6 minute read
SARA ABBAS
from The Challenge
POWERHOUSE GLOBAL MAGAZINE (PGMAG) INTERVIEW WITH:
SARA ABBAS (SA)
Advertisement
PGMAG: Sara, welcome to today’s interview.
SA: Thank you so much. It is such a pleasure to share with you and your audience.
PGMAG: You are a well accomplished leader, and your bio shows me a leader with so much to share with the world. I also know that our readers would be interested to know more about who you are, and the value that you bring to the world.
SA: First of all, thank you for the very kind words. My childhood was spent going back and forth between Kuwait, the United States, and everywhere in between. War zones, many ups and downs, having everything one minute - being a refugee the next - it has been an absolute odyssey! I grew up all over the globe, and elements of many different cities and people, have shaped who I am today. Now, I am grateful to call California my home, but I still spend a great deal of time all over and am always excited to experience more.
There are many things that light me up, but one of my core values is problem-solving; I have built a portfolio of brands, projects, a non-profit, books and services around solving problems for others. It brings me immense joy to see those unfolding into what they have become today.
PGMAG: In the current global climate of uncertainty, how important is it for people to cultivate a ‘positive mindset’?
SA: Mindset is everything right now. With everyone trying to tell you what to think and how to feel, it is imperative that we stay true to our vision for ourselves and to our purpose. One thing that’s important to remember is that it’s okay to feel; it’s okay to feel what’s happening around us right now, aiming for positivity 24/7 may leave one feeling discouraged with all that’s going on, but confidence in your purpose and pursuit of what you value most will help keep your personal foundation strong, so you can weather the storm of outside influence. All day long media and social media enjoy pushing a narrative that we should be afraid and unsure of everything; that’s the perfect time to flex your “faith muscle” as I like to call it – stand behind your own mission, and think positively about what you came here to do. If you confidently believe the universe is conspiring in your favour, it surely will.
PGMAG: Please tell us about ‘Always A Muse’.
SA: I am so delighted to bring this to life! Always A Muse is a thoughtfully designed luxury fashion line made to be ultraflattering for the figure, it solves a number of problems while also being great fun to wear! It is 100% “Slow Fashion” – no big factories, all sustainably sourced materials, generous trade and wages, etc. These are innovative pieces you can feel good about wearing for seasons to come. Somehow, even in 2020, I still see so many problems to be solved for women in fashion, especially in lingerie; I used to think it was a shame that buying a beautiful piece of lingerie often came with a lot of uncomfortable wires or materials that dig into the skin. If you gain or lose a little weight, forget it – you must go shopping again. Some of the most gorgeous items never get worn because they only fit properly for a short period of time. I knew there had to be a better way. I have been working on a line on ultra-flattering luxury fashion – starting with lingerie – that is not only very sexy, but also very comfortable, wire-free, and more versatile in terms of sizing. I started with lingerie because that’s what we put on first, before anything else! The other clothing will come soon after. The line is called ‘Always A Muse’ and the website is AlwaysAMuse.com, I would be honoured if you’d have a look, add your email to the list, and follow along the journey on social media.
PGMAG: As a leader who has accomplished a lot in business despite your experience with war and other adversities, what is your message for those who are struggling with low self-esteem?
SA: My unique perspective gives me a major boost in this area… I tend to see all of my experiences as preparations and training for great things. Everything that happens gives me greater wisdom from which to draw as I live my life. When it comes to self-esteem, selftalk is important for me as it relates to how my mind’s eye views my experiences. What helps is changing my inner narrative, the story in my head, from “why me” to “I’m so grateful for the strength to thrive throughout all of these intense times and experiences” – for me, gratitude is key. I talk about this in-depth in a new book that I am working on right now.
PGMAG: Please tell us about this new book.
SA: I’m so glad you asked because the topic of mindset is very dear to my heart. I have a couple of new books near completion, but this one is very timely and should be out in 2021. I discovered that many people are aware that they may desire change, or they see the importance of certain thought habits, but rarely does anyone speak on how to effect these changes. I wanted to dive deeper into the process and give others actionable steps to changing the way they think, in order to improve their overall quality of life. It really works - I’m living a proof! I have another book I’ve been working on that explores the concept of Conscious Leadership; it details my experiences with various leaders as I examine themes of elevated consciousness in their work, it’s a fascinating project that may take longer to research, so please follow me on social media and sign up for the newsletter on my website for launch announcements on all my projects. There is info on my website about my last book and where to find that as well.
PGMAG: If you knew what you know now, what would you do differently?
SA: This may be partially because of my rosy outlook, but I don’t think I would change anything; there are a handful of things I would have perhaps started sooner, but I believe things happen when we are ready, after we learn the lessons we need to learn, if we keep moving forward. Always keep moving forward - like the saying “progress not perfection.”
PGMAG: How do you create balance amidst your busy schedules?
SA: I schedule my self-care and spiritual practices, meditation, and whatnot, as I would any meeting. Those who know me know that I never miss a meeting and I never miss a workout; each is equally important and of high value to me. There are things that simply do not get to be priority in my life; I don’t watch TV or get caught up in the drama of spectator sports. There is nothing wrong with those things, but I find I have more time in my day because I eliminate things that are low priority for me, which also helps maintain the balance.
PGMAG: Sara, it has been a pleasure to have interviewed you – Thank you for your time.
SA: Thank you so very much! It is an honour to share some of my story with your audience and provided some valuable insight on navigating these interesting times. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and always enjoy aligning with other powerful women, such as yourself.
PGMAG: Thank you! Please share your links with our readers.
SA: My Personal Site:
www.HerMajestySara.com
@HerMajestySara on all social platforms
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hermajestysara/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HerMajestySara/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/HerMajestySara
Always A Muse: www.AlwaysAMuse.com
