We recently connected with Zharia’Elizabeth McGlothin and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Zharia’Elizabeth, thanks for joining us today. Can you walk us through some of the key steps that allowed you move beyond an idea and actually launch?
Becoming an author at 19 was never initially on my list of life goal plans. It just kind of happened that way. I started a personal cleanse where I dedicated the next 90 days of my life investing in my healing journey. I used this time to take a step back from dating and being involved in activities that took me away from the morality of who I am. With this it was only supposed to be a personal journey, never one that was intended to be shared. Jokingly I called this cleanse “The 90 Day N*gga Cleanse” and shared with a few close friends of mine. One of which suggested that I write a book about it. I took this idea into consideration and started brainstorming on how I could really make this happen. I leaned on God who is the foundation of my life and choices and almost instantly I felt that he spoke that it was something I must share. Had that friend not made this suggestion I would have never made this idea into a book and touched thousands of people with my journey.
Going into the execution process everything felt very natural. It’s like as soon as I asked for that confirmation from God, everything just made sense. That night I immediately began researching how one could self publish their own book. Once finding resources I went to an application called canva and began the formatting of the cover of the book all of which instantly came to mind. This is how I know making this book was a calling that was proclaimed over me. It didn’t take much thought. It was just like that. I had the title, cover, formatting, and chapter titles thought out all by the end of the night of the initial day this idea came to be.
I knew I wanted to publish this book on the last day of the journey. I like to give myself deadlines for structural purposes and to hold myself accountable. From the date that I started this journey, 90 days after that would be 2.22.22. I can’t lie I loved how this landed on a date that is once in a lifetime. It made it that much more special.
Next going into the structure of the book beginning with the title. I knew when people read “The 90 Day N*gga Cleanse” it would raise questions as to why I would make this the title of a book.That was also the point. I wanted this book to be a differentiation amongst others. I wanted it to speak to those that it was intended to and if it were to be prejudged by the title then that simply meant that this book was not meant for them. I wanted this aspect to be left up to the one whose choosing to read the book vs the book being chosen to be read by them.
Followed by the composition of the book, I wanted it to be set up as a countdown. Given that this cleanse only lasted 90 days I wanted each page to be of significance and draw the reader in by wondering what would happen next. A lot of the content of the book are excerpts taken straight from my journal. I wanted this book to be very personable which is shocking to admit because I am usually not one to be very vulnerable around others yet this is the most vulnerable project I’ve ever done.
Finally, I wrote everyday up until the day of publication. I reached out for help to mutuals on ways I could get a hard copy of the book published and after countless times of never hearing back I decided to take matters into my own hands and do further research to make this book possible. My biggest struggle within this process was getting the content structured for the hard copy publication. Again this took countless research, YouTube video tutorials and more to help finally come to a conclusion.This book was created from love, tears, heartbreak, and happiness. I couldn’t have written this book without God. He helped make every aspect of this book possible.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Zharia’Elizabeth McGlothin. I am a 20 year old senior fashion merchandising major studying at The School of Fashion at Kent State University. Aside from my education I am a content creator on platforms such as TikTok, YouTube, and Instagram. I am a signed fashion model, and author. I was born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio.
I started content creating at the young age of 8 years old. I began taking my content seriously on Youtube at age 12. I’ve always adored photography and videography and making content on YouTube for me was an outlet for self expression. Growing up I was very shy and somehow talking to a camera helped ease some of that shyness. It allowed me to be myself and talk on a platform where I felt people understood me. This was of course before social media was what it is today. Many people didn’t understand it back then and many laughed and made fun of me for it. I didn’t care because my passion for it was so much stronger than any negative remarks that were made.
On my social media platforms I make lifestyle, natural hair, beauty, and fashion content. I like to use my platforms to be a source of inspiration and motivation to others. Being a source of representation for the black community that they can accomplish great things in the fashion industry, content creation industry, and more.
Aside from content creation I am a model and author. Modeling ties back to my uprooted admiration for cameras and has always been something that came naturally to me. I took my first set of modeling classes at age 9 where I found the aspiration to become a model one day. Since beginning my career in this industry I have done many photoshoots, local runway shows, and recently just had my first national in store campaign launch. Being new to the writing industry and having my first book has allowed me to tap into other aspects of my talents and ability to be a source of inspiration and service to the community.
When people learn of who I am, I want my work to speak for itself. To radiate positivity, progression, and purpose. I work really hard to set up a life for myself where I get to partake in doing what I love. I want to be known for my constant dedication to be a source of influence and leadership. I believe what sets me apart from others is my drive and determination to not stop until I have accomplished all that I set out for myself in life. To not take no for an answer. To pull up my own seat to the table when one was not provided for me. I wear many hats and I am proud of my work and how it has been able to touch so many people in different ways and for different reasons.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
For me the most rewarding aspect of being a creative are the positive messages and comments I receive from those who have been touched by my work. When individuals reach out to me and express how I have motivated them to start their healing journey, persuade them into coming to a decision on attending Kent State University, or simply how wearing my natural hair has motivated them to learn more about their hair, the list goes on. All of these messages mean so much to me that I don’t think they realize. I am a very empathetic and somewhat emotional person so it always warms my heart to receive such kind comments and it really reminds me why I do what I do.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
My favorite sales story would definitely have to be watching the overflow of purchases I received from my book. As I mentioned, making this book was never my initial plan and for me to receive so much positive feedback and support it meant the world to me. I definitely cried the day I published my book and received my first sale. It really put into perspective all the hard work that went into creating my book.
Writing this book was a risk for me because it was the most vulnerable thing I’ve ever done. I didn’t know If people would like it, understand it, buy it, or even be interested in it. I received over 250K views on my TikTok that was my initial marketing strategy for my book. All of which were positive comments on how this inspired people to start their healing journal and ultimately helped grow sales. I am so entirely grateful that I took that risk and leap of faith and wrote this book. Receiving such a positive response fulfilled me in so many ways. I felt like I had actually done it. Not only did I write the book, I published it and reached the audience I was aiming for. This whole process was an emotional rollercoaster for me because of the overwhelming love and support I received.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zhariaelizabeth.gumroad.com/l/kzlsp?_gl=1*1rq6no9*_ga*MTg3MjcxNTA1Mi4xNjQ0Njg3MTky*_ga_6LJN6D94N6*MTY0NTU0MTg1Ni43LjEuMTY0NTU0MTg3MS4w
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zharia_elizabeth/?hl=en
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zharia-elizabeth-mcglothin-a13aa2204/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ZhariaElizabeth/playlists?app=desktop
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BCCVX8WZ/ref=cm_sw_r_api_i_Z7H9J7F9FFVJFF0WBPFW_0
Image Credits
Photographers: Kollin Battle, Amanda Bailey