Sormeh Attarzadeh

Sormeh is a Co-founder and Account Manager at Zentap. She loves helping clients achieve their goals by working hand-in-hand with our client success team to learn and implement the latest marketing and real estate trends. This allows her to help our team design online marketing solutions for real estate agents and brokers to increase their sphere of influence and save time in the process. This role is a perfect fit for Sormeh because she has the opportunity to focus on three things she is very passionate about client success, sales, and social media marketing.

Fun fact about Sormeh – she wasn’t always passionate about a career in marketing and sales. She actually quit law school to pursue this journey. Sounds a bit crazy, but for Sormeh ” the opportunity to work with incredible people and build something unique from the ground up was worth deviating from ‘the safe route’.” Bootstrapping Zentap gave her the understanding of how to build a business from the ground up.

What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?

My typical day begins early, usually around 6 or 6:30 am, with a workout to jumpstart my energy and positive mindset. This daily routine helps me stay focused and motivated throughout the day, which is crucial for productivity. Once I arrive at the office, I hit the ground running with scheduled appointments for social media strategy sessions with clients. In between those appointments, I make sure to stay connected with my colleagues via Slack, which allows us to quickly share ideas and brainstorm solutions. We also have regular meetings throughout the day, whether they’re on the phone, in person, or via Slack, to keep everyone on the same page and in sync with each other. Effective communication is vital to our company culture and to maintaining strong relationships with our clients. I love being part of a company that values collaboration and teamwork, and it’s gratifying to know that our efforts are making a difference in helping our clients achieve their goals. By staying organized, connected, and collaborative, we’re able to deliver exceptional results and ensure our productivity stays at its peak!

How do you bring ideas to life?

Bringing ideas to life is one of the most exciting parts of my job! At our office, we have a fantastic process in place to make sure that every idea gets the attention it deserves. We save our discussions for our weekly leadership meetings, where we gather in person to brainstorm and collaborate as a team. It’s an amazing feeling to watch as ideas evolve and grow, as everyone brings their unique perspectives to the table. Once we’ve solidified a rough draft, we get to work on identifying the necessary steps to make it happen. We break down the idea into manageable tasks and assign them to the team members best suited for the job. Communication is crucial throughout the process, and we make sure that everyone is up to speed and on the same page. It’s incredibly satisfying to watch as an idea takes shape and becomes a reality. At our office, we believe that every idea has the potential to make a difference, and we’re committed to bringing them to life in the most effective way possible.

What’s one trend that excites you?

One trend that I find particularly exciting in the real estate social media world is how it’s being used to build relationships and educate others. Social media provides a platform for real estate professionals to connect with potential clients and showcase their expertise. By sharing valuable insights, tips, and advice on social media, real estate agents and brokers can establish themselves as trusted authorities in their field. This not only helps them build relationships with potential clients but also helps them educate others about the industry.
Moreover, social media has revolutionized the way professionals approach networking and relationship-building. With the ability to connect with people all over the world, real estate professionals can expand their network and reach new audiences. By engaging with others on social media, they can share ideas, learn from one another, and create valuable connections that can lead to new business opportunities.
Overall, the power of social media to build relationships and educate others in the real estate industry is truly remarkable. It’s exciting to see how this trend is transforming the way professionals approach their work and the potential it holds for the future.

What is one habit that helps you be productive?

As an entrepreneur, one habit that I have found to be incredibly beneficial for both personal and professional growth is writing. Specifically, I try to make a habit of journaling and reflecting on my experiences and ideas on a regular basis.
There are a few reasons why I think writing is such a valuable practice for entrepreneurs. Firstly, it can help you clarify your thoughts and ideas. When you’re trying to solve a problem or come up with a new business concept, putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) can help you organize your thoughts and see things from a new perspective.
Secondly, writing can be a powerful tool for personal growth and self-discovery. By reflecting on your experiences and emotions, you can gain insight into your own values, fears, and aspirations. This can help you become a more self-aware and empathetic leader, and make better decisions for yourself and your team.
Finally, writing can also be a great way to share your knowledge and insights with others. Whether it’s through a blog, social media posts, or a book, writing allows you to communicate your ideas and expertise to a wider audience. This can help you build a personal brand, establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, and attract new clients or customers.
Of course, writing isn’t the only habit that can benefit entrepreneurs. But I do believe that it’s a versatile and accessible tool that can help you grow both personally and professionally, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to develop their skills and build a successful business.

