A digital marketer, entrepreneur, and mother to twin girls, Unni’s story is one of resilience, reinvention, and rediscovering beauty on her own terms.
Life rarely follows a straight line. For Unnati Patel, affectionately known as Unni by family and friends, success has never been about avoiding change. It has been about embracing it, learning from it, and finding the courage to build again.
Follow Unni on Instagram:
@unni_patel
Q. Tell us a bit about yourself?
Unni: I work in digital marketing and have been in the industry for around seven to eight years. I would describe myself as adaptable, resilient, creative, and most importantly, a proud mom navigating an entirely new chapter of life.
Q: How did your journey begin, and what inspired your career?
Unni: I’ve always been drawn to the creativity and energy of digital marketing and the beauty industry. My journey truly began when I moved from Nairobi to Canada for my studies. During that time, I developed a strong passion for beauty and launched my own hair care business. I loved helping people solve their hair concerns and building a community around self-care.
When market conditions changed in Canada, I had to make a difficult decision. I moved to Uganda and started over professionally. Shortly afterward, I became a mother to twin girls, which naturally changed my priorities and schedule.
Through every transition, my passion for business remained constant. Today, I’m channeling everything I’ve learned into growing my digital marketing career while building a brand centered around fashion, beauty, and hair care.
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced?
Unni: Starting over wasn’t easy. Closing an established business and relocating to a new country required me to rebuild everything from scratch. Becoming a first-time mother to twins while managing life independently added another layer of responsibility.
Building a professional network and finding community in a new place can feel lonely, but I’ve learned to take things one day at a time. Staying organized and reminding myself of everything I’ve already accomplished helps me keep moving forward.
Q: How do you practice self-care while managing work and motherhood?
Unni: Self-care looks different these days. With twins and a busy career, I’ve learned that it doesn’t have to be elaborate.
Sometimes it’s simply enjoying a quiet cup of coffee in the morning, spending a few peaceful minutes scrolling on my phone, or sticking to a simple skincare routine. Once a week, I make time for a deep-conditioning hair treatment or a face mask.
Those little rituals help me reconnect with myself and remind me of my roots in the beauty industry.
Q: What does beauty mean to you today?
Unni: Earlier in my career, beauty was all about achieving the perfect look. But motherhood changed my perspective completely.
Today, beauty means resilience and self-acceptance. It’s about embracing the changes that life brings, feeling confident in your own skin, and showing up authentically. Whether I’m managing marketing campaigns or caring for my daughters, beauty is about confidence, strength, and being comfortable with who you are.
Q: What would you tell women trying to find confidence and pursue their goals?
Unni: Don’t be afraid of unexpected turns. Having to close one chapter and start another felt intimidating, but I’ve learned that detours are not failures.
Trust your skills. Trust your resilience. Whether your dream is in beauty, fashion, entrepreneurship, or the corporate world, pursue it wholeheartedly. At the same time, give yourself grace. Life comes in seasons, and you are capable of creating something meaningful more than once.
Q: What products and habits help keep your skin healthy and glowing?
Unni: After pregnancy, my skin became much drier and more sensitive, so I stopped experimenting and focused on hydration.
Some products I consistently rely on include:
- The Ordinary Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5 for hydration.
- COSRX Advanced Snail 96 Mucin Power Essence for moisture and repair.
- ILLIYOON Ceramide Ato Lotion to lock everything in.
- SEOUL 1988 Retinal Liposome + Fermented Bean Eye Cream for the eye area.
- Beauty of Joseon Relief Sun as my daily sunscreen.
- Clearasil for occasional breakouts.
I also love weekly deep-conditioning hair masks and relaxing with a sheet mask or simple home remedies to keep both my hair and skin healthy.
Q: What exciting goals are you working toward?
Unni: I have some big dreams ahead. My focus right now is growing my content creation space around fashion, beauty, and especially hair care.
Having previously built my own beauty and hair care business in Canada, my long-term vision is to bring that model to Nairobi and expand across Kenya. I’m excited about connecting with the local market, creating a strong community, and building something meaningful that empowers others.
A Story of Reinvention
Unni’s journey proves that success is not defined by a single chapter. It’s shaped by the willingness to adapt, rebuild, and keep believing in yourself through every season of life.
From entrepreneur to mother, from Canada to East Africa, and from beauty founder to digital marketing professional, her story is a reminder that sometimes the most beautiful transformations happen when life pushes us to begin again.
Connect with Unni and follow her journey:
Instagram @unni_patel
