We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Samin Saadat a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Samin, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

The journey to launching my business began with a crossroads, a moment of decision. After completing my Master’s and gaining experience in the corporate world for a while, I found myself torn between pursuing a PhD or continuing down the corporate path. To make an informed decision, I started a research project, reaching out to over 400 companies to understand their cultures and employee experiences while also meeting with PhD holders to learn about their journeys.

During this period of exploration, I encountered numerous individuals who saw potential in my expertise in research and psychology. They encouraged me to apply my skills within their companies to enhance their culture and team performance. This unexpected support and recognition were eye-opening.

One pivotal meeting stands out: a CEO who appreciated my insights and suggested that I build a software tool for employee engagement. He saw the potential for this idea to evolve into a full-fledged business, and his encouragement was the spark I needed.

From that moment, I adopted a strategy of listening to feedback, experimenting with different opportunities, and gradually evolving the business. For instance, one client suggested incorporating leadership coaching services; another saw the value in adding counselling services, and yet another recommended leadership development training. Eventually, we even introduced a hotline service based on client needs.

This journey has been driven by a joy for learning and doing the task itself rather than chasing a final goal or external recognition. Each step and project has been an opportunity to grow and adapt.

This mentality of valuing the journey over the destination was ingrained in me during my university years. I never felt the urge to graduate quickly, ace every exam, win an award, or outshine competitors. Instead, I truly enjoyed learning, exploring new worlds, trying new things, and learning from them by failing at them. I cried at both of my graduations because I didn’t want those journeys to end so soon.

In essence, my motivation isn’t about achieving a final goal or winning the race. It’s about the joy of learning, doing, and experimenting. This mindset has been the key to our success and growth.

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.

Your career is a significant part of your life, where you spend some of your best years and most productive hours. Yet, it’s disheartening to see how low engagement rates are in the workforce, with many employees feeling like dead souls at work.
Why was Jalapeno born? Jalapeno was born to address a complex yet crucial question: why do companies spend millions on employee training, benefits, and engagement, only to still suffer from low productivity and disengagement? The impact of addressing this question goes beyond just financials.
We’ve all had those days where we question our choices: “Did I spend all that money and those years in school for this job?” We’ve all felt useless, worthless, and talentless at times. We’ve all counted down the hours until 5 o’clock, the days until our next vacation, or the years until retirement. We’ve forced ourselves to love what we have because we couldn’t get what we loved. And without distractions like Instagram, Facebook, and Netflix, some of us struggle to find joy and creativity anywhere else.
At Jalapeno, we strongly believe every individual, regardless of race, age, status, gender, mental health, or physical abilities, deserves to reach their full potential. We believe and have proven that everyone has something unique to offer, even if it’s been suppressed by parenting styles, education systems, or work environments. To ensure we all flourish in this one life we get, we leverage technology and the science of psychology to help individuals and companies develop the right mindset, skills, and environments, often uncovering needs they weren’t even conscious of.
Jalapeno’s mission is to bridge the gap between research and practice to increase company profitability and enhance individual well-being. Additionally, we collaborate with universities to bridge the gap between educational programs and workforce needs. By doing so, we take a proactive approach to developing our future leaders and creating a richer workplace for the next generations.
What sets us apart is our commitment to human potential. We don’t just provide services; we transform lives and workplaces. Our approach is holistic, scientific, and deeply personal. And that’s what I’m most proud of making a real, lasting impact on both individuals and organizations.
At Jalapeno, we offer a range of services, including consulting, coaching, counselling, leadership development, and employee engagement assessments. We solve problems related to employee disengagement, low productivity, and unrealized potential, ensuring that every person can thrive at work and in life.
This is what I want potential clients, followers, and fans to know about us: we’re here to make work a place where you don’t just survive but thrive, where every day holds the promise of growth, fulfillment, and joy

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

There have been many times in this journey when I paused and questioned myself, my decisions, and whether I should have taken a particular journey. Moments when I feel so lonely and hopeless that I wish I could escape it all, even if just for a few days. One of those pivotal moments for me came when it felt like the harder I tried, the less progress I made. I was pushing so hard to make things work in my business, my life, and with my family, but it seemed like the universe was pushing back even harder.

The turning point was a profound realization: my business, relationships, family, and life were all projections of myself. I recognized that my pattern of constantly seeking validation and compassion, and trying to be liked, was incredibly destructive. I was operating from a place of fear, shame, and guilt, merely surviving rather than thriving with peace, acceptance, and joy.

This enlightenment was magical. I observed how my entire world and business transformed when I changed. I discovered that I could achieve more by doing less. Previously, it felt like I was forcing things to happen, but now I had a newfound power that influenced my business and life effortlessly.

This experience taught me the importance of self-awareness and inner transformation. When I shifted my mindset from survival to thriving, everything around me improved. It was a pivotal moment that reshaped not just my approach to business but my entire outlook on life.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Our former and existing clients have undoubtedly been the best source of new clients for us. You might notice that we maintain a very low-key online presence and don’t allocate much of the budget for marketing. Our growth has been largely organic, driven by our clients’ and community’s referrals and support.

My very first paid client was actually my former employer, and since then, our new clients have consistently come from referrals from our former clients. This strategy has taught me a crucial lesson: if you rely on this approach, it’s vital to interact with your clients and network without any hidden agendas. Don’t let greed take the wheel. Keeping this in check’s a constant challenge, but it’s essential for building a strong reputation and earning trust. Don’t be a taker; balance your giving and taking in your interactions.

By focusing on genuine relationships and delivering exceptional value, we’ve been able to create a loyal client base that champions our services. This word-of-mouth growth has been both humbling and rewarding, showing that when you prioritize trust and integrity, success follows naturally.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://jalapeno.app/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/18036941/admin/feed/posts/