Javid Javdani: The Pharmacist Who Built a Business That Feels Like Home

From Hospital Halls to Grocery Aisles

Javid Javdani didn’t plan on running a restaurant. Or a grocery store. Or managing staff, inventory, and community demand. For most of his early career, he was focused on pharmacy—dosing accuracy, medication safety, and leading a hospital team. But like many people who build something lasting, his second act started with a simple decision: he saw a local business for sale, and he said yes.

“I didn’t overthink it,” he says. “I knew the area. I knew what people were missing.”

That one choice led to a thriving grocery business, a well-loved restaurant, and a career shift that still surprises him. But for Javid Javdani, the details all connect.

What Does a Pharmacist Know About Business?

A lot, actually.

Javid earned his Doctor of Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific–Stockton, after studying chemistry at Cal Poly Pomona. He became a licensed pharmacist in 1994. For two decades, he worked in high-pressure healthcare settings—most notably as Director of Pharmacy at Kindred Hospital from 1997 to 2017.

That role came with serious responsibility: coordinating with doctors, managing medications, running audits, and leading a pharmacy team. Every mistake could put someone’s life at risk. So he learned to run tight systems.

“You don’t guess. You don’t wing it,” he says. “You check every step. Then you check again.”

It turns out, that’s also a great way to run a business.

How a Grocery Store Became a Cultural Hub

In 2005, Javid bought a small corner grocery shop in his San Diego neighbourhood. He didn’t just keep it going—he expanded it, doubled the floor space, and filled the shelves with items no one else carried.

He added spices, teas, snacks, and staples from across the Middle East, South Asia, and Eastern Europe. People came from across town to find foods they hadn’t seen since they were kids.

“One woman started crying when she found her favourite pickled eggplant,” he says. “That’s when I realised—this isn’t just a shop. It’s a connection to home.”

The store became more than a retail space. It became a meeting place. People lingered, chatted, and shared recipes. It also created jobs and supported local suppliers.

Opening a Restaurant with Purpose

By 2011, Javid took another leap. He opened Sufi Mediterranean Cuisine, a restaurant offering Persian and Mediterranean dishes with a home-cooked feel. It was a natural next step. He already knew what his community wanted. Now, he could give them a place to sit down and enjoy it.

He started small, but with intention. He focused on flavour, consistency, and care—just like he did in pharmacy.

“In both places, people trust you,” he says. “You don’t cut corners.”

Today, Sufi is a neighbourhood staple. It also offers catering for local events, weddings, and family gatherings. Javid still checks in often. He still remembers regulars by name.

Keeping a Foot in Healthcare

Even after building two successful businesses, Javid didn’t walk away from pharmacy completely. From 2020 to 2023, he worked part-time as a staff pharmacist at Med-Plus Pharmacy.

Why keep doing both?

“It keeps my brain sharp,” he says. “And it reminds me how important details are.”

That balance—between service and systems, between community and control—defines how Javid runs everything.

What Other Entrepreneurs Can Learn

Javid never had a formal business plan. He didn’t start with a big loan or investor backing. He learned as he went. But a few things made the difference:

Know your community

He stocked what people actually wanted—not what he assumed they needed.

Don’t wait for perfect

“I didn’t know everything,” he says. “I just got started and figured things out one by one.”

Systems matter

From inventory logs to hiring, he runs things like a pharmacist—carefully and consistently.

Small can be strong

Javid didn’t build an empire. He built two steady, reliable businesses that create value every day.

Final Thoughts: It’s Not Just Business, It’s Personal

Javid’s story is about more than career change. It’s about care. Whether managing critical medicine or steaming plates of saffron rice, he shows the same mindset: pay attention, do it right, and take pride in serving people.

“I didn’t set out to become a business owner,” he says. “But I saw a need. And I stayed with it.”

In a time when many businesses feel distant or rushed, Javid’s path is a reminder that being present, listening well, and showing up every day is still one of the strongest business models around.

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