We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Ada a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Ada, so good to have you with us today. We’ve got so much planned, so let’s jump right into it. We live in such a diverse world, and in many ways the world is getting better and more understanding but it’s far from perfect. There are so many times where folks find themselves in rooms or situations where they are the only ones that look like them – that might mean being the only woman of color in the room or the only person who grew up in a certain environment etc. Can you talk to us about how you’ve managed to thrive even in situations where you were the only one in the room?
Being the only one in the room, I don’t let my appearance or background define my capabilities. Anyone who knows or works with me sees that I’m hardworking, always pushing beyond expectations, helping where I can, and letting my actions speak for itself. I have a deep drive to excel—whether that’s in class, on the basketball court, or even competing for a spot in a fashion show. I believe in myself and trust that, with God’s guidance, what’s meant for me won’t pass me by. My friends often joke that I always achieve what I set my mind to because of my discipline and work ethic and honestly, they’re not wrong. In every setting, I strive to prove that true success comes from determination, character, and faith—qualities that speak louder than appearances.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a content creator, model, and entrepreneur. I started watching YouTube in 2018 and really liked watching vlogs. I started my YouTube channel that year because I thought it would be fun to vlog. That fall, as I began college at VCU, I focused my content on sharing my college experiences and offering real, honest advice—especially about my school—filling a gap I noticed on YouTube at the time. I kept it real, no sugarcoating. Now, I’m documenting life post grad—taking people along as I dive deeper into modeling, business, and travel, with a sprinkle of beauty and fashion content. Ultimately, my YouTube channel is meant to inspire and give others a sense of comfort because I’m just being myself and following my dreams.
With school behind me, I can finally dedicate more time to modeling. I’ve always loved the runway, but now I’m also working on branching into print and commercial modeling to grow my brand—so keep an eye out for that!
As for my business, I’m rebranding (and honestly, I can’t wait to stop saying that 😂). It was never a question of if I’d bring it back, but when. Now I’m giving it the time and attention it truly deserves, and I’m so excited to share it with the world. My company is my passion. It’s a beauty brand centered on inclusivity, diversity, and self-confidence—celebrating individuality, encouraging authenticity, and ultimately creating a space where everyone can feel comfortable and empowered in their own skin.
As you can see, I do a lot, and honestly, this is just the beginning. I’m determined to hit all my goals in these different areas because, why not? You never know unless you try, and when you put in the work, things start to fall into place. It’s all about being patient and enjoying the process.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Discipline, communication, and patience are three qualities that have had the biggest impact on my journey. With discipline, you can’t rely on motivation alone to get things done. There will be days when you’re not in the mood, and that’s when discipline kicks in. It’s about being strict with yourself, showing up even when you don’t feel like it.
Communication is essential. Everyone talks about networking, and it’s for good reason. Attending events and connecting with people can open doors you never even knew existed. It’s how you get more opportunities and meet potential collaborators like photographers, models, makeup artists, and more. However, communication also means being vocal about asking for help. I’ve learned this during my rebranding process. The first time around, I did everything myself—from creating the logo and graphic designs to building the website from scratch. While it’s valuable to have those skills, I’ve realized it’s just as important to bring in experts when you need them, especially in areas where you might lack experience or knowledge. As for patience success doesn’t happen overnight—good things take time.
The best advice I can give is to visualize the life you want, then break down the steps to get there. Everything is achievable—people’s dreams come true every day. Discipline plays a huge role in this journey. Remind yourself how much better you’ll feel when you’ve completed something today instead of procrastinating—I know I always do. You can also reward yourself: for example, after working on a project for five hours, take a one-hour break—but only after you’ve put in the effort. With communication, start small with networking—attend one event and talk to at least two people, or reach out to a photographer via DM or email to express your interest in collaborating. The more you practice, the easier it gets. As for patience, just remember: tomorrow could be the day your dream comes true. If you give up, you’ll never know.
What would you advise – going all in on your strengths or investing on areas where you aren’t as strong to be more well-rounded?
Try to be more well-rounded. If you spend some time working on your weaknesses, they can eventually turn into strengths. When I started my first business, I had no idea how to create a website. I didn’t want to use a template because I had a specific look in mind, and I also wanted to save money by not paying a web designer. So, I took a couple of days to learn how to build it myself from scratch. I knew I wasn’t an expert in some areas, but I made the time to figure it out. Now, I can create my own websites and graphics because I put in the effort to learn the skills.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/adaayx_
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ada-ezeaputa?fbclid=PAY2xjawGaMtpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABpsNrmLD2QYEeytWKr_1dSUXDRaa_zXC1pziwuIy0kas9T_Sj
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@imeazya?si=ZVnMEoT1rqgytm_S
Image Credits
Gold Dress & Red Outfit Photographer: @pathfindergraphic
Blue Dress & Black Set Photographer: @wayneshotitvisuals
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
