Standing Tall in a Room Full of Men: My EO Story

Along the journey of building my business, one thing has always helped me survive the hard seasons: books.

Whenever I felt stuck, when I didn’t know what to do, when I felt like giving up, I turned to a good book. I would read, learn, and bring what I discovered back into my business. And time after time, it helped me keep moving forward.

One of the women I’ve always admired is Kendra Scott. She started by hand-making jewelry in her home and grew it into a billion-dollar company. I’ve always felt a connection with her because of our similar beginnings, and I followed her personal Instagram closely. So of course, when she released her book, Born to Shine, I was one of the very first to buy it.

While reading, one chapter stopped me in my tracks. She shared how she had joined an organization when her business was around $1.5 million. In her very first seminar, someone told the group:

“One of you is sitting on a billion-dollar chair.”

She didn’t know at the time that it was her.

I put the book down and immediately searched for that organization: Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO). Deep down, I knew I had to be part of it, but I also knew it would take courage to step into that world.

And to explain why “standing tall” in that interview room mattered so much, let me take you back to when I was only 11 years old.

Where It All Began

I grew up in Iran, where women faced legal and social barriers just because of their gender.

When my father passed away, my mother wasn’t allowed by law to become my guardian, that role defaulted to my uncle. At 11, I had to go to court and prove I was old enough to be my own guardian. My mother, courageous and determined, told me:

“We will go to court, and you will stand for yourself.”

I practiced my signature, learned what a bank account meant, and mastered how to sign checks. I was prepared to answer serious financial questions.

But when I stood in front of the judge, he didn’t take me seriously. Almost joking, he asked if I was old enough to cook, or if I knew how to pray “like a good Muslim girl” who could get married. Even then, I felt the sting of being underestimated, reduced to roles I had no interest in proving.

Then, he finally asked me the real questions: Did I know how to sign my name? Did I know what a bank account was? Could I write a check? I answered yes to each one, my heart pounding.

That day, I was granted guardianship. I received my own signature and a bank account, independence at just 11 years old.

That experience shaped a core truth in me: I can stand tall, even when I’m told I don’t belong.

Walking Into EO

Fast forward to February 2023.

I had just signed the lease for my second location in Laguna Niguel and was in the middle of construction. My schedule was overflowing, and I remember thinking, “Why am I making life even busier by applying to EO?”

But the day of my interview, everything came full circle.

I walked into a room of 12 men, with another 10–12 sitting across from me, each taking turns asking questions. I was the only woman in the room. Not only that, I was also an immigrant, someone who didn’t grow up in America, who spoke with an accent, who didn’t always understand the “big business” words being used by men running $10–20 million companies.

It was overwhelming. But just like that 11-year-old girl in Iran, I stood tall.

I answered with confidence. I presented my business with pride. And I left the room knowing that, no matter how intimidating it felt, I had the courage to be there.

And what meant the most: they welcomed me. They let me in. And they gave me the chance to grow alongside them.

What EO Gave Me and What I Learned

When I first joined EO, I thought it would simply make me a better businesswoman. What I didn’t expect was that it would also make me a better person.

One of the most powerful rules in EO is that we never give advice, we only share experiences.

That lesson changed everything for me. Instead of telling my kids what to do, I now share my own experiences from when I was their age. I do the same with my employees, my friends, and the people around me. It builds trust, connection, and respect in a way advice never could.

Another lesson that transformed me came from a conversation with a fellow member. He told me:

“If a person who runs a $10 million business loses everything, within a year they’ll build another $10 million business. If a person who runs a $1 million business loses everything, within a year they’ll build another $1 million business. If you want to run a $10 million business, you need to become a $10 million person.”

That truth hit me deeply. It reminded me that growing a business starts with growing yourself.

And as part of EO, I’ve been surrounded by brilliant entrepreneurs who constantly recommend books that have stretched my mind and sharpened my leadership. A few that have made a lasting impact on me are:

• 10x Is Easier Than 2x by Dr. Benjamin Hardy & Dan Sullivan

• Who Not How by Dr. Benjamin Hardy & Dan Sullivan

• The Science of Scaling by Dr. Benjamin Hardy

• The Art of Living by Thích Nhnt Hnnh

• Good to Great by Jim Collins

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

…and many more.

Each one gave me new perspectives on growth, leadership, and the way I approach building Brax.

And that’s what Becoming Her means to me. Every single day, I work to become a better version of myself, for my family, for my business, and for the women I hope to inspire.

I am deeply grateful for my EO community, who has transformed me in the past two years and given me lessons that will stay with me for life.

Closing

At Brax Jewelers, one of our core values is learning and growing. Whenever I hire new employees, I tell my team: “Let’s see if she’s a true Brax Girl. If she is, she’ll slay with us. If she’s not, she won’t be able to keep up, and that’s okay.”

Every year, I raise the floor higher and higher. At Brax, I only want high performers, women who are resilient, hungry to grow, and unafraid to shine.

That’s who we are. That’s where we’re going. And that’s what it means to be a Brax Girl.

Thank you for reading.