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

On Mental health, suicide, motherhood and business development This episode features Jenny Meyer, an inspiring entrepreneur, who tells us her story of elevating from executive assistant to CEO. We explore how personal tragedy and imperfection can pave the way to a fulfilling career. Jenny shares her transformative journey from childhood dreams through the heart-wrenching loss of her son to suicide, which propelled her into business development and mental health advocacy. The episode delves into topics such as empathy in client services, overcoming career breaks, and the stigma around mental health. 00:00 Introduction to Something from NADA 01:27 Jenny Meyer's Childhood Dreams 02:17 Journey to Houston and Early Career 03:55 Skills in Client Service and Business Development 07:19 Balancing Career and Motherhood 10:12 Returning to Work After a Break 14:43 Navigating Career Challenges 29:27 Leadership and Workplace Dynamics 38:07 Finding Strength in Survival 38:41 Honoring a Loved One's Memory 39:17 Processing Grief Through Work 39:55 The Importance of Staying Busy 42:42 Navigating Conversations About Loss 44:06 Addressing the Stigma of Suicide 47:29 Building a Supportive Work Culture 49:26 The Role of Community in Healing 50:57 Overcoming Barriers to Mental Health Care 52:15 Turning Grief into Purpose 01:04:33 Supporting Mental Health Initiatives 01:07:55 Building a Successful Business 01:11:28Rapid Fire Questions 01:15:00 Final Thoughts and Gratitude

Dr. Uzma Iqbal is a successful physician with her own clinic focused on oncology, hematology and integrative medicine. She talks about succeeding as an immigrant, how to stay secure in oneself and where you come from, and not lett discrimination come in your way and disturb your internal equilibrium. She shares her deeply personal and inspiring journey from Pakistan to New York, how she formed relationships with those different from her and how these shaped her path both professionally and personally. The discussion covers a wide range of topics, including the challenges of adjusting to a new culture, the importance of embracing one’s identity, navigating the complexities of the immigrant experience, and the power of mentorship and support in creating change.

Donna Cole is back in the studio to give us her top leadership tips as you scale your business and also discuss the biggest challenges businesses and society face right now. Donna Cole is the CEO of Cole Chemicals, a business she started in the 20s and is still heading 45 years later.

The conversation also addresses the critical role of climate responsibility in business, highlighting the intersection of profitability and sustainability. Donna shares her transition towards focusing more on strategic growth and community involvement, emphasizing her work on climate change initiatives and an Asian and Asian Pacific American Museum.

00:45 Exploring Leadership and Entrepreneurial Wisdom with Donna

01:45 Donna's Entrepreneurial Journey: Challenges and Strategies

02:14 Navigating Business Growth and Employee Dynamics

05:44 Strategic Planning and Empowering Teams1

0:04 Addressing Climate Change and Social Responsibility1

2:21 Rethinking Capitalism and Environmental Impact1

8:01 Generational Shifts and the Future of Sustainability

27:02 Navigating Customer and Employee Relationships

27:49 Learning from Leadership Challenges

28:39 The Importance of Trust and Adaptability in Teams

30:40 Navigating Workplace Dynamics and Communication

33:35 Empowering Women Entrepreneurs: Challenges and Strategies

37:17 Embracing Cultural Identity and Diversity

43:51 Community Initiatives and Future Generations46:49 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

This conversation was real and hard, and at times provocative but worth listening to every minute if you truly believe in equity for ALL women. Rafia Zakaria is the author of one of the most important books of our time: Against White Feminism- challenging all of us, white, brown and black women to strive for inclusive feminism that moves beyond the upper middle-class white women.

Rhiannon Parker is the founder of Loop Bioproducts focused on bringing cactus-based bioenergy and bioproducts to market. She is deeply committed to disability inclusion and serves as a special advisor to the World Institute of Disability. In this episode, Nada and Rhiannon have a candid conversation about the current situation in the Middle East and how we as leaders need to engage and not turn a blind eye to important issues impacting society today. They talk about: The challenge of engaging people who are not people of color in conversations about racism and white supremacy. The importance of language and finding effective ways to engage in discussions about sensitive topics. The erosion of pillars that were once thought to be universal truths is causing fear and uncertainty. The role of leaders in creating safe and inclusive spaces for employees. The need for finding a supportive community and building solidarity in the face of challenges and changes in the world.

This is a two-part episode. Donna Fujimoto Cole was 27 and recently divorced with a young daughter when she started Cole Chemical in 1980 with $5,000. Over the coming decades, Cole grew her company into one of Houston’s leading woman- and minority-owned chemical distributors, supplying gasoline, jet fuel, antifreeze and other chemicals for clients such as Exxon Mobil, Phillips 66, Toyota and Colgate.

In this episode Donna shares her journey of building a business, her experience as a third generation Japanese American, the challenges she faced and how she continues to advocate for diversity and inclusivity in business and beyond.

Step into a timely episode where Shariq Abdul Ghani, founder of the Minaret Foundation, shares his inspiring journey from a struggling immigrant in a conservative Texas suburb to a beacon of hope bridging societal divides. Discover how faith communities, according to Shariq, can be the foundation for change. Join the conversation as he discusses childhood experiences, impactful policy changes, and the transformative moments that led to the creation of Minaret Foundation. Dive into a narrative that explores building meaningful connections, fostering diversity, and navigating the complexities of the Palestine-Israel conflict. This is a testament to the idea that even in divided times, common ground can be found. Let's dive in and learn from Shariq's insights and leadership lessons.