Meet Zenobia Wayne

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

Hi Zenobia, so happy to have you on the platform and I think our readers are in for a treat because you’ve got such an interesting story and so much insight and wisdom. So, let’s start with a topic that is relevant to everyone, regardless of industry etc. What do you do for self-care and how has it impacted you?

I love this question. I recently moved to New York to further pursue my modeling career, and I’ve used the fresh start to reintroduce self-care habits that maximize my effectiveness. I firmly believe that self-care starts internally, on a spiritual level. So, almost every morning since moving in, I start my days by immediately praying once I’ve awoken. Then, after I’ve brushed my teeth and washed my face, I meditate for at least ten minutes.

Regarding prayer, it is unimportant who you’re praying to or if you pray to no one. What is important here is what is done during prayer—an expression of thanks. I start my prayers by giving thanks for everything in my life, from the roof over my head to the people who helped raise me—every single day. The psychological impact of recognizing your blessings daily is immense; there is little to complain about when there’s so much to be thankful for. And when we are thankful for what we have, we can attract what we desire.

Meditation sets a very positive tone for the day. I am much calmer when consistent, and I appreciate how it clears my mind. There are many other health benefits—it’s a habit worth looking into. Implementing these habits has created a strong spiritual foundation in my mind and home.

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?

I’m a model and creative based in NYC as of one month ago (the last time I spoke to you, I was only planning to move!). I’m in development with my VA-based mother agency, AFTM, and am working on building a network here as a freelance model. I began working towards modeling at the end of last year after taking my leave from college earlier that spring. I told myself I’d take two years, and if, within those two years, I could sustain myself off of my creative pursuits alone, I would not go back to school until I felt I wanted to.

It’s been such an exciting year watching myself grow in photos, and the number of people who believe in me grow as I share my journey in real life and on social media. It is my genuine belief that my purpose is to contribute to the growth of inclusivity in the high-fashion runway industry through my height—and even weight, honestly. I’m not the typical build at all, but I genuinely believe talent paired with some excellent timing trumps build. My goal is to establish myself not only as a commercial model but as a brand, and to force my way into editorial runway—where my heart lies.

I walked DCFW this past spring, several local DC shows through the summer, a local show with Heavensgate in SoHo, three shows during September NYFW, and, a week after moving in, I had my first show here as a local NY model with Robyn Elysee. The most exciting thing about what I do is the journey. I’m fully committed to creating something of myself through what I love; many beautiful experiences and lessons stem from that.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

Tenacity, Drive, and the ability to genuinely connect with people.

You have to be willing to persist through the “undiscovered” phase and do the work you don’t want to to get to where you want to be. Have faith in yourself and your journey. You must understand how to communicate with people and the importance of being kind to them, from the bottom of the food chain to the top. Kindness will get you much further than most skills can.

I honestly don’t have advice for developing tenacity and drive within yourself. Those who do not possess these qualities make success that much more attainable for people willing to work hard—I will not fight that. For improvement, I would say be certain you’re sure of your path. Write out your plans and clearly understand your goals and how you work toward them. Clarity is key.

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

My ability to stay calm and allow life to take its course. I’ve gotten much better at accepting that everything happens how it’s supposed to, and it’s much easier to be flexible and dance with life than try to dance against it.

There is no point in trying to have an entire detailed life plan or, at least, in spending too much time thinking about what we envision for our future rather than being present day by day.

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