“It’s Kia Like the Car” not to be confused with the Automotive brand, started off as a simple way for Zakia Thiesen to get people to say her name correctly.
It started at a Taco Bell in Augusta, Maine when an employee asked her to spell “Kia”. Zakia responded with It’s Kia, Like the car. The employee didnt know how to spell Kia. Zakia blames the public education system for that.
Zakia Thiesen was born in Owatonna, Minnesota in the late 1980’s. She is the youngest of four children. Having two older brothers and an older sister.
Zakia is a 10th and 11th generation Mayflower descendant through her maternal side.
Zakia served in the US Navy as a Culinary Specialist and attained the rank of E4, Petty Officer Third Class, from 2007 to 2011. She was stationed on board the USS George Washington, CVN 73 during her sea tour and was based at Naval Base Coronado for the last 19 months of her time in service.