Story & Lesson Highlights with Dr Zylia Knowlin of Fort Lauderdale Florida

We recently had the chance to connect with Dr Zylia Knowlin and have shared our conversation below.

Dr Zylia, so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. Have any recent moments made you laugh or feel proud?
The most recent moment that has made me feel proud was participating in the 12th Annual Lotus Retreat. I was able to work with middle school students to create their vision boards.
This activity allows students to set their own goals and build on how will achieve these objectives.
I was proud to participate in this community conference and collaborate with so many others.
I feel a great sense of accomplishment when I work with people to improve the community at large.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am Dr. Zylia Knowlin and I am the proud owner of several businesses. My businesses are grass roots and highlight some specific needs in the community of color.
To begin with, as owner of Creative Minds Educational Services, I bring academic services to education institutions that need support in administrative tasks. With Black Girls Write 2, LLC I share the stories of black and brown authors and provide editorial services as well. As a three time published author I provide top notch a la carte services to aspiring authors. At Empress Haberdashery I serve couture fashions and eyeshadow curated for all sun kissed Queens.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
The moment that shaped how I see the world came after I heard the words… “you have cancer.” Those words forced me to think about the beauty of the time I was given. It created a sense of empowerment and sense of rebirth. It told me that the transformation of life was waiting for me. Those words came with a purpose and a drive. It gave me a new perspective on life and what I wanted for what was the rest of my life. These words changed my life forever. Living as a survivor is how I now see the world. I can do anything I can think about doing including living the life I have been given.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If there was one thing I could tell my younger self it would be to invest in yourself. I would focus on building instead of buying. I would refuse to compromise my stability. I would know about myself more before trying to build on uncertainty. I would tell myself to stick to the plan. And I would recommend that I pause for a moment and enjoy my youth.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
I think that one of the biggest lies the creator industry tells you is that you have to a lot of money to be successful. Or that you have to a certain amount of followers to be famous. That’s not true!
I don’t have the money that I deserve yet but I am successful in the love, respect and generosity I am shown by people who know me. And I don’t have millions of followers on social media but for the people who do follow me they miss me when I don’t post and let me know it. They engage with me and encourage me to continue to do my best.
I always remember that I may not be something to everyone but to someone I am everything!

Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
When I am no longer able to be here in this physical body I hope that people will remember me for the compassion that I showed to others. I want them to remember that I gave them my all. With any products or services that I always delivered to them more than what they were expecting in a most positive way. And that my children always came first in my life. I want people to read my books and feel my emotions as I very much lived through my words, I want people to know that I was loved and that I also saw love.

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