Meet Kambiz Ahmadi

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kambiz Ahmadi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kambiz, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?

I’d say my work ethic comes from my parents, particularly from my mother. Growing up, I watched her build a small business from scratch. She didn’t have much help, and gave up most of her free time to make things work.

What has stayed with me though, was how she managed to balance that with being present for my siblings and I. On weekends she would bring us to the shop. She had made a little room in the back just for us, and while it wasn’t anything fancy it felt like it mattered. She’d lock up the shop for lunch, take us out for ice cream, and spend time with us in between customers. Looking back I’m humbled by how difficult it must have been to run a business while making us feel completely cared for.

As time went on I started helping out in the shop, and work just became a natural part of life. It never felt like a chore, but more like something meaningful you show up for. That mindset has stuck with me throughout my life.

To this day, I don’t really see work as a “job” it’s more about showing commitment and taking care in what you do. That’s the example she set for me, and it has shaped how I approach everything I take on.

Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?

I started Pocket Aces in late 2020. Like most people, I found myself suddenly distanced from the life I’d known up until that point. It was a deeply uncertain time, but also one that brought an unexpected gift: space. Space to slow down, to reconnect, and to spend real time with the people closest to me—something the pace of everyday life rarely allowed.
Some of my fondest memories from those years were spent around the table, playing games with loved ones. Chess, video games, backgammon, and every kind of card game under the sun. At that point, I had been working as a professional designer for over a decade. While I was fortunate to remain employed through the pandemic, the volume of work I was used to had eased—leaving me with a creative itch I couldn’t quite ignore.
One day, during a quiet game of cards with my better half, I mentioned that I needed a new creative outlet. I started listing ideas—projects I could take on, companies I could start—but nothing felt quite right. I’d been carrying the idea of a design-focused business around with me for years, but could never land on the right expression of it.
About ten minutes into that conversation, still shuffling the deck for the next hand, I said: “Or maybe I could just design a deck of cards?” Within a couple hours I had the company name, the domain, and a sketch of the vision for the company. Things moved quickly from there—and it’s been an incredible journey ever since.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

I’d say the three qualities that have had the most impact on my journey have been my curiosity, my respect for the craft, and resilience. Each of these has served me in different ways, but all have been equally important.

Curiosity has always fueled my creativity. It pushes me to ask questions, take things apart, and see how they truly work. I don’t do this to have the “answers” to things, but more to keep me open to the idea there are very few wrong answers when it comes to solving things creatively. For folks who are just starting out, I think the best way to develop a deep sense of curiosity is to stay open. Watch everything, see how others approach things, and don’t be afraid to experiment. That space is where a lot of creative innovation happens.

Respecting the craft is something that has evolved for me over time. I have come to learn that it isn’t about working hard, but more about setting aside time to work with care. It is so important to understand the tools, materials, mediums, and systems you are working with in any creative pursuit. While I realize we live in a world that is heavily influenced by the desire to achieve results quickly, I have come to realize that consistency and dedication are the things that lead to meaningful results, and that usually takes time. My advice here is to slow down, enjoy the process, and to give yourself the time your craft deserves, you have more of it than you realize.

Finally we have resilience. If there is one thing I know more than I would like to admit to, it’s that things rarely go according to plan. While persistence helps here, what is most important is to never let the unexpected bumps shrink your sense of possibility. For those early in their journey I’d say don’t be afraid to admit to yourself that your initial ideas need a rethink, even if that make you feel a little vulnerable.

All three – curiosity, respect for your craft, and resilience work well together. It’s not a fast-tracked checklist, but a way of showing up that will serve you well.

To close, maybe we can chat about your parents and what they did that was particularly impactful for you?

The most impactful thing my parents did (and do) is live with integrity — they never told me who to be, but showed me through their actions.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.pocketaces.co
• Instagram: @pocket_aces_co