Meet Shaina Zazzaro

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shaina Zazzaro. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Shaina , we’ve been so fortunate to work with so many incredible folks and one common thread we have seen is that those who have built amazing lives for themselves are also often the folks who are most generous. Where do you think your generosity comes from?

Where does your generosity come from?
My generosity comes from the women who raised me—especially my mom and grandma. My mom’s love language was always giving. Even when she had very little, she gave in abundance—through gifts, acts of service, or just making others feel seen and loved. She taught me that it feels better to give than to receive. To this day, I’m the kind of person who gives two or three cards with a gift—I want people to feel how much they mean to me.

My grandma always believed in donating. I remember one holiday, she asked our family to chip in to buy a goat for a family in need. At the time, I thought it was a little odd—but now, I completely understand. She was teaching us that giving isn’t always about material things—it’s about impact.

One of the most profound giving experiences I’ve had was when I was a student at MCC. I had a friend who came from a very difficult background. I asked her what she wanted for Christmas, and she quietly said she wished she could have a new bedroom. So my mom and I, with what little we had, pooled our money and bought her a whole new bedroom set. Seeing her face, feeling that joy—it changed both of us forever.

Now that I’m in a place where I can give more, I’ve continued that legacy by creating scholarships for young women going to college. I’ll never forget where I came from—and I’ll never stop giving, because it’s in my blood. My mom gave from the heart. My grandma gave from the soul. Now I give from both.

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 Shaina Zazzaro—founder and CEO of Effortlessly Healthy, a Top 100 company in Rochester, NY, and the newly crowned Mrs. New York American 2025. What I do goes far beyond food—I help people transform their lives through nourishment, consistency, and care.

Effortlessly Healthy started with one goal: to make eating healthy accessible for everyone, no matter how busy they are or what challenges they face. What began as a small idea has grown into a multimillion-dollar business providing meal delivery, catering, wholesale, and food truck services across the region. We proudly serve hospitals, schools, and seniors—because everyone deserves to feel their best.

What excites me most is how much impact we’re able to make every day. Whether it’s helping someone lose 50 pounds or giving a senior a nutritious meal they look forward to, I know our meals are changing lives. We’ve even launched scholarships for young women heading to college—because I believe in fueling futures, not just bodies.

What sets Effortlessly Healthy apart is that it was built from resilience. I started this company during one of the hardest times in my life, and now I use that story to show others that failure isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of breakthrough. That’s also the theme of my upcoming book, Built by Resilience, which shares my personal journey of overcoming adversity to build a thriving business and a life I love.

Right now, I’m expanding my brand into motivational speaking and coaching, helping people nationwide take back control of their health, mindset, and goals. My message is simple: if I can do it, so can you.

Stay tuned—we’ve got exciting things ahead, including new meal offerings, a masterclass launch, and upcoming speaking events across the country. I hope you’ll follow along and feel inspired to rise, lead, and live a healthier life—because you are absolutely worth it.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Resilience was non-negotiable. I faced moments where I had every reason to quit—homelessness, near bankruptcy, being told “no” more times than I can count. But I kept going. I refused to let failure define me. My advice? Expect setbacks. Welcome them. Then choose to rise anyway. Resilience is a muscle—you strengthen it every time you don’t give up.

Resourcefulness kept me moving forward when I didn’t have the money, connections, or perfect plan. I learned how to make things work with what I did have—and I still carry that mindset today. For anyone starting out: stop waiting for perfect conditions. Use what’s in your hands, ask questions, stay curious, and be scrappy. Progress beats perfection every single time.

Relationship-building has been a game-changer. I’ve built my business, my brand, and my opportunities through genuine relationships—by showing up with integrity, delivering value, and treating people like people. If you’re early in your journey, focus on building real connections, not just networking. The people who believe in you will become your greatest asset.

No matter where you’re starting, just remember: the goal isn’t to have it all figured out. The goal is to start—and keep showing up with heart, hustle, and a willingness to learn

What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?

When I feel overwhelmed, I turn to something I created for myself years ago called The One More Minute Rule™. It’s simple, but it’s saved me from burnout more times than I can count. The idea is this: when life feels like too much, I don’t try to fix everything all at once—I just give myself one more minute. One more minute to breathe. One more minute to refocus. One more minute to take the next small step instead of spiraling.

Sometimes that one minute turns into a breakthrough. Other times, it’s just enough to keep me moving when I want to shut down. The truth is, we don’t need to have it all figured out—we just need to keep going. One more minute at a time.

My advice? Don’t underestimate the power of pausing with purpose. Take a breath. Reground. Then give yourself the gift of “just one more minute.” It’s not about perfection—it’s about progress.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shainazazzaro.com www.ehmeals.com
• Instagram: shainazazzaro ehmeals mrsnyamerican2025
• Facebook: shaina zazzaro
• Linkedin: shaina zazzaro
• Twitter: shainazazzaro
• Youtube: shainazazzaro

Image Credits

Laura Marino (pageant)
Christopher Cardwell (crowning and family photo)
Joshua Carruba (fitness)