Web and TV personality. Bestselling author. International Speaker. Award winning CEO of The Marketing Zen Group – a global online marketing company. Shama Hyder has aptly been dubbed the “master millennial of the universe” and “an online marketing shaman” by FastCompany.com. The 3rd edition of her best-selling book, The Zen of Social Media Marketing, was released January 2013 by BenBella Books. In 2012, Shama’s company, The Marketing Zen Group, was honored at The White House for being named to the Empact100 list of the top 100 U.S. companies to be run by a young entrepreneur. In 2013, Inc Magazine listed Shama as one of the coolest Top 30 Under 30 Entrepreneurs. When not working directly with her clients or shooting shows for the video, Shama travels the world speaking on business, entrepreneurship, and technology. She is passionate about empowering youth and works closely with the Young Entrepreneur Council in fostering youth entrepreneurship around the world.
Name: Shama Hyder
Occupation: Founder & CEO of The Marketing Zen Group
Website: https://www.marketingzen.com
Twitter Handle: @Shama
1. What are three words that best describe you?
Taurus, Curious, Auto-Didact.
2. Tell us why you’re awesome in two sentences or less?
I single handedly save the world every other day. No, that’s not true. But, I do run one of the world’s best web marketing and digital PR firms. Okay – that credit goes to the team too. I can rock a great pair of cowboy boots!
3. What are your three biggest indulgences?
Milk chocolate. Good books. Playing with my dog – trust me, it is indulgent.
4. What’s currently your favorite…
Restaurant: Most recently…Aquaknox in Las Vegas
Shopping Destination: LA and Dubai
Hangout: My parent’s house
City: Dallas. (Let’s hear it for the hometown!)
Food: Lobster
Cocktail:I don’t drink alcohol so this would have to be hot tea.
Book/Author: The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
Song/Artist: Pictures of You – The Last Goodnight
Website: Google – It takes me everywhere
Magazine: Harvard Business Review
5. What is your biggest pet peeve?
Being referred to as “Girl” – as in “Hey Girl! What’s up?” I’ve never found an appropriate place for it in any conversation, except perhaps in the popular online meme portrayed by Ryan Gosling. No, never mind. Not even then.
6. If you could have dinner with anyone (living or not) who would it be?
The Aga Khan. He is an amazing world leader who emphasizes the principles of meritocracy and pluralism.
7. What does it mean to you to have a strong, engaging brand and how has having one helped you?
It means creating something of value. Something people genuinely need and appreciate. By creating that type of brand, we’ve made Marketing Zen a company people sought out. That’s the ultimate goal of a strong brand, being sought out.
8. What is your #1 tip for fellow women entrepreneurs?
Learn to be an editor at heart and to pivot your idea if the market dictates that. Your first idea will rarely be your best, and that’s okay! Don’t chase perfection. Chase progress.
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