The Wellness Edit by Kamini Naik

Episode 12: Melanin Deserves More - Building Universal Skincare at Deeper

Midzi, originally from Zimbabwe and now based in Dubai, started Deeper Beauty out of her own frustration with skincare. She struggled to find products that truly worked for her skin, particularly SPFs that didn't leave a white case. A reminder of how we're still overlooking a majority of the population in 2025. That experience pushed her to create something better: a universal, science-backed SPF that eventually grew into a full skincare line made for everyone. At first, she worried that her message of “melanin deserves more” might feel too exclusive. But by solving skincare pain points we all share, she proved that her products could connect with a much wider audience. With her background in cosmetic chemistry and her entrepreneurial experience from Careem, Midzi decided to bootstrap Deeper, choosing to focus on profitability, customer closeness, and full independence. For her, Deeper Beauty is more than skincare. It’s about carrying forward her late father’s legacy as a freedom fighter, weaving values of dignity and inclusivity into everything the brand stands for. Today, Deeper Beauty is preparing to take its message global, starting with the Gulf region. Key Takeaways ● Universal skincare should cater to all skin tones and types, including effective, no white cast SPF. ● Melanin-friendly formulations specifically address hyperpigmentation, a key concern for people of color. ● Bootstrapping offers founders control, profitability, and sustainable growth over rapid, investment-driven expansion. ● Authentic community engagement and direct feedback are essential for gaining early traction and refining your brand narrative. ● Overcome entrepreneurial fear by trusting your core "why" and consistently pushing forward, especially on hard days. Guest Bio: Vimbai Midzi, a skincare Founder with a multidisciplinary background, from leading Careem’s Social and Environmental Impact work (under Corporate Affairs), sitting at the intersection of Social Impact, product management, government relations and communications across 10 markets. In her last year at Careem she led on the Groceries marketing and launch plan for Abu Dhabi.  After leaving Careem as an Associate Director, she started building Deeper, a skincare company in Dubai to address the gap in effective skincare for medium to deep skin tones References: ●     Midzi on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vimbaimidzi/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/vimbaimidzi/] ●     Deeper Beauty: https://deeperbeauty.co Deeper Beauty on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/deeperbeauty.co/ [https://www.instagram.com/deeperbeauty.co/]  🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen. 💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/by__anaya/?igsh=MWlxYXZwM2V5a3huag%3D%3D#] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/byanaya/?viewAsMember=true] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@by__anaya?_t=ZS-8wEeLh2MkfQ&_r=1] 🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community?  DM us at email hello@byanaya.com or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

Episode 11: Suffer in Silence? Mental Health in the South Asian Community

Misha Akbar’s journey has always been about resilience and finding her own voice. She grew up moving a lot—11 schools across the Middle East and India—so adapting to new places and people became second nature. But behind that constant change, she was also dealing with anxiety and depression, while cultural taboos around mental health made it hard to talk about what she was going through. During the pandemic, Misha finally connected with a therapist who really understood her cultural background. For the first time, she felt truly heard—and that changed everything. Out of that experience, she started Sama Health, an online platform built to give South Asians in the Middle East the kind of culturally relevant mental health support she wishes she’d had growing up. For Misha, it’s all about making sure no one has to feel as alone in their struggles as she once did. Key Takeaways * Culturally relevant therapy offers true validation and understanding for diverse lived experiences. * Geographical depression can have a profound and lasting impact of relocating to new countries. * Stigma significantly prevents South Asian men from openly discussing their mental health struggles. * Founders face unique mental health challenges, often stemming from fears of failure and financial dependence. * Trusting your gut and asking informed questions are crucial when choosing the right therapist. Resources * Sama Health: https://samahealth.life [https://samahealth.life]  * Sama Health on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sama_health/ [https://www.instagram.com/sama_health/] Misha Akbar on Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mishakbar/ 🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen. 💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/by__anaya/?igsh=MWlxYXZwM2V5a3huag%3D%3D#] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/byanaya/?viewAsMember=true] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@by__anaya?_t=ZS-8wEeLh2MkfQ&_r=1] 🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community?  DM us at email hello@byanaya.com or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

Episode 10: AI and Emotional Intelligence - Are We There Yet?

What does it really take to build an AI platform for mental and emotional health - especially for the Middle East? In this episode, I chat with Lorand Minyo, founder of an Neveli Health. We dig into the vision, the technology, the company setup, and the cultural hurdles - while also challenging the hype and exploring what it means to truly serve users in this region. We get candid about the realities of launching in our market, and the need for honesty, humility, and nuance in tech-for-good. Whether you’re curious about AI, skeptical of bold claims, thinking of building your own health-tech here in the UAE, or just craving a real talk on emotional intelligence, this one’s for you. 🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen. 💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/by__anaya/?igsh=MWlxYXZwM2V5a3huag%3D%3D#] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/byanaya/?viewAsMember=true] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@by__anaya?_t=ZS-8wEeLh2MkfQ&_r=1] 🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community?  DM us at email hello@byanaya.com or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

Episode 9: Why We Always Need a Scapegoat: Shakira, Society & the 'Outsider' Effect

Why do women like Shakira Khan (Love Island UK) always get scapegoated - on TV, at work, in life?  On this unfiltered UnEdit solo episode, I break down the Love Island drama, naming the uncomfortable reality: society loves to blame the 'other.' From Shakira to my own lived experience, we explore the ugly truth behind modern-day public shaming - racism, misogyny, authenticity and the endless search for a scapegoat. If you’ve ever felt othered, blamed, or bullied for simply existing, this raw chat is for you. Say hi, share your story, and let's change the narrative - one honest conversation at a time. Feedback to me, did this episode help? Do you want to see more topics like this? DM or comment below - I read them all! Kam x 🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen. 💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/by__anaya/?igsh=MWlxYXZwM2V5a3huag%3D%3D#] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/byanaya/?viewAsMember=true] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@by__anaya?_t=ZS-8wEeLh2MkfQ&_r=1] 🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community?  DM us at email hello@byanaya.com or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻

Episode 8: Why You’re Still Tired, Unfit, and Unfocused - and What to Do About It

"We don’t rise to our goals - we fall to our standards." This week on The Wellness Edit, I sat down with Asher Kennedy, Founder of Level One Coaching, for an honest, energising conversation about health, habits, and self-leadership. We unpack why most “fitness plans” don’t stick, how to build systems that actually hold you, and why keeping it simple is sometimes the smartest move. From his thoughts on GLP-1 for long-term weight loss, to immersive therapy through fitness, Asher shares how he helps busy professionals, especially in tech, cut through the noise and transform their routines. If you’re feeling burnt out, inconsistent, or like you’ve put your own health last - this one’s for you. 🎧 Available now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple & everywhere you listen. 💬 Follow Anaya for more insights, updates, and behind-the-scenes: Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/by__anaya/?igsh=MWlxYXZwM2V5a3huag%3D%3D#] LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/byanaya/?viewAsMember=true] TikTok [https://www.tiktok.com/@by__anaya?_t=ZS-8wEeLh2MkfQ&_r=1] 🎙️ Want to suggest a topic, feature on an episode or join the community?  DM us at email hello@byanaya.com or sign up at www.byanaya.com 🌻