Javid Javdani is an entrepreneur and the proprietor of Balboa Market, a world meals market positioned in San Diego, California.
Initially from Iran, Javid Javdani moved to america in 1982 and introduced with him a deep appreciation for the function meals performs in connecting individuals throughout cultures. After a profitable two-decade profession as a pharmacist, he transitioned to entrepreneurship, pushed by his ardour for neighborhood engagement and cultural trade. In buying a small grocery retailer in San Diego’s Clairemont neighborhood, Javid remodeled it right into a thriving worldwide market recognized for its high-quality, genuine merchandise from all over the world.
Below Javid’s management, Balboa Market has turn into a cultural hub, offering a singular buying expertise for the various communities in San Diego. His cautious number of genuine merchandise—starting from Center Jap spices to Latin American staples—ensures prospects can discover elements that replicate their heritage, whereas additionally introducing others to new flavors and culinary traditions. Dedicated to high quality and authenticity, Javid applies a meticulous method to sourcing and security, guaranteeing all merchandise meet the very best requirements.
Past only a place to buy, Balboa Market serves as a gathering spot, with occasions akin to cooking demonstrations and tastings that foster neighborhood connection and cross-cultural exploration. Javid’s work exemplifies his dedication to providing an inclusive, welcoming area that celebrates variety, bridging cultures by means of meals and contributing to San Diego’s vibrant cultural panorama.
What impressed you to transition out of your profession as a pharmacist to proudly owning a world meals market?
It wasn’t a choice I made in a single day. I spent almost 20 years in pharmacy, and whereas I discovered the work fulfilling, I felt there was one thing extra I needed to try this related with my heritage and love for neighborhood. As an immigrant, meals has at all times been a robust hyperlink to dwelling. I bear in mind the primary time I discovered the fitting spices and elements from Iran right here within the U.S.; it instantly introduced again recollections of household gatherings and meals again dwelling. Once I got here throughout the chance to purchase a small grocery retailer in San Diego, I noticed it as a approach to assist others expertise that very same feeling—to create a spot the place individuals may discover the elements that reminded them of their roots, whereas additionally introducing others to flavors they hadn’t encountered earlier than.
What have been a number of the largest challenges you confronted whenever you first took over the market?
There have been fairly a couple of challenges, truthfully! First was sourcing genuine merchandise. Discovering suppliers who may present elements that met the standard and authenticity requirements I envisioned wasn’t straightforward. I needed to construct relationships with suppliers, each regionally and internationally, and it took time to search out those who aligned with my dedication to high quality. One other massive problem was studying the ins and outs of working a meals retail enterprise. Pharmacy and meals retail are totally different worlds, so there was numerous trial and error in managing stock, understanding buyer preferences, and constructing a loyal buyer base. I rapidly realized that folks have been searching for recent, high-quality elements that they may depend on.
How did your background in pharmacy affect the way in which you handle Balboa Market?
My time in pharmacy taught me the significance of precision and care, and people ideas are positively a part of how I run the market. In pharmacy, security and high quality are non-negotiable; each product must be dealt with with care. At Balboa Market, I be sure that we’ve rigorous requirements for the merchandise we promote, particularly with perishables like produce and meats. We retailer gadgets correctly, monitor freshness, and prepare our employees to deal with meals safely and respectfully. My background additionally gave me a powerful basis in customer support. As a pharmacist, I needed to join with individuals and perceive their wants, and that method has carried over to how I interact with prospects right here on the market.
What does a typical day seem like for you as a market proprietor?
Day by day is totally different, which I actually get pleasure from. I normally begin the day by checking in with my crew and reviewing stock. Freshness is our high precedence, so I wish to be sure that our produce, dairy, and different perishable gadgets are in the very best situation. Then, I spend time on sourcing. I’m continuously searching for new suppliers and merchandise that can add selection to the market and meet our requirements. I additionally work together with prospects every day—it’s certainly one of my favourite components of the job. Folks from throughout San Diego are available in, and it’s fantastic to see them discover elements which can be significant to them or uncover one thing new. Sometimes, we host cooking demonstrations or tastings, which supplies me an opportunity to share our merchandise in a extra private, interactive approach.
How has Balboa Market impacted the local people?
I’m grateful that the market has turn into a spot the place individuals really feel related to their tradition and one another. San Diego is extremely various, and Balboa Market displays that. We’re not only a grocery retailer; we’re a gathering place. Clients typically share tales with me about how discovering a particular spice or ingredient makes them really feel nearer to dwelling, and that’s precisely what I needed to attain. We even have regulars who are available in to discover meals from different cultures, which is fantastic to see. It’s been rewarding to observe the market turn into a small cultural hub, bridging communities by means of meals. We just lately launched some cooking lessons, too, the place individuals discover ways to prepare dinner dishes from totally different components of the world, and it’s been superb to see how a lot individuals get pleasure from connecting in that approach.
What recommendation would you give to somebody curious about beginning a food-related enterprise?
Begin with a transparent imaginative and prescient and keep dedicated to it. For me, it was all about high quality and authenticity. Meals has such a powerful cultural significance, and when you’re offering individuals with elements they love and belief, you’re giving them a chunk of dwelling or a brand new expertise to get pleasure from. Be prepared for challenges as a result of they may come, particularly with sourcing and sustaining high quality. Constructing good relationships with suppliers and understanding your buyer base is essential. Additionally, don’t be afraid to be taught as you go. I wasn’t skilled in meals retail, so there was numerous studying in these first few years. And at last, join together with your neighborhood—hearken to what they need and worth, and present them that you simply care about their expertise. It makes all of the distinction.
Trying forward, what are your future targets for Balboa Market?
I’d wish to develop our choices even additional. We’re continuously including merchandise from totally different areas, and I wish to be sure that we sustain with the range of our neighborhood. I’m additionally trying into extra sustainable practices, akin to eco-friendly packaging and waste discount. On a neighborhood stage, I hope to host extra occasions that remember cultural heritage and produce individuals collectively. The purpose is for Balboa Market to be a spot that represents not simply nice meals however a welcoming area for everybody.
