Shirin Behzadi

The Zest from Orange Coast magazine · Apr 16, 2026 · 43m

Shirin Behzadi is a national bestselling author, CEO, and keynote speaker whose story defies every expectation. She grew up in Iran, was arrested as a teenager for holding a book, arrived in the U.S. alone at 17, and worked at a gas station. Against all odds, she put herself through college, rose through the ranks of prestigious financial institutions, and ultimately became the CEO who helped scale a home services franchise company to nearly a billion dollars in sales. Her journey is one of resilience, empathy, and finding strength in the unexpected.