Parham Shariat
Parham Shariat is a CEO based in Southern California who has built businesses across multiple countries over more than two decades. His hardest-won lesson: a bad business partner can set you back years, and entrepreneurs who give away equity they don't need to are solving a confidence problem, not a real one.
From morning study sessions in Southern California traffic to a partnership that ended in fraud, Parham's story moves between the practical and the painful. In this interview with Powerful Blueprints, Parham talks candidly about money, learning, and the people who shaped how he works. Good morning, Parham!
What does your morning routine look like?
Parham starts each day at 5 a.m. with stretching, coffee, and podcasts covering international news and AI.
I'm an early riser. My body clock is set for 5 a.m. every day. The first thing I do is two or three minutes of stretching to get the body moving, then personal hygiene. I start with two large cups of water, then straight to coffee. I avoid social media in the morning. It's the worst way to start a day. Instead, I put on a couple of podcasts on YouTube, usually international news and the latest about technology, I also look at the real estate market, not every day, but this is an old habit. I'm out of the house by 7, and I keep the podcasts going in the car. That's the morning.
What would most people be surprised to know you do every day?
Parham takes online university classes while driving in Southern California traffic and has earned AI management certifications from well-known university programs.
I am constantly looking for online classes offered at different universities to take. I take online classes when I drive, especially when I am in traffic, which is most of the time in Southern California. I have managed to get certified in AI for management from well known university programs.
What would you tell a college student who wants to build something real?
Parham advises young entrepreneurs to build their strategy independently and avoid giving away equity to partners when they can execute alone.
Build your strategy and avoid partnering with someone if you can do it yourself. Many young entrepreneurs want to always start something with their friends. It doesn't work unless you are both as passionate and as committed. Start the business and hire people, don't make them partners. If you can't hire people, bring them on as a partner in profit, not a partner in percentage of the company. And limit the time of the partnership.
What was the worst professional decision you ever made?
Parham started a company with someone who later defrauded him, learning that giving away equity to solve a confidence problem causes more trouble than it prevents.
I started a company with someone that I knew but I didn't know them very well professionally and that was the mistake. I soon realized what a mistake I had made and I was being defrauded out of money, so I ended the relationship quickly to cover my losses. This was very devastating because for over 20 years, I have had lots of success with good partners. However, when I said not to get a partner if you can do it yourself in the previous question, I didn't mean that partnership is bad. I have had lots of successful partnership, however, sometimes, you will give away equity in a project that you can do yourself. This is a confidence issue for young entrepreneurs. They think if there is someone else in the deal, then they are safer. This is wrong. That partner can create more problems than they can fix.
What belief about money turned out to be completely wrong?
Parham believed money would always come easily until market cycles and his father's wisdom taught him the importance of saving and preparing for economic downturns.
When I was in my 20's I thought, money will always come. I was making great money for my age and purchased my first house at the age of 23. My father always told me to save and that money was not always going to be easy to earn. I never listened and in the back of my mind, called him a pessimist. Then I started seeing the cycles of the market, the dot com bubble, the real estate bubble, the stock market crash, war, inflation and then I understood what my father was telling me.
What did money teach you about yourself?
Parham learned that money must be taken from others legally through business and that understanding where money can earn interest is crucial for success.
I heard this quote about 20 years ago: "Money is not made, you have to take it from others". Obviously, you can't print money, so you can't make it. If you understand how to take money from other people (legally) then you understand how money and business works. Understanding money can earn interest and where it can work for you is also very important.
What is your physical routine?
Parham's preferred workout is kayaking on the calm bay in Newport Beach, though he also loves CrossFit.
I love kayaking. It is the best feeling in the world to me to be paddling on a calm bay in Newport Beach. I was into CrossFit and love to go back to doing that too.
What goal should we hold you accountable to in one year?
Parham's stated goal for the next twelve months is to have 500 people share their stories on Powerful Blueprints.
I am hoping and working hard to make Powerful Blueprints a successful platform. In the next 12 months, I would love to have 500 people to share their stories and inspire others, then I think we have reached our goal.