What advice would you give your younger self?

If I could go back in time and give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to stop being so afraid of making mistakes and worrying about what others think. The truth is, people won’t remember the little missteps and mistakes that you make along the way. What they will remember is the impact that you had on their lives and the world around you.
In fact, I’ve learned that taking chances and embracing discomfort is often the key to unlocking our greatest potential. When we push ourselves outside of our comfort zones and take risks, we open ourselves up to new experiences and opportunities for growth. It’s only by taking chances that we can truly discover what we’re capable of achieving.
Looking back, I wish I had been more comfortable with being uncomfortable much sooner in life. I know now that the times I felt the most uncertain and vulnerable were often the times when I grew and learned the most. So if I could give my younger self one piece of advice, it would be to let go of the fear of failure and embrace the unknown with open arms.

Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you.

“Fake it till you make it” is a phrase that’s often met with skepticism, and many people believe it’s a dishonest or inauthentic way of approaching life. However, I believe that there’s a lot of truth to this idea, and it’s something that has worked for me personally in many areas of my life.
To me, “fake it till you make it” doesn’t mean being dishonest or pretending to be someone you’re not. Rather, it’s about adopting the mindset and behaviors of the person you want to become, even if you don’t feel like you’re quite there yet. By acting as if you already possess the qualities or skills you aspire to, you begin to embody those traits and create a feedback loop of positive reinforcement.
For example, if you’re a naturally shy person who struggles with public speaking, “faking it till you make it” might mean adopting the posture and tone of a confident speaker, even if you don’t necessarily feel that way inside. By practicing this behavior consistently, you’ll start to internalize the confidence you’re projecting, and over time, it will become a part of your natural demeanor.
Of course, this approach isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution, and it’s important to strike a balance between pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and being true to your authentic self. But in my experience, adopting a “fake it till you make it” mentality can be a powerful tool for personal growth and transformation.

What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?

As an entrepreneur, one habit that I have found to be incredibly beneficial for both personal and professional growth that I would recommend to everyone is writing. Specifically, I try to make a habit of journaling and reflecting on my experiences and ideas on a regular basis.
There are a few reasons why I think writing is such a valuable practice for entrepreneurs. Firstly, it can help you clarify your thoughts and ideas. When you’re trying to solve a problem or come up with a new business concept, putting pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) can help you organize your thoughts and see things from a new perspective.
Secondly, writing can be a powerful tool for personal growth and self-discovery. By reflecting on your experiences and emotions, you can gain insight into your own values, fears, and aspirations. This can help you become a more self-aware and empathetic leader, and make better decisions for yourself and your team.
Finally, writing can also be a great way to share your knowledge and insights with others. Whether it’s through a blog, social media posts, or a book, writing allows you to communicate your ideas and expertise to a wider audience. This can help you build a personal brand, establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, and attract new clients or customers.
Of course, writing isn’t the only habit that can benefit entrepreneurs. But I do believe that it’s a versatile and accessible tool that can help you grow both personally and professionally, and I would recommend it to anyone who wants to develop their skills and build a successful business.

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?

Take a break: Sometimes stepping away from the task or situation that is causing you stress can help you regain your focus and perspective. Take a short walk outside or engage in a relaxing activity like meditation, deep breathing or yoga.

What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?

One strategy that has helped me grow my business is to focus on building strong relationships with customers. In my experience, nurturing relationships with clients is crucial to long-term success. One way I do this is by providing exceptional customer service and going above and beyond to meet their needs. I make sure to listen carefully to their feedback and use it to continuously improve our products and services.
Another part of this strategy is building trust with customers by being transparent and honest in all of our interactions. This means being upfront about pricing, delivery times, and any potential issues that may arise. By being open and honest, we establish credibility and build trust with our clients.
Overall, I believe that investing in relationships with customers is one of the most important strategies for business growth. Happy customers not only lead to repeat business but also serve as ambassadors for our brand, helping us attract new customers through word-of-mouth referrals.

What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?

