The Unexpected CEO - by Shirin Behzadi (Hardcover)

About the Book

"Drawn from a remarkable personal journey of resilience and courage, this inspiring guide to navigating life's challenges and emerging stronger from them offers a beacon of hope for aspiring entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone feeling lost or overwhelmed or seeking to break through to achieve a dream.After multiple arrests under an oppressive regime, Shirin Behzadi left behind everything she knew in Iran to build a new life. As a teenager, Behzadi fled alone to Istanbul and then to the United States, finding work at a gas station to make a living. Even then, she announced to those who would listen that she would one day run a big company and appear on business magazine covers. Determined, Behzadi earned her bachelor's degree, rose through the corporate ranks, raised substantial private equity funding, and grew her company to a billion dollars-all while experiencing countless setbacks, including everything from poverty to near terminal illness, which she overcame by relying on the survival skills and resilience she developed from a young age. Behzadi shares her incredible story and all the hard-won lessons she's learned in The Unexpected CEO, both an inspiring account of her journey and a guide filled with practical strategies to harness the opportunities nestled in some of life's most difficult challenges. Readers will discover: Practical strategies and tools to turn challenges into opportunities Insights into resilience and how setbacks can catalyze growth Examples of authentic leadership that embraces empathy as a key strength Guidance on how to raise funds in private equity sector Lessons learned about to how to build a foundationally sound business and life Inspiring stories from Behzadi's path from immigrant to billion-dollar CEO Success isn't merely about achievements but also how you rise after falling down. The Unexpected CEO is a powerful companion for all those seeking personal and professional growth, offering a real-life example of how resilience can lead to truly extraordinary outcomes"-- Provided by publisher.

Book Synopsis

She started behind bulletproof glass at a gas station. She ended up leading a billion-dollar company.

Shirin Behzadi was arrested multiple times under an oppressive regime in Iran before she had even reached adulthood. Fleeing her homeland alone as a teenager, she carried nothing with her but a suitcase--and a bold dream. In Istanbul, and later at a Los Angeles gas station, she quietly declared to anyone who would listen: One day, I will lead a large company.

While navigating poverty, the loss of home and belonging, motherhood, and a near-terminal illness that left her unable to stand--let alone lead--Shirin raised millions in private equity and built a billion-dollar company. At every setback, she unearthed something essential: The resilience she had honed in dark times could also light the way forward in business, in leadership, and in life.

The Unexpected CEO tells a compelling and powerful story of lessons carved from challenges and a life constructed despite dire circumstances. In these pages, Shirin shares not only her extraordinary journey, but also the wisdom earned at every turn. Both a memoir and a guide, this book offers a blueprint for turning life's deepest trials into stepping stones toward purpose and possibility.

Readers will discover:

Tools for turning adversity into fuel for growth Hard-won insights on resilience, reinvention, and rising stronger Real-world strategies for leading with empathy--and why it works Candid lessons on raising capital and navigating private equity A framework for building not just a thriving business, but a meaningful life as well True stories that illuminate the power of vision, grit, and unwavering belief

This is not a tale of overnight success, but of steady strength, rebuilding from the ground up, and what becomes possible when adversity is met with unwavering intent. Because success isn't just what you build--it's who you become along the way.

About the Author

Shirin Behzadi fled her home country at 17. A year later, she found herself working behind bulletproof glass as a gas station cashier. And three decades later, she was a billion-dollar CEO. Shirin exemplifies resilience and self-reliance, and she believes that her successes come from turning adversity into opportunity. She has dedicated her time to inspire entrepreneurs and leaders by serving as a keynote speaker, investor, board member, and advisor. Her mission is bold and simple: to help others dream audaciously, lead courageously, and thrive through life's toughest moments.

Shirin is a recognized award-winning leading entrepreneur in North America who has garnered international coverage and visibility for her achievements, most notably featured on Forbes.com. Her story began with a courageous leap--leaving behind everything familiar, including her family, to build a meaningful life in the United States. Even when she was working as a gas station cashier, she believed her tenacity would empower her to become a success. She paved her way forward relentlessly, becoming a respected CFO and later a transformative entrepreneur and CEO. After successful partnership with private equity, Shirin led the creation of a one-of-a-kind platform in the home services and franchising space--scaling across 12,000 cities in North America. She continues to serve as an advisor and investor, using her hard-earned wisdom to support others in building bold, enduring businesses.

Shirin is a passionate philanthropist, serving on the boards of organizations driving change locally and globally. She lives by a simple and powerful motto: "doing well by doing good."