Heather Zara's guest appearances

Heather Zara

Grow Your Video Business

Leading with Genuine Care

Power Forward

Rob Dube

Mat Ishbia

Cliff Ravenscraft

Brian Dixon

David Burkus

Jasmine Star

Jeff Goins

David Meltzer

Anesha Collins

Roshi Joan Halifax

Jerry Colonna

Kristin Neff

George Mumford

Elisha Goldstein

Tami Simon

OwlTail

I used to look at my competition and feel fear and inadequacy. But as I started to grow into my own identity as a business owner, I began looking at it differently. Now I see other similar businesses as sources of motivation. They’ve gone from being my competitors to part of my community. Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing one of them. Key Takeaways Don’t be afraid to get in touch with other similar businesses in your area. This has the possibility of opening up all sorts of new opportunities. It’s not enough to just be good at something. You need to enjoy it as well or else it’s not truly a strength. About Heather Zara Heather Zara is the owner and CEO of Zara Creative, a Detroit-based video production studio that helps forward-thinking brands make meaningful connections with their audiences. As an observer of the human experience, Heather has built her career upon the pillars of creativity and communication while letting her passions and curiosity lead the way. With over 22 years of experience, this award-winning storyteller has interviewed inspiring humans like Martha Stewart, Kobe Bryant, Michael Strahan, John Varvatos, LeBron James, and more. Stories have the power to heal, shape, and transform our lives, and Heather has made it her life’s work to tell those stories. The Transformative Nature of Building Community A lot happens when you stop viewing other video businesses as competition and start to see them as other members of your community. Envy turns into inspiration. You become clearer on what you want from your own business. You also find people to share information, knowledge, and referrals with. Ultimately, the work becomes more fulfilling this way. It’s All About Mindset Heather and I have both found that this is only possible with self-reflection. You need to take the time to look back on your journey, understand where you’ve come from, and evaluate what you’ve learned along the way. This takes a certain amount of humility. It also requires that you be kind to yourself. This is a learning process for everybody. Fortunately, when you have a community that you can turn to, there’s no need to go through it alone. Could your business benefit from having community or competition? How have you learned humility as a business owner? Leave a comment on the episode page!   In This Episode:  Finding inspiration from your community [6:00] How to reach out to other video companies [14:20] Understanding growth through transformation [18:50] Finding joy through creating meaningful work [27:45] Lessons learned through refining your hiring process [32:25] The two most important qualities of strength [42:20]    Quotes “It is so much more freeing when you can look at your community as a catalyst to help you grow.” [8:20] “Any time you feel envy, it’s information. It’s information of the direction you actually want to be going.” [13:27] “I think that being a business owner requires a lot of humility.” [42:21] “Be yourself as much as you possibly can. If being yourself means wearing a leather jacket and ripped jeans in a meeting, great! Go be yourself. Don’t change yourself to fit into this role that you’re telling yourself society needs you to show up as.” [46:26]   Links: Sign up for the Client Budget Workshop Join the Studio Sherpas Facebook group Core Storyblocks Find Heather Zara online Follow Heather on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Everything Belongs by Richard Rohr Capri for Girls   Additional Links: Check out the full show notes page Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here. Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!) Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives Follow Studio Sherpas on Facebook | Twitter | Instagram If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!

