We recently connected with Zara Rogers and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Zara , thanks for joining us today. Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?
Audacity. Sounds simple on its face, but even the most well known, knowledgeable people face imposter syndrome. When you’re creating something, you care about the small puzzle pieces that make up the bigger picture. There’s also a vulnerability in presenting that big picture to your audience because audiences have opinions. Sometimes you can get so worried about the potential opinions that you rethink, pivot, or shrink. You have to have the audacity to stand behind your work, regardless
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
My name is Zara, I’m the youngest of 4 & I am a freelance videographer & director born & raised in rural NC. I am the CEO of Fenny World TV & I provide both short, med form content like reels, music videos, trailers/advertisements & vlogs. My mission is to provide clients with high quality, visually compelling art to build awareness to their brand. Fenny World Tv is welcoming all small businesses & creators who’s goal is to capture the essence of their brand.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
Videography was the actually the most fulfilling pivot I’ve ever made as an adult. After leaving college I was desperate to figure out what I wanted to do in life & what I was good at, so I jumped head first into sales. It started with door to door & I climbed the ladder for years. (I was that small percentage of people who didn’t even care if the job was 100% commission because that made it more exciting.) During pandemic I went from working a corporate job in an office to working from home in my pajamas with my sister Maya. Towards the end of that same year, while we were celebrating a promotion Maya’s life was senselessly taken from her. Being there when it happened sent me into a complete spiral mentally. It was like I lost her but I also lost myself. This was someone I spent every day with, talked about dreams & we were only a year apart. I left work but started therapy & in my free time I worked as an assistant at my older brothers home studio. It was much easier paced than an office. There were all types of artists so I got introduced to plenty of styles of music. One rap artist in particular came to me about marketing his song “2 headed dog”. I recommended a videographer Trey Saltez, Maya was friends with that I happen to know. But after the videographer heard me almost over explain the artist’s entire vision & what I think the video should be like, he recommended I direct it. I took him up on the challenge (as I hadn’t felt challenged in a while). Little did i know Working on treatment, props, extras, & location got me so focused that I start slowly coming out of that lost darkness of grief. Plus I hadn’t realized how many resources I actually had from meeting so many people in sales. After directing my very first music video in my hometown Zebulon & receiving so much love & different interpretations of the visual, I decided THIS is what I want to do.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Integrity is so important to have in life but ESPECIALLY in this market. You have to always remain a student of the game. There’s almost no limit on the amount of knowledge you can obtain. Whether it be through projects/trial & error or formal education. Nobody knows absolutely every single thing & I like to be honest with clients about what their options are. I’m not afraid of tough conversations, hard work or work arounds. I always make sure my clients feel comfortable, have fun & feel heard.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fennyworld_tv?igsh=MWcydGtqeGN1Nmh4Mg%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Facebook: Zarafenn Marketing
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zara-fenn-64bba5287?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app