One failure I experienced as an entrepreneur was thinking that I could do everything myself. When we first started Zentap, I tried to handle all aspects of the company on my own, from marketing and sales to product development and customer service. As a result, I quickly became overwhelmed and was unable to effectively manage everything.
After realizing that I couldn’t do everything myself, I came clean to my team that I was overwhelmed. At first, I felt like I was admitting defeat by needing help, but I soon realized that extending our current team was necessary for the growth and success of the company. Had I not admitted I needed more help I would have not only let our core team down, who knows how far we would’ve made it!
By bringing on talented individuals to handle specific areas of the business, I was able to focus on my strengths and the areas where I could provide the most value. This allowed me to work more efficiently and effectively, leading to better results and overall growth for the company.
In overcoming this failure, I learned an important lesson about the importance of delegation and building a strong team. Trying to do everything yourself can lead to burnout and failure, while surrounding yourself with talented individuals who can support you and bring unique perspectives to the table can lead to success.

What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?

One potential business idea that we are considering is leveraging A.I. to work smart not hard! We can potentially utilize A.I. for more advanced automation with our social media content creation and optimization.
The platform could use machine learning algorithms to analyze data from various social media channels and identify trends and patterns in engagement, likes, and shares. With this data, the platform could automatically generate engaging and relevant captions, hashtags, and other content to optimize social media posts for maximum impact.Additionally, the platform could assist us with extensive research on real estate trends, property listings, and market analysis. This could help real estate professionals stay ahead of the curve and make informed decisions about their marketing strategies.

What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?

When it comes to staying productive and collaborating with my team effectively, there is one piece of software that I absolutely swear by – Slack. This innovative communication tool has been a game-changer for me and my team, allowing us to stay connected and work together seamlessly, no matter where we are in the world.
With Slack, I am able to communicate with my colleagues instantly, whether it’s to share important updates, ask for feedback on a project, or just check in with how everyone is doing. This has made our team more efficient and effective, as we are able to stay in sync and collaborate in real-time.
But it’s not just our team that benefits from Slack – our clients do as well. With the ability to communicate with our team instantly, I am able to provide prompt and efficient support to our clients, ensuring that their needs are met quickly and effectively.
Overall, I would highly recommend Slack to anyone looking for a powerful and user-friendly communication tool that can help them stay productive and collaborate with their team effectively. Whether you’re working remotely or in the office, Slack is an essential tool for staying connected and getting things done.

What is the best $100 you recently spent?

I recently had the opportunity to donate $100 to help support children in my community, and it was truly a rewarding experience. Giving back to these children is important to me because I believe that they are the future of our community. By providing them with the resources they need to succeed, I am investing in their future and helping to build a brighter tomorrow. I also find that giving back in this way is incredibly fulfilling and provides me with a sense of purpose and meaning. Knowing that I can make a positive impact in the lives of others is truly an amazing feeling, and I am grateful for the opportunity to do so. Overall, I believe that donating to support children’s causes is a fantastic use of my resources and a wonderful way to make a difference in the world.

Do you have a favorite book or podcast from which you’ve received much value?

I highly recommend “Can’t Hurt Me: Master Your Mind and Defy the Odds” by David Goggins. It’s an inspiring memoir that teaches you to master your own mind and overcome obstacles. Goggins shares his own struggles with mental health and provides practical tips for pushing past your limits. This book will motivate you to be the best version of yourself and remind you that anything is possible with hard work and perseverance.

What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?

I recently watched a series called Succession that I absolutely loved! It’s all about the ups and downs of a wealthy family’s business empire, and I was hooked from the first episode.
What I enjoyed most about the show was the way it portrayed the characters. Despite being filthy rich and powerful, they were still relatable and flawed human beings. Watching them navigate their personal and professional lives was both fascinating and entertaining.
The show also had some great moments of tension and suspense, especially when the characters were faced with high-stakes situations. I loved seeing how they came up with creative ideas under pressure, even if some of them were a bit unorthodox.
Overall, I thought Succession was a well-written and well-acted series that kept me coming back for more. If you’re looking for a show with plenty of drama and intrigue, I highly recommend giving it a watch!

Key learnings:

• I learned that determination and focus can lead to great opportunities, even if you don’t have an impressive academic background.
• Taking risks and stepping out of your comfort zone can lead to big rewards, like the success I found with Zentap.
• Perseverance is key to achieving any goal, especially when facing challenges and setbacks.
• I’m inspired to encourage other women to pursue their dreams and believe in their own abilities, just like I did.
• My experience with a bootstrapped SaaS startup showed me the potential of startups to disrupt industries and create new opportunities.