Today we’d like to introduce you to Valeria Zozaya.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I was born and raised in Mexico, where my love for art, architecture, and creativity began at an early age. Creativity was always part of my world. My mother is a painter, my father worked in television production, and I grew up surrounded by visual expression and storytelling. I earned a degree in Architecture, but I have always considered myself both an architect and an artist. Painting and creating have been lifelong passions that continue to influence my work today.
Like many immigrants, I had to adapt to a new culture, language, and professional environment when I moved to the United States. Reestablishing myself professionally was not always easy, and navigating the challenges that often come with foreign credentials required patience and perseverance. After some time, I was able to continue my career in architecture before my husband and I had the opportunity to relocate to Shanghai, China.
Once again, I found myself starting over and adapting to a completely different culture and way of life. Fortunately, I was able to continue my professional career, working for large architectural firms in Shanghai. That international experience broadened my perspective and continues to influence my work today.
When we returned to the United States, we started our family, and I made the intentional decision to step away from my professional career to focus on raising my children. It was a season of life I embraced wholeheartedly. Although I stepped away from architecture, I never stopped creating. I continued painting, teaching arts and crafts, volunteering, and freelancing on home renovations and house flips. Creativity simply found different ways to express itself.
As my children grew older, I began thinking about what I wanted the next chapter of my life to look like. Rather than returning to work for a firm, I decided to build something of my own. Two years ago, in my late forties, I launched Zozaya Studio, a boutique interior design and architecture practice based in Michigan.
Starting a business at this stage of life has been both exciting and challenging. Design comes naturally to me, but entrepreneurship has pushed me far outside my comfort zone and required me to develop skills that don’t come as naturally. In many ways, it would have been easier to pursue a traditional position, but I wanted the freedom to follow my own vision and create something that feels authentically me.
While my background is in architecture, I found myself increasingly drawn to interior design because of the personal connection it allows me to have with clients and the impact it can have on everyday life. Today, my work seamlessly blends architecture, interiors, and art, combining my heritage, international experiences, and artistic roots.
Looking back, I realize my story has been one of reinvention. Moving countries, adapting to new cultures, raising a family, and launching my own studio all required me to start over in some way. Each chapter taught me resilience, creativity, and the importance of trusting myself. Zozaya Studio is the result of all those experiences coming together and proof that it is never too late to pursue a dream and build a career that feels authentically me.
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?
Some of my biggest challenges have been adapting to new cultures, reestablishing my career with foreign credentials, stepping away from the profession to raise my family, and later starting a business in my late forties. Learning the business side of entrepreneurship and stepping outside my comfort zone continue to be part of my journey.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Zozaya Studio?
With my background in architecture and a lifelong passion for art, I bring a unique perspective that blends technical expertise and creativity, along with a special eye for color and composition. My work is influenced by my international experiences and artistic roots, and I focus on balancing functionality with uncovering the true soul of a space, creating environments that reflect and support the people who live in them. Zozaya Studio is a boutique, highly collaborative practice where I work closely with clients to guide them through the design process and discover what truly resonates with them. I believe great design should be authentic rather than trend-driven, and I believe in the power of a well-designed space to enrich everyday life.
What has been the most important lesson you’ve learned along your journey?
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that growth happens outside of your comfort zone. Reinventing myself at different stages of life has taught me the importance of perseverance, putting myself out there, and not letting fear or self-doubt keep me hidden. I’ve also learned that success is not a solo journey. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people, mentors, and professionals who inspire, support, and challenge you can make all the difference. Building a community of people who empower one another has been invaluable, both personally and professionally. Above all, I’ve learned that it’s never too late to pursue your dreams and that showing up consistently, even when you don’t have everything figured out, is often more important than having a perfect plan.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://zozayastudio.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zozayastudio/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556548395210
