We recently connected with Shima Ghaheri and have shared our conversation below.

Shima, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Naming anything – including a business – is so hard. Right? What’s the story behind how you came up with the name of your brand?

The name UnderlineU came from a deep belief that YOU matter most in your journey to success and fulfillment. It’s about emphasizing the importance of knowing, growing, and celebrating yourself—your values, your dreams, and your unique strengths. The underline symbolizes focus, priority, and drawing attention to what truly matters: YOU.

My tagline, “Know Yourself, Grow Yourself, Be Unstoppably You,” aligns with this idea by empowering you to uncover your true potential, nurture it, and unapologetically live your best life. Whether it’s in your career, relationships, or personal growth, UnderlineU is here to help you focus on what makes your life rich—time, health, love, and self-awareness—not just in the traditional sense of wealth but in a holistic, meaningful way.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m Shima Ghaheri, the founder of UnderlineU and the creator of the Recalibrate Program, where I help professionals transition into careers they love—without losing themselves to burnout or overwhelm. My journey into this work began when I experienced burnout while managing a demanding career and striving to grow both professionally and personally. That experience made me realize that success doesn’t have to come at the expense of well-being, and it inspired me to help others find a better path.

Through the Recalibrate Program, I guide clients step by step to design careers aligned with their unique strengths, values, and aspirations. Whether it’s helping them land their dream role, navigate a career pivot, or build a sustainable plan for growth, I empower them to take back control of their professional journeys without compromising their health or happiness.

What sets me apart is my focus on YOU—your individuality, priorities, and vision for success. My brand, UnderlineU, emphasizes this belief: YOU matter most. My tagline, “Know Yourself, Grow Yourself, Be Unstoppably You,” speaks to the heart of my work. I help clients move beyond one-size-fits-all advice into strategies uniquely tailored to their goals and challenges.

I’m most proud of creating a program that not only delivers results but ensures that the process feels empowering and sustainable. Many professionals chase success only to feel lost, drained, or disconnected from themselves by the end. My mission is to change that narrative, so my clients thrive professionally while staying connected to what truly matters—time, health, relationships, and self-awareness.

If there’s one thing I want potential clients to know, it’s this: You can have a career that excites you, challenges you, and fulfills you without losing yourself in the process. Let’s recalibrate and make that happen together.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience has been a defining part of my journey as an immigrant, a woman of color in a white male-dominated industry, and someone navigating the complexities of sponsorship. One story that stands out is from early in my career when I was pursuing opportunities in a highly competitive field that often overlooked individuals like me.

I vividly remember preparing for an important interview, knowing that my qualifications were strong, but also recognizing the unspoken biases I might face. On top of that, the added layer of needing sponsorship made the stakes even higher. Instead of letting those challenges discourage me, I focused on what I could control: my preparation, my confidence, and the unique perspective I brought to the table.

During the interview, I leaned into my experiences as a problem solver and someone who had overcome obstacles with creativity and determination. I shared how being an immigrant taught me adaptability, how navigating a different cultural and professional landscape sharpened my communication skills, and how my diverse background enriched my approach to problem-solving.

Though it wasn’t an easy path, I not only earned the role but also became an advocate for creating more inclusive opportunities for others. That experience taught me that resilience isn’t just about enduring challenges—it’s about leveraging them as a source of strength and growth. It’s a perspective I carry into my work today, helping others design careers they love while embracing their unique journeys and overcoming systemic barriers.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

One of the most pivotal moments in my life came during my time as a toy designer—a career I loved for its creativity and the joy it brought to others. I spent over 12 years in the industry, designing everything from toys to board games, and even had the honor of creating a game system for children in refugee camps, which I later presented at a TEDx event. It was deeply fulfilling work, but over time, I began to feel a growing sense of disconnection.

It wasn’t the deadlines or the workload that led to burnout—it was the culture and values of the industry. I found myself in an environment where bias was pervasive, and decisions were driven by profit above all else, often at the expense of values like family, education, and the things I deeply cared about. I realized that my personal values were at odds with the culture around me, and it left me feeling drained and unfulfilled, no matter how much I loved the work itself.

That realization led to a significant pivot—not just in my career, but in how I approached life. I stepped back and reflected deeply, asking myself: What truly matters to me? How can I align my career with my values and create a meaningful impact?

This journey brought me to coaching. I discovered a way to channel my creativity and problem-solving skills into helping others navigate similar challenges. I realized that many professionals and creatives felt stuck in environments that didn’t align with their values, struggling to find clarity and balance.

Through programs like the Recalibrate Program, I now guide designers and professionals to transition into careers they love while staying true to their core values. My own experience has shown me that pivots—no matter how challenging—can lead to a richer, more fulfilling path where you don’t have to compromise on what matters most.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.underlineu.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theunderlineu/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shima-ghaheri/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@UnderlineU