We recently connected with Sasha Paul and have shared our conversation below.
Sasha, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My resilience is deeply rooted in my upbringing. I was born and raised in Harare, Zimbabwe, where I witnessed my country go through economic challenges that most people can’t fully imagine. Even in uncertain times, I saw my parents move with grit and grace. My dad, a senior tobacco buyer, spent over 30 years steadily building his career, while my mum was the definition of a serial entrepreneur—running multiple businesses while creating a warm, grounded home.
There were times when we had to drive all the way to South Africa or Botswana just to get the basic necessities for our family because we were unable to get reliable supplies in our own country. Watching them navigate those highs and lows taught me early on how to adapt, think ahead, and stay calm under pressure.
There’s a popular saying back home: if you can survive in Zimbabwe, you can survive anywhere. I carry that mindset with me. I genuinely believe I can step into any environment and find a way to thrive—not just because I work extremely hard, but because I’ve been shaped by a culture of resilience, resourcefulness, and quiet strength.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m the founder of Mauya, The Fine Arts Tribe — a platform that brings people together through creative expression, community care, and cultural celebration. At its core, Mauya is about making art feel welcoming, healing, and accessible. Through sip-and-paint experiences, poetry nights, financial literacy workshops wrapped in creativity, and any other creative ventures we explore, everything we do is rooted in the belief that art can be a tool for both joy and transformation.
What makes it really special is the way we combine art, wellness, and community building. It’s not just about the final product — it’s about the process, the conversations sparked, the connections formed, and the confidence people walk away with. I’m especially proud of how we center Black and racialized voices, making space for stories, perspectives, and talents that are often overlooked.
Professionally, I wear a few hats. In addition to running Mauya, I’m a CPA with a background in Auditing and Management Consulting — which shows up in how intentionally we plan our workshops and build community partnerships. I love bridging the creative and strategic sides of my work, and currently work part-time with a non-profit organization that focuses on supporting African Nova Scotian youth in their transition through College and University.
What’s next? We’ve got a few exciting things on the go! This year, we’re launching some meaningful physical products that reflect Mauya’s values, helping people reconnect with creativity at any time,no matter where they are in Canada. We’re also deepening our collaborations with local partners and increasing the number of private events and workshops we run so that more people can access safe, creative spaces for expression, healing, and connection.
Ultimately, Mauya is a growing movement. One that’s powered by creativity, community care, and the belief that art can be a catalyst for personal and collective healing.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, three qualities that have had the biggest impact on my journey are adaptability, relationship-building, and clarity of purpose.
Adaptability has always been key. It didn’t matter if it was in navigating economic uncertainty back home in Zimbabwe or shifting between different roles in corporate, entrepreneurship, nonprofit, and creative spaces here in Canada — I’ve had to stay flexible and open to learning on the go. Things don’t always go as planned, and the ability to pivot without losing momentum has helped me stay grounded and creative. For anyone starting out, I’d say: don’t be afraid to try new things or take detours. Every experience and adventure gives you tools you didn’t know you needed. I try to remember to take a step back and see the bigger picture as much as possible along the journey.
Second, relationship-building has been foundational. The people I’ve met — mentors, collaborators, community members — have opened doors, offered support, and challenged me to grow. Don’t just network to get ahead, try to build real connections and support systems around yourself. Be generous, stay curious, and show up authentically. It’s those relationships that will carry you through the high and low seasons.
Lastly, having a clear sense of purpose has been my compass. I’ve always known I wanted to do work that felt meaningful and community-centered. That doesn’t mean I’ve always had it all figured out — but knowing why I do what I do has kept me aligned and energized, especially during tough moments. My advice would be to spend time getting to know yourself and what you care about. Your ‘why’ will evolve, but starting with purpose gives your journey direction.
You don’t have to be perfect in any of these areas — just open to growing. The journey isn’t linear, and that’s part of the magic.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
When I was 14, my mum did something that seemed really small at the time but ended up shaping the trajectory of my entire life.
My sister and I were both in high school at the time, and, like most teenagers, constantly asking her for pocket money. One day, she must have reached her breaking point, and instead of handing it over, she showed up with cooking oil, popcorn seeds, and packaging bags and said, “Why don’t you start selling popcorn at school?” At first, I was mortified. Selling popcorn during lunch breaks? At school? How embarassing!
But we had no other choice because she wasn’t going to hand over any free money to us. So we both gave it a try — and much to my surprise, it actually worked. Within weeks, my classmates were lining up for popcorn, and I had regular customers. I even managed to save enough to buy myself a new phone, which felt like the ultimate teenage flex at the time!
That experience did more than just teach me how to make money — it taught me how to take initiative, create value from basic materials, and see possibility where others might see limitation. It was my first taste of entrepreneurship, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
It also helped me realize that I’m just not wired for a traditional 9-to-5 path (no surprise I didn’t last long in corporate!). There’s something about building something from scratch, taking creative risks, and carving out your own lane that excites me — and now I get to live that out through my work while supporting other aspiring entrepreneurs on their own journeys.
Looking back, I’m so grateful my mum planted that seed (no pun intended). That early push into entrepreneurship wasn’t just about popcorn — it was about believing in ourselves and learning to build something with what we had.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mauyatheabstract.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/createwithmauya/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mauya-the-fine-arts-tribe/?viewAsMember=true
- Other: Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@createwithmauya
Image Credits
Capturedbyshumba
The Chapel
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
