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

Hi Cam, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I’ve had a few businesses, but my primary goal and intention has always been to be of service and make an impact. The first company I had was a total failure and part of the reason is because it lacked purpose. The second company was super successful because it was about building community (it was the first Coworking space in LA that ended up creating the LA technology ecosystem). Following that, I went through a lot of life changes including losing my business due to divorce, and so I went on a path of spiritual awakening and transformation. I then became a coach and speaker focused on women’s authentic empowerment and this is what I am most passionate about — it’s my purpose. This business I run now is about helping people become who they are truly created to be, and I am being of highest service — there’s nothing else I would rather be doing.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am a serial founder turned Executive Transformational Coach and Inspirational Speaker. At this time, I’m focused on women and what I specifically do as a coach is help them “Awaken your Divine Feminine Leader” – which is the most authentically empowered aspect of ourselves. Removing limiting beliefs, doubts, fears, etc. and help put them in connection with their authentic self and become who they are truly capable of being. Nothing fulfills me more than a woman truly realizing her worth and power. It was a very difficult journey to get here, as I briefly alluded to in the first question. I grew up as a fat kid, and didn’t believe in myself at all. Was bullied and sexually abused. I had zero self esteem. A horrible inner dialogue. I literally hated myself as a kid. Fast forward a bit, and I ended up losing weight in high school and that helped me feel better about myself temporarily although it led to a skewed perception of my worth being equivalent to my weight (one that many women, and some men, in this day and age have unfortunately). Fast forward again, I graduate college and get a job and realize I can’t work for anyone, so after a few years of being an employee, I decided to start my own company. It failed HARD. It was really hard to bounce back from, but that failure spawned the idea of the second company, called Coloft. Coloft was the first coworking space in LA, geared toward technology entrepreneurs (before LA had any tech activity), and it was highly purpose driven (unlike the first company), and became a huge success. It became ground zero for, and was responsible for building, the Los Angeles technology ecosystem. We had over 1800 alumni including Uber LA, Instacart, Zip Recruiter and others. But I lost Coloft in my divorce (my ex-husband was my business partner), which at that moment was the hardest period of my life. Everything I had identified myself as, I no longer was. I felt completely naked in the Universe, and had a complete identity crisis. This ultimately led me down a path of transformation and to my spiritual awakening. I had to start all over as a single mom (I have twin boys that are now 8 but at the time of my divorce were only 1.5) and I went through massive hardship to find myself and my true power. I began going to seminars, I hired a coach, I read a bunch of books, and I transformed from a scared little girl to a powerful badass woman, and realized that was the only one holding myself back my whole life. I was reborn, and wanted every woman to feel this type of true, authentic power, and so I thought to myself if I can do it, who can’t?! So I turned my story of struggle into one of service, and decided to become a transformational coach and inspirational speaker and have not looked back since.

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’m a pretty simple person so my itinerary wouldn’t be too complicated. First stop would be a local awesome brunch spot. And then the beach. Nothing is more relaxing and peaceful than the water. Followed by a bike ride alongside the bike path on the beach. Then a stop at the local bars for a glass of wine while watching the sunset. And finally, dinner on a rooftop, outside, overlooking the ocean.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I wouldn’t be where I am without the support of my family (namely my parents) and my closest friends. Huge shoutout to Espree Devora, who’s been a bestie since the day Coloft opened its doors, and is a total badass herself.

Website: CamKASHANI.com
Instagram: @camskashani
Linkedin: http://LinkedIn.com/in/camkashani
Twitter: @camskashani
Facebook: Facebook.com/KashaniCam

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.