We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Cookie Zito a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Cookie , we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
Finding my purpose was a long process and did not happen all at once. Each step kind of built off each other until I landed where I am now. And, I’m still building out my purpose everyday!
I knew I was on to something though when I was working at a production company developing show ideas and pitching them to networks. And at the time I wasn’t seeing a lot of unscripted shows being greenlit featuring women, 45 to 65. I kept wondering why? And kept feeling like women would want to see this content but how if it doesn’t make it to air?
I found myself talking to my sister and sounding board, Christy, about this gap. She’s 52, lives in Florida and is married with two kids (and a live-in mother-in-law). We are so different. We’d be talking on the phone about the same questions though – where are our shows, where are our clothes, what’s out there for women our age?
I told one of the owners at the company I was working for that I wanted to have my own company one day. He was like “do it”! We would meet for coffee and he would mentor and coach me on how he started his business and it inspired me to start my own clothing boutique. But, at the time I was scared to go all in. Then I read this book called “Like She Owns the Place” by Cara Alwill and it seriously changed my life. It was the first time I was like why not me? Why can’t I do it? Why can’t I build a company that has both video and a clothing boutique attached? I took all the things I knew from my production network background, talks I have had with various women looking and searching for answers for this new life stage and looking for clothing that covers but still cute- and worked hard figuring out ways to build the site. But, it didn’t feel like work cause I was so excited about it and have high hopes that I can help women feel seen, heard and loved. And, knowing I could help even just one woman makes me feel like it is my purpose. So it kind of morphed from a pipe dream, to a clothing boutique on instagram to now my full blown website with both content and a shoppable boutique catered to women in their 40s and 50s+!
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am so excited to embark on this new chapter. After being in the corporate world for years, pivoting has been exciting and scary at the same time. I feel like life isn’t over after 40 like they tell us. It has just started. We have so much wisdom and knowledge that it can be a fun time.
I really want the Christy Maz Network to be the premiere destination for the new 40’s and 50’s+ woman! When I dreamed this up, I envisioned a lifestyle brand for stories and shopping that accurately portray what women my age want to watch and wear. Our mission is to superserve the new type of 40 and 50s+ woman that has often been ignored. We do this by showing relatable content and clothing that is fun, uplifting, sexy and inspiring! And talking about topics that might have been pushed under the rug- like what is life like after the kids leave the house and you have to get to know your partner again, or I’ve worked this job for 20+ years and I don’t want to be here anymore but now what?
At Christy Maz our hope is to build confidence in women to be able to make the best decisions for their lives, feel empowered, supported, heard, and have fun!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I think the three skills that have been the most impactful in my journey have been having a growth mindset, team work, and listening.
I feel like I am still early in my own journey but I would say that the advice I have is to be open to change and a growth mindset. I’ve been blessed to have amazing mentors and people who have been there before me to help give guidance. I’ve learned that not being stuck in your ways and being open to new ways of doing things both personally and professionally really can change the game.
Teamwork is probably the most impactful one for me. I love working with people and having support and being supportive of them. I know for sure that if you have the right team in place that loves what they are doing, supports each other and is passionate about the mission- anything is possible. And, then this builds on the last most impactful skill – listening. To feel heard and seen is such a gift and when you can listen to what someone needs or wants and fulfill that – to me, it is truly amazing.
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?
My mom taught me that women have to support women- always! I love her for it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://christymaznetwork.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christymaznetwork/
Image Credits
Thomas Beckner
