MARAWA
NAME: MARAWA
AGE YOU FEEL: 37
WHERE YOU GREW UP: ALL OVER THE PLACE
CULTURAL BACKGROUND: SOMALI/AUSTRALIAN
2020 MANTRA: BREATHE
photo by thesupermaniak
How did growing up around the world shape the woman that you are?
I was super lucky to spend a lot of my formative years in international schools, surrounded by different cultures that were explored and celebrated within the school's curriculum - it definitely shaped who I became. I wish all schools were like this!
What's your favorite memory as a kid?
Eating tropical fruit on tropical beaches - I still lived in a bubble and the world felt like it was only full of good things.
Top 3 songs to describe your teen years
Welcome to paradise - Green Day
Spice up your life - Spice Girls
Watcha want - Beastie Boys
Tell us about the women in your family (anything one of them specifically taught you?)
My Australian grandmother was born in 1911 in Australia and was a chemist - had incredible outfits and and incredible garden. She lived 2 doors down from us when I was a kid and taught me a LOT. My Somali grandmother was a force, head of the family, and could palm a basketball. My mother taught me to skate when I was two, encouraged me to do everything and anything always - she chopped wood in winter, traveled internationally with a lot of kids to a lot of countries, every home cooked dinner was a trip to a different culture - and she nailed them all from laksa's to roasts, to curries - she's basically the greatest mother of all time! Collectively my brothers, sister and I call her the mother-ship - that’s what she is: an intergalactic space machine capable of carrying human kind to a better existence.
Can you share a little bit about your career?
I studied at the National Institute of Circus Arts in Australia and went on to spend 15 years touring internationally doing shows around the world. In 2012 I set up the majorett.es who still teach and perform in London. I have been really lucky with the shows I have been a part of, they taught me a lot and let me see so much a long the way.
photo by @jo_duck
When did you know this was the thing you wanted to pursue, did intuition tell you or did the universe push you right into it?
I think the universe set it up, I really didn't see it coming…but it always felt right.
What you do for work is truly unique and it feels like it brings you so much joy, can you share some of the wins or learnings from building your own thing?
Building your own business is hard - real hard! I used to beat myself up about not growing faster, earning more money etc, but after a while I got some perspective. People that are good at business are good at business! That's their skill. Its not a skill I am super interested in dedicating lots of time to learning, I know enough to make what I want work, but for me the win is getting to do what I want most of the time (we cant avoid all admin work, but with the right structure it doesn't have to eat up your every day!). My schedule is flexible, I can spend quality time with friends and family… that's what’s important to me, so I feel super lucky to be able to have that time.
We all deal with microaggressions, or with someone who forgets our credentials... tell us about a time this happened and how you handled it
Oh it happens all the time! but I don't let it get in the way. If I choose to take stuff like that personally I would never get anything done. I think its important to acknowledge when someone is trying to dismiss you, often I think its not because they forgot your credentials, its because they are threatened by them! Proof is in the pudding you know? You can be vocal without being aggressive back, if someone is blocking you from something you know you deserve, go further up the food chain - sometimes easier it’s said than done - but life ain't always easy!
For women building a unique brand, can you share three things they should keep in mind?
What do you really want? I think a lot of people feel pressure to build a brand these days without knowing what that really entails day to day. You need to look at what your 5 year goals are, and what you are willing to sacrifice to try and get there. What do your days look like, and is it how you wanna live?
Who is in your support network - nobody is building a brand by themselves
I connect with other brands - read read read - not the websites and glossy press releases - everything else I can get my eyes on. I meet people, find out what they do and how they do it. I think its really interesting to see how other people built their brands, even if its a totally different industry, there are great ideas and methods to learn from everyone. Let my people go surfing, is a really good book to start with.
photo by @thesupermaniak
The latest thing you've learned
How voting in america works - sheesh - no wonder nobody registers - could they make it any more confusing?!
What's one project you are trying to manifest in 2020?
More zines! I made a couple last year and loved it! Hoping to make some more this year.
Fast round:
Fav follow on Twitter: @lfalbertsons literally the only account I follow
Fav follow on Insta: @id_thrice_removed
Fav beauty product: MOISTURISER
Last show binged/watched: The Let Down - its Australian so made me miss home but also so funny
Last book read: Fixed it. Jane Gilmore - mind blowing
Early riser or night owl: Early riser FOREVER
Stay in or go out: Stay in
Coffee or tea: Coffee
90s or 2000s R&B: 90's !!
The one thing you want for women of color
More action - less talk.
