Story & Lesson Highlights with Aria Seif of Los Angeles

Aria Seif shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.

Aria, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What is a normal day like for you right now?
A normal day for me starts early. I grew up in a military family, so structure and discipline have always been part of my life. I like to begin the morning quietly — reviewing my goals, checking in with myself, and setting the tone for the day before everything gets busy.
Most of my day is split between my companies: American Alliance Construction, American Direct Lender, and my work in real estate, finance, and insurance. Every project brings something new, so I’m constantly problem-solving, meeting with clients, guiding my teams, and making decisions that move things forward. I enjoy being hands-on — whether it’s looking at a construction site, analyzing a deal, or helping someone navigate a major financial step.

I also make time for the people who reach out to me for life coaching or mentorship. Helping others grow is something I’m passionate about, so I always keep space in my day for those conversations. Even with a full schedule, I try to stay intentional — learning, reflecting, and staying aligned with where I want to go next.

Evenings are for winding down, spending time with loved ones, and preparing for the next day. Right now, my life is a mix of building, growing, and giving back — and I’m grateful for that. Every day is another chance to evolve and help someone else do the same.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Aria Seif, and my story starts in Tehran, Iran, where I grew up in a military family that taught me discipline, resilience, and the importance of showing up with purpose. I started my first business at 18 and was running an import/export company by 20 — entrepreneurship has always been my way of creating opportunity and helping others grow.

In 2013, I moved to the United States and rebuilt my life from the ground up. Since then, I’ve launched and scaled multiple companies across different industries, including American Alliance Construction, American Direct Lender, a Body Shop Collision Repair center, and an Exotic Car Rental company. My work spans real estate, construction, finance, insurance, automotive services, and luxury rentals — but the common thread is simple: I build businesses that solve real problems and put people first.
What makes my brand unique is the personal approach behind it. Whether I’m helping a family renovate their home, guiding someone through their first investment, repairing a client’s vehicle, or providing a luxury rental experience, my focus is always on trust, integrity, and long-term relationships. It’s never just about the transaction — it’s about elevating people’s lives and giving them the confidence to move forward.

Beyond business, I’m passionate about empowerment. As a life coach and mentor, I help people navigate challenges, build clarity, and tap into their potential. My own journey has been full of challenges — moving countries, starting over, facing uncertainty — but those experiences have shaped the leader I am today.

Right now, I’m focused on expanding my companies, taking on new development projects, and continuing to support others through their own paths. Whatever I do, my mission is consistent: to build with purpose, serve with integrity, and inspire others to rise above their circumstances.

Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
One of my earliest memories of feeling powerful goes back to my teenage years in Tehran. I grew up in a military family, so discipline was part of our daily life, but the moment I truly felt my own strength was when I launched my first business at 18. I remember standing in a small office I had rented with money I saved, realizing that nobody was coming to build my future for me — it was on me.

It wasn’t about money or success at that point. It was the realization that I could create something from nothing.
That I could take an idea, trust myself, and turn it into a real operation.

Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes. There were several moments in my journey where giving up would’ve been the easier choice.
One of the hardest periods was when I first moved to the United States in 2013. I had left everything behind — my businesses, my network, my comfort zone — and suddenly I was in a new country where I knew almost no one. I had to rebuild my life from zero. There were days where the uncertainty felt overwhelming… when nothing was guaranteed, and every step felt like I was walking uphill.
Another time was when I began expanding into new industries — real estate, construction, finance, automotive — all at once. I was juggling multiple responsibilities, learning new systems, facing setbacks, and dealing with moments of self-doubt. Entrepreneurship isn’t linear. There are days when every door feels closed and every solution feels out of reach.
But here’s the truth:
I never gave up, because every challenge reminded me of why I started.
I realized that the hardest moments are where growth happens — where you discover your resilience, your vision, and your ability to adapt. And every time I pushed through, something better came on the other side.
So yes, I faced moments where it felt heavy… but quitting was never an option. I didn’t come this far — from Tehran to the U.S., from my first business at 18 to multiple companies — just to stop when things got tough. My challenges became my fuel, and they shaped the leader I am today.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? Is the public version of you the real you?
For me, the public version and the real version are the same person — just expressed in different ways.
I don’t believe in creating a character for success or showing people only the polished parts of my journey. What you see publicly — the discipline, the work ethic, the focus, the belief in growth, the commitment to helping others — that’s who I’ve always been, long before anyone knew my name.
But the real version of me also includes the struggles, the early mornings, the doubts, the pressure, and the sacrifices that the public doesn’t always see. I’ve gone through moments of uncertainty, starting over in a new country, building businesses from nothing, and carrying responsibilities most people never hear about.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people say that I was someone who built more than businesses — I built people.
I want my story to be remembered as the journey of someone who came from humble beginnings in Tehran, faced every challenge head-on, and still chose to lift others while climbing. Someone who used discipline, faith, and resilience not just to change his own life, but to open doors for others to change theirs.
I hope people say that I never forgot where I came from… that I treated everyone with respect… that I stood for integrity, hard work, and possibility. That I lived with purpose, created opportunities, and left every person, project, and community better than I found it.
More than anything, I hope people remember me as someone who showed what’s possible when you don’t give up — someone who proved that you can start over in a new country, rebuild from nothing, and still create a life of impact, abundance, and meaning.
If the story people tell about me is one that inspires someone else to believe in themselves, to take that first step, or to rise after a setback — then I’ll know I lived my life the right way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://ariaseifgroup.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aria__seif?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
• Youtube: UCZDgYhMA4J4QU45CR6IvQSw

Image Credits
Aria Seif and SAMMI NASSAR