Today we’d like to introduce you to Ezzah Rafique.
Hi Ezzah, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
In May of 2020, I was looking for a platform in which I could submit my photography pieces to be published. When I tried to submit my photos to Vogue’s submission platform, PhotoVogue, I was unable to send my photos through since the website kept crashing. I was extremely upset by this, but instead of sulking about it, I went online to find different companies that would provide me with experience and publish my photos. After about a month, I could not find a single place that fit what I was looking for, so I thought to myself, “let me just solve my own problem.”
After countless sleepless nights and figuring out how to start a company in the first place, I launched HAZZE MEDIA (formerly “ORENDA MEDIA”) in August of 2020 at the age of 17. I took my small digital magazine idea and turned it into a digital media company with the aim to create a platform for creatives to share their work and gain experience in the media industry. I began marketing my company on TikTok and posted videos asking Creatives to submit their work for a chance to be published. In the first few weeks, I got nothing. Then, right at the beginning of August, one of the videos I posted got a couple of hundred views, and then the next got more, and then finally one ended up receiving the attention of thousands of people. Within the second week of August, I had over 150 submissions from people across the globe.
In April of 2021, I made the ultimate decision to rebrand from ORENDA MEDIA to HAZZE MEDIA (pronounced “hay-z”). The Hazze Team is made up of over 50 talented photographers, artists, journalists, and many more creative-minded individuals. HAZZE Magazine, formerly ORENDA Magazine, has been sold across the globe from North America to New Zealand with team members from seven different countries. In early 2021, Hazze Media launched a podcast network dedicated to exploring diverse narratives of people who have changed the world and their own lives and is now working on developing a podcast network with shows that dive into topics of personal growth true crime, and being a first-generation American. I’m so eternally grateful for the memories I’ve made, the lessons I’ve learned through this process, and the people I’ve met from HAZZE MEDIA and I look forward to creating an environment where people can share their stories and expand their portfolio.
Also about me: I’m also currently a freshman at the University of Texas in Austin! I am a creative and fashion photographer and love working with talented creatives from the area to put together conceptual shoots!
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
When I created my media company, there were a lot of issues that I ran into. Some of them include the fact that I was taking rigorous summer classes and was a full-time student so balancing school, social, and home life became difficult at times. Another issue was figuring out the logistical aspect including shipping, book-keeping, developing a website, and finding the right people to help me. Rebranding from ORENDA MEDIA to HAZZE MEDIA was one of the biggest challenges because I had to make the ultimate decision to change the business name. Although I love the meaning behind Orenda, I learned earlier this year that it was not appropriate to use while conducting business as it is sacred to the Haudenosaunee people. Finding a new name took a lot of thought for me but I fell in love with Hazze (pronounced “haze” or “haye-z”) because it’s actually my name backward! The process of rebranding itself was not entirely difficult for me because I already learned how to deal with the logistics.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about HAZZE MEDIA?
HAZZE MEDIA was created to promote individuality within digital creations, aiming to bring a new wave of digital expressiveness. With this mission statement in mind, we oversee various digital projects from Hazze Magazine to youtube videos to podcast episodes.
HAZZE Magazine is an editorial magazine that we release monthly with set themes so that Creatives (photographers, artists, journalists, videographers, illustrators, etc.) can submit to and push themselves out of their comfort zone to try to create work based on the set themes we provide. Anyone above the age of 17 is able to submit to the magazine via Kavyar (kavyar.com/hazze-magazine). What has been so cool about running Hazze Magazine is that I’ve met some incredible people and their team from Post Malone to Zack Lugo! We conduct press interviews with influencers, singers, entrepreneurs, and more! Furthermore, we also cover press-needed events like concerts, festivals, conferences, etc.
We also have podcasts! HAZZE MEDIA produces podcasts surrounding inspirational individuals, personal growth, true crime, and being a first-generation American. As of right now, “HAZZE” & “Crime After Crime” are available on Spotify and Google Podcasts!
How do you define success?
I think of success as being content with what you are doing in life and being truly happy with it.
Contact Info:
- Email: hazzemediainfo@gmail.com
- Website: https://www.hazzemedia.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hazzemedia/ & https://www.instagram.com/ezzahazka/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hazzemedia/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGWSRnptK4qJ9k0UfcH3y0A
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/show/2EpSElqyFu6UvAKoeavvRd?si=2e891b3dc1344457
Image Credits
Zack Lugo Cover: Photo by Jewel Fiorillo
