We recently connected with Shahrzad Razi and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Shahrzad, thank you so much for opening up with us about some important, but sometimes personal topics. One that really matters to us is overcoming Imposter Syndrome because we’ve seen how so many people are held back in life because of this and so we’d really appreciate hearing about how you overcame Imposter Syndrome.
The first time imposter syndrome really hit me was when I was trying to name my architectural practice. I went through countless names and acronyms, but somehow, using my own last name never felt like an option. As a woman—one who chose to keep her maiden name—I struggled with the idea of truly owning it. Society often reinforces the notion that a family name belongs more prominently to men. In my case, my uncle is well-known in our community, and I always felt like our last name belonged to him, my father, my male cousins, or my brother—not to me.
It wasn’t until I worked with a business coach that I realized I didn’t need permission from anyone else, I had to give it to myself. It was my name too. That moment was a turning point. But imposter syndrome continued to show up in different ways. I was told I looked too young to handle big deals or that I was crazy for starting my own business. Yet, time and again, I realized that the biggest barrier to my success wasn’t other people’s doubts, it was my own.
How did I overcome imposter syndrome? I changed the narrative. I told myself: If you can do it, I can do it better. And that mindset has made all the difference.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am a Licensed Architect in the State of California. This is the job I was meant to do; I wake up excited every day to go to work and solve problems. That’s what I am at my core: a problem solver.
After graduating, I was very disappointed as an architectural employee. In school, we pushed ourselves to the limit, working relentlessly to meet deadlines, often going days without sleep. I always hated that, but to my surprise, it was conditioning us for the real world. It felt unfair to be under so much pressure for such little pay. That’s when I made the decision: no matter what, I was going to start my own business.
I tried twice before with different partners, learning valuable lessons each time. But in the end, I decided to do it on my own—as both the CEO and the Architect of my company. And so far, these have been the best years of my adult life.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The most important skill is a relentless desire to learn; to always strive to become a better version of yourself. I believe CEOs should be jack-of-all-trades, constantly expanding their knowledge across different fields—business, psychology, negotiations, anatomy—you name it. The more you know, the better your decisions will be.
Another key factor is obsession. I don’t think you can truly be successful without it. And if you’re not obsessed, then hire someone who is. Success isn’t a solo journey, you need an incredible team around you.
Lastly, bravery. You have to be fearless. The problems you think are holding you back are often just illusions you’ve built in your mind. At some point, you have to stop making excuses and take the leap.
Who is your ideal client or what sort of characteristics would make someone an ideal client for you?
When I worked for other companies, I often heard higher-ups complain about difficult clients. I never understood why we kept working for them. I mean, I knew it was for the money, but what’s the point if it makes your life miserable and turns your firm into a disaster zone with bad energy?
I’m still relatively new to running my own business, but so far, I’ve been incredibly lucky with amazing clients. Many of them have become my friends—they even checked in on me during the fires in Los Angeles.
A great client is someone who values a successful outcome and has a reasonable understanding of how long things take and what they cost. Mutual respect and collaboration make all the difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.raziarchitects.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raziarchitects
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shahrzad-razi/
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
