We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zara Durham a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Zara, thanks for joining 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.
Back in 2016, I went off to college at an HBCU. Most of my life, I grew up in multi-cultural schools so it was definitely a culture shock at the time. But, I wanted to be apart of black excellence. My journey I definitely got to experience it, but it often times left me with mixed emotions as well. Since, there were so many different changes that I wasn’t prepared for. Honestly, I wasn’t ready to go start to college after high school. I just didn’t feel prepared which I feel like led me to not be able to enjoy it in its entirety. It’s like when you’re 17 years old and younger. You’re a minor, be a child, but the moment that you turn 18 years old you’re just suppose to be an adult. No one was really talking about that transition or the affect that it has on people. Often times I felt alone like I was the only one who was going through those things, but after talking to my peers and friends I realized that wasn’t true. People just weren’t being open and transparent about it. So, then an idea came to me and I thought “I should make a guide, for girls who come after me” to help them. Not just preparing for college, and how to get through that journey. But, also how to guide them through that transition as well. So, I began writing my book in 2017 I was a sophomore in college and it released in July of 2020. My book is titled “The Future Is Pretty: A Girls’ Guide To Getting Through College and Becoming A Female Of The Future”. So, now I am creating my own organization by is inspired but the book which will provide programming, curriculum, tools and resources. Which will help elevate girls to higher personal and professional heights. I have a lot of great things planned and I am excited for what’s to come.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Zara: a 24-year-old published author, businesswoman, and gifted public speaker. I embody confidence and have a personality filled with charisma, vivaciousness, and ambition. I am one who allows my passions to help fuel my purpose which consists of encouraging others to excel through scholastic achievements, empowering and uplifting the community through service, opening doors for people to network, and helping others succeed through their passions, talents, and strengths. During my college years, I created a campus organization called “Pretty with a Purpose”. The main goal was to help young women be driven with ambition and believe in the beauty of their dreams. Which focused on career readiness, self-development, self-care, community service, and more. I also had workshops and created workbooks to help them succeed throughout the school year. While also helping them polish up in all aspects so that they were always presenting their best version of themselves to the world.
After I saw the great influence and success of the organization, it encouraged her to write her first book titled “The Future Is Pretty: A Girls’ Guide to Getting to College and Becoming a Female of the Future”. Which consists of everything that one needs to know such as college and career readiness, how to choose passion versus profit, financial literacy, how to network and brand yourself, self-love/knowing your worth, growing pains, and the beauty of perseverance, and more! Which actually makes it the perfect read for anyone! Each chapter was written with different age groups in mind and consisted of personal stories, girl talk, advice, tips, and a note to self, which had great success in young ladies evolving into girl bosses, blossoming as young ladies, and becoming great females of the future.
I live my life according to one of my favorite quotes by Maya Angelou
“My mission in life is not merely to survive, but to thrive; and to do so with some passion, some compassion, some humor, and some style.”
Through my trials and triumphs, I have gained the knowledge and built up the courage to be able to share my story to help others. I plan to continue to help inspire many to have confidence, to believe that their ability to succeed is limitless and that their knowledge, passions, and purpose will help move the world.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Of course. So, a lot of people may not realize but on your journey to success you will hear no’s more than yes’. Which is okay because sometimes redirection is protection. I remember when things first got started with me reaching out to schools, people, and etc to try to connect. With no response, but I never gave up and overtime those connections just started flowing and coming my way. So, it is important to never give up because some things just aren’t meant to happen at certain times. I believe in divine timing and everything happening when it is suppose too.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
One thing that truly helped was that I was always willing to do the hard work and network. I am really big on personal and professional development. So, it has been multiple times where I put what put in overtime for my business. I remember getting up everyday around 5am or 6am to prepare for my corporate job, then after work go business class, and network. It became apart of my lifestyle, I’ll definitely be honest and say at times I was tired but you have to be willing to put in the work. Your results later will thank you. Every time I took the time to network, it helped me meet some amazing people that helped add to my growth and elevation. I truly believe that iron sharpens iron, so it’s apart to surround yourself with genuine people that help hold you accountable, challenge you, and encourage you. Lastly, always authentically being myself and being intentional. I truly am passionate about the work it is that I do and what I provide to the community.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thefutureispretty.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/thefutureispretty
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefutureispretty
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nnezarrhea-durham-141745162/
Image Credits
N/A