I used to look at my competition and feel fear and inadequacy. But as I started to grow into my own identity as a business owner, I began looking at it differently. Now I see other similar businesses as sources of motivation. They’ve gone from being my competitors to part of my community. Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing one of them. Key Takeaways Don’t be afraid to get in touch with other similar businesses in your area. This has the possibility of opening up all sorts of new opportunities. It’s not enough to just be good at something. You need to enjoy it as well or else it’s not truly a strength. About Heather Zara Heather Zara is the owner and CEO of <a href="https://zaracreative.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Zara Creative</a>, a Detroit-based video production studio that helps forward-thinking brands make meaningful connections with their audiences. As an observer of the human experience, Heather has built her career upon the pillars of creativity and communication while letting her passions and curiosity lead the way. With over 22 years of experience, this award-winning storyteller has interviewed inspiring humans like Martha Stewart, Kobe Bryant, Michael Strahan, John Varvatos, LeBron James, and more. Stories have the power to heal, shape, and transform our lives, and Heather has made it her life’s work to tell those stories. The Transformative Nature of Building Community A lot happens when you stop viewing other video businesses as competition and start to see them as other members of your community. Envy turns into inspiration. You become clearer on what you want from your own business. You also find people to share information, knowledge, and referrals with. Ultimately, the work becomes more fulfilling this way. It’s All About Mindset Heather and I have both found that this is only possible with self-reflection. You need to take the time to look back on your journey, understand where you’ve come from, and evaluate what you’ve learned along the way. This takes a certain amount of humility. It also requires that you be kind to yourself. This is a learning process for everybody. Fortunately, when you have a community that you can turn to, there’s no need to go through it alone. Could your business benefit from having community or competition? How have you learned humility as a business owner? Leave a <a href="https://studiosherpas.com/podcast/heather-zara-turning-competition-into-community" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">comment on the episode page</a>! In This Episode: <ul> <li>Finding inspiration from your community [6:00]</li> <li>How to reach out to other video companies [14:20]</li> <li>Understanding growth through transformation [18:50]</li> <li>Finding joy through creating meaningful work [27:45]</li> <li>Lessons learned through refining your hiring process [32:25]</li> <li>The two most important qualities of strength [42:20]</li> </ul> Quotes “It is so much more freeing when you can look at your community as a catalyst to help you grow.” [8:20] “Any time you feel envy, it’s information. It’s information of the direction you actually want to be going.” [13:27] “I think that being a business owner requires a lot of humility.” [42:21] “Be yourself as much as you possibly can. If being yourself means wearing a leather jacket and ripped jeans in a meeting, great! Go be yourself. Don’t change yourself to fit into this role that you’re telling yourself society needs you to show up as.” [46:26] Links: <a href="https://training.studiosherpas.com/budget" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Sign up for the Client Budget Workshop</a> <a href="https://studiosherpas.com/facebook" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Join the Studio Sherpas Facebook group</a> <a href="http://studiosherpas.com/core" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Core</a> <a href="https://studiosherpas.com/storyblocks" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Storyblocks</a> <a href="https://zaracreative.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Find Heather Zara online</a> Follow Heather on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/zaracreative" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/HeatherZara" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/heatherzara/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/B011H5IDJG/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Everything Belongs by Richard Rohr</a> <a href="https://capri.money/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Capri for Girls</a> Additional Links: <a href="https://studiosherpas.com/podcast/heather-zara-turning-competition-into-community" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Check out the full show notes page</a> <a href="http://studiosherpas.com/guest" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Do you have something to share on this podcast? Fill out this form here.</a> <a href="http://studiosherpas.com/survey" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Be sure to take the Studio Sherpas survey for a chance to win some incredible prizes (if we do say so ourselves!)</a> <a href="https://studiosherpas.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Stay up to date with everything we're doing at Studio Sherpas</a> <a href="https://www.facebook.com/studiosherpas/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Tune in to our weekly Facebook Lives</a> Follow Studio Sherpas on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/studiosherpas" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Facebook</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/studiosherpas/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Twitter</a> | <a href="https://www.instagram.com/studiosherpas/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Instagram</a> <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/studio-sherpas-podcast/id1149341049?mt=2&amp;ls=1" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">If you haven't already, we'd love it if you would take 1 minute to leave us a review on iTunes!</a>

230: Building Success By Turning Your Competition Into Community w/ Heather Zara

Figuring out what direction you want your business to take can be daunting – that is until you realize there is no right or wrong choice. There’s only the choice that’s best for you. In this episode, you’ll learn how Heather Zara built her own video production company by listening to the voice inside.Zara Creative has gone from producing wedding videos to working with big national clients. Heather will explain how she’s grown the business by creating content that inspires action.As a leader, Heather had to establish the right values so she could build the right team. You’ll find out how to create a culture based on an ecosystem instead of an “ego system.”

