Where It All Began
Before Balboa International Market or Sufi Mediterranean Cuisine ever existed, my business education started in places most people might overlook: car washes, gas stations, and restaurants. As a young student working my way through school, I wasn’t dreaming about owning a grocery empire or running a popular catering business. I was simply trying to save for college, help my family, and build a better future. But those long hours scrubbing tires and pumping gas taught me lessons that no classroom could. Without realizing it, I was laying the foundation for the entrepreneur I would one day become.
Hard Work is Non-Negotiable
Washing cars under the hot California sun was not glamorous work. Some days felt endless, and the pay wasn’t much. But what stuck with me was the importance of showing up, working hard, and taking pride in even the smallest tasks. No matter how tired I was, I learned that giving my best effort mattered. Customers could tell when you cared about their car and when you didn’t. That attention to detail, that willingness to do the job right even when no one was watching, has stayed with me ever since.
When I eventually became a pharmacist and later opened my own businesses, the same principle applied. Whether filling prescriptions, stocking grocery shelves, or preparing dishes for a catering event, success comes from caring enough to do excellent work every time. Shortcuts might save time in the moment, but they cost trust in the long run.
Customer Service is Everything
At the gas station, I interacted with dozens of customers every day — some in a hurry, some frustrated, and some simply looking for a friendly face. I quickly realized that how I treated people made a huge difference. A small gesture, like offering help or just smiling and saying thank you, often turned a routine transaction into a memorable moment.
Today, customer service remains at the heart of everything we do at Balboa Market and Sufi Mediterranean Cuisine. I’ve always believed that customers can find products anywhere. What makes them come back — and tell their friends — is how they feel when they walk into your business. Are they welcomed? Are their needs met with respect and kindness? That lesson started behind the counter at a gas station, and it’s something I instill in every employee who joins our team.
Learning to Handle Pressure
Gas stations and restaurants don’t operate on a relaxed schedule. Rush hours, emergencies, and last-minute problems were part of the daily routine. I learned quickly how to think on my feet, stay calm under pressure, and solve problems without losing focus. Those experiences were incredible training for entrepreneurship, where every day brings new challenges.
Running Balboa International Market isn’t just about selling groceries. It’s about managing supply chains, supporting a diverse team, responding to customer feedback, and adjusting quickly when things don’t go as planned. Catering events add another layer of urgency, where timing and preparation have to be perfect. Thanks to those early jobs, I’m comfortable navigating high-pressure situations with a steady hand.
Appreciating Every Role
Working service jobs gave me an understanding of what it feels like to be at the bottom of the ladder. It taught me to respect every role in a business, from the person cleaning the floors to the manager making big decisions. Success in any organization is a team effort, and no job is too small when it comes to creating a great customer experience.
At Balboa Market, I make it a point to stay connected to every part of the operation. I know what it takes to stock shelves, unload deliveries, prep meals, and handle busy checkout lines because I’ve done similar work myself. That hands-on perspective helps me lead with empathy and appreciation — two things that are too often missing in leadership.
Building Something Bigger
While I loved my work as a pharmacist, I always felt the pull to build something of my own. When I purchased the small neighborhood grocery store that would become Balboa International Market, I wasn’t starting from scratch — I was bringing years of life lessons with me. I understood the value of hard work, excellent service, calm leadership, and team unity. Those principles have helped me grow that tiny store into a bustling market and expand into the restaurant and catering business as well.
Javid Javdani’s story might look like a big career leap on paper — from pharmacy to entrepreneurship — but for me, it was a natural evolution. Every job, every challenge, every lesson led me here.
Gratitude for the Journey
Looking back, I’m grateful for every car I washed, every shift I worked at the gas station, and every night I spent balancing work and school. Those experiences gave me a foundation that no degree could provide. They shaped not just my career, but my character.
Today, when I walk through the aisles of Balboa Market or visit a catering event catered by Sufi Mediterranean Cuisine, I don’t just see products and customers. I see a lifetime of hard-earned lessons in action — lessons that began with a simple bucket of soap and a lot of ambition.