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

Zoe, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

Like many people, I would tell you my hero is my mother. There are many reasons why mothers are heroes. They bring us into the world and give us their bodies, minds, and spirit to support and raise us. My mother taught me to be kind, creative, and brave. Always the social butterfly, my mother’s laugh echoed through hallways. She never lacked ideas or ingenuity at her job, for my dad’s business, or my brother and I’s school projects. I called her Mima, short for “mi madre,” and she juggled everything with a huge heart.

When I was ten, my mother started working as an administrative assistant at Spelman College. She loved her experience there and the exposure to the African Diaspora and ‘black excellence’ surrounding her. She would often take me to events at the #1 Historically Black College/University (HBCU) so I could learn new things and see women who looked like me doing great things in their fields. This opened my eyes to new topics to explore and possibilities I hadn’t yet imagined for myself. Eventually, it also led me to choose Spelman College and graduate with a B.A. in English.

In 2008, Dr. Nawal El Saadawi was the Humanities chair at the illustrious college. Dr. El Saadawi was a brilliant doctor, global activist, and feminist writer from Egypt. My mother bought me her books, “God Dies by the Nile” and “Woman at Point Zero.” I read these stories about power, corruption, exploitation of women, and the struggle for equality with fervor. As a middle schooler, these books ignited my passion for social justice and storytelling that has never left me.

I have wanted to be a storyteller since I was very young. Therefore, my mother made it possible for me to meet Dr. El Saadawi to interview her and have a one-on-one discussion. This opportunity to converse with a woman of color who was a multifaceted activist, writer, and global citizen impacted my life tremendously. Dr. El Saadawi strongly believed, like my parents, that knowledge is power. To her, writing is a form of dissidence. Her words reinforced my belief that storytelling can provoke thought and inspire change, a lesson my mother emphasized. I, too, view writing and any storytelling medium as a way of sparking dialogue and revealing truths so that the underserved and marginalized are not overlooked.

These women are no longer with me physically. My mother passed in 2018, and Dr. El Saadawi passed in 2021.

My mother, my hero, put me into spaces that I could have never imagined for myself without her. Because of her, I am kind, creative, and brave. I am a global citizen who has lived on three continents, documented stories from around the world, and taught others how to become storytellers. My mother encouraged me to see the world, learn, and ask questions. That has shaped who I am and how I live my life.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Absolutely! Professionally, I go by Zoë Flo Holloway. I am a visual storyteller fueled by caffeine, wanderlust, and untold stories. My journey started with a deep love for travel and capturing the magic of places, people, and experiences through photography and storytelling. Over time, I realized that what I was creating wasn’t just for me—it was something that could inspire others, help brands connect authentically with their audience, and bring destinations to life in a way that feels personal and immersive.

I specialize in content creation, travel collaborations, and influencer marketing, offering services like sponsored posts, brand ambassadorships, and travel guides. I aim to create visually compelling and informative content that brands and audiences can connect with. What sets me apart is my ability to blend aesthetics with storytelling. I want to promote experiences that feel aspirational yet attainable, grounded in real-life adventure.

One of the things I’m most proud of is the community I’m building—women who love travel, crave connection, and promote sustainable practices. For potential collaborators, I want them to know that when we work together, it’s more than just a post; it’s a story that aligns with my audience and the brand’s voice.

If you’re a brand looking for someone who can bring your vision to life or a fellow traveler seeking inspiration, I’m here!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

“Success” follows a linear path.

For the longest time, I convinced myself that pivoting careers would mean “starting over” or that I’d be throwing away all the work I had put into my previous path. After teaching abroad for a few years, although stable, I had to realize it was just one part of my story. Teaching fostered and taught me new skills that I continue to use, but my journey would not stop there.

The moment I unlearned that mindset was when I realized that every experience—whether in education, photography, or content creation—was shaping me as a visual storyteller. Like my mother, Dr. El Saawadi, and other women I admire, I do not have to stick to one path.

Success isn’t a straight line; it’s a winding journey. Changing directions doesn’t mean failure; it’s growth. The truth is that no skill, experience, or chapter of my life was ever wasted. So now, I embrace the uncertainty and the adventure it brings. If anything, I’ve learned that the most fulfilling paths are the ones I carve out for myself, even if they don’t follow the conventional roadmap.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Fear is the greatest enemy; the trick is not to allow it to hold you back.

When I stopped teaching abroad, I leaned into what I knew: my ability to adapt, learn, and create. I started freelancing again, refining my storytelling, and investing time into understanding influencer marketing. There were moments when progress felt slow and engagement was low. Some opportunities felt out of reach, but I kept showing up. I reminded myself that success isn’t overnight and takes time.

A turning point came when I landed my first travel collaboration in Mexico for a sustainability project. It was a small campaign, but it was proof that the work I had been putting in was leading somewhere. I was able to contribute to something meaningful, be a storyteller, and challenge myself. It validated my voice, talent, and vision for myself as a creative. From that moment on, I stopped looking at my transition as a risk and started seeing it as an evolution. It requires persistence, flexibility, and, most of all, belief in myself.

For me, resilience isn’t about never feeling uncertain or afraid—it’s about moving forward anyway.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://hollowayzoeflo.wixsite.com/digitalportfolio
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thenomadzoe

Image Credits

Zoe Flo Holloway (@thenomadzoe, zoefloholloway.com)