A new series called “A Day With” has been officially launched by TANTV. “A Day With” provides and takes an inside look into the lives of featured African and Black Diaspora Creatives and Entrepreneurs, allowing viewers to journey and experience a typical day with featured Diaspora Creatives and Entrepreneurs.
Our inaugural feature focuses on Abai Schulze, a Diaspora business owner who owns the globally recognized African artisanal brand, ZAAF. TANTV invites you to embark on a journey to explore Abai’s welcoming home and remarkable business empire ZAAF.
On a beautiful Monday morning, Abai greeted our crew at the door with a bright smile and welcomed us into her two-story family home. Her living room is artistically adorned with various artworks on the walls and vintage handmade crafts. Abai begins her day with a healthy smoothie made from a blend of mixed fruits, flaxseed, hemp super greens, apple sauce, and oat milk. As a stylish artisanal business owner, she enjoys sitting by the window in her living room, checking her emails, and contemplating her attire for the day. She takes her smoothie to her beautiful backyard, where she can enjoy the flowers, sunshine, and gentle breeze. Abai’s commitment to a healthy lifestyle extends to her use of indigenous materials in her ZAAF products. She then returns inside to share more about herself and her brand.
Abai Schulze, who was born in Ethiopia and spent her early years in an orphanage, was adopted by an American family residing in Texas at the time. She later moved to Washington, D.C. for college, where she pursued dual majors in economics and visual arts. Abai was a diligent and disciplined student, always striving to complete tasks on time and to her own high standards. She draws upon the life lessons she has learned along the way in both her professional career and personal life.
Abai has a busy day ahead as she frequently checks on the merchandise at the store and ensures the smooth operation of her business. ZAAF, an innovative and cutting-edge Afro-luxe company founded by Abai Schulze, specializes in selling handcrafted luxury leather purses and accessories made by Ethiopian artisans. We accompanied Abai to visit one of her stores located at 189 Waterfront St., Oxon Hill, MD.
The ZAAF Store is situated near the National Harbor, offering a stunning waterfront view. In addition to a bustling outlet mall and live music at the MGM National Harbor hotel and casino, National Harbor is a conference center with views of the Woodrow Wilson Bridge across the Potomac River. Abai carries several products in her store from items ranging from men’s sandals, and bags to women’s wallets, sandals, purses, and much more.
During our visit, Abai needed to double-check the new inventory shipment and oversee in-store sales at the ZAAF Store. As we entered, her receptionist greeted us with a beautiful smile. She introduced us to TANTV and explained that all ZAAF items are handmade, showcasing unique designs and traditional craftsmanship.
Written by: Karesha, Philip and Edited by Tina
Video produced by Pieterjan Eyckmans
