Host: Nada Ahmed Guest Shanaz Hemmati, COO and Co-Founder of ZenBusiness In this episode of the 'Something from NADA' podcast, host Nada Ahmed speaks with Shanaz Hemmati , COO and co-founder of Zen Business. Shanaz shares her journey as a first-generation immigrant from Iran to the United States, her experiences during the Iranian revolution, and her education journey at the University of Texas in Austin. She provides insight into the importance of resilience, trust, and the value of diverse teams in the workplace. Shana discusses her career trajectory from electrical engineering to software engineering, her love for data, and her transition to leadership roles. The conversation concludes with Shana's experiences in building Zen Business, emphasizing the role of relationships, culture, and giving back to society. 00:00 Introduction to Something from NADA 01:16 Meet Shana, COO of Zen Business 03:19 Shana's Journey from Iran to the U.S. 09:24 Adjusting to Life in America 18:19 Discovering a Passion for Data 24:33 Transitioning to Leadership 28:22 Building a People-Centric Culture 35:35 Creating a Safe Environment for Open Feedback 37:08 Personal Journey and Overcoming Insecurities 40:19 The Importance of Happiness in Your Career 42:49 Making Tough Career Decisions 49:53 Founding Zen Business: The Origin Story 54:55 Building a Successful Small Business Platform 01:00:12 Life in Austin: A Personal Reflection 01:04:44 Final Thoughts and Recommendations