001 - From Thought to ZIQR
In this letter, I share the story behind founding ZIQR, how it started, what it stands for, and why I built it with intention. I reflect on the meaning behind the name, the purpose of Stay Informed. Stay Reflective. and what comes next.
There was no launch party. No press run. Just a need to build something that felt real and necessary. ZIQR began as a quiet project. I did not know exactly what it would become, but I knew what it needed to stand for.
The name ZIQR is drawn from the word dhikr, which means remembrance. That idea shaped everything. I wanted to build something that helps people remember what matters. Something that informs without overwhelming. Something that invites reflection, not reaction. ZIQR is not just media. It is a mindset. A space that values clarity, honesty, and thoughtfulness. From the way we write to the way we design, everything is guided by one simple aim: Stay Informed. Stay Reflective. The first part is about being aware of the world. The second is about not losing yourself in it.
I built the first version of ZIQR on my own. No investors. No team. Just questions, late nights, and a deep belief that it was worth trying. I started with the podcast, sharing stories that felt grounded and necessary. Then I designed the website, created the brand, and began shaping a platform that could grow over time. ZIQR will keep evolving. It is not about chasing trends or scaling fast. It is about building carefully and staying aligned with what matters. Every part of it reflects how I see the world and how I want to contribute to it.
This is the first of many letters. A place to share what I am building, why I am building it, and how I am learning along the way.
To learn more about ZIQR, please visit our website at ziqr.org.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for being here.
Written with care from the heart of Texas,
Arman
07.06.2025
There was no launch party. No press run. Just a need to build something that felt real and necessary. ZIQR began as a quiet project. I did not know exactly what it would become, but I knew what it needed to stand for.
The name ZIQR is drawn from the word dhikr, which means remembrance. That idea shaped everything. I wanted to build something that helps people remember what matters. Something that informs without overwhelming. Something that invites reflection, not reaction. ZIQR is not just media. It is a mindset. A space that values clarity, honesty, and thoughtfulness. From the way we write to the way we design, everything is guided by one simple aim: Stay Informed. Stay Reflective. The first part is about being aware of the world. The second is about not losing yourself in it.
I built the first version of ZIQR on my own. No investors. No team. Just questions, late nights, and a deep belief that it was worth trying. I started with the podcast, sharing stories that felt grounded and necessary. Then I designed the website, created the brand, and began shaping a platform that could grow over time. ZIQR will keep evolving. It is not about chasing trends or scaling fast. It is about building carefully and staying aligned with what matters. Every part of it reflects how I see the world and how I want to contribute to it.
This is the first of many letters. A place to share what I am building, why I am building it, and how I am learning along the way.
To learn more about ZIQR, please visit our website at ziqr.org.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for being here.
Written with care from the heart of Texas,
Arman
07.06.2025
There was no launch party. No press run. Just a need to build something that felt real and necessary. ZIQR began as a quiet project. I did not know exactly what it would become, but I knew what it needed to stand for.
The name ZIQR is drawn from the word dhikr, which means remembrance. That idea shaped everything. I wanted to build something that helps people remember what matters. Something that informs without overwhelming. Something that invites reflection, not reaction. ZIQR is not just media. It is a mindset. A space that values clarity, honesty, and thoughtfulness. From the way we write to the way we design, everything is guided by one simple aim: Stay Informed. Stay Reflective. The first part is about being aware of the world. The second is about not losing yourself in it.
I built the first version of ZIQR on my own. No investors. No team. Just questions, late nights, and a deep belief that it was worth trying. I started with the podcast, sharing stories that felt grounded and necessary. Then I designed the website, created the brand, and began shaping a platform that could grow over time. ZIQR will keep evolving. It is not about chasing trends or scaling fast. It is about building carefully and staying aligned with what matters. Every part of it reflects how I see the world and how I want to contribute to it.
This is the first of many letters. A place to share what I am building, why I am building it, and how I am learning along the way.
To learn more about ZIQR, please visit our website at ziqr.org.
Thank you for reading. Thank you for being here.
Written with care from the heart of Texas,
Arman
07.06.2025