When Sherin Behzadi arrived in the United States from Iran at the age of 17, he had no money, no family and a clear plan for the future. But he raised a belief that seemed impossible at that time.
“When people asked me what I want to do when I grow up, I will say,” I’m going to run a big company, “she says. “If you think about it – a young girl who is working at a gas station, has no money, has no friends, has no parents – why would I think like that? I just know that she … she has called me hope.”
With this hope, with flexibility, it eventually reached the back of the bulletproof glass of the gas station cashier booth to becoming the CEO of home franchise concepts, including franchise 500 -grade brands such as budget blinds and maids.
Behzadi turned his attention from the CEO’s role in 2019, sharing his focus, sharing his leadership journey through the board’s membership, public speech and his upcoming book, while sharing his leadership journey, Unexpected CEO: My trip from gas station cashier to billions of dollars CEO.
Behzadi described his journey in the memoirs, not to celebrate his achievements, but to go through the hard work of his life and leadership. She hopes readers will see some parts in their story – and recognize their abilities.
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Between war and unrest in Iran, Behzadi’s family sent him to the United States as a refugee. Subsequently, he had to visit a new challenge to take it alone in a foreign country. These experiments made his ability to make a difficult choice under pressure. For Goods, the challenges became the moments of decision: abandon, or move on. He chose the latter.
Throughout his career, he suffered both personal and professional shocks-a deadly, self-doubt and even a life-threatening illness-but his flexibility prevailed.

Image Credit: Courtesy Sherin Behzadi
Goods emphasizes the principle of leadership: sympathy. His philosophy is based on understanding people – recognizing their powers, meeting them where they are and helps them play a role in their abilities. She describes it as an orchestra holding: “You don’t want to play the violin maker drum.”
Related: When he moved to the United States as a refugee, he had $ 75. Then he started a business – and raised it to $ 1.2 billion.
Behzadi also led his company through private equity investment, which he cautioned carefully, acknowledging that financial backing alone was not enough. It was to be right. She advises other founders to ask tough questions: “Make it clear about why you want to collect (money) – is this fund for future growth, or do you want to get out? Be sure to be clear with whom you are partners with, because they Are You are going to become your partner. You have to understand each other’s language. “
“They slow, gradually win – as much labor as they were – showed me that the win is possible.”
Bahzadi’s health challenges added a deep view. During a great recession, he underwent a major brain surgery, which made him unable to walk. But he turned the shock into a win. “It was a wonderful life lesson in life, because I became a better observer. I heard more. The whole world was calm, and I got involved with a observer’s point of view. He promoted all my senses. My family always says that life and life have been very authentic.”
When she could finally take a few steps before she needed to lie down, she made sure that she took these steps every day. She says, “She’s slow, gradually win – as much labor as she was – showed me that a win is possible.”
If she could talk to this 17 -year -old girl behind a bulletproof glass, she would offer both sympathy and encouragement. “I’m so sorry that you are doing a lot,” she says softly. “But I will say to him: ‘Keep this hope alive, because you are going to do it. You can get there wherever you want. It will take some time, a few decades, but you will be there.”
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When Sherin Behzadi arrived in the United States from Iran at the age of 17, he had no money, no family and a clear plan for the future. But he raised a belief that seemed impossible at that time.
“When people asked me what I want to do when I grow up, I will say,” I’m going to run a big company, “she says. “If you think about it – a young girl who is working at a gas station, has no money, has no friends, has no parents – why would I think like that? I just know that she … she has called me hope.”
With this hope, with flexibility, it eventually reached the back of the bulletproof glass of the gas station cashier booth to becoming the CEO of home franchise concepts, including franchise 500 -grade brands such as budget blinds and maids.
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