Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shayma Abu-esba. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shayma, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you take vacations? How do you keep things going – any advice for entrepreneurs who feel like they can’t step away from their business for a short vacation?

Vacations? Absolutely a must! For me, taking time to step away from the daily grind isn’t just a luxury—it’s essential for growth. There’s something incredibly powerful about hitting pause, stepping outside your usual routine, and getting out of your own bubble. It’s during these moments of quiet reflection, free from the noise of everyday life, that I find clarity. It’s like giving your mind a chance to reset and recharge, which ultimately fuels fresh ideas and a sharper focus when you return.

But it’s not just about taking any vacation. The type of vacation you choose makes a world of difference. If you have the opportunity—financially, logistically, or just in terms of time—it’s incredibly enriching to travel to a place that’s unfamiliar. Visiting a country where you’re not acquainted with the culture, the customs, or even the language opens your mind in ways that nothing else can. You leave behind the “this is how we do things” mentality, and it’s like your whole perspective expands. There’s something humbling and inspiring about experiencing a new way of life, and more than anything, it allows you to connect with people whose lives and viewpoints might be vastly different from your own.

In the end, it’s all about stepping outside of that bubble. There’s no substitute for the kind of life experience you gain when you expose yourself to new places and people. It’s these moments that make life richer, broader, and more fulfilling.

Shayma, 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?

I’m often asked about how I got into my industry and what drives me, so let me give you a bit of my story.

Long story short, the start of my career was very traditional. I earned my Bachelor’s in Communications, with a focus on Advertising and Public Relations. Alongside my studies, I took on several internships at advertising agencies, which paved the way for my corporate career in advertising and marketing. From there, I moved client-side, working in internal marketing departments, primarily in the retail sector. Over the years, I had the opportunity to collaborate with some of the biggest names in retail, working closely with creative teams to develop impactful campaigns. But what I didn’t expect was how much this exposure to creative work sparked something inside me.

While working behind the scenes, I began to feel a pull to something else—something more personal. I realized I wanted to transition from behind the camera to being in front of it. That’s when I took a leap of faith and started reading, training, and working to become an actor. It was a bold decision to leave behind a successful, secure career to pursue something I was truly passionate about. But I’ve never looked back. I was fortunate enough to secure both an agent and a manager, and I began booking productions and shoots. It wasn’t easy, but I’m extremely proud of that risk I took—it’s been a journey of growth, both personally and professionally.

What makes my story unique is the perspective I bring to the table. As a visibly Muslim Middle Eastern woman, I understand that there may be some ambiguity about how I fit into the acting industry. When I first approached an agent, she asked my acting coach, “What the hell would she even do?” There’s this unknown element when it comes to someone who looks like me because I’m not the “norm” in the industry—or in many people’s lives. I wear a hijab, and for many, I represent something they’ve never encountered before. Most people have never interacted with a Muslim woman who wears a scarf, and that creates a kind of uncertainty about how to engage with me. I’ve found that the lack of exposure breeds this ambiguity around my “castability.”

But here’s what I’ve realized: Facts alone don’t change people—relationships do. My goal, with every shoot, every networking event, every interaction, is to help demystify that uncertainty and show people the common ground we all share. I want to break down those walls and open up conversations that allow others to see beyond surface-level differences. Through this, I hope to make a lasting impact by opening doors for Muslim women in the entertainment industry and challenging the narrow definitions of what “castability” means.

What sets me apart is not just my unique background, but my commitment to creating space for others who share similar experiences. I don’t want to just be a trailblazer for myself; I want to make it easier for the next generation of Muslim women in entertainment to see that they belong. My work is about more than just acting—it’s about breaking barriers and normalizing what’s too often considered “other.” The main thing I want people to know is that I’m here to challenge perceptions, bridge gaps, and keep opening doors for those who are often overlooked.

At the end of the day, my journey is about embracing who I am and being true to my passion. It’s about using my platform to shine a light on stories that haven’t been told, and to bring people together by showing them that we’re not as different as we might think.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

The lesson I had to unlearn was a tough one: the idea that my struggles were somehow greater than others’. I’ve always been aware of the unique challenges I face as a visibly Muslim, Middle Eastern woman in the entertainment industry. It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking my obstacles are more difficult than others’ because I don’t fit the “mainstream” mold. But I’ve come to realize that I don’t have the ability—or the right—to quantify anyone else’s struggle and compare it to mine. Every person in this industry is fighting their own battle, regardless of their background or appearance.

As much as I sometimes feel that my path is harder, I’ve also learned that booking shoots, breaking through barriers, and finding opportunities is just as difficult for those who may not face the same external challenges but are still struggling to make a mark. The reality is, the acting industry is tough for everyone, and it’s highly competitive, no matter how you look at it.

This realization shifted my focus. Instead of obsessing over what I think I deserve or why I’m not getting the opportunities I feel I should, I realized it’s far more empowering to focus on the things I can control—like how I attain my goals and how I make myself more visible. So, I decided to take a leap of faith in myself. I started creating my own content, something that gave me both purpose and a sense of control. I launched a podcast (@sharewithshayma) to share my voice, began publishing short-form content that showcases more of my personality, and am currently writing a short-form episode series.

This shift in mindset has been a game-changer for me. The process of creating—of bringing ideas to life and having something to look forward to—has given me so much joy and drive. There’s something incredibly fulfilling about living out a process and seeing your day and your energy flourish as a result. It’s taught me to focus on what I can build, rather than what I feel is missing, and that mindset has made all the difference in how I approach both my career and my life.

What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?

realize that goals can sometimes be overrated. Sure, we all strive for something, but when you finally achieve a goal, you often find that the “high” doesn’t last as long as you expected. You get there, and then almost immediately, you’re asking yourself, “Well, what’s next?” It’s a cycle that can leave you feeling more empty than fulfilled if you’re always chasing the next milestone.

What really matters, I’ve learned, is the day-to-day process—the blueprint of creation itself. It’s the little things, the steps I take each day, that make me feel accomplished and give me something to look forward to. That’s where the real satisfaction lies: in the journey, not just the destination. So, when I’m creating content, whether it’s a podcast, a short-form video, or something else, it’s less about reaching a certain goal and more about the enjoyment of the process.

I approach my work as a story I believe in or one I find joy in creating. As long as I’m happy with what I’m putting out there, I don’t need external validation or approval from others to enjoy it. Of course, it’s nice when others appreciate it, but that’s secondary. Once I publish my work, it’s about sharing that experience with others and letting them enjoy it alongside me, without the need for validation to measure its worth. The real mission for me is to stay true to myself, to continue creating because I love it, and to enjoy the journey of bringing something to life.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @sharewithshayma (https://www.instagram.com/sharewithshayma)
• Linkedin: https://linkedin.com/in/shayma
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ShareWithShayma

Image Credits

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