We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zakiya Holman a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Zakiya, thanks for joining us today. We’d love to hear the story of how you went from this being just an idea to making it into something real.

Subsequent to becoming a Board Certified Behavior Analyst doors opened that led to consulting opportunities primarily in the field of applied behavior analysis and education. Given that the landscape of my life was changing, I felt it necessary to transition into a virtual job that offered more flexibility. and the ability to work 100% remotely. The tradeoff was that more flexibility came with less money. Still, I was convinced that if I leaned into my values, identity and purpose despite the presenting concerns and fear factor., not only could I take the skeletal book proposal I created and finish it, I could also see the dream of writing a book through, to completion and then consult on my work. You see, being a writer was a childhood dream of my mine that I deferred for decades. I decided that I wouldn’t go another decade without writing my debut book. Moreover, I would use it to launch other entrepreneurial endeavors. This idea that we could go further into fulfillment while exerting less efforts is a pivotal principle outlined in, “Streamline Having the Audacity to Simplify Life’s Journey. ” I could foresee my debut work being shared with a diverse target audience including but not limited to:

Professionals and Entrepreneurs: Individuals in fast-paced careers or running businesses who feel constantly burnt out or overwhelmed and seek to work more efficiently.

Overwhelmed Parents or Caregivers: Those juggling personal and family responsibilities who feel disconnected from their own goals, desires, and well-being.

Self-Improvement Enthusiasts: Readers who are already on a path of personal growth but want to explore new, more sustainable ways to thrive.

People Struggling with Burnout: Anyone looking for a way to break free from a cycle of stress and anxiety and discover a healthier, more balanced approach to life.

Zakiya, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

The book wasn’t completed when I landed my first contract in Tanzania. I did however have enough content to coach 25 women leader for 12 sessions. This opportunity came about by submitting several request for proposals to organizations dedicated to supporting women leaders to attain sustainable development. Uongozi Institute operates under the Office of the President of the United Republic of Tanzania. What a truly enriched experience this was. Connecting with this group of women leaders whose tenacity is noteworthy, added greater depth, breadth, and beauty to my life.

For those who don’t know me let me take a moment to introduce myself. I am Zakiya Holman! Sunny Southern California has been the place I call home for 46 years now, it is where my heart is! A naive of Inglewood, my family migrated inland to be closer to the matriarch of the family, my grandmother Lela Franklin who left a personal legacy of love for God, family and education; which I wish to extend. From the other side of glory her influence is still felt! I graduated from California State University San Bernardino in 2001 with a Bachelors in Communications.

My ambition was to be a journalist yet the Divine had other plans! An opportunity to teach children with special needs emerged. Captivated by this experience, I went back to school to obtain a teaching credential and Master of Science in Special Education in 2009! Having worked with students with exceptionalities for quite sometime and an affinity for life long learning, I subsequently decided to take a deeper dive into formal education and attend The Chicago School of Professional Psychology where I obtained certification in Applied Behavior Analysis in 2014 and
became a Board Certified Behavior Analyst in 2015.

I worked in various capacities in the field of education for nearly nearly three decades, taking a hiatus here and there to work as a Mental Health Rehabilitation Specialist, Therapeutic Behavior Coach, and Education & Leadership Consultant. I
have a passion for all things creative, thus, I am a published poet, songwriter, designer of a specialty line of greeting cards, and an award winning author! My greatest contribution is being a single mother of three, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, advocate, confidant, and lover of humanity. I recently established a sole proprietorship called Joint Venture to provide Coaching and Consulting to individuals who are invested in building their capacity and developing the spiritual capital
needed to establish and maintain life congruence!

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I had to unlearn the notion that everything must be mapped out with precision before executing a plan. While it is important to have a well-defined framework with key steps, timelines, and potential contingencies identified, its equally as important to recognize the role of pre-intention and synchronistic experiences! With God all things are possible!

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

My purpose is to be a prism refracting and reflecting Light! Through written expression my purpose is realized!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ZakiyaHolman.com
• Instagram: z.k.holman
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/z.kholman?mibextid=kFxxJD
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zakiya-holman

Image Credits

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