Meet Jessica Sanam Hekmat | Entrepreneur + Writer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Sanam Hekmat and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica Sanam, have there been any changes in how you think about work-life balance?
My perspective on “balance” has definitely shifted over the years, especially as I’ve gotten clear on what I need for my optimal health, how I want to focus my energy, and the newer roles and responsibilities I have as a partner and parent.

I prefer the phrase “work-life integration.” To me, that means your professional ambitions are informed by your personal values – so that every choice you make is not about just showing up for a job, but inviting you and allowing you to do your life’s work.

On a logistical level, integration also means that the boundaries between work, family, play and self-care are flexible. I don’t buy into the idea that we can have it all, all the time. I think we can have it all – overall – if it is authentic. But day to day? I’ve learned there are very few days that are a beautiful balance of all the things, perfectly proportioned. Instead, I assume that I will need and want to lean into different areas of my life at different times. I may not take on a new client, because I know my family will need more of me one month. Or I may arrange for additional childcare and support for a few weeks, so that I can dedicate the time to launch a new project (like my upcoming workshop.) When I’ve got downtime, I take the two-hour hike. When I’ve got meetings back to back, that day’s workout might be taking a client call while I walk the dog.

I do take inventory every week, to see where I need to adjust things or lean in differently, so that I’m not burnt out. It’s pretty easy to get caught up in the hustle – so many of us were taught to take pride in that. But I’ve also learned to take pride in the pauses.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
My work focuses on three main areas: consulting, coaching and writing.

Since I left my corporate job over 10 years ago, I have been consulting for startups, entrepreneurs and small businesses as a brand strategist. I absolutely love this work. I invite founders to really consider their motivations, intentions and goals for their business, so that every element of the business – from product/service to operations to partnerships – is informed by their purpose and vision. Often, founders are so excited to launch and want to get straight to marketing. My job is to encourage them to pause and peel back the layers to get to their “why,” before focusing on the “what” and “how.”

The most gratifying piece of this is that my clients and projects have evolved, as I have. It is truly fulfilling to work with people I believe in to bring their purpose-driven brands to life.

Brand strategy naturally led to coaching individual clients to consider their own personal brand and values, while exploring and navigating career transitions. It was coaching clients 1:1 that led to the creation of BACK TO WORK(SHOP), which is a four-part series supporting women exploring and reconnecting with their ambitions beyond motherhood. We are partnering with Soho House for our Fall session and I am thrilled to scale the impact I’ve had with individual clients to reach and empower this group. Additional workshops, intensives and retreats are in the works. It’s all happening!

And writing – my ultimate love language. The through line of my career, as well as my journey of self-discovery, has always been storytelling. I recently launched CYCLE|BREAKER, a weekly email newsletter though Substack, and it is allowing me to express myself beyond what I can share on Instagram.

Entrepreneurship can have really high highs and really low lows. Especially in the beginning, when you’re weaning off the structure, predictability and eternal validation of working for an established employer. So, it hasn’t been “easy,” but every trade-off has been worth it. In the past decade of being on my own, I’ve learned a few lessons:

• When there is an opportunity to do something outside your comfort zone, do it. There are enough resources to learn a new space and hone new skills. It’s fine to feign confidence while you figure it out.

• There will be days you feel like a total failure and unsure of your life’s purpose. Go for a hike and reconnect with your purpose. Make an achievable to-do list and slay it. Tomorrow, you may wake up feeling like you’ve got it all figured out.

• If you are clear, like really, truly, clear on what you want to do – those things will show up for you. It will feel like it has literally fallen out of the sky, into your lap. When we do the work to know ourselves, take the effort to articulate it and share it with others – it all finds its way back to us.

• Ask for what you want. Know your audience, read the room, be graceful and considerate – but ask for what you want. You’ll be surprised how often the answer is yes.

• You can always change your mind. Not every decision has to feel major. Yes, there will be consequences, but you can change direction, if what you’re doing isn’t working for you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Favorite way to spend my day solo: morning hike at Temescal Canyon, followed by lunch at Cafe Vida, then shopping at Elyse Walker and Palisades Village.

Favorite way to spend my day with a friend: morning hike at Solstice Canyon, followed by brunch on the pier at Malibu Farm, then shopping at Malibu Lumber Yard and Malibu Country Mart.

Favorite way to do the beach: rollerblade from Annenberg Beach House to Venice and back, lunch at Back on the Beach Cafe or Jonathan Club, then walking the shops on Abbott Kinney. I live for stationary/gift store and Burro is one of my absolute favorites.

Favorite date night spots: Wallflower (the playlist is as good as the food), Alta, Cobi’s and Cento.

Favorite bars to day drink: Elefante and Zinqué.

Favorite places for a night out: Jazz Eclectic LA at Bar Lis and Vibrato.

Favorite concert venues: Hollywood Bowl and The Wiltern.

Favorite unexpected activity: letting off steam at Rage Ground.

Favorite workouts: The Class LA (on Main Street) and Natural PIlates.

Favorite yoga studio: Santa Monica Yoga (no hot yoga for me, all stretch and restorative)

Favorite way to experience Downtown LA: a day of art at The Broad and MOCA, lunch at Pine and Crane, and dinner at Bavel.

Favorite place to laugh: The Groundlings (The Black Version is the most brilliant improv show)

When I want to see and be seen: Il Pastaio, La Scala, Porta Via or Honor Bar in Beverly Hills.

Favorite way to spend a weeknight with a friend: attending a conversation between writers at Live Talks Los Angeles.

Favorite staycation: Petit Ermitage or Bel Air Hotel.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
It feels impossible to choose just one person, place or thing that has contributed to the personal and professional fulfillment I am currently enjoying.

I can pinpoint a few mentors, supporters and experiences that greatly contributed to my journey thus far.

My parents, who encouraged me to explore every interest and always prioritized education. I had my first byline published in a real newspaper at the age of 15, thanks to my mom driving me weekly to my internship at the LA Jewish Times.

Guru Singh, who drops absolutely genius nuggets of wisdom on humanology during his Kundalaini yoga classes. From him, I learned to use my feelings as information, and to always follow “the breadcrumbs of enthusiasm.”

Omid Arabian, who brought the poetic philosophy of Rumi and other mystics into my life, through his classes and workshops at YOUniversal Center. It is his applicable teachings that remind me to look beyond duality, to create new possibilities.

Jim Stengel, former CMO of P&G, who allowed me the privilege of doing research for his book Grow: How Ideals Power Growth and Profit at the World’s Greatest Companies. His brand marketing class at UCLA Anderson greatly informed the framework I use with clients to articulate their brand ideals.

My husband, who is a partner in the truest sense, both supporting and challenging me – and makes my work-life integration possible.

So many books, but most notably: Untamed by Glennon Doyle, What Should I Do With My Life by Po Bronson, Bittersweet by Susan Cain and The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

Website: https://jesskimia.com/

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessicakimiabakhsh/

Other: https://jesskimia.substack.com/ https://www.backtoworkshop.com/

Image Credits
Rinzi Ruiz Kim Fox