They say “Behind every successful man, there is a woman”.

I say, “Next to every successful man, there is a woman”.

I question my own startup success, but she doesn’t. I criticize myself as an entrepreneur, but she backs me up and praises my achievements. I mess up and she stands by me. No criticism, No I told you SOs, No arguments.

Over the past 13 years of my life and relationship with my partner Alexandra, I have made some bad business decisions, I have lost big and I have fucked up. Alexandra has stood by me all this time. Praising me and saying how she admires my strength to stand after a big loss. Praising me for my confidence even after a big fall. Encouraging me to keep at it and praising me for everything (big or small) I have achieved.

And yet throughout all these ups and downs, she has stood by me. She has trusted me with 100% faith.

It has been her trust and faith that have helped me push along some of our biggest falls, downturns, startup problems, and whatever names you want to give it. It has been this unfaltering support that allowed me to get through my most difficult times. I have lost what I have lost through my own shortcomings/faults, but I have gained what I have because of her support.

A good partner is one who can help you in your worst times, one who can help you stand when you fall, who can help you get over your worst moments and errors, and bring out the positive in every situation.

A good partner is able to listen without judgment.

How would you have reacted, if your partner made bad business decisions and lost big?

I know myself. I am supportive, I accept failure, and I have patience. Yet I know that if she had made some of those big mistakes as I had, I wouldn’t have been able to do what she had done. I would have gone mad. and I would have lost my wits.

I know, because I have not held my cool when she has made even some smaller mistakes. That doesn’t mean that I have not supported her but it is just the difference in our personalities. My personality type is a giver. It is part of my Iranian culture and I give without question.

Alexandra has been my partner for the past 13 years. 13 is our LUCKY number. (Check out the next post on number 13).

Today and every day, I want to thank Alexandra for standing next to me.