Know Your Worth and Add Tax
“I Am African & I Can” is a women’s empowerment blog that highlights stories of black women’s struggles and success.
Since Aissatou Balde (Aicha) launched her lifestyle blog “Tales and Turbans” on October 1, 2017, she has become an adored influencer many look up to for inspiration.
Before Aicha launched “Tales and Turbans,” she had already caught the attention of many with her fashion tips, and openning up about her experience as an immigrant in the United States. When she announced the launch of her blog, many were excited to get an indepth look at her life and passions.
The name “Tales and Turbans” is inspired by Aicha's interest in sharing candid stories and her oneness with her identity as a Muslim woman. She now has 40k followers on Instagram, and an upcoming cooking show where she shares mouth-watering recipes with her followers.
Her aunthenticity is what lures masses to her page. Many of her followers have neither met her in person nor stepped foot in her home. But her willingness to share personal stories, images of her home and family, makes her followers feel deeply connected to her.
She does an impecable job of drawing readers in with her good writing skills and quality photographs of her living a normal life with her husband and two daughters.
Aicha shares everything from where she shops for her daughters, home decor ideas, how to make African dishes, to discussing mental health, and what it's like going into labor. She is raw in how she expresses herself and doesn't feel the need to impress everyone.
She says that although the majority of people applaud her for sharing personal topics, some in the African community perceive someone as a rebel whenever he/she discusses personal topics publicly.
When she discusses topics that are dear to her, her goal isn't to get public approval, it is to teach and empower people to live their truth. Her ability to authentically connect with people is what helped her build a supportive community who are highly engaged with the content she shares. This is why many brands have reached out to her for collaboration.
Aicha holds a bachelor's degree in communications, and has expressed interest in going for a Master of Business Administration degree. From 9 to 5, she works for the state of Indianapolis’ Board of Health, and when she returns home, all her focus is on nurturing her family and running her blog.
Through Aicha's journey as a blogger, she noticed that there are brands that pay black influencers less than caucasian influencers. But since she educated herself more on how to market herself, she has recognized her worth and can respectfully demand a certain amount from brands that want to collaborate with her.
“Know your worth and add tax,” the successful Guinean blogger advised.
Having this mindset has gotten her partnerships with big brands like: Dove, Pampers, Gap, Loft, Pottery Barn, a 4 seasons hotel, Stich Fix, Enfamil, and more! Recently, she locked in a new partnership as social media brand ambassador for Huntington bank for the year 2019.
The highlight of her blogging experience was when she secured a 5-figure campaign, not because of the money. But because brands looked at her and thought “she's worth that money!”
Aicha's cousin Hadya Sow describes the blogger: “Aicha is an incredibly genuine person. She cares about others and is kind to everyone she meets. Her kindness and friendliness are infectious. She is the most generous person I know.”
What is she like as a mom? “Aicha is an amazing mom and an inspirational woman, “ Hadya said.
Being a mother has been gratifying for Aicha and taught her to become more patient. One of the challenges she faces as a mother of two girls is: “Teaching [her daughters] to love themselves when in fact society tells them the opposite every day. And, teaching them to challenge the status quo in a culture that tries to put them in a box.”
Aicha is leaving behind indelible marks. She is a proud mother, wife, and successful blogger. She knows her worth and is not going to settle. The brand she built allows her to not only secure her future and her children's future, but also nurture a genuine relationship with people whereby they can always reach out to her for professional or personal advice.
Welcome to Aissatou Balde’s World
“Not everyone will like you, and that’s okay.”
“I’m a big believer that what’s meant to be will be.”
“It feels incredible to be picked to represent a financial entity this big. It is something I didn’t imagine. Learning about Huntington bank and what they were all about definitely gave me an extra push towards my financial journey.”
“A strong woman is someone who doesn’t always say ‘yes.’”
“I want to inspire women to go after whatever they desire. The sky is not the limit!”
Aicha responds to every comment and DM her followers send. Even if she has 150 comments, she'll find time to respond to all of them. She feels if people took the time to leave a comment, it's only right she responds.
“I loveeee food. But for me food is also the way I bring people together. I love cooking for people.”
Aicha grew up with a strong mom. Her mother is her biggest inspiration. Her goal is to retire her.
“Success is accomplishing a goal or purpose. It’s having a place called home and being surrounded by people who love me. It’s also being healthy, because if you’re unhealthy, you can’t enjoy your success. ”
Connect with Aissatou Balde:
Facebook: Tales and Turbans
Instagram: @talesandturbans
Email: talesandturbans@gmail.com
Website: www.talesandturbans.com
Read other success stories here: www.iamafricanandican.info/blog
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