coach help you achieve a personally polished look on the outside, and confidence to match on the inside. Saija K is one of those ladies who coaches hundreds of women providing a form of personal empowerment that can help women understand the attitudes holding them back, how to become more confident and the steps required to put all this new-found knowledge together as a finished package. Sometimes we as women we just need a little push to take the plunge, that’s why Saija K designs and develops styling experiences that make her clients’ lives more full filled in life and business.
How did you start?
I look to life as a whole and I have started my journey when I was a very young girl. Always thinking why I feel I’m so different and that I don’t fit in. Trying to please people and change myself into a person I thought they would like more. I felt more connected to people I saw in the tv fulfilling their dream career as singers etc. People who had made it in a big way. Who had big dreams and were very ambitious. I grew up in a little city…well in a tiny country called Finland where it’s not so common to think BIG and be open-minded, lot of people are ruled by fear…fear of new things or not knowing the results. I have always been the opposite… I will try and fail or succeed and then I know…..but in Finland people rather not even try in case of failing…people who are open-minded and ready to put themselves out there are normally crucified as crazy and stupid/ naive people….and that was me…always….in other peoples head… not so encouraging for a young girl trying to figure out her spot and purpose in this world. So yes I see I have started my journey feeling an outsider and looking my way out only finding the answer is inside of me. I am the answer.
What inspired you to start working for yourself, what did you do before this?
As I told I have been very ambitious throughout my life…. Growing up wanting to be a lawyer and then evolving my mind to an economic lawyer so needing to excel to master degrees. Feeling very confident I took the test applying for business school thinking this is it…. Now my future can really begin….but I failed I didn’t get in… next try would be in a year….I had all this spare time now to do nothing? For one whole year! I came across au-pairing….. safe, easy way to explore the world. I took my chance in the south of France – Monaco. Only being 19 years old. I fell in love with the place…. Luxurious lifestyle, money, class, elegance…. I was blown away. I knew it then that I wanted to have this kind of life. I only saw the material goods and as I young girl it was very motivating for me…or that’s what I thought. A year went by….another exam came….and I failed AGAIN…. I felt crushed. Like my whole life was taken way for me in a second. All my plans. All my confidence. Everything. I felt like someone dropped me in a black hole and I didn’t see any light. Me? Who was always so ambitious and knew my plans…. I was completely empty and didn’t believe in myself anymore. All those negative thoughts about me started to make sense…. Maybe I am crazy….believing I could do all these things and be everything I have always wanted. I spend the next few years drifting away au-paring around the world, cleaning hotel rooms, partying with everyone who ever wanted to go out. I felt so lost and out of place, but I didn’t have any confidence in me and my abilities. I felt like this is it, this is my destiny and my life and that I don’t have any control to change it. I didn’t know anyone who had done it, I didn’t see any opportunities. In total 6-7 years, I was living in a cave, hiding, being negative, drinking too much…. Only by meeting my daughter’s dad something sparked in me, he reminded me who I am ( for a very long time I had found a person with who I could be100% myself) and I started slowly to take small steps to open the door for my dreams and desires and who I wanted to be, who I had always wanted to be. I gave birth to a beautiful daughter in 2010 and everything changed in me, I now had this small person with me and I wanted her to be able to look at me with pride. I started my own company as a fashion stylist and consult.
I had huge dreams and I loved it. I loved to empower people by teaching them magic and tricks about bodies and clothing, I saw their eyes started to smile again and how they looked themselves with pride. I really felt like making people happy and powerful with themselves was my calling. I felt the natural force I had in me when I was helping them, it felt so natural to me. Could this be my calling? After a few failed business I was still so motivated to change my future. I felt like I was finally on the right road. I came single mother in the way and by being motivated by material goods I got myself into financial troubles. Went through some really deep holes with finding me and my true core. This jet setting party girl who loved LV, Chanel, Dior you name it, suddenly found herself in the middle of the forest meditating and feeling at peace inside even though the world around was crumbling. Still loving my brands, don’t get me wrong 😉 but I’m not motivated by them anymore. My money doesn’t own me, I own my money.
In 2017 I started my journey with Power Woman movement leading and mentoring people through C2C business. I walked the line and taught myself everything I needed to know to start and after that, I have just kept going. Now, 2019 we are about 600 people In a team , working together, celebrating our success. More people join our community daily and start their own journey towards their desired future.
How does one find you and get mentored by you?
You can find me wandering around NYC which I will call home very soon. Right now you can reach me in IG Power_woman_movement. FB Saija Ketomaki. Email info@saijak.com.
What has been your biggest success?
My biggest success is 1000% my daughter and how amazing human being she is. Best thing I have ever produced. Also the people I have helped, to see them striving in their life makes my eyes water from love and happiness.
Share us some tips on how to become more a happier and healthier person.
Find a mentor, a friend , a person who is doing/living the life you want to. Be brave to follow your dreams and work with your mind daily. Remind yourself every single morning why are yo9u doing what you are doing. One thing I teach is to write yourself a love letter…. Place it somewhere where you can read it easily <3
If you could go back and tell yourself one thing before beginning your career what would it be?
Don’t believe what they say about you. You are a miracle and you can accomplish anything In this world, just work smart and improve your knowledge!
What is your next big goal? How do you think you can achieve this one?
My next big thing will be my move to NYC and starting my life there. Also, I love to see my brand grow globally and I get more and more opportunities monthly to empower and inspire people. I will grow this movement into something extraordinary to reach all the lost souls in this world and no one needs to wait 7 years to be inspired to start their journey. My dream is to have a place where you smell, wear, taste, hear and feel the INSPIRATION and MOTIVATION. This will come true by me working towards it and believing it can and will be possible.
What sacrifices have you had to make during life?
I needed to sacrifice my old self, the one I got used to know. The safe choice. I needed to let go of the idea that my future is already written and there is nothing I can do about it.
What has been your key (or keys) to success?
My intuition, the vibe inside of me. I am so spiritual and feel the energies all over. My key is to be open to them and vibe, read and believe them. I always trust my gut feeling.
Do you believe in destiny or do you think you can control your fate?
We are in control of 1000 % . We create the future through our actions, decisions, thoughts. We have the responsibility in yourselves to take us where we want to go and what kind of life we want to live. I have been down, kicked, victimized myself, drifting through life….thinking this is it…… By waking up taking control of changing my thoughts and decisions I started to change my life. Giving up all excuses, facing myself and who I am. Forgiving myself, loving myself…… You can change your life believe me.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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