Building a Brand with Your Community, Not Just for Them | Sanaz Dizaj Parham | Brand Director at Axel Arigato

What if your marketing strategy wasn’t just about selling products but building authentic relationships? Sanaz Dizaj Parham, Brand Director at Axel Arigato, joins Kara to share how community-first marketing has helped turn a Swedish streetwear startup into a global phenomenon. From growing up between cultures to becoming a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Sanaz shares what it means to lead with intention, claim your space, and step into your own power. This episode is a masterclass in leadership, mindset, personal development for women, and building purpose-driven brands that stand out by standing for something. We talk about branding, self-made women, redefining success, career development, and why women entrepreneurs and creatives need to stop playing small. Chapters: 00:00 Meet Sanaz Dizaj Parham and her journey to Axel Arigato 01:20 Life in Sweden and building a global brand 03:00 What a brand director actually does 04:00 Community-first marketing in fashion and streetwear 05:15 Growing up Iranian in a homogenous country 06:45 Building a brand from scratch without industry connections 08:00 Sustainability, values, and doing business differently 09:15 The power of events and customer feedback loops 10:45 Stepping into her voice as a thought leader 13:00 Balancing high-performance roles with purpose 14:45 Claiming space as a female entrepreneur 16:35 Getting featured in Forbes and Vogue 18:00 Leaving self-doubt behind and owning your story 20:00 Identity, creativity, and unlocking your potential 23:15 Being a third culture kid and developing a global mindset 26:00 What being powerful means to her now 28:00 Why your identity runs everything 30:00 What she’s manifesting next-and how you can help The Powerful Ladies podcast, hosted by business coach and strategist Kara Duffy features candid conversations with entrepreneurs, creatives, athletes, chefs, writers, scientists, and more. Every Wednesday, new episodes explore what it means to lead with purpose, create with intention, and define success on your own terms. Whether you're growing a business, changing careers, or asking bigger questions, these stories remind you: you're not alone, and you're more powerful than you think. Explore more at thepowerfulladies.com and karaduffy.com. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices