UTA Gen Z executives, former co-founders, share their hectic schedules

Since then, the two have gone from being co-founders to leading the “Next Gen” of UTA.

“It’s my first time in corporate America and it’s definitely an adjustment, but I think I made the right choice,” Ahmed, 25, said. “Being a founder is really hard because you have to figure things out as you go, so it’s great to be in a place where people have done things before and there’s someone who can teach me how to learn. “

At 16, Ahmed launched the agency in 2016 and partnered with Zafar two years later after he met her in college.​​ Their goal was to work with the largest companies, non-profits and startups in various industries to help them reach Gen Z audiences, such as connecting them with influential talent for campaigns.

Now, as part of UTA, Juv’s network of creators is able to collaborate with the biggest names in entertainment, media, sports and music, Zafar said, but they’re not without long hours to make it all possible. Every day, she and Ahmed are on back-to-back calls pitching their Next Gen division to potential clients.

Their schedules are hectic, usually starting before dawn until well after midnight, as they balance local events, dozens of calls, and traveling to conferences to share their Gen Z experience with corporate leaders around the world.

“We’re here to amplify and give a platform to various creators that people might not have heard of,” said Zafar, 24. “It’s exciting because we can bring in so many for the amazing opportunities we have.”

For the first time, Ahmed and Zafar share a glimpse of their work schedule as they grow UTA’s Next Gen.