We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sahel Mirfakhraei. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sahel below.

Sahel, appreciate you joining us today. Can you tell us a bit about who your hero is and the influence they’ve had on you?

I know it may sound like a very traditional answer, but my parents are truly my biggest heroes. As a child who experienced immigration hand-in-hand with my family, I witnessed their strength at every stage of our journey, from Iran to Finland and later from Finland to the United States. Together, we navigated new languages, unfamiliar cultures, and the constant challenges of starting over, all in pursuit of a better life.
What makes my parents my heroes is their unwavering ability to adapt and reinvent themselves no matter the circumstances. I have watched them face every obstacle with determination and humility, never once giving up. My mother, with her master’s degree in economics and marketing, and my father, with his doctorate in political science, could have held tightly to titles and expectations. Instead, they embraced reinvention, taking on jobs far outside their fields without ever considering them beneath them, always focused on providing and creating stability for our family.
From them, I have learned that reinvention is not a loss of identity but an act of strength. Their example has shaped the way I approach my own life and career. Whenever I face uncertainty, I lean on the lesson that as long as I carry the strength to evolve, everything else will fall into place. To me, that is the true power of resilience and the greatest gift my heroes, my parents, have given me.

Sahel, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Sahel Mirfakhraei, and my journey into social media marketing began in the medical field. I was surrounded by doctors and professionals whose brilliance often went unseen beyond the walls of their practices. I wanted to change that. What started as a way to represent medical professionals online quickly became a passion—I loved capturing their personalities outside of their profession and bringing those stories to life. By showing a side of them that patients and viewers wouldn’t normally see in a quick appointment, I was able to create a deeper connection between them and their communities.

That love for authentic storytelling grew into something bigger. Today, alongside my business partner Belén, I run TeamBelu × Sisu, a woman-owned creative marketing agency. Together, we specialize in social media management, influencer activations, event coverage, and tailored workshops. What sets us apart is that we don’t just create content—we build experiences that reflect the soul of a brand.

I thrive on ideas, connections, and execution. Our work is hands-on, deeply collaborative, and always rooted in authenticity. I’m proud that what started as a way to showcase the humanity of medical professionals has grown into an agency that uplifts small businesses, empowers professionals, and creates memorable moments where culture and creativity collide.

Any advice for managing a team?

For me, managing a team and keeping morale high starts with genuine connection. I believe people work best when they feel seen and valued, not just for their skills, but for who they are outside of the work they do. Personalities can vary, and it’s not always guaranteed that everyone will click right away. But over the long run, I’ve learned that when you take the time to understand people and respect their individuality, the vibe becomes stronger than any single difference.

One thing that’s important for me as a leader is separating my emotions from the logistics of running the business. I rarely allow what’s happening in my personal emotional life to spill into my interactions with my team. They deserve consistency, clarity, and respect—and I do my best to show up with that every day.

Belén and I lead together in a very collaborative way. We make decisions as partners and work hard to make sure the team always feels supported, whether that’s through clear direction, celebrating wins, or just listening when someone needs to be heard. And honestly, humor is one of our biggest tools. Day-to-day, laughter keeps the energy alive, balances out the stress, and reminds us all that while the work is serious, the way we move through it can still be joyful.

At the end of the day, it’s about balance: respect, encouragement, and shared energy. When people know they’re supported by leaders who are present, consistent, and human, they bring not only their skills but also their heart to the table.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience has been at the core of my journey, both personally and professionally. When I first started in social media marketing, I didn’t have a clear roadmap—just a deep desire to represent medical professionals in a way that humanized them beyond their practice. There were moments of doubt, financial pressure, and times when it felt easier to step away. But instead of letting those obstacles stop me, I used them as fuel to build something bigger.

One of the most defining points of resilience for me was learning how to stay committed to the vision I had, even when the path felt uncertain. I reminded myself that others had built successful businesses before me, so this was not beyond my means. That perspective grounded me—it pushed me to focus on solutions, to keep learning, and to trust that persistence would eventually pay off.

Partnering with Belén has also been a huge part of that resilience—we balance each other out and approach challenges as a united front. Together, we’ve turned setbacks into lessons and uncertainties into opportunities. Looking back, I’m proud that what started as a small effort to help people tell their stories has grown into an agency that creates impact for so many businesses and communities.

For me, resilience isn’t about never falling—it’s about staying true to your vision, adapting as you go, and finding joy in the process no matter what.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://consultsisu.com
• Instagram: @consult.sisu
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sahel-mir?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_app