We recently connected with Chaimae Bouzagaoui and have shared our conversation below.

Chaimae, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

I want to become a renowned writer whose words will be read by the generations long after me. Even when I’ve departed from this world, I want to stay alive through my work. I don’t necessarily want others to remember me by my looks, success, or wealth, but by my kindness, humility, and art. I’ve always been someone who aims high, and has big dreams, and I believe that if you take the necessary steps towards a dream, God helps you during that process, and that dream can become a reality. I won’t be around forever, but I want my words to be though. And I want my words to reach others at the right time; I want my words to help others the way certain artists helped me when I needed it most. Humans are mortal, but art is immortal. Which is why it’s very important and beautiful.

I also hope to break stereotypes about Moroccan, Muslim women. I want to highlight the struggles we go through sometimes, and how we overcome adversity, since I can speak from a place of experience. We’ve been underrepresented for far too long. It’s about time we take the stage now. We also deserve to be in the spotlight.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

It’s a very long story, but in a nutshell: I’ve been writing since I was a kid, and I started writing poetry when I was sixteen. I published my debut poetry collection, Cherry Blossom Season, back in March 2021, and I’m currently in the process of writing my second one. Throughout the years, I’ve managed to build a strong, international network, which allowed me to get into spoken word/storytelling and start my own business, Memoirs of a Moroccan, in april 2023. Nowadays, I regularly collaborate with organizations to talk about important topics within society through the art medium of spoken word/storytelling.

I’m a published author, poetess, spoken word artist, and a Forensic Science alumna. I also offer creative writing workshops, or copywriting services for different organizations.

I’d say what sets me apart, is the fact that I have a very authentic and vulnerable style. I’m always myself, take it or leave it, and I never collaborate with organizations that don’t share similar values.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I’d say the most important thing is to be consistent with it, but with that being said, I do believe that the quality of the content is far more important than the quantity. People should also stick to their personal style, and not imitate others just for the numbers. Think about it this way: having a relatively small following that actually engages with your content is better for your business and (slow) growth than having a relatively large following that rarely engages with your content. A following that doesn’t engage with your content, will hit a certain saturation level at some point.

What also helped me, was using my Instagram account, @memoirsofamoroccan, as a stepping stone to publish my debut poetry collection and start my business. I engaged with others, we supported each other’s craft, I became friends with them, and I made sure to make people excited about my publications and work as an artist. It’s important to build those connections and network, especially as a creative.

An example that I can give, is that I only use my direct messages to personally keep in touch with my friends/audience. People can contact me for any business-related enquiries through my business email: [email protected]. Even if they do send me a message on Instagram, I simply refer to my business email.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

Absolutely, I listen to lots of podcasts and successful individuals to learn from them, since they’re more experienced than I am. I can recommend Tom Bilyeu/Impact Theory, Soundous Bouala, Faiza Rammuny, Haifa Beseisso, Mel Robbins, Jim Kwik, James Clear, Steven Bartlett, Less Brown. And as for revealing/informative books I can recommend Atomic Habits by James Clear, The Archer and Maktub by Paulo Coelho, and The Freedom Writers Diary by The Freedom Writers and Erin Gruwell.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.amazon.com/Cherry-Blossom-Season-Chaimae-Bouzagaoui/dp/B08XLJ91C8/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/memoirsofamoroccan/
• Linkedin: https://nl.linkedin.com/in/chaimae-bouzagaoui-235647189

Image Credits
Chaimae Bouzagaoui, Sheezah Akram, Kim Baas, Rania