Story & Lesson Highlights with Zayna Almashouti of Tempe

Zayna Almashouti shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Hi Zayna, thank you so much for joining us today. We’re thrilled to learn more about your journey, values and what you are currently working on. Let’s start with an ice breaker: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
I’d say integrity, without a doubt. Intelligence and energy mean nothing if they aren’t rooted in honesty. In every part of my life, friendship, relationships, work, I’ve learned that being real is what keeps things meaningful. I’m a tell it how it is kind of person, and I take pride in that. It’s not always the easiest way, but it’s the most freeing. When you live with integrity, people can trust your words, your energy feels pure, and everything you build has a stronger foundation.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi I’m Zayna Almashouti, creator of Highway Girls Official, a brand built around freedom, independence, and chasing what sets your soul on fire.

I started Highway Girls Official because I’ve always believed there’s power in following your own path, even when it’s uncertain. For me, this brand is more than clothing, it’s a reflection of independence, resilience, and chasing dreams with no map. I wanted to create something that reminds people it’s okay to take the long way, to get lost, to start over, that the road itself is part of who you become.

Starting a business is no joke, and this journey has taught me so much about patience, faith, and hard work. My first clothing order is finally on its way, and I can’t wait to see people wearing it. Our phone cases have been doing amazing, they’re drop shipped, but having real clothing in hand feels different. It feels personal. There’s been a lot happening behind the scenes that people haven’t seen yet, but that’s what makes this moment so special. It’s finally starting to feel real, and I couldn’t be more excited for what’s ahead.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What relationship most shaped how you see yourself?
The relationship that most shaped how I see myself is the one I’ve built with myself. For a long time, I looked for validation through other people, in friendships, relationships, even success. But learning to trust myself, to listen to my intuition, and to be okay on my own has changed everything. That relationship taught me that self respect sets the tone for every other connection in your life. When you know who you are, you stop settling for anything that doesn’t align with it.

When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I’ve never been someone who shows my emotions easily. Ever since I was a kid, I saw pain as a sign of weakness. My mom used to tell me she could never tell when I was upset, I’d just sit there with a straight face no matter what. She could take away my favorite teddy bear, and I’d act like it didn’t bother me, but behind closed doors I’d completely break down. That’s just always been who I am, I keep things in.

It’s not that I don’t talk about pain, I do. Everyone needs someone to listen sometimes. But for me, I usually process things alone. That’s when I feel the strongest, because I know I can pick myself up without relying on anyone else. I’ve learned that the best relationship you can have is the one with yourself.

This past year has honestly been the hardest of my life. I’ve dealt with a lot of loss and moments that really tested me. But instead of letting that pain consume me, I’ve turned it into fuel. I’ve taken every hard moment and used it to grow mentally and emotionally. I think that’s my version of power, not pretending everything’s okay, but learning to move through it and come out stronger on the other side.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
My closest friends would say authenticity and meaningful conversation matter most to me. I’m not someone who enjoys surface level connections, I like when people are real, even if it’s messy. I value honesty, vulnerability, and being able to talk about things that actually matter. I’ve always been that friend who wants to go deeper, who asks questions that make you think, and who would rather stay up talking about life than pretend everything’s perfect. For me, that’s what makes relationships genuine.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say I lived life on my own terms and stayed true to myself no matter what. That I took risks, chased big dreams, and turned my struggles into strength. I’d love for people to remember me as someone who made others feel seen and inspired them to believe in themselves, whether through my brand or just by the way I showed up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://highwaygirlsofficial.com/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zayna-almashouti-a004aa26a

Image Credits
Zayna Almashouti