From Stage to Strategy: Zara Bartel’s Next Act

Trinidad and Tobago welcomes back Zara Bartels, a dynamic individual who has traded the spotlight of the international dance stage for the strategic world of business consultancy. After a distinguished career that saw her perform with world-renowned choreographers and serve as the longest-standing dance captain for Disney's The Lion King, Bartels has returned home with a mission to empower local enterprises.

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I tested out a childhood dream and did it to a high standard, but I wanted something less consuming than dance, which demands everything if you do it properly.

Her decision to leave the demanding world of dance, a field that requires absolute dedication, was driven by a desire for a more balanced life and a yearning to contribute to her homeland. Bartels' return is guided by a powerful directive from her father: to be a 'coloniser' in the truest sense – to absorb knowledge and experience from abroad and bring it back to enrich her country. This ethos is embodied in her new venture, 'What Is Must Is,' a consultancy aimed at helping businesses navigate growth while retaining their unique cultural identity and human touch.

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In dance and theatre, your work hours are everyone else’s social hours, and it can become quite isolating.

Furthermore, Bartels is addressing a critical need for returning nationals with her upcoming platform, 'Yuh Reach.' This initiative seeks to ease the often-challenging transition for those coming home, a cause she understands intimately after two decades in England. Her journey, from the disciplined world of elite dance to the entrepreneurial landscape, showcases a remarkable adaptability and a deep commitment to fostering development within Trinidad and Tobago. Her story is a testament to the diverse talents and ambitions flourishing within our nation, inspiring others to leverage their experiences for the betterment of the community.

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That’s usually the obvious path — professional dancer becomes dance teacher — but I knew that wasn’t for me. I respect teaching deeply; some of the most important people in my life are my dance teachers. I am pretty sure and comfortable about who I am, and teaching is not my strength.