Nilou Ghazizadeh, Co-Founder of Golnar Inc. and Pixameter

On a business trip to San Francisco, I met the unstoppable Nilou Ghazizadeh. Curious, accommodating, with a can-do attitude, she is the type of entrepreneur you make time to sit down with, if you can get her to sit down: Nilou is all about action.

She is the co-founder of two ventures: Golnar Inc., a Mediterranean cookware line available at Williams-Sonoma and Pixameter, a size-and-fit solution for eCommerce platforms currently in Beta.  And in a twist on the question of “Who’s your co-founder,” Nilou co-founded both companies with her dad, Mansoor Ghazizadeh.

She is a graduate of the University of Southern California, with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business and Entrepreneurship, a degree she is clearly putting to good use.   A TED talk addict, Nilou leads with her desire to learn (for instance,  I learned from her that tears are good for you, since they contain lysozyme, a fluid that helps our eyes fight bacteria!).

When I asked her what her greatest achievement was, she replied, rather creatively, “It is in the future.”  I cannot wait to see what problem this entrepreneur tackles next.

Nilou’s bio, in her own six words: “Passionate global thinker, student at heart.”

Who are your heroes?  People who take proactive steps to solve hard problems, and who motivate others to do the same.  Most of my heroes are notable leaders like Gandhi, Elon Musk, Oprah Winfrey, Christiane Amanpour, etc. 

What is your current challenge? Sometimes my nerves get the best of me and I’ll over-explain my point. I’d like my phrasing to be more concise in high-pressure situations.

What is your motto?  I have a few:

• • • Now or never
    • “Don’t put a ceiling on yourself.” (Oprah Winfrey)
    • Be yourself; everyone else is already taken 

Why are you an entrepreneur? I enjoy challenging myself to make my team’s vision a reality.  Also, identifying inefficiencies and designing solutions that are scalable excites me.

What problem are you solving? With Pixameter, we are addressing a two-sided problem introduced by eCommerce.  Retailers struggle to convey their product offerings online, while consumers have a bad user experience shopping on their mobile devices, and are hassled when returning unwanted items.  

What problem would you like solved? Our solution at Pixameter will reduce returns and increase conversions for eCommerce sites.  My hope is that Pixameter’s technology will allow more small business owners to sell their products online to reach a global audience.

Biggest regret? I resisted studying engineering in college because both my parents are engineers. My mom is a software engineer and my dad is a hardware engineer.  I didn’t realize how awesome that was until three months out of school, when I moved to San Francisco.  It’s a regret, but I don’t believe it’s too late to learn.  I plan to take programming classes in the near future.

Which talent would you like to have?  If I were a superhero, I’d be able to speak every language.  Language is an instrument that connects people around the world, and across cultures.

Best pat on the back you’ve ever received?  My grandmother always tells me how proud she is of my Bachelor of Science degree. Higher education is something she never had the chance to pursue because got married very young.

Advice you wish you’d had (or had followed)?  “Heed the lessons of failure” (Bill Gates).  It’s important to reflect and grow from your missteps.

The Twitter follower you can’t live without?  I just got on Twitter, so that’s TBD.

Your nails on a chalkboard moment? When people are intolerant of those who are different from themselves.

The job you’d actually love?  I’m lucky.  I get to work with my dad everyday on Golnar and Pixameter. He challenges my ideas and supports my decisions. There’s no one I’d rather work with!

Biggest misconception about being an entrepreneur?  That you make your own hours and can have a 4-hour workweek.  As an entrepreneur, you must constantly be proactive and responsive.  Finding a work-life balance is nearly impossible.

Inc. or Rolling Stone? Which magazine cover for you?  Inc!  

What are you reading?  I just finished Thrive by Arianna Huffington — great “ancient wisdom” to slow down and re-define what success means to you. 

What book is your must-read?  How to Win Friends and Influence People. 

If I wanted to do what you’re doing…what’s your advice? Realize you are on the same playing field as everyone else.  Age is not a factor.  You have the opportunity to exceed expectations and prove others wrong.

Short cut, long route, or road less traveled?  Road less traveled. I don’t believe in short cuts, but I do believe that you should be resourceful.  My intention is to build my network, connect and share ideas to move quickly and effectively.

Podium you’d like to stand on?  One that has an audience of students. 

One place in time you’d like to visit?  The 90s — when side-ponytails were a thing!

Part of the trick to staying focused?  Remember that you’re the one driving a high-speed vehicle, so take control…and therefore use your enthusiasm wisely for the bigger vision, to get you from point A to B.

One last thing — what’s the question I should be asking you?  “What do you enjoy doing to relax?” — and the answer would be: running and building ceramic pieces.  Few people know that ceramics is a secret talent of mine!