Business Achievements & Keys to Success
Zulekha Haywood has excelled in beauty and corporate operations and strategic expansion. From 2002 to 2007, she rose from Executive Assistant and Office Manager to Senior Planning & Procurement Manager at Iman Cosmetics, establishing agreements with national retailers like Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, HSN, and Target. Jay Manuel Beauty hired her as Project Manager and Senior Business Analyst in 2014 to improve brand strategy and market positioning. Since 2018, she has led sourcing strategy, customer relationship management, and demand analysis at Taymark Inc./INVISTA/McShares Inc. She gained demand planning knowledge as Inventory Analyst at Portu Sunberg in 2016.
Her success rests on four pillars:
- Strategic Progression: Zulekha gained domain expertise and credibility by working for top beauty brands before moving into other industries.
- Her experience in cosmetics, wholesale, retail, and manufacturing has enhanced her capacity to apply best practices in different operational situations.
- Good Business Skills: Leading revenue-driving initiatives and gaining high-value retailer contracts demonstrates her ability to match product offers with market demand.
- Resilience and Discipline: Overcoming personal hardships and growing professionally demonstrate her dedication to excellence.
Other Successful Family Members
Iman (Zara Mohamed Abdulmajid)
Iman is a former worldwide supermodel who started her own businesses, Iman Cosmetics and the lifestyle brand worldwide Chic. She has written books, won important fashion prizes, and hosted Project Runway Canada, which helped her build a business empire worth millions of dollars.
Spencer Haywood
Spencer Haywood was an Olympic gold medallist and an NBA champion. His induction into the Hall of Fame in 2015 ended a long and successful basketball career. He made history by signing big endorsement deals outside of basketball, and he is still a revered figure in sports history.
Duncan Jones
Duncan has directed and written critically acclaimed science fiction and drama films, creating his own creative legacy without his famous parents.
Alexandria Zahra Jones
Alexandria, a designer and entrepreneur, uses her creative upbringing to create unique apparel and art collections.
Other Haywood Siblings
Nikiah, Isis, and Shaakira Haywood have worked outside the spotlight, demonstrating the family’s values of determination and success.
FAQ
What roles defined Zulekha Haywood’s career?
Zulekha has worked in senior operational and analytical roles at Iman Cosmetics, Jay Manuel Beauty, Portu Sunberg, and Taymark Inc./INVISTA/McShares Inc., where she was in charge of planning, buying, inventory analysis, and customer connection projects.
Which qualities contributed most to her success?
Her professional success has been based on her capacity to think strategically, adapt to different industries, negotiate well with national merchants, and stay strong in the face of adversities.
Who in her family achieved prominence?
Her mother, Iman, developed a global empire in fashion and beauty. Her father, Spencer Haywood, is an Olympic and NBA champion. Her half-brother, Duncan Jones, is a well-known filmmaker, and her sister, Alexandria Zahra Jones, runs her own design businesses.
How did her family background influence her career?
Zulekha’s desire to come up with new ideas, her ability to handle high-stakes negotiations, and her dedication to turning vision into measurable business results all came from growing up around entrepreneurial and creative role models.
