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Published by Matt Holt Books
Distributed by Simon & Schuster
Table of Contents
About The Book
USA Today Bestseller
Her first job was behind bulletproof glass at a gas station. She ended up leading a billion-dollar company.
Shirin Behzadi was arrested multiple times under an oppressive regime in Iran before she had even reached adulthood. Fleeing her homeland alone as a teenager, she carried nothing with her but a suitcase—and a bold dream. In Istanbul, and later at a Los Angeles gas station, she quietly declared to anyone who would listen: One day, I will lead a large company.
While navigating poverty, the loss of home and belonging, motherhood, and a near-terminal illness that left her unable to stand—let alone lead—Shirin raised millions in private equity and built a billion-dollar company. At every setback, she unearthed something essential: The resilience she had honed in dark times could also light the way forward in business, in leadership, and in life.
The Unexpected CEO tells a compelling and powerful story of lessons carved from challenges and a life constructed despite dire circumstances. In these pages, Shirin shares not only her extraordinary journey, but also the wisdom earned at every turn. Both a memoir and a guide, this book offers a blueprint for turning life’s deepest trials into stepping stones toward purpose and possibility.
Readers will discover:
This is not a tale of overnight success, but of steady strength, rebuilding from the ground up, and what becomes possible when adversity is met with unwavering intent. Because success isn’t just what you build—it’s who you become along the way.
Her first job was behind bulletproof glass at a gas station. She ended up leading a billion-dollar company.
Shirin Behzadi was arrested multiple times under an oppressive regime in Iran before she had even reached adulthood. Fleeing her homeland alone as a teenager, she carried nothing with her but a suitcase—and a bold dream. In Istanbul, and later at a Los Angeles gas station, she quietly declared to anyone who would listen: One day, I will lead a large company.
While navigating poverty, the loss of home and belonging, motherhood, and a near-terminal illness that left her unable to stand—let alone lead—Shirin raised millions in private equity and built a billion-dollar company. At every setback, she unearthed something essential: The resilience she had honed in dark times could also light the way forward in business, in leadership, and in life.
The Unexpected CEO tells a compelling and powerful story of lessons carved from challenges and a life constructed despite dire circumstances. In these pages, Shirin shares not only her extraordinary journey, but also the wisdom earned at every turn. Both a memoir and a guide, this book offers a blueprint for turning life’s deepest trials into stepping stones toward purpose and possibility.
Readers will discover:
- Tools for turning adversity into fuel for growth
- Hard-won insights on resilience, reinvention, and rising stronger
- Real-world strategies for leading with empathy—and why it works
- Candid lessons on raising capital and navigating private equity
- A framework for building not just a thriving business, but a meaningful life as well
- True stories that illuminate the power of vision, grit, and unwavering belief
This is not a tale of overnight success, but of steady strength, rebuilding from the ground up, and what becomes possible when adversity is met with unwavering intent. Because success isn’t just what you build—it’s who you become along the way.
Product Details
- Publisher: Matt Holt Books (October 28, 2025)
- Length: 288 pages
- ISBN13: 9781637747544
Raves and Reviews
“This book reveals how the most underestimated among us can become the most transformative. The Unexpected CEO tells not only a story of survival and success, but a powerful case for human potential.”
—Mrs. Cherie Blair
“Shirin’s story is so inspiring. It reminds us that the people who overcome adversity are often capable of the most extraordinary things. She went from political exile and trauma to becoming a billion-dollar CEO—and never lost her deep empathy or her commitment to service. This memoir is a gift to anyone striving to live with courage and compassion.”
—Lawrence R. Armstrong, Chairman, Ware Malcomb; Vice Chair, Orange County United Way; and New York Times Bestselling Author, Layered Leadership
“Often painfully real and always profoundly impactful, The Unexpected CEO is a deeply moving memoir highlighting the opportunity to be found in hardship and the ultimate reward in uplifting others. A must-read for personal and professional growth.”
—Kath Carter, former Global Strategy and Transactions Partner—Markets, Business Development and Talent, EY
“Shirin’s story is beyond inspirational. Having faced huge personal and business challenges, she shows us that by staying focused on the positive and on our goals, we can accomplish anything and achieve great success while retaining integrity, compassion, and grace..”
—Susan B. Parks, President and CEO, Orange County United Way
“This book is more than inspiration—it’s a guide to unlocking your own resilience. Readers will learn what it takes to face fear, reframe failure, and rise through purpose. Shirin Behzadi’s story is fuel for anyone ready to rewrite their own.”
—Betsy Schwartz, National Mental Health Leader and Advocate
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