From Tehran to Chicago: A grandmother’s love, a kind stranger and a new opportunity.

As the year is coming to an end, I can't help but attempt to connect the dots that brought me to the opportunities I have today. As I recollect the previous months of growth and improvement, I am obliged to my colleagues and mentors. My memory flashes back 17 years, I can feel the familiar knot in the depths of my stomach that was with me on the day I escaped Iran. Looking back, this was the start of my journey that would change my life forever. As I experience the internal explosion of both pain and joy from my adolescence, a time of uncertainty and inevitable transformation, I manifest a new thought. For the first time, instead of swallowing this feeling, I choose to share a glimpse of my story with the hope that others can believe they are capable of an opportunity that will too change their lives.

Getting Beat Up Because of Leonardo DiCaprio

I was 14 years old, and it was a hot summer in Tehran. The summer break from school was the perfect chance for me to try out a brave new hairstyle-- The DiCaprio cut. Titanic brought a new wave of fashion and everyone was trying to grow out their hair, sporting t-shirts with iconic images of Jack and Rose.

But the new Hollywood-influenced fashion trends weren’t the only thing that would keep the memories of that summer burned into my mind. That summer was when I realized I wanted to leave Iran.

I can still recall the vivid memory as I was standing on a quiet street talking to a few friends when a police car appeared and headed its way toward us. Moments later, an officer approached me and pulled me by my hair. As he pulled harder, he shouted aggressively, scolding me for my westernized hairstyle. I started to cry, sputtering out dramatic apologies and promises that I would cut my hair. He finally released his tight grasp and turned his attention to one of the other officers. It was only a split second, but I realized that this small moment was my chance to run, so I darted across the street.

I could hear my best friend screaming “Run, Run!" I ran so quickly, my legs began to shake as I felt the hard surface beneath my feet. Within seconds I was captured again. I never was considered a great runner anyway. The angry troupe of officers then dragged me across the street and into the local barbershop. One of them grabbed a pair of clippers and shaved a strip down the middle of my head but the humiliation didn’t stop there. The officers dragged me back outside, beat me up and then left me alone, laying in the middle of the street. That was the day I promised myself I would do whatever it took to leave Iran.

The best day of my life...and the worst.

Three years later, an opportunity landed on my doorstep, quite literally. An invitation from the American Embassy arrived in the mail, it was an opportunity for my father, brother, and I to interview for the U.S. visa.

The day we received our response letter from the embassy was one of the best and worst days of my life. It was the best because I remember the tears of joy streaming down my face as my dad read the letter out loud and announced that he and my brother would be able to leave to America. It was the worst because I was required to stay in Iran and fulfill the mandatory national military service. I dreamed of living in America and yearned to be out of Iran but after weeks of exhaustive discussion, I had no choice but to stay for a few more years. The decision to stay was painful but this was an opportunity I wished for my family and there was no way I was going to hold them back. 

This is it.

From the time that passed since my father and brother left, my determination grew stronger. At my darkest hours I strategized a plan to escape. This was it. I begged and pleaded my grandmother to help me flee the country. My grandmother sensed my commitment to leave Iran, so she decided to help me. God bless her soul and bravery.

With the money gifted from grandma, I was able to hire a guide who specialized in smuggling people through the border. My journey continued to Europe where I was able to secure an appointment with the American embassy in Germany and to obtain a visa to finally join my brother and father.

A Lucky Encounter

Fast forward, I am lost in a crowd in a bright, strange place called O'hare Airport. I remember looking around trying not to be in anyone's way. It didn’t help that I didn’t speak a word of English. I had $100 and my uncle's address. I was told my uncle would reunite me with my dad and brother.

As I was trying to hold back my fear and figure out how to get to a taxi, I felt a tap on my shoulder. I turned around and a stranger asked me if I was Persian. I think the eyebrows gave it away. I nodded yes and the next thing he did surprised me. He offered to help me find a taxi, paid the taxi driver and told the driver to take me to my destination.

After a few months of living in Chicago, I started working as a busboy at a Persian restaurant called Reza’s. It was my way to learn English and pay for college. One night, as I was getting ready to end my shift, I looked at the corner table of the restaurant and couldn’t believe my eyes. The kind man from the airport and his wife were sitting right there in front of me. I was quickly overwhelmed with excitement, as I rushed over to tell him how thankful I was for his help.

Over the course of his regular visits to the restaurant, we became closer and little by little he became a mentor to me. He was older and had his life figured out, so naturally, I asked him about his journey and experiences. He became my mentor and guided me along my path into the professional world.    

A Real Opportunity

Years later, I was graduating from UIC and working two jobs. My time at UIC helped me become more resourceful and inspired me to want to do more but I still had so many questions about my future. I had moved from busboy to restaurant manager and was also working as an intern at Merrill Lynch, making cold calls and generating leads for Financial Advisors.

Once again, I received help from my airport mentor. He held a clairvoyance for my future, something I never imagined for myself. He insisted to introduce me to the company he was working for, Exelon. I had little experience and didn’t have the best resume but because of his recommendation, I was able to land an interview and later my first real job.

My personal journey and my passion helped me pursue a career in Diversity and HR at Exelon. It was there when I got lucky again and made a connection with a visionary leader. His name was Bill, he acknowledged my drive and commitment by giving me a chance at a leadership role, even though at the time I was only a junior analyst. Bill’s trust in me helped me think bigger and pushed me towards a continuous growth. He believed that every young, determined individual deserves a shot regardless of their background.

Today, I look back at my story, from escaping Iran, to working at a Fortune 500 and starting a company. I look back at it all and can’t help but wonder what would have happened if I never crossed paths with that kind mentor or if I wasn't given the opportunity by Bill to prove myself. Whether it's the streets of Tehran or the streets of Chicago, there are millions of young individuals with grit and determination who are far more deserving than me, yet they never get the opportunity to find a mentor or meet a Bill. They struggle with their transition into the professional world and have to rely on chance to find the right path. So I’ve made it my mission to level the playing field by providing a platform and tools so that young individuals can have the same empowering opportunity that I had. Upkey is how I am serving that mission today because with the right tools, every ambitious individual out there is capable of creating their own story of success.