Haze Baraza

Welcome and Introduction

Taryell Simmons: Welcome back to another inspiring episode of the Rise Urban Nation podcast. Today we dive deep into the world of fashion, creativity, and the fearless pursuit of happiness with the incredibly talented Haze Baraza.

Haze Baraza: Thank you. What a great introduction. That is so endearing.

Taryell Simmons: For those who do not know Haze, let me introduce you. Haze is a Kenyan-born fashion creative, stylist, and founder of Styled by Haze B. Her work goes beyond style; it is about transformation and empowering individuals to see themselves in a new light, from makeup artistry to self-confidence coaching. Haze is all about helping people shine inside and out. Get ready to learn how she turned her passion into power and created a life rooted in abundance.

Haze Baraza: Thank you for such a kind introduction.

Taryell Simmons: In our green room discussion, we had great conversations before starting. I was looking through your Instagram, and you are killing it in the fashion scene. Your fashion work is creme de la creme, but what I am really interested in are the messages you have started to share outside of fashion. Those messages are spot on and inspiring. I do not see many people in the fashion industry being real and sharing real-life themes. You need to do more of that.

Embracing Identity and Overcoming Self-Doubt

Haze Baraza: Thank you so much. It has been a long journey to become the person I am today. A lot of people underestimate how their trials and tribulations become their testimony, myself included. I did not realize people would want to know more about me in that way because I am a private person. I have moments where I am super extroverted and other moments where I love my alone time. Working in such a public space, I had internal conflict about how much of my story to share. It is not about me; it is about helping the next person save their life. It is not just about the clothes I wear, but what is within me that makes me shine.

Haze Baraza: I have known from a very young age what I was going to do with my life. I knew I was going to be a fashion designer and create House of Baraza. However, I did not know how I would get there or how big my mission was. I always knew I was special, but there was another part of me that struggled with mental health.

Taryell Simmons: We are going to get into that whole story. Remind me, how did we first connect?

Haze Baraza: One of my clients was at a startup business networking event in San Diego. She told me she met someone doing entrepreneurship and hosting a podcast, and she connected us on LinkedIn.

Cultural Roots and First-Generation Expectations

Taryell Simmons: We had that first phone call and hit it off immediately. My roots are Nigerian and yours are Kenyan, so we had that African connection right away. Tell me about your roots in Kenya and how your passion for fashion began. In Nigerian culture, parents often say you can only be a doctor, lawyer, or engineer. Growing up, I loved art, and my father told me to leave that foolishness and study my books.

Haze Baraza: My parents are progressive African parents, but they also wanted me to pursue business, law, or medicine. However, they saw something in me at a very young age. I was drawing clothes before I was able to read and write. I was calling myself Coco Chanel at the age of five. In middle school, I thought about becoming an RN or an anesthesiologist to pursue something realistic, but I realized I do not like bodily fluids. In high school, I was also in band playing clarinet.

Haze Baraza: Even though I grew up in the suburbs of Plano, Texas, I grew up in an African household. We went to a Kenyan church every Sunday and were heavily involved in the community. I took a lot of pride in where I was born and my culture. My brand is Kenyan-born, Texas-raised, and San Diego-based. I really want to highlight East African designers in fashion in a powerful way.

Taryell Simmons: African designers across the diaspora are rising in music, art, fashion, and tech.

Haze Baraza: The rest of the world is finally recognizing the incredible talent we offer. While there are many West African, South African, and North African designers gaining visibility, there is still tremendous space for East African representation, and I am ready to showcase that.

Overcoming the Challenge of Worthiness

Taryell Simmons: Every successful journey has obstacles. What was one of the biggest challenges you faced while building your career, and how did you overcome it?

