Speed, Obsession, and $1.5M in Revenue: How Cyrus Shirazi Built Haven

Cyrus Shirazi, founder of Haven, has turned his obsession with speed and customer-first service into a thriving business. In less than a year, Haven scaled to $1.5M in revenue, with over 170 customers and a mission to revolutionize tax, finance, and accounting for startups.

Author

Ben Sharf
December 13, 2024

In Season 3, Episode 6 of Turning Pro, co-hosts Adrian Alfieri and Ben Sharf welcome Cyrus Shirazi, founder and CEO of Haven. Cyrus shares his story of building a fast-growing, profitable company, emphasizing the importance of obsession, speed, and surrounding yourself with ambitious, high-energy individuals.

This episode dives into his strategies for scaling Haven, staying close to customers, and creating a company culture that prioritizes execution and responsiveness. Cyrus opens up about the sacrifices, the adrenaline of winning, and his relentless drive to help founders succeed.

Find Season 3, Episode 6 of Turning Pro on Apple, Spotify, or YouTube.

10 Key Lessons We Learned from Cyrus Shirazi

  1.  Speed and Responsiveness Are Game-Changers: Quick response times reflect obsession and a commitment to excellence. Cyrus emphasizes that every second counts in business.

  1. Obsession Drives Success: Cyrus’s unwavering focus on customers and their needs has been the foundation of Haven’s rapid growth.

  1. Surround Yourself with A-Players: Great people make great companies. Cyrus believes hiring exceptional talent is non-negotiable for success.

  1. Stay Close to Your Customer: Continuously talking to customers ensures your product evolves with their needs. It is not optional, it is vital.

  1. Build Relationships Across the Ecosystem: Increase your "luck surface area" by staying top of mind with your industry through partnerships and meaningful connections.

  1. Execution Over Perfection: Early success often depends on your ability to execute, even if the product is not perfect yet.

  1. Bet on Long-Term Value: Cyrus is building Haven not just for today but as a comprehensive solution for all tax, finance, and accounting needs.

  1. Focus on What Matters: Profitability from day one was not just a goal, it was a principle. Cyrus uses discipline in capital allocation to stay sustainable.

  1. Hustle Without Compromise: Cyrus’s obsession with winning drives him, but he balances it with a focus on customer outcomes and team trust.

  1. Never Stop Learning: For Cyrus, the entrepreneurial journey is a game where the learning never stops. Staying curious and adapting is key to long-term success.

Cyrus’s journey proves that speed, obsession, and customer-centricity can create extraordinary results. Whether you are building a startup or scaling a business, his insights will inspire and challenge you to think differently.

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