Zada started at Twin Cities R!SE almost seven years ago as a participant. In her words, she was in a “sunken place”. Having recently given birth to her daughter, Zada was battling post-partum depression and feeling lost on what was next for her.
“I was working at Subway part-time and thinking of all of the things like going to school, that now I figured that I would not be able to do. I had no idea how I was going to provide for myself and my baby.”
“I found out about Twin Cities R!SE at a Rondo Days event. At first, I was like this sounds too good to be true. I didn’t believe that they would help me find not just a job, but a career, for free. And they eliminated all my excuses, because they provided bus tokens, so that I would have transportation, and even helped with paying sitter fees for my daughter while I attended classes. Even when I was on the verge of homelessness, Twin Cities R!SE helped me out. I made sure that I was on time every day. It was such a nice family environment at TCR. I loved it. I can’t say enough good things about it.”
After completing training at TCR, Zada’s first position was a supervisor with the YWCA.
“It was my first time applying or being hired for a supervisor role. I always thought that I didn’t qualify for something like that. But the courses at TCR definitely empowered me, and I went for it. I have only held management and upper level positions since then.”
She is currently employed as a teacher at the Harambee Elementary School in Robbinsdale. She also owns her own business.
How has the Personal Empowerment that you received at TCR helped you in your journey?
“I was always a shy person, and would not go for things. I would let people get over on me. Empowerment helped with parenting, family, relationships, and in my career. I still go back to my book at times and revisit what I was taught. It has really helped me in my own business with customer service and everything.”
Tell us about your business.
“I started my business, Zada’s Vault, last year. I initially started it by creating sensory boxes and lesson plans for teachers, then I expanded into creating personalized gifts. This included everything from chess sets to shoes. I wanted to make customizable and personalized gifts affordable for everyone.”
In March of 2020, a social media post that Zada made displaying her excellent customer service skills went viral, with celebrities reposting it. She was able to turn that situation using the skills that she learned at Twin Cities R!SE into more sales and greater awareness of her business. Since then, her business has taken off!
And, her daughter, who recently turned seven years old, has just started her own business called Free to Be You, which features a monthly subscription box for girls filled with fun educational items and Barbie dolls that celebrate their uniqueness (natural hair, curvy, vitiligo, prosthetic body parts, and more).
Learn more about Zada’s and her daughter’s businesses at zadasvault.com.
