Javid Javdani: From Pharmacy Director to Food Entrepreneur

Javid Javdani knows what it means to start from scratch. Before he ever wore a white coat or owned a business, he worked jobs like washing cars and waiting tables. It wasn’t glamorous. But it taught him something powerful: how to work hard and manage money.

“I didn’t have a safety net,” he says. “Every job I had taught me how to depend on myself.”

These early lessons shaped the way Javid approached school, work, and eventually entrepreneurship. Today, he’s a licensed pharmacist, a former hospital pharmacy director, and the owner of a successful restaurant and grocery store in San Diego.

But the road to success wasn’t straight. It was built on long hours, tough decisions, and the courage to take a chance.

Choosing Pharmacy—and Making It Count

After years of part-time jobs, Javid earned a chemistry degree from California State Polytechnic University–Pomona in 1989. He then pursued a Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of the Pacific in Stockton. By 1994, he was a licensed pharmacist.

“Pharmacy felt like the right mix of science and service,” he says. “It gave me stability but also let me help people every day.”

Javid spent nearly two decades in the field, including 20 years as Director of Pharmacy at Kindred Hospital. He managed teams, oversaw medication protocols, and worked directly with patients and doctors.

Still, something was missing.

“I loved the work, but I always wanted to build something of my own,” he explains. “Something I could grow.”

The Grocery Store That Sparked a Shift

In 2005, Javid spotted an opportunity close to home. A small neighborhood grocery store was for sale. Most people might not have seen much in it. But Javid saw a chance to serve his community—and start his own business.

He bought the store and got to work.

“The place was small and underused,” he says. “I knew we could do more with it.”

And they did. He doubled the store’s size and began stocking it with foods that reflected the community’s diverse tastes. Shelves were soon filled with international products that had been hard to find locally—Middle Eastern spices, specialty breads, and hard-to-source ingredients from around the globe.

“People wanted things that reminded them of home,” Javid says. “We listened to that.”

His decision to adapt the store to meet local needs paid off. Business grew steadily, driven by word of mouth and strong community ties.

From Shelves to Service: Launching Sufi Mediterranean Cuisine

By 2011, Javid had caught the entrepreneurship bug. He saw another gap in the market—this time in the restaurant and catering space. Drawing on his experience and the same community-first mindset, he opened Sufi Mediterranean Cuisine, a full-service restaurant offering a menu rooted in tradition.

“It wasn’t just about food,” he says. “It was about creating a place where people could gather and feel connected.”

From special events to catering services, the restaurant quickly found its niche. Javid’s focus on authenticity and quality made it a favorite for locals and visitors alike.

“I treated the restaurant the same way I treated the pharmacy,” he says. “With care, with precision, and with a plan.”

Balancing Two Worlds: Healthcare and Business

Even while running his businesses, Javid didn’t leave pharmacy behind. Between 2020 and 2023, he worked as a staff pharmacist at Med-Plus Pharmacy. It kept him close to the field he’d trained in—and grounded in the skills he still valued.

“Pharmacy taught me discipline and structure,” he says. “Those are things I’ve carried into every business decision I make.”

That dual career path—healthcare and entrepreneurship—makes Javid’s story unique. He didn’t abandon one dream for another. He simply found a way to make space for both.

What Others Can Learn from His Journey

Javid’s career is a reminder that big changes don’t always require big moves. Sometimes, success comes from seeing potential in the everyday.

“You don’t have to start with something flashy,” he says. “Just find something you can believe in—and build it up.”

His advice to those starting out?

“Work hard at whatever is in front of you. Don’t wait for the ‘perfect’ opportunity. Opportunities are made, not found.”

The Power of Paying Attention

Looking back, Javid Javdani credits much of his success to staying alert—to people, to patterns, and to possibilities.

“I didn’t go into pharmacy thinking I’d own a restaurant one day,” he laughs. “But if you’re open to learning, you never know where life can take you.”

Whether he’s behind a pharmacy counter or running a kitchen, Javid Javdani has shown that good business is about more than just profit. It’s about purpose, persistence, and the power of saying “yes” when the right door opens.