Haze Baraza: My biggest challenge thus far has been worthiness—feeling worthy of living the life of my dreams. Knowing what I was meant to do from a young age did not make life easier. I struggled with identity issues, confidence, depression, anxiety, trauma, and suicidal thoughts. I had to decide whether I would continue living in fear or be fearless in the pursuit of happiness. As a first-generation Black queer woman, artist, and creative, I could view those identities as marginalizing or recognize that they make me uniquely who I am and allow me to excel.

Haze Baraza: In high school, an Avid teacher shared a lesson that changed my life forever: you only get two options in life—you are either an asset or a liability. Later, I realized that means you are either a victim or a victor. We must decide how to write our story, reclaim our power, and practice accountability, self-awareness, and discernment.

Taryell Simmons: Growing up in a Nigerian household, excellence is ingrained, and falling short makes you feel inadequate. The pressure on first-generation children to excel and break generational curses without guidance creates heavy emotional weight.

Haze Baraza: Going through my self-evolution gave me empathy for my parents and older generations. They were surviving and doing the best they could with the tools they had. Because they bet on themselves by coming to a new country, we now have the opportunity to have these conversations and create our own paths.

Living in Fearlessness and Abundance

Taryell Simmons: You often speak about fearlessness and abundance. What do those principles mean to you, and have you struggled to embody them?

Haze Baraza: Every day I do what I am afraid of. I do it scared, sad, depressed, happy, or nervous. Being fearless on the pursuit of happiness means having the courage to go after your dream life without a plan B. Fear and lack live in the same neighborhood, and fear is just false evidence appearing real. To me, abundance means love. God is love, and the universe loves us unconditionally for merely existing. Everything you need is already within you because you are made to create.

Taryell Simmons: You are preaching powerful truth today. Your resilience and fearlessness are truly inspiring.

Daily Habits and Strategies for Success

Taryell Simmons: What strategies have been most impactful in turning your vision into reality?

Haze Baraza: First, waking up early. I still work a nine-to-five job while building my business and managing multiple projects. Second, prioritizing personal growth by reading books, listening to podcasts, and investing in coaches. Third, gaining hands-on experience and learning from mentors who are ahead of you. Fourth, building authentic relationships by selflessly giving your time. When you are reliable and selfless, your name will be mentioned in rooms you have not yet entered.

Taryell Simmons: Being an asset opens doors where your feet have not even touched.

Haze Baraza: The life of your dreams is expensive; you pay in time, resources, or knowledge. If you invest in yourself, life invests in you. I transitioned from a partying lifestyle to holistic living so I could be a good shepherd of my blessings and handle greater responsibilities. Discipline is devotion to the life of your dreams. Marianne Williamson wrote that our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure.

Taryell Simmons: People often fall in love with outcomes rather than the process, but the process is where transformation happens.

Unlearning Limiting Beliefs and the Power of Kindness

Taryell Simmons: What is one lesson you wish you knew when you first started?

Haze Baraza: René Descartes said that to attain truth, we must discard all the ideas we were taught. Figure out who you envision yourself to be, remove anything that does not align, and do not let the world define you. When you change your life, you impact future generations. Additionally, practice kindness. Reputation can be fickle, but character speaks volumes. Hurt people hurt people, so do not let negativity derail your character.

Taryell Simmons: Navigating dual cultures can make you feel like you are never enough in either space. This podcast was built to bridge communities and inspire young Black and Pan-African entrepreneurs. What final advice would you give them?

Haze Baraza: Show up, read up, and make connections. Gain hands-on experience through volunteering or interning. Wear the outfit, show up authentically as your best self, and never dim your light to make others comfortable.

Actionable Advice and Upcoming Projects

Taryell Simmons: Where can our audience connect with you and follow your journey?

Haze Baraza: You can find me on Instagram @styledbyhazeb, explore my brand House of Baraza, and join the free Rise and Thrive Summit Facebook group happening January 20th to February 3rd.

Taryell Simmons: Thank you for sharing your wisdom, Haze. To our listeners, check the show notes, subscribe, leave a review, and stay fearless.