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Meet Shirin Behzadi, CEO of Home Franchise Concepts

Shirin Behzadi is Chief Executive Officer of Home Franchise Concepts (HFC), which recently celebrated its 26th year as the top-selling family of direct-to-consumer brands in the home-related goods and services space. Under Behzadi’s direction, HFC has grown into one of the largest and most respected franchisors in the U.S., on track to reach $700 million in sales in 2018, up from $600 million last year and a 71-percent increase in system-wide sales since 2015. An entrepreneur herself who migrated to the U.S. from Iran, Shirin recently received the Entrepreneur Of The Year® 2018 Award in the Direct to Consumer category in recognition of her leadership in innovation, financial performance and commitment to her company and community.

 


 

My first job ever was… as a cashier at gas station.

 

I chose my career path because… it gives me the chance to help others — in this case to make it possible for people from all walks of life to control their own lives and financial futures through business ownership.  This includes not only traditional franchisees but entrepreneurial-minded couples, single parents, millennials, veterans and seniors looking for a new start.

 

My proudest accomplishment is… to be a good mother and wife.

 

My boldest move to date was… quitting a well-paying job to go out on my own to pursue my real passion.

 

I surprise people when I tell them… what I’ve endured during my life.

 

My best advice to people starting their career is… have a clear vision for your life and look for ways every day to make that vision come true.

 

“Know your own talents and trust them because they are the most direct path to your success.”

 

My best advice from a mentor was… own who you are.

 

I would tell my 20-year old self… know your own talents and trust them because they are the most direct path to your success.

 

My biggest setback was… diagnosed with a brain tumor.

 

I overcame it by… persistence and optimism.

 

If I had an extra hour in the day, I would… enjoy the time with my family because there is nothing more important.

 

The last book I read was… Art of Joyful Living by Swami Rama.

 

I stay inspired by… focus on being loving.

 

The future excites me because… I expect it to be great — and what you expect and work toward most often comes true.

 

My next step is… to follow the same proven path that I worked to create.