Naz Beheshti of Prananaz on persevering through rejection and choosing work/life engagement over work/life balance

Describe your business in a few words?

Prananaz is a corporate wellness company that provides custom high-touch, high-tech programs that improve leadership effectiveness, employee well-being, employee engagement, and company culture.

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

I couldn’t live another day not pursuing my passion and purpose.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

A decade working at Fortune 500 companies (Apple, Yahoo, AstraZeneca) and a tech startup as an EA to Steve Jobs and various sales roles. Founding a non-profit school in Haiti. Training in psychology, NLP, holistic health, transformation coaching, yoga, and transcendental meditation.

Did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?

Yes!

Take us back to when you first launched your business, what was your marketing strategy to get the word out and did it go as planned?

I started marketing Prananaz through friends and family which ultimately continued through word of mouth from clients.

We always learn the most from our mistakes, share a time with us that you made a mistake or had a challenging time in business and what you learned from it?

It was challenging to learn how long the corporate sales cycle is and how many no’s I initially heard. Luckily for my persistent nature and sales background, I persevered through the rejection. I learned that no means, let’s try a different way or no for now but if you really want something keep pursuing it.

What is the accomplishment you are the most proud of to date?

My recently published book, Pause. Breathe. Choose.: Become the CEO of Your Well-Being

How has your business or industry been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic?

All of my speaking engagements and workshops have gone virtual instead of in person.

What’s next for your business? What can we expect to see over the next few years?

More impact across Fortune 500 companies and disruptive startups through Prananaz’s programs and my book Pause. Breathe. Choose.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned in 2020?

Being resilient, flexible, and mindful are essential to not just survive but thrive amidst a pandemic or any challenging situation.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting your business?

Patience is a virtue. People and companies work on their own timeline, not yours.

How have you managed to stay grounded this year?

My non-negotiable daily morning routine consists of 20 min. of TM (transcendental meditation) followed by 10-30 min. of movement (combo of yoga and pilates) on my mat listening to my favorite uplifting playlist.

Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?

No, I don’t believe in work/life balance which suggests that work and life are on opposite ends of an imaginary scale. I believe in work/life engagement infusing the whole of your life with meaning and purpose. When you are engaged and energized in all facets of your life each facet complements and feeds one another.

What’s something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

I love playing with animals! I’ve been charged by a silverback gorilla, bitten by a tiger, bucked off an elephant, and I have swam with sharks.

What are your top 3 tips to stay productive each day?

1. Sleep well. 2. Meditate. 3. Turn off notifications on your devices when you need to stay focused.

What does being an Entreprenista mean to you?

A successful entrepreneur who takes empowered and aligned action to pursue their passions and fulfill their dreams.