What was the hardest thing you gave up for your career?
Parham had to leave the city where his father lived and move thousands of miles away to pursue his business opportunities.
The hardest thing was when I had to leave the city where my father lived to go thousands of miles away to pursue my business. I wanted to stay, but it was impossible at the time.
Who shaped the way you think more than anyone?
Parham's father shaped how he thinks more than anyone, teaching two lifelong principles: never sacrifice integrity even when it costs you, and support friends without waiting to be asked.
My father. He has had the most effect on the way I think in my life. He was always about walking a straight line. Never sacrifice integrity, even if it is not to your benefit. The other very important thing for him was to support your friends. Don't wait for them to ask for help, just show up.
What are you listening to lately?
Parham listens to classic jazz legends and AI-generated Italian house music.
I love Ella Fitzgerald, Billie Holiday, Louis Armstrong, and Sonny Rollins. These are incredible jazz singers and musicians that defined music. I am also a big fan of AI generated Italian house mix. AI music has taken over and it is awesome.
What would you say to the world that most people aren't saying out loud?
Parham believes being genuine is essential because people quickly detect dishonesty and won't trust you in business.
Be genuine. If your outside persona and mindset is the same, then you are going to find the right people to work with. People will pickup dishonesty quickly and you will not be able to have a successful business if people don't trust you.
Frequently Asked Questions about Parham Shariat
What is Parham Shariat's morning routine?
As a serial entrepreneur who has built businesses across multiple countries, waking at 5 a.m. every day has been a consistent anchor in my routine. I begin with stretching, personal hygiene, and coffee, then spend the drive to work listening to podcasts on international news and AI. Avoiding social media in the morning is a deliberate choice — I've found it's the worst way to start a day. The two large cups of water followed by coffee keeps me hydrated and energized for the demanding schedule ahead.
What is Parham Shariat's approach to business partnerships?
Having had both great and damaging business partners across several ventures, I believe young entrepreneurs should avoid partnering with someone if they can execute alone. Many want to start something with friends, but it doesn't work unless both parties are equally passionate and committed. If you must bring someone on, make them a partner in profit rather than giving away company equity, and always limit the partnership timeframe. When you give away equity you don't need to, you're solving a confidence problem rather than a real business need.
What is Parham Shariat's biggest lesson about money?
After purchasing my first house at 23 and believing money would always come easily, market cycles taught me hard lessons about financial preparation. I witnessed the dot com bubble, real estate bubble, stock market crashes, wars, and inflation — all of which proved my father's warnings about saving money were correct. Understanding that money must be taken from others legally through business, and knowing where your money can earn interest and work for you, became fundamental to my success across multiple countries and decades.
Who is Parham Shariat's greatest influence?
My father has shaped the way I think more than anyone in my life. He taught me two principles that have guided every business decision: never sacrifice integrity, even when it's not to your benefit, and support your friends without waiting for them to ask for help. These lessons became especially meaningful when I had to leave his city and move thousands of miles away to pursue business opportunities. His influence on walking a straight line ethically has been the foundation of my success across multiple ventures and countries.
What is Parham Shariat's unique approach to learning?
Living in Southern California where traffic is constant, I've turned my commute into classroom time by taking online university classes while driving. This habit has allowed me to earn certifications in AI for management from well-known university programs. I'm constantly searching for new classes offered by different universities, transforming what most people see as wasted time into continuous education. This approach reflects my belief that learning must be constant and adaptable to your circumstances, not confined to traditional settings.
What is Parham Shariat's goal for Powerful Blueprints?
As someone who has built businesses across multiple countries over more than two decades, I'm working hard to make Powerful Blueprints a successful platform for sharing authentic stories. In the next 12 months, I want to have 500 people share their stories and inspire others — that's when I'll know we've reached our goal. This platform represents my belief that genuine stories and experiences can guide other entrepreneurs better than theoretical advice, drawing from my own journey through both successful partnerships and devastating setbacks.