Meet Laura Qureshi | Founder & CEO, Mother of 5
We had the good fortune of connecting with Laura Qureshi and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Laura, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
ZAAZEY®️ mission to incorporate high ethical standards in implementing equal pay for women in a time when women farmers are NOT valued, appreciated or recognized for their role in society, creating a voice that maintains jobs and opportunities. ZAAZEY®️ promotes sustainable agriculture, quality over quantity and an honest and transparent open relationship with our farmers, while being socially responsibility for Mother Earth’s sacred olive trees. ZAAZEY®️ is harvesting and milling the finest epicurean, certified Extra Virgin Olive Oil in the world, one drop at a time.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
ZAAZEY® is 100% woman owned business, founded by Laura Qureshi in 2018, currently lives in Boston area with her 5 children and her husband Dr. Abrar Qureshi who has family roots in Dallas.
ZAAZEY®️ mission began, as our family would travel to Jordan to volunteer at the Refugee camps during 2016-2018, after 4 volunteer trips to Jordan I would take our children ages 5, 10, 12, 14 & 15 to several olive groves in Turkey (our flights connected via Turkey to Jordan on Turkish Airlines) to teach them the Abrahamic traditions around the importance of Olive Trees, we are a family of peace and what better way then to take them to an olive grove. It was here among nature’s richest elements where blissful senses came to life, we would harvest with local Turkish women pickers & women who were Syrian refugees. I reflected back to when my children had asked back in Jordan at one of the camps, “what more can we do to help “? ZAAZEY®️was born.
ZAAZEY®️ investing in women, creating opportunities and possibilities.
In the year that followed, ZAAZEY® entered the U.S. market – participated in local farmers’ market tastings and conferences, partnered with flagship stores, local farm stands, and chefs in Massachusetts, as well as launched its online store for nationwide delivery. When faced with the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, ZAAZEY® persevered by continuing its partnerships and adapting to the world of virtual networking, adding five new vendors and its first employee to its family. In 2020, ZAAZEY® not only grew its family and network, but its reputation as well by being globally recognized by the London International Olive Oil Competition ‘20, receiving the Health Silver, Quality Bronze, and Packaging / Design Bronze awards.
ZAAZEY®️ With careful attention to choosing the best trees, picking premium quality olives, and using meticulously orchestrated cold press methods, ZAAZEY® has created the finest extra virgin olive oil on the international market! Picked at peak ripeness and gently crushed within hours, the finest ZAAZEY® olives yield the freshest, healthiest, antioxidant rich extra virgin olive oil. ZAAZEY®’s message in a bottle; sustainable jobs, higher paying wages for women around the world through , early harvest and cold pressed extra virgin olive oil distribution company. ZAAZEY®’s pickers/rakers/packers are mostly mom’s that need an opportunity to have their voices heard. ZAAZEY® strives to incorporate high ethical standards and socially responsible business practices to produce the finest quality extra virgin olive oil in the world while promoting sustainable agriculture, enhanced return on investments for our farmers, and an honest transparent and open relationship with our growers. Enjoy ZAAZEY®’s message in a bottle; knowing that you paid for quality, commitment and equal pay wages while cooking, sipping, dipping or drizzling AMAZINGLY DELICIOUS certified Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Let ZAAZEY® be the door to help open endless possibilities for women around the world.
ZAAZEY® is a 100% woman-owned business, helping other women in business, by an entrepreneur mom of five, who helps pick during the harvest.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Nantucket, MA historic landmark for every religion, nationality and race to pursue equal opportunity dates back to 1649 , Nantucket is now know for family vacations, girls get aways, destination weddings, film festivals, book festivals, food festivals, cranberry festivals and just about any reason to step foot on Nantucket.
– Early morning walk in town to capture the calm before the crowds. Our first stop, Born & Bread artisanal bakery know for AMAIZNG fresh baked breads with local artisan wares. Next, a few steps to Corner Table Cafe, to indulge in a mocha espresso that was roasted by a local while sitting in the beautiful garden patio as you hear the ferry horn around the point. Young’s ( 3 generation owned ) bicycle shop is steps away to get a fun tandem bike! Nantucket is known for friendly bike paths. On the bike path to the beach, we stop at 45 Surfside Cafe to pick up our gourmet sandwiches for when we get hungry at Surfside beach, on the beach imagine lying down under a tent, hearing the crash of the waves and having a deep tissue massage by Rachel Dixon/The Art of Being Well. Afternoon of ocean air, biking back into town we must stop by African American Meeting house and Whaling Museum or any of the Nantucket Historical sites. A detour to Aunt Leah’s Fudge shop to pick up the WORLD’s best fudge, and a few steps over to Nantucket Boat Basin and Old South Wharf to browse the local artisan shops alined with crackle sea shells under your feet, don’t forget to stop at 16 Old South Wharf to have a ZAAZEY®️experience. Slip away for dinner at Slip 14, locally caught seafood dinner with beautiful ocean views while seating on the docks. After dinner we stop by The Brant Point Grill, at the White Elephant Nantucket for gourmet desserts.
Lastly, we’d end the evening stargazing at Maria Mitchell Observatory, founded in 1908 the first American Woman Astronomer. If for some reason after ending our magical and unforgettable day, the kids are still hungry and want something local, Stubby’s is open until 2 a.m. and reopens at 6 a.m. Stubby’s is a staple on Island!
https://www.bornandbreadnantucket.com/
https://www.cornertablenantucket.com/
https://youngsbicycleshop.com/
https://theartofbeingwell.com/
https://www.maah.org/nantucket_campus
https://nha.org/visit/museums-and-tours/whaling-museum/
https://www.whiteelephantnantucket.com/dining/brant-point-grill
https://www.mariamitchell.org/vestal-street-observatory
https://theartofbeingwell.com/
The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to women around the world, your voice echo’s in my voice. There are numerous women who have opened doors, supported and encouraged and those that also discouraged me, but this allowed me to see from a different vantage point and pushed me to understand why the world is not fair, not equal, not just there are things that can be done to make it fair, equal and just. Actions speak louder then words and I have always been action driven. My voice may be loud and annoying for some but for the unjust women around the world I stand for you today, tomorrow and thru ZAAZEY®️ brand your voices will be heard.
I would like to thank God, my mom and mother in law for instilling in me my moral compass, faith and family, hard work and good conquers evil. I dedicate to my little girl Zaahra, that she will follow in my footsteps and be the voice for change, injustice and ability to shine light and be the voice.
Website: www.zaazey.com
Instagram: @shopzaazey
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zaazey-lauraqureshi/
Facebook: ZAAZEY
Other: pinterest @zaazeyevoo
Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
