MICHELLE NTALAMI ADDRESSES BACKLASH AFTER REQUEST FOR FREE SERVICES

Marini Naturals CEO Mitchell Ntalami has responded to backlash she recently faced after demanding for free services ahead of her birthday. 

Through her Instagram page, the CEO made a post indicating that she would soon have a birthday shoot and wanted brands to offer free serviced services to her.  Ntalami noted that she needed free photography, make up, accommodation and clothing services, adding that she would keep items that she likes. 

“This is a pro-bono shoot for all the brands and people I will partner with! (I.e no charges) I only get to keep the items that I like, or whatever you choose to bless me with from your collection! I’ve already got the concept, so all I need is the awesome team and brands to put it all together!” Wrote Ntalami. 

The post sparked outrage with a huge section of social media users slamming the CEO. However, Ntalami has now issued a statement calling out her critics, explaining that the concept was aimed at enhancing collaboration, brand value and accelerated growth. 

“Most of you were excited and inspired by my #MadeInKe post, thank you! However I hear a number of you were triggered. In life, not everyone will like you or what you’re about, and that’s okay! When you’re sure you’re doing something good.

Those who try to bring you down are the very ones who wished they had the courage to do what you’re doing! In this post I’m speaking to both the inspired and the triggered. The triggered frankly, have a lot of work to do. The inspired have grasped the concept of collaboration, brand value and accelerated growth,” said Ntalami. 

She added that despite the criticism, many brands had expressed interest in working with her, forcing her to turn off comments. “I closed the comments on my post because the referrals were just too many. Not because of your opinion about my post, I’m afraid. Over 1000 comments wanting to collaborate and I’m the only person. My team and I have ready shortlisted our selection and we’ll be in touch,” she added. 

Ntalami’s business partner and friend Niyati Patel also weighed in on the matter, wondering why someone would bash Ntalami without understanding what she wants to do with the brand. 

“We all know how tough the going is for everyone be it large, medium or small scale businesses. However there are somethings that just don’t make sense – why would some of you try to bash @michelle.ntalami saying she just wants ‘free’ things and that she is ‘entitled’ before understanding exactly who she is or what she wants to do with your brand?

If you want to work with celebrities, bloggers and influential people, give and take comes with the territory. In layman’s language, I’ll give you products and you ‘influence’ can give us your following, your reach, your visibility. Honestly what’s so difficult to understand?” She posed. 

She also emphasised on the power of social media, detailing roles social media influencers play in brand promotion. “Secondly we need to recognise the power of social media, brands are solely growing because they partner with other brands be it individual or corporate to expand their exposure. Therefore, if you think you giving out a product for free to an influencer is you loosing out, then my friend you need to change your reasoning. This influencer has actually shown your brand to their thousands of followers which in actual sense can never be quantified,” she added.