Today we’d like to introduce you to Zollyann Howell.
Hi Zollyann, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
It’s quite interesting sharing my story or journey! My life is constantly changing as I grow and evolve as a person and as a professional and most of it is very much full circle. Many may be familiar with my journey of leaving my teaching career to become an Author and an Entrepreneur. However, what most don’t realize is that somehow that entire journey led me to really discovering my true self and my God-given passion in life. Essentially that is just to help others and to pour back into the world in any way which I can and I use my businesses as a vessel to be able to do those things.
When I first walked away from my teaching career, I didn’t quite have it all figured out but deep down I knew that I had these big and massive dreams that I wanted to accomplish and by any means necessary. And so I did and continue to do so each and every day. I started my entrepreneur journey in 2019 by opening my first in-home childcare center which is now a virtual learning academy, then months later published my first two children’s self-love and affirmation books which has since made its way into several schools and classrooms to support Social and Emotional Learning. Being able to accomplish those two goals fueled me up and I thought to myself “Why not follow my dreams of having my own fashion boutique?” and so I did! Months later after publishing my books, I launched my online boutique in the spring of 2020. I’ve been able to outsource and open up our first retail location on our first business anniversary in 2021, then made a decision to take a step back due to the pandemic to close the location on our second business anniversary in 2022 and relaunch the boutique into an Online Luxury Fashion Brand.
All of these goals have opened up doors for me that I would have never thought possible. My favorite part of it all is being able to connect and work with other professionals, entrepreneurs and creatives. You know that saying “Your Network is Your Net-worth” is absolutely true. Networking has opened up so many doors for me that are beyond my wildest dreams. Since opening and operating my businesses, my main focus has been working to inspire and motivate other women to go after their dreams by sharing my story and journey in hopes that it inspires someone to take action and put in the work to accomplish their own dreams, which is the goal of my Annual Mindset Mixer. Right now my biggest focus is continuing to support and build up my Free Book Gifting Program called Zee’s Virtual Library. I have been able to provide over 1000 brand new, free and high-quality books to children all across the country and abroad with the help of donations and using funds from my businesses to support the operating cost and books. Another focus for me this year is to continue building my name and brand as an Author and motivational speaker. Being able to have the opportunity to be a guest speaker at my first Tedx Talk in the city that raised me and a few blocks away from where I spent part of my career as a classroom teacher was full circle for me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Smooth? I wouldn’t say smooth. But somehow, when you’re an entrepreneur – all of life lessons and obstacles like to appear to challenge you. So each day is a challenge but when you’re moving in your purpose, those challenges become lessons and motivation to help you unlock your true potential and who you are as a person. It changes your mindset, your way of life, it changes everything about you. The beauty in that is being able to accept those obstacles as part of your transformation to help you become a better you. We all know the saying about how great things don’t come from comfort zones. So the best version of you comes after all those struggles and obstacles. You wouldn’t learn anything or grow as a person if everything in life was smooth all of the time. You need that balance of the good and bad to keep flowing. Behind every successful person, there are many struggles and some failures, too. But right around the corner is success if you never give up on your dreams or goals.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I spend a chunk of my time between being a mom of three amazing kids while working full-time as an Educator. Then when I clock out as an employee I spend my time working on my craft as an Author and working strategically on my Fashion Brand BAE & CO. Having a fashion company has allowed me to work and connect with so many other creative and inspiring individuals as well. From having customers turn into brand ambassadors to strategically choosing local creatives to work with such as models, photographers, etc.
What can I say! I’m really the jack of all trades. Working full-time as an educator while being a mom and running my business has been quite interesting. I love how everything I do connects to each other and allows me to be able to live in my purpose and give back.
I am definitely most proud of the progress I have made so far in life and I am proud of the woman that I am becoming, it gives me chills. The younger version of me would be in awe of where I am today and who I’ve become. I’m just here celebrating this journey and soaking it all in.
I think what sets me apart from others is my drive and my faith. Faith is a crucial component of any mindset. You cannot have a “bulletproof” mindset as I like to call it without having faith and having actions that are aligned with your mindset.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
I am so grateful for everything that I have experienced and learned throughout the Pandemic! The ups and the downs because they have made me a better business owner. I’m also glad I kept going despite the challenges and setbacks I’ve faced.
Four things I’ve learned: Systems save lives, Hire a professional and make sure your contracts and taxes are right and tight, Hiring is hard but with the right people your business will thrive and last NETWORK, it will get you into doors that your degrees can’t.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/bossbabemove
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/zoll_inreallife
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100054485405970
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/zoll_inreallife
- Other: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-zees-virtual-library?utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer
