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

Farin , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear the backstory behind a risk you’ve taken – whether big or small, walk us through what it was like and how it ultimately turned out.

I was born and raised on the West Coast, where the comfort of home transitioned into the comfort of attending college in a nearby city, which then turned into the comfort of living there for nearly ten years. I had an amazing community of friends, my family was close by, and life felt predictable. But over time, that comfort began to feel stifling. There was a sign I passed every morning on my way to work that read, “comfort is a slow death.” I felt it.

When the pandemic hit, instead of documenting my sourdough starter or challenging friends to do 100 push-ups, I knew it was time for a dramatic change. I called a recruiter in New York, and the plan was set in motion. Fast forward to May 2021, when I packed up the last ten years of my life in Portland and boarded a one-way flight to the big city.

Now, almost four years later, I can confidently say it was the best decision I ever made. There are moments when I’m walking through the streets of this city, a perfectly curated playlist blasting through my headphones, and I stop to think, “Wow, I can’t believe this is the life I get to live.” It was the best risk I’ve ever taken.

Farin , 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 didn’t study advertising, but I knew I had to work at Wieden+Kennedy. In Portland, the agency’s pull was undeniable. Right after graduation, I landed a summer internship as an Interactive Producer. At the time, I had no idea what an “Interactive Producer” even did, so the learning curve was steep. But by the end of summer, I had soaked up everything like a sponge and made some incredible friends while at it.

When the internship ended, the agency offered me a role as a Content Producer in the PR department. My job? Find cool people, make cool stuff with them. With no budget and minimal resources, the job taught me to think on my feet and creatively solve problem my way out of 9.5/10 situations.

A few years later, I transitioned into the Creative Department as a Copywriter. They say plants grow toward the light, and for me, that light was being a Creative. Now, five years in, I’ve worked on brands like Old Spice, Kraft Heinz, Coffee Mate, and Delta—coming up with a range of weird/dumb/absurd ideas that I am actually very proud of.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I’m an endurance athlete, so I’m always up for a good challenge. Coming up with an idea and then bringing it to life takes grit, dedication, and perseverance. This part of the creative process is what I find most fulfilling. You get to give something everything you’ve got, facing obstacle after obstacle, only to be asked to pivot on the fly. Call me toxic, but I love the drama of it all—the constant push and pull.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

It’s the process itself—starting with nothing and ending with a finished product, never following a predictable path. You have to be agile, always reminding yourself not to get attached to any one outcome. But you also need to remain firm in your creative conviction. The ability to bend but not break is one of the most valuable tools I’ve picked up along the way in my life’s toolbox. And sure, it’s a cliché, but you really do get what you put in. The hours spent concepting, filming, editing—they add up and come back to you tenfold.

Beyond the process, I’ve also found letting my intuition guide me to be wildly satisfying. Sure, it sometimes scares the shit out of me, but learning to trust those quiet whispers and impulses—and having the courage to act on them—has been one of the greatest rewards of my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://farinnikdel.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/farinnikdel/
• Other: Strava: https://www.strava.com/athletes/118128800
  Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/8k7cn281a4wlg28prnede6nqb?si=5d2ec7e3e9d748d0