What do people think of when they hear the word social media guru? Do they think of some old man, a man in his 40s, or some 30-year-old ‘woke’ guy? Well the incredible person that is getting the spotlight today is none of those types of people. Her name is Haya Elsamman and she is the true definition of a social media guru. 

Haya started on Instagram and social media at the early age of just 14! The second she entered the platform; she knew it was a passion that she would carry with her for years to come. I actually flew to Dubai to talk with her, as she was a guest speaker at a conference about the use of social media in the modern-day workspace. When I met her, there was an awe in how she carried herself. She emulated a sense of intellect and passion towards a topic that is difficult to learn and nearly impossible to master. Yet, she was able to do both, at an incredibly young age, and excelled incredibly at it. 

Haya told me that one of the biggest things she learned, and what she has taught internationally, is that you have to live your own life. “People need to make their own journeys, their own mistakes, and find their own passions.” This was a quote that resonated with me and really made me think about my life. Was I truly living the life that I wanted? Or was I just in the mere shadow of my parents. Haya related to this and shared how her parents kept her on a strict course and wanted something that she didn’t have passion for. If she didn’t have the courage to do her own thing, she could still be working a 9-5, wondering what her life could have been. It blew my mind how incredibly talented and knowledgeable Haya (@Haya on Instagram) was and how she was so open to sharing insights in order to help others. No wonder she has talked all around the world- the world needs to hear more of Haya Elsamman and her amazing journey.