Episode Description
In this episode of Be Anomalous, Shahezad joins me for a conversation about reinvention, risk, and what it really looks like to build something from the ground up without a blueprint.
Shahezad is the founder of Cousins Burger, a fast-growing restaurant brand that started from a single, reluctant decision to show up at a food festival.
Today, it’s a multi-location business generating millions in revenue.
But what makes this story interesting isn’t just the growth.
It’s how unexpected it all was.
Shahezad spent over two decades in IT, building a stable, predictable career. Entrepreneurship was never the plan. In fact, growing up, he was told he wouldn’t succeed in business at all.
And for a long time, he believed it.
But over the years, through small wins, moments of curiosity, and experiences that quietly built his confidence, that narrative began to shift.
Until one day, he decided to try something different.
What followed wasn’t a perfectly planned transition. It was messy, uncertain, and filled with moments of doubt.
From figuring out how to cook at scale, to managing teams, to learning how to build a brand through storytelling and social media—Shahezad built Cousins Burger in real time.
And he did it differently.
Instead of chasing rapid growth, he focused on building intentionally.
Instead of following industry norms, he leaned into creativity, community, and culture.
And instead of optimizing just for profit, he started redefining what success actually meant to him.
This conversation goes beyond restaurants.
We talk about fear, identity, scaling, and the tension between comfort and ambition.
Shahezad also shares how he’s using storytelling and AI to build his brand, why he’s selective about growth, and what it takes to build something that actually lasts.
This episode is for anyone who’s ever felt like they were starting late…
or questioning whether they’re “cut out” for something more.
If you’ve ever stood at the edge of a decision and wondered if you should leap,
This conversation is your reminder that you don’t need certainty to begin.
🎧Listen to the Episode
[Spotify] | [Apple] | [YouTube]
What You’ll Learn
Why Shahezad left a 24-year IT career to start Cousins Burger
How a single food festival turned into a multi-million dollar business
The concept of “golden handcuffs” and why it’s hard to walk away
How to scale a business without losing quality or control
Why storytelling is one of the most powerful tools in business
How Shahezad is using AI to create content and grow his brand
The importance of choosing the right partners and team
Why success isn’t just about money—and how that mindset shifts over time
Favorite Quote
“A bird does not worry about the branch underneath it breaking… because it trusts in the strength of its wings.”
A reminder that real security doesn’t come from what you hold onto, it comes from what you’re capable of building.
Favorite Books
📖 Roald Dahl collection
📖 The Da Vinci Code — Dan Brown
Stories that shaped imagination, curiosity, and a love for storytelling.
In This Episode, We Cover
(00:00) Introduction and Shahezad’s unexpected journey
(05:00) Growing up with limiting beliefs about entrepreneurship
(10:00) The food festival that started at Cousins Burger
(15:00) Early challenges and learning the business from scratch
(25:00) Scaling the brand and building the right team
(35:00) Using storytelling and AI in marketing
(45:00) Redefining success beyond money
(50:00) Lessons on growth, risk, and decision-making
(55:00) Final reflections and advice for builders
Referenced in This Episode
Cousins Burger and restaurant scaling
Entrepreneurship and career pivots
Storytelling in business and brand building
AI in content creation and marketing
Partnerships, hiring, and team building
Redefining success and long-term vision
New episodes drop every Monday and Thursday.
Be bold. Be real. Be anomalous.