Chicago Social media influencer

Ziba Lennox, Chicago Social Media Influencer, Shares her Entrepreneurial Journey

In Student Mingle by Lauren McCaffrey

Meet Ziba Lennox- Founder of MaZi Dance Fitness

Ziba Lennox, is a first generation Mexican American from El Paso, Texas, with no fashion connections. Since becoming an influencer, she has grown a following of around 99.2K on Instagram. 

Lennox has owned MaZi Dance Fitness in Chicago with her sister for about eleven years. 

“I think that having a fitness business and being a fitness instructor is one of the most influential things you can be,” Lennox said. “People start to rely on you in a really positive way and it feels good to evolve and get better at your craft to help them. Online influence is nice but there’s something really powerful about helping people get fit and feel happy after a workout, where I almost can’t imagine a bigger influence.” 

Meet Ziba Lennox- Social Media Influencer

After beginning MaZi Dance Fitness, she extended her influence to the blog world. Within the “influencer world”, she has always been interested in writing and blogging. In 2010 she wrote for Ballerina Bottega, and soon created her own blog and Instagram account, Dancing Mama Style, writing about style, fitness, pregnancy tips and celebrating other women by featuring them, she said. 

Lennox said she had the hang of balancing blogging and motherhood until COVID-19 hit. 

“It’s been really challenging since then [COVID] to manage time,” Lennox said. “In terms of keeping viewers interested, you have to ‘read the room’ constantly. It can be difficult in today’s environment. The social media space has changed dramatically over the last 6 months.”

As a positive, growth mindset person, Lennox said she tries to empathize with people and be as positive as possible. Not only has Lennox made an effort to include more humor in her Instagram, but she has recently been using TikTok for a good laugh. 

In the future, Lennox said she wants to expand her existing platform, MaZi Dance Fitness, offering more great at-home workouts.

“I also would love to keep expanding the wellness aspect of my blog, I know a great deal about taking care of your body and body love,” Lennox said. “I see so many people struggling with that, especially younger women.” 

Last February during New York Fashion Week, Lennox hosted with Fashion News Lifestyle Network and she said it opened up her eyes to something she never thought she wanted to do. She was able to interview people and experience aspects of a fashion show that people never see. If COVID-19 allows, she said, she plans to continue pursuing it. 

As a member of Fashion Mingle, she has used the platform for networking events, especially during fashion weeks. 

“I feel like the most important thing you can do is network with other people in your niche and collaborate,” Lennox said. “If you shut yourself off from people who you think are competitors, you won’t get far. Supporting your peers has a boomerang effect. I try to reply to every comment and DM and look forward to connecting with my community every day!”

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About Lauren McCaffrey

Lauren is entering her junior year at Northwestern University. She plans to major in journalism and get The Segal Design Certificate. In addition to being a member of the Varsity Women’s Soccer team, she is a reporter for the Daily Northwestern.

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