Today we’d like to introduce you to Zandra Baheyadeen.
Hi Zandra, 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?
The ZanCan you see today started as just a saying my husband would express: “Zan can do it!” This was typically in response to issues that arose that needed a quick and efficient resolution. He instinctively knew I would rise to the occasion and enthusiastically embrace the task at hand – no matter how big or small – and see it successfully to its resolution. I suppose without realizing it I more or less created my business by virtue of my ambitious, determined, and go-getting personality that likes to not only see a job done but a job done well. But I am getting a bit ahead of myself. The journey that got me to where I am today is full of the normal plot twists and turns, and it was from those curves in the road that I learned the most about myself and what I have to offer.
Back story: I worked as a restaurant manager for 18 years and never even considered being my own boss and starting my own company. The recession, however, seemed to have other plans, and the corresponding Universe just presumed to know better. I was five months pregnant with our youngest son while working at a buffet chain. The company closed thirty-two stores in two days. My employment terminated under those actions. To say I was shocked – and somewhat emotionally paralyzed – was an understatement. I had never been unemployed before. I had two kids at home, and I was six months pregnant by this time. Being without a job was not the way I wanted this chapter in my life to be written.
After my baby was born and I enjoyed the requisite maternity leave, I was ready to accelerate back into the job market. Unfortunately, each job I was offered was not secure in that every company for which I worked soon closed its doors. It was as if the Universe was closing the figurative door to that route and nudging me to do something different. My interpretation? I was to branch out on my own and indulge the entrepreneurial spirit I never really realized I had.
A year later, I came up with the idea for ZanCan while standing in line at the post office. It’s interesting how things evolve from a simple idea. Eleven and a half years later, ZanCan has grown way beyond being an average concierge
service. I turned all my stumbling blocks into building blocks. I now have figured out how to help people better manage their time, clutter, and mess so they can control their lives. I have been blessed with a team that shares my passion. I chose Faith over Fear!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
It was far from a smooth ride. Starting a business that no one had ever heard of during a recession had its challenges, such as trying to explain my services and their value to a niche market, which I had not nailed down yet. Establishing a dialogue about what ZanCan actually offers clients did present an initial challenge, but as I grew within my businesses, the answers to “What do you do and offer” soon began to present accordingly through my actions and services available. Subsequent word-of-mouth truly helped my business gain traction. Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I specialize in real estate concierge services. We offer everything from real estate sign placement to preparing homes for the market. The one integral aspect of my business that has gained considerable velocity is our premier decluttering and organizing services. We help people pack and unpack their homes with a very strategic and proven methodology that is gaining the attention it deserves. It has taken much time, research and lessons learned to get to this point in my business, but I have come to realize how important this type of service is and how much people truly need it. Because my team and I love it so much, it has definitely thrived no matter the economic environment in which we might find ourselves.
A significant part of this business is that our collective team mentality has something that cannot be measured in dollars and cents. This translates to empathy, compassion, integrity, and trustworthiness, which adds a necessary layer of comfort that clients not only seem to appreciate but also value. This influx in activity has enhanced my team’s extraordinary ability to assist individuals with pre-listing preparations as they prepare to sell and/or move to a new home. In 2019, for example, we completed 143 pre-listings preps and anticipate an even greater number by the end of 2021. Year to date, we have assisted 110 individuals and families with preparing their homes for the market. If you can’t, ZanCan!
So, before we go, how can our readers or others connect or collaborate with you? How can they support you?
I am always looking to network and meet new referral partners. My clients depend on me for reliable resources.
Contact Info:
- Email: zan@zancan4u.com
- Website: www.zancan4u.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zancan72/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ZanCan4U/
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=TH7pWIUWgD1HgXQ_HuDD1A
Image Credits
The first shot was taken by Micheal Orr, the owner of Red Carpet Photography.
