There comes a topping in many women’s lives when achievement no longer feels like enough. The promotions, deadlines, the overflowing calendars and constant availability begin to blur into one question: When do I get to simply live?
For the founder of Out of Office, Zakiyya Karim that question became the beginning of something far greater than a business.
Like many creatives, she found herself measuring her worth by her productivity. Life revolved around creating, producing and showing up for everyone else leaving little room to experience the moments that make life meaningful. The pressure to always be “on” had become normal, but it no longer felt sustainable. Out of Office was born from a desire to challenge that narrative.
Rather than creating another fashion accessory, she set out to design a product that reflected a different way of living. One that reminded women they are more than their careers, inboxes and expectations placed upon them.
The brand’s first product was inspired by everyday life, a beautifully crafted bag designed to move between work meetings, gym sessions and life’s quiet moments. Practical enough for modern day living, yet elevated enough to feel timeless.
Behind the polished product however, is a founder navigating the unseen realities of entrepreneurship.
Without a large team, significant funding or a perfectly mapped out strategy, Zakiyya embraces the uncertainty of building from the ground up. She immersed herself in every part of the process, from sourcing quality materials and refining designs to working with local manufacturers while making financial decisions.
Although the brand is in its early chapters, it is authenticity that makes it compelling. The brand has been shaped by resilience rather than perfection, by real lessons instead of polished narratives and a founder willing to build something that reflects the life she hopes more women will choose for themselves.
In a cultures that often celebrates constant hustle, Out of Office offers a gentler perspective. It reminds us that success is not only measured by what we accomplish but also by the moments we allow ourselves to experience.
