We caught up with the brilliant and insightful SaraBella Abdulkader a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
SaraBella, first a big thank you for taking the time to share your thoughts and insights with us today. I’m sure many of our readers will benefit from your wisdom, and one of the areas where we think your insight might be most helpful is related to imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is holding so many people back from reaching their true and highest potential and so we’d love to hear about your journey and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
When I started SB. NEW YORK, my jewelry brand. I downplayed it so much. People would ask me about it, and I would feel ashamed. It wasn’t big yet. I have worked very hard on it. I overcame imposter syndrome when I began trusting my own abilities and myself. Being in environments that did not support and uplift me harmed my self-worth. However, I was able to prevail over the challenge. By giving myself the space to shine, I no longer feel guilty for being myself or representing my brand. I enjoy seeing friends and clients wearing my jewelry. Looking back now it reminded me that I’m talented, influential, and creative, and I am proud of that.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
My name is SaraBella, and I am the founder of SB.NEW YORK. I grew up in Brooklyn, New York, and I am passionate about creativity and entrepreneurship. My background is in fashion styling. Before launching my jewelry brand, SB.NEW YORK, I worked at a luxury clothing boutique in New York City. During my time there, I gained valuable experience by working with a diverse range of clients. Later, I was fortunate enough to land an excellent opportunity at ELLE Magazine, where I styled some well-known personalities. This experience helped me get to where I am today.
SB.NEW YORK is a lifestyle brand that offers affordable jewelry and trendy accessories. Our brand is all about providing a luxurious look without breaking the bank. Our target audience is ladies who aspire to look expensive without spending a fortune. We provide high-quality jewelry that is delicately crafted to showcase the boldness and elegance in everyone. We want our customers to feel like a million bucks when wearing our jewelry, without actually spending a million bucks. We are excited to announce our new collection coming in 2024!
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Many areas in my life impacted my journey so far. My hard work, efficiency, patience, and integrity have played a huge role in shaping who I am today. I believe having the hunger to work hard was the biggest. I don’t have all the answers, but if I can advise a girl who is just starting, it would be to put your ego aside. Most of the time, you find yourself doing something you don’t want to do but that’s why patience is a big part of the process. So, whatever task you take on, try to be the best at it, and don’t think you’ll have success overnight. Another tip is to speak up and look for people who inspire you. I had a mentor who always told me, “Your network is your net worth” that shifted my point of view forever.
Alright, so before we go we want to ask you to take a moment to reflect and share what you think you would do if you somehow knew you only had a decade of life left?
I am still learning how to deal with situations where I find myself surrounded by people who don’t look like me. Sometimes, I feel like I don’t belong or that I am being overlooked. This has made me very timid. However, I have come to realize that I belong in those rooms and that I am just as skilled and talented as everyone else. I want to encourage others not to be afraid to speak up and make themselves known because we often get overlooked. As a woman of color, it has often felt like I needed to work harder than others to be seen or heard. but it only showcased how bright and talented I truly am. I believe the biggest lesson I have learned is to recognize when I am truly appreciated and not just being tolerated. I am a human being and I strongly believe in self-respect and integrity.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://sbnewyork.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sb.newyork/
Image Credits
Shaniah Armani // @shaniaharmani Simms // Simmscityactivity Jordan Blackwell // @_jordybee
