Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Sanaz Tamjidi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Sanaz, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
I found my purpose when I was a little girl, writing poems and stories, escaping to a different place. A place that felt completely mine. But not always does finding your purpose mean you’ll act on it…not yet anyway.
I had a speech impediment when I was younger due to an infection on my vocal cords, and I remember creating stories was my safe place. Verbal words seemed to fail me, but writing ones did not. I embraced poetry during struggling times and fell in love with what I didn’t know at the time was creative writing. After the infection was gone with surgery, my speech still sounded different, and I had a dire need to prove that I was more than my flaw. Sadly, I set my love for writing aside.
I started taking school seriously and decided to look for different avenues of expressing myself. There was a long list of hobbies I tried taking on, from dancing to playing the piano, to even taking art lessons for years. Eventually, I overcame my speech inability, and focused my energy on science.
When college came around, it was as if writing, my first love, was just something I used to do during a difficult time in my life. I was intrigued in mental health and strived to make a living by helping people in a more psychological route. It was fascinating learning about the different ways our minds and behaviors operate, but I found myself wanting more. Something was missing in my life, and I knew what it was deep down. I was just too afraid to go after it.
I wanted nothing more than to become a writer.
My secret started to take a life of its own, and I would only write for myself when no one was looking, often in the late hours of the night. The truth is, I saw my older brother, who I look up to immensely, find his way in science and felt my success lied in that path as well. But I realized there is no use chasing after a dream that was never yours to begin with.
After graduating from UCLA in Psychology and working in mental health research after my degree, the person who knows me better than I do, my best friend, my courageous mother, Maryam, was the one who inspired me to follow my passion.
My mom traded in her job as a stock market trader and embraced her love for flowers by starting her very own floral design business. She proved that it is never too late to follow your dreams and it was her perseverance that allowed me to take that step and become the writer I always wanted to be.
I will now be graduating with an MFA degree in Creative Writing from Antioch University, Los Angeles this June, and have my very first short film premiere this year. As I navigate my newfound love for filmmaking, I am also even more proud to say that I am the owner of an independent bookstore called Sunny’s Bookshop, after my nickname, where readers and writers can connect and celebrate storytelling.
Sunny’s Bookshop is located in my mom’s floral shop, Shades of Petals in Tarzana, CA, where my mom and I now spend our days continuously inspiring each other and finding our purpose.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m overjoyed with the next steps in my career as I experience more as a filmmaker while also growing Sunny’s Bookshop.
The feedback for the bookstore has been nothing but positive support, and I can’t wait to grow within the community I grew up in right in Tarzana. We’ll have author signings, readings, book clubs, and more social events that will bring artists and individuals alike to a space meant to inspire.
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?
It’s never too late to go after what you love and are passionate about. There is a reason you’re on your path, and there will be a time when you will find clarity. Take that step that will make you feel your most deserved self. Something else I learned along the way is that it’s so important to find inspiration from your surroundings, whether your family, friends or even mere strangers. Don’t be afraid to open up to new perspectives because you will likely embrace something you may grow to be impassioned about. Lastly, if you’re making a career out of something you’re passionate about, the room for inspiration will continue to grow. You will find yourself excited because your work won’t feel like a chore; it will feel like a well-earned dream.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
The journey I’m currently on is very inspiring, and I would love to connect with other creatives and writers passionate about their careers. One of the reasons why I wanted to open a bookstore was so artists and readers could connect with one another, especially with our community events. If you’re an author looking to promote your book or offer a reading and signing, then definitely visit the Sunny’s Bookshop website so we can discuss more!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.sunnysbookshop.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sunnysbookshop/
