Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Ryan.
Hi Alex, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I started my journey as a single mom raising my daughter, navigating life with determination, curiosity, and a desire to do the best I could with the lessons I had been given. Life wasn’t always easy, and I had to learn many things along the way, from managing challenges to figuring out how to create a life that felt intentional and meaningful. I’ve always believed in learning through experience and finding ways to turn challenges into opportunities, and that mindset has guided me as I’ve grown personally, professionally, and as a parent.
One of the biggest challenges I faced was my relationship with money. I grew up learning important lessons from my parents, like working hard, saving for rainy days, paying bills on time, and maintaining good credit, but never really had practical tools to apply these lessons fully in my daily life. That lack of applied understanding made parts of life harder than they needed to be, and for many years I struggled to make sense of financial decisions and plan for the future. In my late thirties, I began to shift my mindset, learn intentionally, and apply practical knowledge in ways I hadn’t before. That journey of growth not only changed my own life but also inspired me to ensure my daughter had a foundation of understanding and awareness I hadn’t had at her age.
The idea for Zina Bina came more than a decade ago, when Zahrya was a little girl. She captured the curiosity and energy that inspired the character, and over the years, Zina Bina has been tucked away, waiting for the right time. Last year, I returned to the story, bringing it fully to life, now shaped by both my experiences and the lessons I’ve learned along the way, including insights about money and life that I wanted to share with children in a relatable way.
Zina Bina is more than a book; she represents a long journey of motherhood, growth, and purpose. She is a way to share joy, curiosity, and meaningful lessons with children, and to create experiences that help them grow with confidence and awareness. This work is deeply personal, but it is also my way of giving back, offering tools and stories that I wish had been available to me when I was younger.
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?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. Like most meaningful journeys, it’s come with uncertainty, learning curves, and moments of self-doubt. Building something from the ground up while balancing life, work, and motherhood required patience and persistence, especially during times when progress felt slow or invisible.
One of the biggest struggles was learning to trust the process and stay committed even when there wasn’t immediate validation or clarity. I had to get comfortable with figuring things out as I went, asking questions, and allowing myself to grow into the work rather than feeling like I needed to have everything perfectly mapped out from the beginning.
There were also moments of emotional weight, knowing how much this project mattered to me personally. But each challenge reinforced why the work is important and helped shape a deeper sense of purpose and resilience. Looking back, the struggles were not setbacks, they were necessary parts of the journey that strengthened both the work and the vision behind it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Creativity has always been the throughline in my work. Long before Zina Bina, I was drawn to writing, storytelling, drawing, and creating experiences that people could connect to and remember. I’ve always been a visionary thinker, someone who can take ideas in my head and bring them to life in a tangible, meaningful way.
What I specialize in is turning big concepts into relatable stories and experiences, especially ones that spark conversation and connection. I’m known for creating work that feels thoughtful, intentional, and accessible, whether that’s through storytelling, experiential moments, or educational content.
What I’m most proud of is building something that is rooted in purpose and impact. What sets me apart is my ability to blend heart, vision, and real-life experience into work that feels human and meaningful, especially for families and children. Everything I create is designed to grow with people and leave them better than where they started.
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
The simplest way to support the work is by purchasing the book and helping get it into as many homes, classrooms, and libraries as possible. Sharing it with other parents, educators, and caregivers makes a huge difference, especially for a message that’s meant to reach children at a young age.
People can also support by leaving reviews, recommending the book, and having conversations around it. Word of mouth has been incredibly powerful in helping this project grow.
For those interested in collaborating, I’m always open to partnerships with schools, educators, community organizations, financial institutions and creatives who care about children’s education and empowerment. Whether it’s through events, readings, workshops, or future projects within Zina Bina’s world, collaboration rooted in purpose and impact is always welcome.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zinabinaworld.com
- Instagram: @zinabinaworld
- Facebook: @zinabinaworld
- Other: hello@joinalexinwonderland.com
Image Credits
visionxnali Vision by Nali
