Today we’d like to introduce you to Sara Hamdan.
Hi Sara, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am a 19 year old Palestinian-American entrepreneur, model and actress. Growing up, I’ve always had big dreams and a passion for bringing a unique perspective to every endeavor- I’ve always had this innate belief that I was capable of anything. I still genuinely believe I could become president if I wanted to. I never felt like I had a “true calling”, just that I was meant to be here, now, and share my experiences with the world. I’ve always loved creating- whether it was in the form of a story, poem, drawing, or a unique solution to an ordinary problem. I’ve experimented with many different outlets, and continue to do so.
I’ve always loved projects, competitions, really anything that challenged me to present my unique thought process and sense of being to the world. My olive oil business, All Love, is deeply personal, being rooted in my heritage and desire to share something authentic with the world. Meanwhile, acting and modeling allow me to express myself in a wildly different but equally fulfilling way, especially when working with other local creatives and entrepreneurs. I also work in sales, which I have found to be thrilling as well as rewarding- I sell services and products I genuinely believe in and find a sense of satisfaction in connecting those with people who seek them. The drive, self advocacy/promotion, and the ability to turn vision into reality are what connect me so passionately to these various types of work.
Everything I do comes from a love for creating, expressing, and bringing something real to the table. Whether it’s through my business, my art, or just how I move through life, I want to make an impact in a way that speaks to my truth as well as others. This is just the start, and I’m excited to continue developing and refining my work and see it continue to grow as I navigate through life and it’s many challenges.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I like to describe myself as “passionately driven”, which speaks directly to my experience struggling with ADHD. I’ve always struggled to complete simpler tasks, categorizing them as “mundane”. I would ignore easy-to-complete, required school assignments in favor of preparation for an optional state-wide competition. I would excel at all my larger, more complicated endeavors while letting my more ordinary responsibilities go unchecked. I would jump from project to project, dedicating all of my energy towards the “big win”. This helped shape my ambitious spirit and kept me from pursuing anything I didn’t wholeheartedly believe in, but had the unfortunate downside of lacking consistent effort towards things that didn’t give me an instant sense of dopamine- including things that were necessary for creating a sustainable lifestyle.
At the same time, I’ve always felt different- and not just because of my ADHD. Being Palestinian-American but very Americanized, I never truly fit into either side. Among Arabs, I wasn’t traditional enough. Among Americans, I was still “different” in a way they didn’t fully understand. That feeling of being caught between two worlds made me hyper-aware of my identity-but never quite comfortable in it.
On top of that, my appearance set me apart even more. I’ve always been beautiful, but in a way that didn’t fit into conventional expectations. I have a unique look that made me stand out- whether I wanted to or not. Instead of being celebrated for it, I was often ostracized, misunderstood, or treated like an outsider. People didn’t know where to place me, so they either dismissed me or made me feel like I didn’t belong. It got to the point where I dropped out of my soccer team, a sport I had such a passion for, because I couldn’t deal with the social isolation and even bullying I was experiencing. I would purposefully not wear my eye contacts in public to avoid the pressure I felt when people would stare.
For a long time, I struggled with that—wondering why I couldn’t just blend in, why I couldn’t be the kind of pretty that made life easier, or the kind of person that just naturally fit in. But over time, I realized that standing out is my power. The same things that made me feel like an outsider are the same things that make me unstoppable in my career today. Whether it’s in acting/modeling, closing a sale, or running my business, I’ve learned that uniqueness is an asset, not a flaw.
That journey—of going from feeling isolated to embracing my individuality—has shaped everything I do. It’s why I pour so much of myself into my work. Because I know what it’s like to feel unseen, and now, I make sure that everything I do is with the intention of being boldly, unapologetically myself. I’ve found that most people tend to really appreciate that sense of genuine humility. No matter how things work out, I can look back and be proud of myself for being authentic to my true character.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
At first glance, my careers in entertainment, sales and business might seem like vastly separate paths, but they are deeply intertwined. They require boldness, strategic thinking, and the ability to sell not just a product or a performance—but a vision. They demand resilience and the ability to create my own opportunities rather than waiting for someone else to hand them to me.
I started All Love in November of 2024, with a simple yet powerful vision: to share something authentic with the world. I have never purchased olive oil in my life, as my family imports it from our trees in Palestine. I never realized the poor quality of most olive oils being sold in commercial stores until my close friend introduced me to the issue. She tried my family’s oil and asked me to name my price for a bottle. I was surprised, and gave her some to take home free of charge. About every month or so after that, she would come to me for more, telling me about how she would pay upwards of $15 for 8oz of olive oil at the store that was thin, watery, flavorless and filled with artificial additives.
