This February, Brentwood Village saw something it had never seen before: a charitable retail store. The concept wasn’t new; after all, the National Council of Jewish Women has stores in L.A., and everyone knows the Salvation Army stores. But this store is different. It’s led by a Brentwood resident, mother of three, law school-educated businesswoman who gave up a chain of successful retail stores to start a foundation for women. It’s called Womenfound. Womenfound is a tasteful boutique that sells high-end wares to discerning clients in Brentwood and donates the profits to needy women around the world. The concept is to take from women and give to women. Womenfound doesn’t look for a handout or a donation—people shop at the store just as they would at Saks
, or Target. The difference is that the store’s founder, Maryam Zar, gives the money away.
Here’s the story of this woman and the dream she made a reality.
Q: What is Womenfound’s mission?
A: Womenfound was created spontaneously at a time when I was trying to end my retail career. I wanted to move on. I was asked by a friend to do some writing for Child Foundation and realized that there are a lot of women and children in need around this world. I was losing sleep at night thinking about them. So I decided to turn my retail “chops†into something I believed in. The creation was Womenfound, where we raise money through retail sales and donate the profits to charities and foundations that help women around the world.
Q: What’s unique about Womenfound?
A: That it’s not a quirky consignment store. It’s a very nice little boutique that is incredibly appealing with merchandise for everyone. In turn it helps alleviate the pressure of some of the most disadvantaged, abused and downtrodden women on earth.
Q: What inspired you to create Womenfound?
A: My need to advocate, think, write and help people. And my recognition that the world is replete with need. Without outside help, some of the neediest women and children wouldn’t be able to get past the cycle of poverty.
Q: What portion of Womenfound’s sales is donated to charitable organizations?
A: At the moment I donate everything we make. We don’t make that much. Rent is our biggest expense. We buy our merchandise, since the only charitable portion of Womenfound is on our end. Then we have employee costs, insurance, utilities, taxes, etc… I don’t take any salary at the moment, so whatever is left over after our costs, we donate.
Q: How do you choose which charities to donate to?
A: I research various groups and decide whom to give to. I try to pick organizations that I think are really doing some good. I’ve found many charities that work towards the aid and empowerment of women. Our first donation was to Madre, which is a global organization. Now I’m looking at ASTI (Acid Survivors trust International), which does the crux of its work in Bangladesh, India, and Pakistan. Also, there’s the Women’s Cooperative, which does work in India. And I have a few global ones in my sights too. I really want to donate the little we have to give each month or each quarter to a charity that can really use the help.
Q: What is your favorite part about your store?
A: That it raises money. I don’t much like retail or the process of selling things to people. I love the idea that we can raise money for needy women.
Q: Do you have any plans for expansion?
A: Oh, yes. Ideally, Womenfound will grow into a foundation that directly sponsors women or efforts to empower, engage and emancipate them.
Q: How long have you lived in Brentwood?
A: Since my husband and I moved here from New York City in 2000. My home, my kids’ favorite places, Starbucks—all are right here in Brentwood. I feel attached to this town and take pride in making it a better place. Keep it coming, Brentwood—together we can do much good.
To learn more, go to
www.womenfound.org.
