Arameh Hakopian (The Tipping Point Podcast)

Arameh Hakopian is the host of The Tipping Point Podcast, an L.A.-based enterprise produced by Three Towers Film Production Company that focuses on interviewing business leaders and difference makers around the country. 

Born in Iran, Hakopian’s parents decided to leave their native country in search of economic opportunity, the goal being to give their children opportunities they never had.  

“We came to America to find the American Dream,” Hakopian bluntly states. 

Turns out, the Hakopians made the right decision. 

After emigrating from Iran, the family settled in southern California, where they were able to build a sustainable foundation. 

For his part, Hakopian is grateful for the cross-continental transition, calling his family’s immigration to America simply “amazing.” 

“Living in America has been fantastic because it has given me opportunities that I would not have had elsewhere,” Hakopian shares.

“And I don’t take that fact for granted.”

For context, Hakopian arrived in the United States as a small child, and while he rarely seeks out the spotlight, as a teenager Hakopian was unafraid of putting himself out there and making friends. 

“By nature I’m actually fairly introspective and reserved, but when I’m around other people, I become more sociable because I like connecting with quality and like-minded individuals,” he says. 

After high school, Hakopian enrolled at a local community college. He was later accepted into University of California-Davis to study managerial economics, but he chose to attend Cal State-Northridge to save money, and that’s where he earned a degree in finance.  

Post-college, Hakopian began working for Corporate America, but two years ago, his ambitions began to extend outside the comforts of his 9-5 employment, and he once again yearned to connect with people in a professional capacity that could propel his career forward. 

That, in addition to the fact that he is a relentless learner, is how Hakopian’s podcast, the aforementioned The Tipping Point Podcast, came to fruition. 

“I really enjoyed learning from other people through their life experiences,” he reveals as the foundation for his platform. 

“I also love helping people, and podcasting gives me the chance to give a platform to those who otherwise might not be able to share their story.”

As a young entrepreneur, what makes Hakopian’s podcast unique is that he has invested heavily in the production aspect of his show.

Whereas some new podcasts rely on recorded Zoom calls with less-than-ideal image quality, Hakopian has assembled a team that makes the visual element of The Tipping Point Podcast rival that of major productions.  

“I wanted to make my podcast as professional as possible. I wanted to be able to run with the pros, and even though I’m new to the game, I still want to bring that high-caliber quality to my channel,” says Hakopian, who has already cemented himself as a serious player in the L.A. podcast scene. 

“Now it’s just a matter of me putting in the work, building connections, and going through the grind in hopes of one day turning my platform into a profitable endeavor.”

To this point, Hakopian has interviewed a variety of guests, all of whom have taught him something that he previously did not know. 

“Every time I interview someone, I learn something new from them,” he affirms. 

“In that sense, it’s been cool to have a wide range of people come on and share their unique perspectives.”  

In the future, Hakopian, like many aspiring podcasters, would love to interview big-time personalities, a list that includes UFC President Dana White, renowned clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson, plus rapper and entrepreneur 50 Cent. 

“I also want to get into public speaking because I really enjoy connecting with people in person, as opposed to always reaching them virtually on a platform like YouTube,” Hakopian adds.

For those looking to follow a similar trajectory in podcasting, Hakopian doesn’t believe that you have to invest heavily in the production element of your show like he does, but he is a strong advocate for pragmatism and making calculated decisions. 

“If you can’t afford to do a high production show, that’s fine. You can start at zero and build from there,” Hakopian says. 

“There is also another aspect to all this, and that is you never know who is watching your channel. I encourage people not to get caught up in how many views or subscribers they have, and instead focus on making an impact, because once you start putting out good content and connecting with good people, that’s when opportunities will naturally come your way.”

But again, being practical is important, which is why Hakopian cautions the next wave of podcasters to not disregard achieving a formal education or staying conventionally employed until their platform becomes financially sustainable. 

“I don’t believe in the starving artist type of lifestyle, where you don’t go to college or get educated. I believe that getting an education is crucial, and from there working your 9-5 while simultaneously trying to build up your business ventures,” explains Hakopian, inching forward in his chair as he prepares to punctuate his final point. 

“I say this because if you don’t have any resources or capital to invest in your creative endeavors, then you’re quite literally a starving artist who is just hoping good things will happen. But when you have a good job and are pulling in an income, it gives you an opportunity to take some risks and bet on yourself.” QS

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