Figuring out what direction you want your business to take can be daunting – that is until you realize there is no right or wrong choice. There’s only the choice that’s best for you. In this episode, you’ll learn how Heather Zara built her own video production company by listening to the voice inside.Zara Creative has gone from producing wedding videos to working with big national clients. Heather will explain how she’s grown the business by creating content that inspires action.As a leader, Heather had to establish the right values so she could build the right team. You’ll find out how to create a culture based on an ecosystem instead of an “ego system.”

Get to Know That Voice Inside with Heather Zara - Episode #49

Heather Zara is CEO &amp; Owner of Zara Creative, a full-service boutique video production studio focused on partnering with like minded brands whose products/services spark joy. Heather is a values driven leader committed to creating an environment that gives extraordinary creators the opportunity to live extraordinarily fulfilling lives of purpose. Before launching Zara Creative in January of 2012, Heather was a television reporter and anchor for nearly a decade. She was mostly recognized for her on-air work with WDIV-TV Local 4 – the NBC station in Detroit – but also reported for Michigan State University Athletics, The Detroit Pistons on Fox Sports Detroit and delivered sports updates on WWJ and 97.1 The Ticket. Heather earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University, where she received honors in Journalism and won an Emmy award before graduating. In 2015, Heather was recognized by DBusiness Magazine as one of Detroit’s 30 in Their Thirties. She has also been featured in Crain’s Detroit, for her insight on tackling the challenges of fast growth in business. Heather’s philanthropic efforts are a driving force in her life and work, which is why ZC works with more than 30 nonprofits in the Detroit-area. Zara Creative participates in the adopt-a-family program through the Volunteers of America and serves as a name sponsor of the Ronald McDonald House at the Detroit Medical Center.   What you’ll learn about in this episode:  What it was like growing up as a first generation American and how Heather took on what she describes as a “chameleon” personality How Heather has always been intentional in her life – even from an early age What drives Heather to succeed, why she is so driven, and how she deals with setbacks The meaning of 5-4-3-2-1 to Heather. (Hint. It means “Go!” For her, it’s a reminder to be a woman of action) The importance of thinking big, how Heather has always been a big thinker, and the unique connection she made with a mentor who passed away in January of 2018 How attending The Small Giants Summit in May of 2018 became a game changer for Heather What happened when Heather realized she lacked a vision for the future of Zara Creative – six years into the business – and what she did to develop the vision she has today The incredible energy that keeps Heather going and how she channels that energy into progress for her business How she’s accomplished more at the age of 34 than most people accomplish within their lifetimes How Heather uses tools to remind her to “be present” and how being present helped her do well in school and beyond Heather’s morning routine and how her days always feel a bit “off” if she doesn’t use that time to get in the right headspace How Heather’s desire to find her place between two cultures really forced her parents far outside their comfort zones and why Heather believes that was a really good thing How, over time, Heather transitioned from trying to hide the fact that she was a first generation American and now sees it as a point of pride and how she correlates the risks involved in moving to a new country and beginning a new life, as her parents did, with being an entrepreneur How Heather spent her childhood dreaming up the life she wanted to create and decided at an early age, that you can’t let anything prevent you from achieving the things you want to achieve Heather’s belief that being a methodical, intentional person from an early age shaped her into becoming successful. The importance of having your own tribe and where Heather found hers  Ways to contact Heather:  LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/heatherzara Facebook: www.facebook.com/zaracreative Twitter: @heatherzara and @zaracreative Website: www.zaracreative.com Instagram: @heatherzara and @zaracreative 

