From Cancer Research to Entertainment: The Unconventional Journey of Hiba Irshad

In this episode of Be Anomalous, I sit down with Hiba Irshad, founder of Twenty5%, a media, talent, and cultural strategy company dedicated to amplifying South Asian voices. Growing up as an Indian Muslim in the Midwest, Hiba learned early on how to embrace the parts of herself that made her different. But her path to entrepreneurship wasn't straightforward. She started in healthcare and cancer research before leaping entertainment, driven by a passion for storytelling, culture, and representation. We discuss:• Growing up between cultures and identities• Building confidence and self-belief• Leaving a stable healthcare career for entertainment• The power of cold outreach and networking• Why representation needs more nuance• Building Twenty5% from the ground up• Entrepreneurship, resilience, and self-doubt• Creating opportunities for South Asian creatives. This conversation is a powerful reminder that your career doesn't have to follow a traditional path and that the things that make you different can become your greatest strengths.