Siavash Farahi is a young entrepreneur in Iran who teaches brand identity at a university while working in the creative industry. In 2024, he launched his own digital business. But a series of nationwide unrest and repeated internet blackouts have posed serious challenges. For digital-based companies, disruptions to online access can be crippling.

As ongoing instability continues to weigh on Iran's economy, small businesses remain among the most vulnerable – navigating the space between ambition and uncertainty.