The Determined Entrepreneur: Roger Farahmand Finding Success through Career Challenges and Openness to Change

As an entrepreneur and expert in matters of mental health, Roger Farahmand has applied his exceptional acumen for building businesses to building businesses like EnterHealth, a drug and alcohol rehabilitation center. He is the founder of One Health, another innovative company in the healthcare landscape. He established the Farahmand Law Firm to connect minority demographics with services and aid to meet their unique legal needs. Throughout his many business endeavors and professional pursuits, Roger Farahmand has balanced the success of his career with raising his son as a dedicated single father.

How did you get into healthcare and building businesses in that space?

My business pursuits in healthcare came by pure happenstance. I was advising a client who had a great business concept but was running their company poorly. The client asked me If I would be interested in helping run the business, and at first, I was unsure. I started by working five hours a week, and that soon increased to 80 hours a week. The rest is history. 

Where did your passion for entrepreneurship come from?

When you love what you do and have a good work ethic, passion is easy to have. Passion is learned—you see your parents and the people around you how they work and what their work ethic is. This is handed down to you, and possessing a good work ethic is oftentimes confused with passion. It is a responsibility, but when you have a good work ethic and love what you are doing, then it is seen as passion.

Why did you decide to start Farahmand Law Firm?

I started my own business because that was normal, and I did not know anything else. When I graduated, the economy was not good. People were not hiring, and the places where I worked did not challenge me. I felt I was in the wrong place, and I had to make things happen myself. That doesn’t happen working for others, so I went out on my own. When I started my law firm, I was the victim of overt racism, and that experience challenged me. It got me thinking about how others in less fortunate positions could not combat that level of racism, particularly as they sought to have their legal needs met, and I wanted to help them. 

What is a lesson you learned in the face of failure, and how did you progress forward from that failure or setback?

It’s important to remember you only fail when you give up, and we do not give up—we reorganize. What I’ve learned from facing the idea of failure is that you can be your own worst enemy by not forgiving yourself and beating yourself up over mistakes. You need to believe in yourself and remember – no one can take your skills away from you. Never forget your friends and the people who love you as they’ll always be there for you. Every time you are down, remember it could have been worse. As long as you have your health, you have everything.

What is a necessary skill that is crucial to success for you?

Resiliency and forgiveness are huge for professional development. You need to forgive yourself and move on. When you do not make decisions and allow indecision to take hold, you will succumb to paralysis. 

What advice would you give to your younger self?

Surround yourself with positive people and people who can improve you. Enjoy everything along the way as time is the most precious thing you have. Save accordingly and do not risk what you have made for more. There’s value in being content, and if you do your job, things will work out. 

What motivates you to continue doing what you do?

I am motivated daily by the idea of making the world I live in a better place. I am motivated by the fear of failure and the satisfaction I have when I create something. 

Key Takeaways

• Sometimes our greatest successes are not planned but simply the result of unexpected opportunities. Be open to these moments.

• Passion in entrepreneurship is often a byproduct of a strong work ethic. Passion is a deep commitment and responsibility for one’s work. 

• Entrepreneurs can be motivated by both personal circumstances and a drive to create positive social change.

• Recognizing that failure is part of the journey and learning to move past mistakes are crucial skills for entrepreneurial success.

• Surrounding yourself with positive and constructive influences allows you to enjoy the journey and be content instead of getting stuck in the trap of striving for more.