Founder, Habibtea

Afrah Athasha (aka Zalelo)

From soulful singer to cultural storyteller, Zalelo is brewing more than just tea. She's pouring heritage into every cup. Afrah Athasha, also known as Zalelo, is the founder of Habibtea, a brand rooted in her Arab ancestry and driven by her desire to make culture feel close, current, and communal. What started as a humble tribute to her maternal roots has grown into a lifestyle experience with halal mojitos, wedding live stations, curated pop-ups, and more. 

With one foot in music and the other in media, Zalelo blends creativity with purpose, building a brand that’s both heartfelt and unapologetically bold. Her biggest lesson? Never get too comfortable. In business, as in life, nothing stays constant and Zalelo believes in staying nimble, curious, and always ready for a rainy day. 

Zalelo is also a firm believer in the future of live selling by bringing products to life through real-time storytelling and face-to-face connection. For her, it’s not just commerce but culture in conversation. And it’s in these personal interactions with her customers, regulars, and fans that she finds the fuel to keep innovating.

From pop-up queen to voice for her community, Zalelo isn’t just growing a business but nurturing a movement built on identity, memory, and shared experience.