Meet Elmira Alamdari

We had the good fortune of connecting with Elmira Alamdari and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Elmira, what do you attribute your success to?
We wanted to create a brand that was associated with a great customer experience. We work closely with our clients to turn their dreams into reality by paying attention to the details and their needs. After listening to our clients’ ideas, we guide them through our concept design for their spaces to final detailed plans and offer exclusive project management services. This includes coordinating between all stakeholders to ensure the construction process runs smoothly and efficiently.

What should our readers know about your business?
Growing up in a family where my father had his own business and my mother assisted with accounting and finances, I was deeply influenced by their work ethic and success. My father’s encouragement to start my own business from the early stages of my career played a crucial role in shaping my path.

In March 2019 right when COVID-19 hit, I was laid off. Given the uncertainty and the low likelihood of finding a new position in such a turbulent time, I began to think of my next steps. I had often discussed my dreams of starting my own business with my boyfriend at the time, who is now my husband. As I wrestled with what to do next, he reminded me of my dream and suggested, “Why not start it now?”

I shared my idea with my cousin, who is my business partner and a also a graduate of architectural school. Together, we decided to establish M+A Studio. We had challenges from the start, however, as our first two clients were very demanding and would not abide by our agreement, costing us a great deal of time and were difficult to deal with. Although the experience was tough, we overcame these hurdles and learned from the experience, changing our approach to our agreements and how we set up our clients for a successful project together.

We are a small, woman-owned business known for our attention to detail, high-quality work and always being available for our clients and honest in our dealings. Our reputation, built through word-of-mouth, is the main way that we get new business and we are very proud of this.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I like combining all the best elements of the area that a live in, and would take my friend on a tour of places that showcase how special the Bay Area is. We would start by going to a European-style cafe in a cute neighborhood in San Francisco, close to the water and somewhere that serves tea in real, china cups. From there, we would have some dumplings for lunch in Chinatown and then walk around to experience the hubbub. On the next day, we would go to Half Moon Bay to gaze at the Pacific Ocean and eat some fresh fish, perhaps followed by a hike in the Santa Cruz mountains in the afternoon. No trip would be complete without visiting the giant Redwood trees in Muir Woods!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
The greatest influence on my journey with my business has been my mentor in the design and construction industry, who also has his own business. His extensive experience in establishing and growing his business successfully is something that I try to emulate as I scale my own business. He has provided invaluable guidance when it comes to best business practices, dealing with difficult clients and situations. His honest approach to his clients and and high quality work has been an inspiration for me and is the model that I follow for my own business. He is always on hand to take a call and offer advice patiently, and now we bring each other business and jointly work on some projects.

Website: https://www.mplusa-studio.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mplusa_studio/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/mplusa-studio/