Doing it for Zara

Sometimes finding the right business venture is as easy as doing what comes second nature to you.
For Nizara “Zara” Juman, that meant clothes and dressing up.
“I always liked to dress up,” said Zara. “When I was younger my mother put out brides, so fashion was ingrained in us.”
But it was really a change in circumstances that prompted Zara to change course both personally and professionally.
“About ten years ago I used to work within my husband’s family business and they had to close the hotel (Blue Orchid) so I had some spare time so I could now just go out and shop and I couldn’t find clothing to suit my body type and my tastes,” she said. “That’s really what prompted me. So I started to do a little research, and then I opened my store Zara’s Collection.”
The thought of launching out into her own business didn’t frighten Zara in the least.
“I came from a family business. I married into a family business so it seemed like destiny to carry on” she said laughing. With the family business Blue Orchid taking a break for renovations, it seemed like the perfect opportunity for Zara to branch out on her own.
“Before I was married we had a gents store, which later became a general store,” she said.
So on many levels Zara was returning to her first love in terms of fashion. “I love what I do,” Zara says beaming.
The idea of changing a woman’s outlook or disposition just by making them feel good about themselves and putting them in the right clothing is something that appeals to Zara.
Doing this business at this time in her life is something that Zara admits was the perfect fit. She is a mother, and grandmother who raised her children, so now this phase of her life, she is doing something for herself.
“It makes me feel good,” she says of owning her own business. “You know when you have a family business you are a little restricted. That’s why I chose a butterfly on my card, because I’m free to do what I want to do. I’m free to voice my opinion and free to take chances because you do have to take chances. You can tell I like pretty things.”
That sense of daring and adventure has been instrumental to Zara in carving out her niche and structuring her business the way she wanted.
Though Zara admits that she’s doing her own thing, that doesn’t preclude her from helping out in the family business a couple of days during the week. Zara revealed that her choice in running this business is a deeply personal one.
“I don’t have to do this,” she says of her business. “My husband will look after me. But this is my thing and I’m doing it for me.
“One of the things that I said I was going to do when I opened this business was that when women came in here with a vexed face, they would leave smiling. Ten out of ten times they’ll leave smiling.”
While Zara has been in business for nearly ten years, she does admit that the recession has had its impact on her. But she has no plans of shutting down.
“We have a lot of challenges now because people don’t have the money,” she said. “But the United States is bouncing back so hopefully it will have a domino effect here.”
With close to ten years as a solo entrepreneur under her belt, Zara admits she is richer for the experience.
“There are people who have asked me to open a store on the west coast, but there will not be another Zara’s Collection out there,” she said. “I do very personalized service here and that’s the reason why I would not open another location.”
Though she wouldn’t trade her time in business for herself she is grateful for the flexibility it allows her to spend time with her family and also have time for herself.
“I’ve put in time with my own children, but I also want time for my little grands now which are such a joy,” she said. “So I will ride out the recession and see how it goes. But I can’t see myself closing the doors as yet.”