Q and A with Sara A. from Dallas, Texas
“You can’t expect people to support you when you aren’t advocating for yourself.”
Q: What are you passionate about?
A: I am passionate about problem-solving and seeking solutions. The fascinating thing is that this can come in various forms, so it’s important to stay well-rounded. I recently discovered my passion. For a very long time, I thought that my passion was digital marketing. After working at my last corporate job at a marketing agency, I learned that my passion wasn’t digital marketing. Instead, my passion was to leverage digital marketing and UX design to create solutions.
I quit my job in December 2021. I am currently working on growing my online marketing agency called Ekko Media Inc. and I’m also about to launch my very own app in March 2022 called, Bite Reel!
Ekko Media Inc. is a digital marketing agency. My team is primarily made up of strong independent women. We provide digital marketing solutions such as paid social ads, content creation, e-commerce strategy, and design.
Bite Reel is my second startup. Bite Reel is a social media app for all things food and recipes. You can save, share, and organize recipes all in one place. If there is a recipe you’ve come across online, there isn’t a way to save those links or videos, but on Bite Reel, you can save all of it and be able to share it with friends, family, and followers. The app will be launched on March 3rd, 2022, on both the App Store and Play Store.
UX Design stands for user experience design. These designers are responsible for researching and creating the best and most seamless experience for people so they don’t have to think about the action they’re taking. To better explain, software developed is responsible for the code and the structure of an app, similar to how the bones are for the human anatomy. UX Designers are responsible for making sure that everything is working properly, efficiently, and effectively, just like the muscles and the organs of the human anatomy. UI Designers or user interface designers are responsible for the overall aesthetic and design of the app, similar to how the eyes, skin, hair play a role in the human anatomy.
Q: What were your younger years like?
A: I am the eldest of five kids and a first-generation American from a conservative Muslim family. As a child, I remember always struggling with my academics. I needed to study for a week to get an A in my classes, whereas my siblings would study the day before and ace it. I knew I wasn’t the most intelligent from the group, but I was the most hardworking. I believed that once I put my mind to something, I will see it through.
Because I struggled in my academics, I would put more pressure on myself and therefore more stress. Stress is a common theme throughout my life and it’s still something that I’m working on today. From the outside, people saw that I am a hardworking and intelligent individual chasing my dreams. The reality was that I was a struggling student trying to break stereotypes within my community and hoping to have a better future for my siblings.
My father always emphasized education and working towards an honest living. However, everything needed to be accomplished quickly. It was a race. I completed my high school diploma and my associate’s degree at the age of 18, finished my bachelor’s at the age of 20, and finished my master’s at the age of 21. I started my first company at the age of 22 while working a full-time job. Today, I am 26 years old and I’ve created my second company.
Being the third parent, the driving force to combat cultural and societal stereotypes, and dealing with my own personal demons, are all part of who I am. All these events in my life have shaped who I am today. I am grateful for my experiences because now I can do better and take care of myself better.
Q: What is something valuable you’d like others to know?
A: The most valuable thing I’ve learned is that it’s absolutely crucial that you be your biggest advocate. There will be a time when you won’t have anyone’s support and people who are closest to you are making suggestions about your future that doesn’t make you feel excited. You need to be able to hold your ground and make the final decision. Just because people around you aren’t seeing your vision, it doesn’t mean it won’t happen. Everything happens in its own time, you need to do what is best for you. You can’t expect people to support you when you aren’t advocating for yourself. Be confident and have faith in yourself.
Q: What does feminism mean to you?
A: To me, feminism means that men and women have equal opportunities in all facets of life. This includes roles at work, responsibilities at home, and opportunities for the future. Everyone will make decisions according to what’s best for their lifestyle, but women should have the option of choice similar to their male counterparts.
MORE FROM SARA: Ethnically, my family is from Pakistan and India. My siblings and I are born and raised in Dallas, Texas. We have been in Dallas for most of our lives, but also spent a fair amount traveling. My goal is to be able to travel to learn about different cultures and cuisines. I want to learn different languages and expand my perspective, so one day when I’m ready to open my own orphanage and school, I will be ready.
Connect with me:
Links:
Ekko Media Inc
Website: https://www.ekkomediainc.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ekkomediainc/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1454222978264476
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ekkomediainc/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCEvID-XslvaDjRQRKST6XFg
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/12951550/admin/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ekkomediainc
Bite Reel
Website: https://www.bitereel.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bitereel
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bitereel/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/72748060/admin/Twitter: https://twitter.com/bite_reel/
Thank you for reading!
The Woman Wednesday Blog 