We recently connected with Hala Maroc and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Hala thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

In 2016, After 5+ years in the not-so-glamorous, but ever so stressful entertainment industry, I woke up one day and was let go from what I thought to be my DREAM JOB. At that point I had associated so much of who I was with what I did. I had given it my all, and was left with nothing. It was time to find myself & I couldn’t find the tribe, resources, or safe space to do. So I created it… BADASS BOOTCAMP; A one stop wellness shop that caters to entrepreneurs, creatives, and any other on-the-go-individual.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Hala Maroc is a multimedia personality, serial entrepreneur, culture curator, ARTIST and wellness advocate.  She owns #OntheBlockWithHalaMaroc, a full-service digital marketing agency servicing small businesses, influencers, artists, and creatives. She also has a wellness SHOP called #BADASSBOOTCAMP promoting self care and empowerment with events, workshops, collaborations with LOCAL AND TOP brands, content, and more. Her wellness program was inspired by her 7+ years in the entertainment industry and the void she recognized in the N”relentless dreamer lifestyle” WHEN IT CAME TO SELF LOVE, SELF CARE, SELF HELP, SELF DEVELOPMENT AND SELFAWARENESS. Hala was born and raised in Astoria, Queens as a first generation citizen of middle eastern parents. Fun fact; Hala’s first languages were Arabic & French, and only began to learn english in pre-school. Fast forward… her passion for communication and entertainment led TO her to vlogging,  song writing at a very young age, dancing for 10+ years, and ultimately college radio… where she claimed to have caught the bug! Since then she’s worked at several notable radio NYC stations including I Heart Media, and Hot 97. She’s also covered other radio markets with her good vibes and playful tone by landing her own full time radio show doing nights in Philly ON BOOM103.9, and North Carolina ON FOXY99.
Today you can watch Hala on platforms such as MAINO’S KITCHEN TALK PODCAST & FOX SOUL, OR listen to her on DASH RADIO. SHE believes change begins in your own backyard. So aside from her pop culture content, Hala reaches a wide range audience with her wellness podcast DIVINE CHAOS and hosts a concert series promoting anti-bullying in schools through out the tristate area called Urban Block Party.  This year Hala is focused on pushing the culture forward by creating impactful content & CONNECTING DOTS BETWEEN WELLNESS & CREATIVE INDUSTRIES.

Are there any books, videos or other content that you feel have meaningfully impacted your thinking?

Yes. Ironically: 1. If you want to cry go outside by Kelly Cutrone (My boss gave it to me at my first internship at a radio station, I think she was hinting that I’m going to really need to grow some tougher skin being a female in the entertainment industry.
2. You are a Badass by Jen Sincero (my mentor recommended it when I had to find the badass version of myself again in 2016)
3.The buddha & the badass by Vishen Lakhiani ( One of my best friends recommended it when I first opened my Brick & Morter and almost wanted to give it up in the first year)
4. Professional Troublemaker by Luvvie Ajayi Jones ( I picked up at an expo but finally read it recently to give me a little push in the direction of using my platform and my voice for a newly inspired purpose )

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

While building my radio career, I fostered amazing relationships with all types of people in the industry. They would hire me to host events here ad there, help market artists, connect dots, etc. They were all things I did organically and enjoyed but I was fully focused on ” making it” in radio. After loosing my On Air position in 2016, I moved back to NYC and turned those random gigs to a full Creative Marketing Agency! Simultaneously I turned me new found focus on self care to my BADASS BOOTCAMP wellness brand. In a sense I ow the toughest time in my career a thank you for pushing me into entrepreneurship.

Contact Info:

• Website: thebadassbootcamp.com
• Instagram: halamaroc
• Facebook: The Badass Bootcamp
• Linkedin: Hala Maroc
• Twitter: halamaroc_