When it dawned on me how much richer, healthier and flavorful our oil was compared to most you would find on the shelves, I knew I had to share it with the world. Our family trees in Palestine have been growing for decades in rocky terrain near the sea, which gives the oil an incredibly rich, high-antioxidant profile. My positive experiences in sales helped give me the confidence to pursue my idea, but starting a business, especially as a young entrepreneur, hasn’t been easy. I learned quickly that running a business isn’t just about having a great product- it’s about persistence, adaptability and knowing how to stand out in a crowded market.
I created All Love not just as a business, but as a way to give back for all it has given me—5% of all proceeds go directly to supporting the Palestinian cause, ensuring that every purchase contributes to something bigger than just olive oil. It’s not just about selling a product—it’s about sharing a story, a heritage, and a tradition that has existed for generations. Most importantly, All Love is an homage to Palestine, and supporting them during their time of need is the least I felt I could do.
Balancing the launch of my new business with existing responsibilities as a model and actress has been a challenge. Right now we exist online on our website, and are working to create a presence on social media. We enjoy selling at farmer’s markets and letting people try samples of our product for themselves, it’s rewarding to know you’re providing people with something they never knew they needed- especially something much more authentic, healthy and flavorful than they’re used to.
When it comes to modeling and acting, my outlook is very similar to the one I hold for All Love- to share an authentic and genuine experience with the world. Acting and modeling allow me to embody different emotions, narratives, and aesthetics while showcasing the very things that once made me feel like an outsider. I’ve always had a unique look—one that people couldn’t quite place. In the past, that made me feel alienated, but in this industry, it’s my biggest advantage. I stand out. I bring something different. I really enjoy working with local brands and photographers, as we often share the same passion for our work- even if others can’t quite see the vision yet.
Acting challenges me in a different way than I’m used to. It forces me to step outside of myself while still tapping into the deepest parts of who I am. There’s something incredibly powerful about taking on a role and making it authentically mine, about using my emotions and lived experiences to bring a character to life. It’s not just about being in front of the camera—it’s about commanding attention, telling a story, and making people feel something real.
Breaking into this industry isn’t easy. It requires confidence, resilience, and an unshakable belief in myself—especially in moments when I hear more “no’s” than “yes’s.” I’ve had to learn how to navigate the industry, advocate for myself, and own my space, knowing that the very things that set me apart are what make me unforgettable. Learning how to improve my work in modeling and acting without changing who I am as a person has further reinforced my sense of self and the value and importance that lies in embracing my true character.
Whether I’m on set, on the runway, closing a sale, or at the farmer’s market, my work is a reflection of who I am and where I come from.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
It goes without saying that success doesn’t come without sacrifice. That being said, there have been times where I’ve been graced by good luck in my endeavors. I believe that luck is what happens when good timing meets preparation. We could be lucky 10 times a day and not realize it— you need to be able to recognize the opportunities that approach you. Even the opportunity to be apart of Voyage Magazine was a stroke of luck— but the hard work, branding, and consistently putting myself out there is what made me visible in the first place.
I’ve created many important connections in my career in places I never would have expected. One of my most significant and impactful career connections I made was while working at my job as a shot girl. My first big commercial for Target came to me right after I had been deeply frustrated with myself- but instead of giving into the doubt and anxiety, I decided that I can only focus on what I can control, so I did just that. The next day, I was given the opportunity to audition for the role and that same ambition carried me all the way to booking the part. I randomly received an extra check from that commercial months later, which allowed me to further invest in my modeling and acting career.
Luck can also be negative. This past Fall, I had a bad experience being stalked. This took a huge mental and emotional toll on my wellbeing. When it happened, I was in the midst of preparing for an acting and modeling competition in LA that I had spent months working to not only afford, but succeed at. I was working every weekend at the club and attending multiple workshops a week to improve my skills. I told myself I was fine and to keep pushing forward, not realizing how much of an impact the situation had on my wellbeing. When it finally came time to compete in January, I gave it my all- but I had this anxious, negative energy that I just couldn’t shake. I didn’t sleep the entire 5 days I was there, I was coming from a place of desperation rather than love and passion.
This sent me into a downward spiral of anxiety and depression. I stopped pursuing my goals and wasn’t taking care of myself the way I should’ve. I rejected opportunities that might’ve changed my life. I just couldn’t do it. I felt like all of my efforts had gone to waste. In the midst of the “grind” I had negated all of my emotional needs. Although this was such a negative experience, getting out of it reinforced the importance of the idea that you should only focus on what you can control.
Most of life is out of our control, and things will happen that change you entirely- for better or for worse- so it’s important to know who you are at your core, what you want out of life, and to do the best you can do get there- so when the right opportunity comes you are prepared to take advantage of it, and when something bad happens you can find your way back to who you truly are.
Pricing:
- $13- 8oz Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- $24- 16oz Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- $75- Starting Hourly Rate for Shoots
- $23- Starting Hourly Rate for Sales
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Www.AllLoveWorld.com
- Instagram: @sarahamdanXD
- Other: [email protected]
