S2.E10. | Zahra Al-Harazi

Mar 30

Written By Arin Takeuchi

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What It Takes.

Born in Uganda, raised in Yemen, a survivor of two civil wars -- Zahra Al-harazi immigrated to Canada in 1996 with her three children, with no higher education and little understanding of business.

Shifting from being raised in a very limited and restricted life of a female in Yemen, to a powerhouse entrepreneur, author, speaker, consultant, and ambassador -- was no easy feat. But Zahra persevered. Zahra climbed!

Co-founder of the startup, Skillit, and working as a consultant and speaker for countless major companies (the list is IMPRESSIVE), Zahra has been recognized with many awards! Calgary's Top 40 under 40, Women Entrepreneur of the Year by Chatelaine, one of Canada's 100 most powerful women by WXN, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for contributions to Canada, and the RBC Top 25 Immigrants to Canada Award -- just to name a few.

Join us as we talk about Zahra's intercontinental life, family dynamics & upbringing, her rise into her own power & career, her experiences with women's and human rights, motherhood, and so much more -- on this episode of The Afterglow Podcast.

What went down:

3:20 Zahra story of Resilience from Uganda and Yemen

5:20 Zahra went to the International School in Yemen as well as an Arabic School

7:00 Zahra questioned what being a girl meant

9:30 Yemen was the worst country in the world to grow up for girls

11:55 What were the actual limitations for girls in Yemen

16:00 Zahra acted out in class, she was "trouble"

19:15 How Zahra tried to fit in, and completely changed who she was

21:00 Zahra experienced extreme depression

25:00 Zahra moved to Canada with her 3 children and had no work experience

29:00 How her skills working at a shop in the mall helped her move forward in her career

34:00 How Zahra was able to push through the limitations put on women