Excluisive Interview with Dr. Pedram Zohrevand | President of CES4

I always make sure to take time for myself. I do meditation on a daily basis which helps me a lot with time management and stress control. You cannot do your best work each day if you are mind is not organized and focused.

For those who do not know Dr. Pedram Zohrevand; can you please introduce yourself?

My name is Pedram Zohrevand, and I am the president of CES4 and a Civil Engineer. I have provided private and public sectors with years of consultancy services to help them with their building, retrofit, improvement, and development projects.

Please, tell a little to our readers about your “Speaking & Consulting” endeavors?

I have provided dozens of speaking engagements over the years. I recently did a speaking engagement titled ” Seismic Retrofit of Unreinforced Masonry Structures Using Fiber Reinforced Polymers” in an event for South California Structural Engineers. Many people found my work to be incredibly enlightening and inspiring.

At what point did you start consulting? Tell us a little bit about your background.

I started consulting as soon as I got out of college. I found out that I had a knack for it.

We couldn’t help but notice that “Dr. Zohrevand” is into much more than just speaking & consulting. Can you explain how you are able to juggle your busy research & teaching engagements with consulting?

I always make sure to take time for myself. I do meditation on a daily basis which helps me a lot with time management and stress control. You cannot do your best work each day if you are mind is not organized and focused

What was your company’s biggest achievement during the last couple of years?

Over the last two years, CES4 had a growth rate of more than 200% and our Los Angeles Office has become one of the most well-known firms in the area of seismic retrofitting in the region.

How do you view the competitive landscape for speaking & consulting engagements in the concrete chemicals & construction industry?

There isn’t a lot of saturation in the market at the moment. This means that anyone who has a great idea can come forward and get noticed.

What is the biggest lesson that you have learned since you started speaking & consulting?

I have learned that not everyone will think your idea is worthwhile. There will always be naysayers in the back who do not want to take your idea and run with it. However, you cannot let this affect you in a negative way. Always believe in your ideas and give them power. This is the only way that you can manifest them into reality.

Breaking into the engineering industry isn’t an easy feat. What advice would you give young people looking to form their own consulting engineering practice? Marketing tips?

Always be as genuine as you can. The market is incredibly oversaturated and everyone looks the same. However, not everyone out there is genuine and truly puts their clients’ needs first. Coming into the industry as an honest worker will help you stand out from the rest of them. This is crucial for your success.

Tell us about a time you were faced with insurmountable odds, yet persevered to overcome?

In the first year I started CES4, we had a hard time to find clients and establish ourselves as a new engineering firm. The market was low and so competitive. I was going door to door and introduce our firm and making cold calls to different potential clients.  I didn’t have enough money to actually support myself. However, I did not give up. At the end of the first year after several rejections, we were finally selected as a design firm for a relatively large public project, which was followed by other successes and achievements in the following years.

Where do you find your inspiration?

I find my inspiration through the goodwill of other people. It inspires me to become a better person.

What is your role in the company now?

I am now the President of CES4.

What is one thing you do when you’re feeling stuck creatively?

I always take a break and step away from the situation. I will introspect to find out what is causing me to feel stuck. I talk to my old-time mentors, I do meditation, and when I get calm and relaxed, I get back to the subject.

Is it fair to assume that a renowned name like yourself works with clients with large budgets?

It is true. I have worked with many clients who have large budgets. It has been very beneficial for my company.

What would you like to achieve before the end of 2019?

I would like to expand CES4 even more.

What’s one dream you’ve achieved that you’re most proud of and why?

Becoming my own boss. All of my hard work has finally paid off.

If you could go back in time, what advice would you give to your teenage self?

Take it slow, be persistent and focused.