Controlled chaos
ARASH HASHEMI • ShredHappens & Kaizen Food Company
WORK • Thursday Routine
ARASH HASHEMI • creator • ShredHappens & Kaizen Food Company
Neighborhood you work & live in: North Miami Beach
It’s Thursday morning. What’s the scene at your workplace?
Thursdays are my meeting-heavy days, and they start early to catch the sunrise. Coffee with my wife and business partner, Madalina, is a non-negotiable. It’s so important to set the tone for the day before the noise starts. After that, I take a quick walk to clear my head, then, I’m in a 9a weekly working session with our marketing team. We’re a lean, founder-led company with a remote team, so my mornings are structured and collaborative, while afternoons are more fluid and meant for time in the kitchen.
What’s on the agenda for today?
Today is a blend of creative and operator mode. We’re rolling out updated packaging for Kaizen as we expand deeper into retail, making it clear at the shelf what truly differentiates us as the highest-protein, lowest-carb pasta, rice, and mac and cheese. At the same time, I’m filming a new protein-forward dessert for my page. I’m obsessive about bridging taste and nutrition. The goal is always the same: food that performs nutritionally but still feels indulgent.
Any bar or restaurant plans today, tonight, this weekend?
We love sitting in the courtyard at Mandolin Aegean Bistro in the Design District for something Mediterranean and vibrant. Plus, the vibe is just exceptional. It feels like a great community.
We just discovered Yamashiro, where we enjoyed some of the best sushi and steak we’ve had in the city, all in a beautiful rooftop setting. We also love Ceviche 105 in South Beach and Basque food at Edan Bistro in North Miami. And a hidden gem for Ceviche is Barra Callao tucked into a strip mall in North Miami Beach.
How about a little leisure or culture?
Madalina and I have been talking about going back to Vizcaya Museum & Gardens this weekend. We went about a month ago and loved it, but we went towards the end of the day and somewhat rushed it. I’d like to go back, take our time, walk the grounds slowly, and actually unplug for a few hours. A secret spot we’ve enjoyed just unwinding at is The Kampong in Coconut Grove.
What’s a recent big-ticket purchase you love?
Hiring an AI coach. As both a creator and consumer packaged goods co-founder, I’m beginning to understand that leveraging AI and integrating it into what I do day to day isn’t optional anymore. I wanted to go beyond surface-level experimentation and understand how to build systems around it so I can operate more efficiently and ultimately serve my community at a higher level. It’s taking some adjustment, but I’m already learning a ton.
What store or service do you always recommend?
Thrive Market. I’m a foodie, and I love discovering new and emerging healthy food brands. It’s one of the strongest platforms for better-for-you CPG brands and a great way to discover emerging food companies, including Kaizen.
Where are you donating your time or money?
Supporting the diabetic community is core to what we do at Kaizen. We recently gave back locally to Breakthrough T1D and plan to continue supporting their work. I’ve also been learning more about Pawventures Animal Rescue foster program through Miami-Dade Animal Services and would love to get more involved. Dogs have played a meaningful role in my life, and spending time supporting rescues and animals in need of forever homes feels like a natural place to give back.