Today we’d like to introduce you to Naz Perez.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Naz. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’m a TV producer & host. I was a producer on ABC’s The Bachelor, The Bachelorette, and Bachelor in Paradise from 2015-2017.
I left because I wanted to pursue a hosting a career, but because I also wanted to have time to date. I was interviewing people about love and heartbreak and hadn’t been on a date in almost two years.
I loved working on the show though, as to this day I’ve never had a boyfriend, and I loved that I got paid to ask people questions surrounding the concept of love and heart break because it’s always been so fascinating to me. Why we fall for certain people, how love motivates us to do things, it’s still all very mysterious and complex to me.
But after I left the show, I met a neighbor who I wasn’t really close to, she was almost like a stranger to me. But she was going through a heart break, crying and upset, and needed someone to talk to. I listened. After she told me her story, she told me she felt so much better talking to me because she couldn’t talk to her family and friends about it. She had been with said person for over ten years and she felt if she opened up to them they would judge her, or tell her to move on and she just wasn’t there yet.
After meeting her, I started thinking about HOW crazy it is that we’re more willing to tell a stranger our deepest darkest secrets and feelings than we are a friend or family member. And wouldn’t it be great if people that are heart broken could go to one place and share how they’re feeling during their heartbreak with out feeling judged? I also went through a form of heartbreak during this time. I was dating a guy who didn’t want to commit to me and I FELL into an acute depression. I started thinking about how when you’re physically ill you can go to the doctors and get a note and call off from work.
But, if you’re going through a divorce, or you lost someone you loved, or you’re in an unrequited love situation, or you’re just unhappy with yourself, you kind of have to wake up the next day and resume life as is. And that was so mind-boggling to me. There has to be a place these people can go. Sort of like a heart break rehab. But where? A place like this didn’t exist.
So that’s why I started Heart Broken Anonymous. A support group for people that are heart broken. On the 2nd Thursday of every month, I rent out the yoga studio at Hyperslow on Fairfax. People from all walks of life come to the meetings and share whatever is on their heart or hurting them.
For more info on the meetings here’s some other interviews I’ve done:
https://www.bustle.com/p/why-this-former-bachelor-producer-started-a-support-group-for-the-heartbroken-8643763
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/a9632121/naz-perez-heartbroken-anonymous-love-therapy/
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It hasn’t been a smooth road. Starting something from the ground up takes a lot of work.
My biggest hurdle has been spreading the word. I pay for all of it (the snacks and venue space), and I want the support group to remain free since I know how hard it is for people to get help. Sometime I’ll put money in Facebook Ads, but this is definitely my biggest struggle. I feel like if people knew that Heart Broken Anonymous existed, they would come.
Some other struggles were the place I originally did HBA at was Open Space on Fairfax before it shut down last December, so then I had to find a new location.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Heart Broken Anonymous story. Tell us more about the business.
There’s nothing else out there like Heart Broken Anonymous. I am proud to provide a safe space for those that are hurting and maybe don’t have a friend or family member that will listen to them.
There is no cross talk allowed during the meetings, so you are free to say whatever you’re feeling without people jumping in to tell you what they think you should do. Just people who are also hurting and listening to you.
I truly feel like there’s more hope in togetherness than being alone. So if you come to a meeting and just listen to someone else (you don’t even have to share) you’re providing a service.
Heart Broken Anonymous is a community. In a time, and a city where there’s lack thereof.
The best part about HBA meetings are that people walk in as strangers and leave as friends.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I think everyone who’s successful in something has had some good luck. It would be silly to think luck doesn’t play a part in everything we do.
Pricing:
- Heart Broken Anonymous is Free!
Contact Info:
- Address: Hyperslow
487 S Fairfax Ave, Los Angeles, CA 90036
Second Thursday of every month at 8:30PM - Website: heartbrokenanonymous.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: @heartbroken_anonymous
- Other: @nazperez on IG
Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
