We’re looking forward to introducing you to Farabi Khaleque. Check out our conversation below.
Farabi, 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. What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Lately, I’ve been finding a lot of joy in creative inspiration outside of work. I’ve been watching “On Brand with Jimmy Fallon”, which is such a fun and insightful look at creativity in action. Seeing contestants take bold ideas and turn them into campaigns under pressure is both entertaining and so inspiring. Watching it sparks my own creativity and motivates me to push my ideas further.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Before CLOUDZILLA, I actually got my start as a brand ambassador for apparel, stationary and skincare companies like Bubble. It was a fascinating behind-the-scenes look. I was sent products before launch to try out and give my thoughts, and they would put us in group chats with their audience. That experience was like a masterclass in marketing. I saw firsthand how brands operated, communicated, and built community, which gave me a lot of foundational knowledge on how a brand works. I was also watching a lot of Shark Tank at the time, so all these ideas about entrepreneurship were swirling in my head. That all culminated in me founding CLOUDZILLA when I was 15, with the goal of creating a space where mental health could be discussed openly, creatively, and without stigma. What began as a small project during the pandemic has grown into a wellness brand that empowers Gen Z and Gen Alpha through storytelling, creativity, and meaningful conversations.
CLOUDZILLA focuses on bringing mental health awareness to the spaces where young people already are, including social media, entertainment, and culture. Today, it has evolved into a platform that includes the CLOUDZILLA Wellness Journal, available on Amazon and recognized as an Editor’s Choice by Product of Culture, an apparel shop, the Inspiring Stories series that highlights changemakers, a newsletter, and The Good Quest, my podcast exploring resilience, purpose, and wellness through conversations with trailblazers.
2025 has been an incredible year. We collaborated with Amazon Prime Video to highlight the story of a contestant from the hit reality competition show, Beast Games. CLOUDZILLA served as the official media partner for Asian Hustle Network’s Asian Heritage Week, and I joined the web series, A Diwali Dilemma as an Associate Producer, helping lead marketing and champion its mental health message. CLOUDZILLA also hosted its first in-person meet-up and kiosk event, creating space for real conversations about wellness, and we were awarded a Force Avenir grant in recognition of our impact.
I was also nominated for the Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award at the CanadianSME National Business Awards 2025, a milestone that reminded me how far a simple idea can grow when it is fueled by purpose and passion.
CLOUDZILLA is more than a brand. It is a movement to make mental health awareness creative, accessible, and empowering for the next generation.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling “powerful” was the moment I realized I could turn an idea into something real. I was 15, sitting at my desk with nothing more than a vision and a sense of purpose, building what would one day become CLOUDZILLA. Seeing that idea take shape for the first time; the name, the message, the intention behind it, made me understand that real power comes from creation.
It isn’t about control or recognition; it’s about using your voice and imagination to build something that can make people feel seen and inspired. That was the moment I realized that even at a young age, I didn’t need to wait for anyone’s approval to start something meaningful.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
One of the defining wounds of my life has been learning to stay grounded in who I am, even when others didn’t always celebrate it. When I started CLOUDZILLA at 15, I poured my energy and passion into creating something meaningful, but not everyone saw it that way. Some people at school treated me differently or with jealousy because of the opportunities I was working hard to build for myself. At that time, it was difficult for me to process why dedication and ambition could make others uncomfortable.
Over time, I realized those experiences were teaching me resilience. They reminded me that not everyone will understand your vision, and that’s okay.
Healing, for me, has been about transforming obstacles into fuel, staying true to myself, and letting that drive push me to do more, to keep building, creating, and proving that hard work, creativity, and compassion can thrive together.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. How do you differentiate between fads and real foundational shifts?
By looking at impact and longevity. A fad might grab attention for a moment, but it fades quickly because it doesn’t address a deeper need or create lasting change. Foundational shifts usually respond to values and behaviors that endure over time.
With CLOUDZILLA, for example, trends on social media come and go, but the growing openness around mental health and self-care among Gen Z and Gen Alpha is a true shift. It is changing how young people think, communicate, and connect with each other. I also look for authenticity. If something is meaningful enough that people will return to it consistently, even when it’s not trending, then it is a real shift, not just a momentary spark.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I’ve come to understand that growth and success are rarely loud, they’re quiet, often happening in moments no one sees. Most people think progress looks like big milestones or viral moments, but I’ve learned it’s actually built in the late nights, the self-doubt, the small choices you make when no one’s watching. I also understand that purpose isn’t something you stumble upon one day; it’s something you create through consistency and care.
And maybe what I understand most deeply is that vulnerability and strength aren’t opposites. Being open about what you’ve been through or what you care about doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human. That’s something I’ve carried into everything I do with CLOUDZILLA, reminding people that healing, ambition, and creativity can coexist beautifully.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.wearecloudzilla.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/farabikhaleque
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farabikhaleque
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@wearecloudzilla
- Other: https://www.instagram.com/wearecloudzilla
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