Heather Zara is CEO &amp; Owner of Zara Creative, a full-service boutique video production studio focused on partnering with like minded brands whose products/services spark joy. Heather is a values driven leader committed to creating an environment that gives extraordinary creators the opportunity to live extraordinarily fulfilling lives of purpose. Before launching Zara Creative in January of 2012, Heather was a television reporter and anchor for nearly a decade. She was mostly recognized for her on-air work with WDIV-TV Local 4 – the NBC station in Detroit – but also reported for Michigan State University Athletics, The Detroit Pistons on Fox Sports Detroit and delivered sports updates on WWJ and 97.1 The Ticket. Heather earned her Bachelor’s Degree from Michigan State University, where she received honors in Journalism and won an Emmy award before graduating. In 2015, Heather was recognized by DBusiness Magazine as one of Detroit’s 30 in Their Thirties. She has also been featured in Crain’s Detroit, for her insight on tackling the challenges of fast growth in business. Heather’s philanthropic efforts are a driving force in her life and work, which is why ZC works with more than 30 nonprofits in the Detroit-area. Zara Creative participates in the adopt-a-family program through the Volunteers of America and serves as a name sponsor of the Ronald McDonald House at the Detroit Medical Center.   What you’ll learn about in this episode: <ul> <li>What it was like growing up as a first generation American and how Heather took on what she describes as a “chameleon” personality</li> <li>How Heather has always been intentional in her life – even from an early age</li> <li>What drives Heather to succeed, why she is so driven, and how she deals with setbacks</li> <li>The meaning of 5-4-3-2-1 to Heather. (Hint. It means “Go!” For her, it’s a reminder to be a woman of action)</li> <li>The importance of thinking big, how Heather has always been a big thinker, and the unique connection she made with a mentor who passed away in January of 2018</li> <li>How attending The Small Giants Summit in May of 2018 became a game changer for Heather</li> <li>What happened when Heather realized she lacked a vision for the future of Zara Creative – six years into the business – and what she did to develop the vision she has today</li> <li>The incredible energy that keeps Heather going and how she channels that energy into progress for her business</li> <li>How she’s accomplished more at the age of 34 than most people accomplish within their lifetimes</li> <li>How Heather uses tools to remind her to “be present” and how being present helped her do well in school and beyond</li> <li>Heather’s morning routine and how her days always feel a bit “off” if she doesn’t use that time to get in the right headspace</li> <li>How Heather’s desire to find her place between two cultures really forced her parents far outside their comfort zones and why Heather believes that was a really good thing</li> <li>How, over time, Heather transitioned from trying to hide the fact that she was a first generation American and now sees it as a point of pride and how she correlates the risks involved in moving to a new country and beginning a new life, as her parents did, with being an entrepreneur</li> <li>How Heather spent her childhood dreaming up the life she wanted to create and decided at an early age, that you can’t let anything prevent you from achieving the things you want to achieve</li> <li>Heather’s belief that being a methodical, intentional person from an early age shaped her into becoming successful.</li> <li>The importance of having your own tribe and where Heather found hers</li> </ul> Ways to contact Heather: <ul> <li>LinkedIn: <a href="http://www.linkedin.com/in/heatherzara/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.linkedin.com/in/heatherzara</a></li> <li>Facebook: <a href="http://www.facebook.com/zaracreative/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.facebook.com/zaracreative</a></li> <li>Twitter: <a href="https://twitter.com/heatherzara" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@heatherzara</a> and <a href="https://twitter.com/zaracreative" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@zaracreative</a></li> <li>Website: <a href="http://www.zaracreative.com/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">www.zaracreative.com</a></li> <li>Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/heatherzara/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@heatherzara</a> and <a href="https://www.instagram.com/zaracreative/" rel="noopener nofollow" target="_blank">@zaracreative</a></li> </ul>

Episode 5: Why Intentional Living Matters, with Heather Zara