We were lucky to catch up with Reann Shawakha recently and have shared our conversation below.

ReAnn , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Zunnar Sitty was born after a trip back home to Palestine, where I experienced firsthand the challenges our elderly face when it comes to medical care. When a family member needed medical attention, we quickly realized that the hospitals were struggling to meet the needs of the elderly, and the staff were so overworked that it was difficult to get proper care. We even had to purchase medical supplies from a local supermarket just so a nurse could help us. This experience opened my eyes to the urgent need for better support for our elderly.

Zunnar Sitty’s mission is to bridge that gap by providing essential medical resources for the elderly in Palestine while preserving the rich cultural traditions passed down by our ancestors. Every purchase from Zunnar Sitty helps fund medical aid and support through donations to the Arab Women Union of Ramallah, ensuring that our elderly receive the care they need. By supporting Zunnar Sitty, you’re honoring both our heritage and our commitment to improving the lives of our elders. Together, we can make a meaningful difference.

It means the world to me knowing it gives me the chance to truly make a difference. As a nurse here in the U.S., my goal has always been to help people, but doing this for the people in my homeland who are already facing so many daily challenges, makes it even more meaningful. It’s incredible to think that something as simple as a vintage dress or accessory can have such a profound impact on someone’s life back home. Through Zunnar Sitty, I’m able to blend my passion for healthcare and my love for Palestinian culture to bring real change to those in need. It’s not just about selling products; it’s about using every purchase to provide care and support to the elderly in Palestine, which fills my heart with purpose and gratitude.

ReAnn , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Zunnar Sitty is a small business focused on preserving Palestinian culture through vintage pieces. My mother Nadera Rammouni who actually is the mastermind of this brand, has always loved traditional Palestinian clothing, wanted to create something that honored the generations before us. Together, we started Zunnar Sitty to keep those traditions alive.

We first started by selling thobes (Palestinian dresses), but as we grew, we added custom pieces like sweatsuits and **
t-shirts with traditional embroidery. Our goal is to make it easy for the younger generation to connect with their heritage in a casual, everyday way.

What makes us different is that we stay true to the vintage style and avoid modernizing traditional wear, offering authentic pieces that celebrate our culture. I’m proud of how we’ve managed to keep these traditions alive and make them accessible to all. When you wear something from Zunnar Sitty, you’re not just wearing clothing—you’re helping preserve our history and culture for the future.

How’d you meet your business partner?

My business partner is actually my mom. She works full-time in early childhood education, while I have a career in healthcare. As you can imagine, our jobs are completely different and both can be overwhelming. We realized we weren’t doing anything just for fun, so we wanted to start something on the side that we could enjoy and be creative with.

After our trip back to Palestine and experiencing the challenges our elderly face, we found something much more meaningful than just a hobby. It gave us a purpose, and the best part is we get to do it together.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I funded Zunnar Sitty using personal savings and money I had set aside for a side hustle whenever the right idea came along. Fortunately, I was able to find local vendors and resources in Palestine who were very supportive, which helped me get started.

Since Zunnar Sitty has a charitable focus, it was a blessing to be able to launch it early on and make an impact right away.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Zunnarsitty.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zunnarsitty?igsh=bGU1dWYxd3Y2Yzg3&utm_source=qr
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zunnarsitty
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@zunnarsitty?_t=8b3v4PNt5fH&_r=1