Today we’d like to introduce you to Zainab (Z) Annan.
Hi Zainab (Z), please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I am Zainab (Z) for short, and I am 44 yrs old. I was born and raised in Staten Island, NY. I have been married for 12 yrs. I am the middle child of 5, having 3 sisters and a brother. My older brother and one of my younger sisters have sickle cell anemia. My parents migrated to the US in the 60s from “Ghana, West Africa.” I am considered a jill of all trades, and my parents showed me early the importance of surviving and working hard. I remember both my parents struggling but never breaking a sweat.
As a child, watching my siblings in pain while going through a crisis taught me compassion. My parents worked, went to school, and cared for 5 children without help, as most of their families were back home in Africa. They still found time to teach us how to hustle and survive, and until this very day in 2023, they have never complained. My Dad is now in his 80s and a cancer survivor; my mom suffers from Parkinson’s Disease. My youngest sister has Lupus, and 2 siblings with Sickle Cell. My parents are still our strength, and I am striving to become successful enough to make all their lives comfortable. I remember being as young as 5 years old in kindergarten, and my mom showed me how to cook. This is where my love for food comes from. I started my first business when I was 8 years old. My eldest sister had gone to college (Howard University) and left me her paper route with the NY Daily News and Staten Island Advance. We lived in an area with no deli or supermarket within immediate walking distance. I used to take my newspaper tips and buy hamburgers, hot dogs, chips, soda, and other snacks, and I would sell them to the kids in my building and neighboring buildings. I always wanted to have my restaurant when I got older. At 12 yrs old, I had so much familiarity with the hospitals in our communities due to them knowing my family so well they allowed me to become a junior candy striper. I would go to the patient rooms and read to them (mainly the children in pediatrics), and it brought joy to me to remember the impact and smiles I left on the faces I visited.
I then thought I wanted to become a Doctor, so I took my path toward the nursing programs and almost graduated high school as an LPN. I worked as a CNA daily and took night classes to get my medical assistant certification. That did not work in my favor, but I still accomplished graduating as a Certified Nursing Assistant.
Once I completed this program after working a few years in the medical industry, I began to lose interest in the field. This happened because I had a patient who would visit the office I worked for who passed away, and it broke my heart. At that age, I had never really experienced death, so it was a turning point for me, realizing that although I was helping to care for others, the possibility of constantly having to deal with loss was something that I could not deal with especially knowing that I had siblings that could have this fate as well. I changed my course and decided to work in Social Work, where I could help people cope with the issues they may face. I was 2 semesters away from graduating with my Bachelors when an issue arose with financial aid. &a few others were removed from our classes. We were told they had made an error and we should not have received any aid. We could only return to school once we repaid the aid they gave us. I had a 3.9 GPA, which still hurts a little, but I now realize it was not the path I was supposed to be on. I started working in the customer service industry and excelled with many of the companies (I always worked more than one job at a time) I was with.
In 2008 I started a business in New Jersey that was a catering/errand services company. I didn’t have the means to open a restaurant, so catering was the next best thing, and I did these services more so for older people. I still wanted to help the people. The most joy I had was seeing people’s happiness when consuming my food. The cost of living was skyrocketing back in NY/NJ, and I could no longer afford to live there, so I moved to Lumberton, NC, with my best friend and her children. While living in North Carolina, I met my now husband on an online website. Everyone thought I had lost my mind when I told them I was getting married. In 2012 I moved to Florida, where he was from, and we stayed there for 9 years before moving to Johnson City in early 2020.
We came here because my husband’s job was closing their Florida location down due to the pandemic. They offered him the opportunity to relocate here and become a supervisor. After researching Johnson City, we realized the economy was not so great that coming here would benefit us both. With the cost of living nowhere near what we were dealing with in Florida, we were finally put in a position where we could save instead of struggle. While in Florida, I worked as a Benefits Analyst, and this is what I currently do. I process “Qualified Domestic Relations Orders for individuals who have been divorced and Court Ordered to segregate their 401(k) and Pension plans with their ex-spouses or children. I have worked in many different customer service areas, but it is less fulfilling than I recently, finally just taking the plunge and starting my Spice Business. My initial goal when researching the area was to create a food truck when we arrived. Last year my health took a turn for the worst. Although I am ok now, I know my strength is not what I need to handle running a food truck or restaurant. I still wanted the world to have a piece of me in the food industry, and that is when I decided that the spice blends I have been making for years are the way to go.
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The major obstacle I face now is funding. As mentioned, some health issues arose in the past year, requiring me to have surgery. I had fibroids that were making me extremely ill. Some doctors recommended that I have a hysterectomy to remove my uterus, but doing this would take away any chance I’d have of giving my husband at least one child. I experienced many miscarriages before meeting my husband, and if there is one thing I would like is for us to have at least one child. The surgery I had depleted all of our savings due to having to travel out of state for the procedure.
A few months ago, my cousin, who also has a very successful catering business in NYC called Tijaara African BBQ, contacted me, wanting me to put some of my spice blends. She wanted to use them in gift baskets for a Christmas Event at the United Nations Ghanaian Embassy. She gave me the motivation needed, although I was still healing from my surgery and not up to the task. I have had so many ideas, but it’s hard when you are living paycheck to paycheck and trying to start a business with no funding. She is the reason that Zed Zed’s Kitchen finally came to fruition.
Every time I get paid, I have been taking a few dollars, a little, out to put the pieces together in building this brand. In just a few short weeks, my name has spread, and people love my spices. The aromas can be smelled from outside the containers, and the reviews from the people that have purchased so far truly melt my heart. I hope to generate enough income from this to expand the way I want and just be able to take care of my family. There is still much that I need to learn, and I am doing this as I go along, but so far, the results outweigh any of the challenges I have faced to date.
We’ve been impressed with Zed Zed’s Kitchen, but for folks who might need to be more familiar, what can you share about what you do and what sets you apart?
My goal is to bring tasty dishes into every home. Everyone deserves to feel like they are having an expensive dish without paying for an expensive meal. If you can’t cook, my spices are for you! If you are tired of the same bland dishes, my spices are for you! My Spice Blends are handmade with love and will show when you cook with them. I’ve brought spices from different countries and married them together to create bold and comforting flavors. Currently, the main product I have is a Spice bundle. Included in the package are, All SpiZed Everything Seasoning(4oz), Lemon Garlic Jalapeno Parmesan Seasoning(4oz), Zed Zed Batter & Gravy Mix(16oz) & Zed Zed Taco & Fajita Seasoning(4oz). In the coming weeks, I will have many new blends!
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Starting my business is a risk in itself. Over the years, I have had a few different businesses, mainly in MLM. I am used to putting myself out there and talking to people about whether to bring awareness or sell products and services. I used to get upset when friends or family didn’t support me. I would ask them to share my endeavors, but they went on deaf ears. This time around, I am at peace with myself. However, I have goals that I am trying to achieve. I have comforted myself in understanding that it is ok, even if just a few people support it. I have learned that this life is short, and I can be gone tomorrow. It is risky starting a business and being content with just being happy. Your accomplishments can measure success, but if you are unsatisfied, that success will only last for a while!
Pricing:
- Spized By Zed Bundle $31.40 (shipping is included in the price!)
Contact Info:
- Website: zed-zeds-kitchen.com
- Instagram: zed_zeds_kitchen
- Facebook: zed_zeds_kitchen
- Other: tiktok- zed_zeds_kitchen
