Entrepreneur and disaster recovery leader Shoughi Darakhshan is encouraging business owners across the U.S. and UK to rethink how they measure and achieve success—by focusing not on big wins, but on consistent daily habits, health, and clear systems.
“Everyone talks about success like it’s a finish line,” says Darakhshan, founder and CEO of 911 BoardUp, a leading disaster restoration company based in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic region. “But for me, it’s about being one percent better than you were yesterday. That’s how you build something that lasts.”
With over a decade in business and a personal story that began as a refugee from Iran, Darakhshan’s perspective comes from lived experience. By age 20, he was working job sites, drawing from three generations of contractors in his family. Today, he leads a company that responds to fires, floods, and emergencies with rapid board-up, cleanup, and full restoration services.
But what he’s advocating for now isn’t just better business—it’s a better mindset.
“What saved me from burnout wasn’t scaling the business,” Darakhshan explains. “It was structure. I set three goals a day. I exercise. I eat right. I read one book a week. You can’t lead people if your own body and mind are falling apart.”
Why This Matters Now
In the UK alone, over 500,000 small businesses shut down in 2023, many due to burnout, inconsistent systems, or poor risk management. According to the British Business Bank, only 42% of small business owners review their goals weekly, and fewer than 25% follow a structured daily planning system.
Darakhshan says that has to change.
“When I talk to new entrepreneurs, I hear the same thing: ‘I’m overwhelmed.’ But most of the time, it’s not the work—it’s the lack of a routine,” he says. “Success is just a system repeated.”
This principle extends beyond business. Darakhshan speaks openly about how early mistakes—like skipping written contracts—cost him time and money. He now believes 99.9% of problems can be avoided through “clear expectations and upfront communication.”
“It sounds simple,” he adds, “but you’d be shocked how often people skip it.”
The Power of Small, Consistent Steps
Darakhshan is not selling shortcuts or secrets. His message is practical: focus on habits, health, and clarity. Break down large goals. Reverse-engineer outcomes. Write things down. Reassess often.
“Big ideas are useless without the systems to support them,” he says. “You don’t need a million-dollar vision. You need a whiteboard, a notepad, and the discipline to follow through.”
His methods may seem simple, but they work. 911 BoardUp, which he started with a few tools in the back of a truck, now operates across multiple states and handles full-scale disaster recovery—from roofing to mould remediation.
The same approach, he believes, can work for UK business owners—particularly in urban areas like London where emergency response, tight margins, and competition are part of daily life.
Rebuild Your Routine
Darakhshan is encouraging individuals—not just entrepreneurs—to rethink their daily structure. His suggested first steps:
Write down three tasks each morning – Focus on what actually moves you forward.
Move your body daily – Even a walk improves clarity and mood.
Schedule 30 minutes of reading or learning – Pick a topic tied to your goals.
Don’t ignore mistakes – Break them down, learn from them, and update your system.
Talk to someone who’ll keep you honest – A mentor, a sibling, a friend.
“You don’t need perfect conditions to start,” Darakhshan says. “You just need to show up.”
Media ContactContact Person: Shoughi DarakhshanEmail: Send EmailCity: FairfaxState: VirginiaCountry: United StatesWebsite: https://www.shoughidarakhshanentrepreneur.com/
