Meet Dina Zaouid | Founder of Modinax, Chemist & Mom

We had the good fortune of connecting with Dina Zaouid and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Dina, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
“Here’s to strong women. May we know them. May we be them. And May we raise them.”

This quote means so much to me because it encompasses all life-changing occurrences that happened over the past few years. As a young woman, that was able to jump through several hoops in a very short period of time – from chemist to assistant manager within less than two years – it took lots of courage and strength to let go of a very successful career path. It was the birth of my first daughter – soon to be big sister – that made me reconsider how I want to define success in my life. Is it becoming a successful pharmaceutical scientist as I always aspired to be? Is it a wealthy professional career? Raising a happy family? Being a great mom? It is the endless dilemma that rotates in the head of most – if not every – working first-time moms. To me, nothing could top off spending time with my – at the time – 4 months old, so I made the major decision to let go of my successful professional career path. It was amazing for the first few months, but then the endless dilemma re-entered my head. This is it? No more career for me? After all those years of study and work? No, this isn’t it. I knew it. This is the time to do something that has always been in the back of my head – start my own business. It was the right time to combine my long-lasting passion for the Arabic culture & language, and create a career for myself that allowed me to spend the quality time with my daughter that made me so happy.

And that is where Modinax was born, a company that gives people an avenue to express their love for the Arabic culture & language through every day items.

So here’s to me, a strong woman that made the tough decision to let go of a successful career path, only to start her own successful business a few months later. To my amazing mom-friends and all amazing moms out there that make difficult life-changing decisions on a daily basis. And here’s to my incredible 2-year old daughter, that I promise I will raise to become the strongest version of herself. Here’s to all of us. Power and strength to us.

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?
Inspired by the beauty of Arabic calligraphy and the heritage of our culture, Modinax prides itself in showcasing iconic Arab singers or sayings that carry a lot of weight for generation after generation.

As a 2nd generation Egyptian who was born and raised in the Netherlands, I always felt like I was a part of two different cultures. I loved all Dutch traditions I was brought up with, but my connection to my homeland will always be very important to me. The days and nights I spent with my family, especially my grandmother, during our yearly vacation trips to Egypt will always hold a special place in my heart. We used to stay up sharing stories and laughing all night up until 4 a.m. An inseparable aspect of my time in Egypt as a child is the music I used to hear in every house, street, café or taxi in Egypt. It was the beautiful voice of Umm Kulthum, Mohamed Abdelwahab, Abdelhalim Hafez, Fairuz, and many others. Up until this day, the second I hear any song by any of the afore-mentioned artists, it immediately takes me back to the living room of my grandmother and the memories that are associated with it.

I wanted those memories to stay closer with me, here in the United States, and not only when I go visit my homeland Egypt. I wanted my kids to grow up being familiar with our amazing culture and language. It is a beauty and privilege to be part of two completely different cultures. Modinax is all about representing your heritage, your roots, and all the memories that come along with it.

We do this by designing and creating everyday items, such as coffee mugs, tea cups, handmade serving trays, Arabic wall art, and many other items that feature iconic Arab singers and sayings on them, all whom bring back so many memories and Bring Home Closer.

The quick success of Modinax is proof that people are in fact in need of an avenue to express their appreciation and love for their culture and roots, and I am extremely proud to be the first to create this unprecedented combination of modern & classic items that connects back to our culture.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Welcome to Knoxville, TN!

Day 1 – Start with a soft hike in the smoky mountains! We’d have breakfast at the summit at the top, then as we make our way down we’d stop and take pictures at each of the beautiful overlooks. Make our way back to pigeon forge and then have lunch at any of the amazing southern BBQ lunch spots. Then we’d spend the rest of the day in pigeon forge going to all of the awesome attractions there and end the day with some grilling and hanging out by the fire.
Day 2 – Gatlinburg is a beautiful city and we would spend day two there. So many great places to eat and visit along the strip, including ripleys believe it or not aquarium, anakeesta park, and ober gatlinburg.
Day 3 – Back to knoxville we go, spend all day walking through downtown knoxville and enjoying all the beautiful city has to offer.
Day 4 – Space Museum, Take a helicopter ride, go to a VOLS football & Soccer Game, and visit the University of Tennessee Knoxville College Campus
Day 5 – End the week off with breakfast at scrambled jake’s followed by a trip to Zoo Knoxville, go to Ijams Nature Center, Visit the sunsphere and world’s fair park. Eat lunch at Jackie’s Dream, and dinner at Soul Good!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
There are many people in my support system that helped me shape to become the woman I am today. But there is one person that I could not imagine having it done without. So here’s to Mohamed, my extra-ordinary husband, lifetime best friend, soulmate, incredible father, and one hell of a supportive guy. Thank you for always being there for me, I love you.

Website: www.modinax.com

Instagram: @modinaxofficial

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/modinaxofficial

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