Benjamin Jamshidi
Business Operations · Web Development · Digital Products
Nijmegen · ben@pinkelephantsalon.nl · 06 19426945 · portfolio.pinkelephantsalon.nl
Profile
Business operator and developer with experience building and running a salon, developing websites and software for clients, and creating digital products. Co-founded Pink Elephant Salon and oversee its day-to-day operations, including finance, hiring, marketing, technology and administration.
Experience
Business Operations and Development · Pink Elephant Salon, Nijmegen
- Co-founded the salon with Patricia Wouters in 2020, starting on Sint-Hubertusstraat and later relocating to Ganzenheuvel 33.
- Oversee daily operations, including administration, finance, pricing, sales, marketing, hiring, supplier and contractor relationships, IT and legal matters.
- Designed and built the salon website. Developed Helder, an app that organises the salon’s bank transactions.
Founder · The Hive, Nijmegen
- Developed a concept for a creative space where Nijmegen artists, including painters, fashion designers, photographers and musicians, could meet and exhibit their work.
- Completed the 200 m² space with friends, including painting, flooring and epoxy work. The project is on hold while interest from local artists develops.
Freelance Web Developer · Nijmegen, London and Rennes
- Develop content and features for GOTO / PAAK using Strapi, Vercel and GitHub, including an interactive 3D drinks menu.
- Built and maintain the WordPress website for Windows Repair Land Ltd., Shopify stores for KALA and Galerie Roovers, and the Pink Elephant Salon website.
- Develop backend features for designer Etienne Dault-Lafon, including Bauhaus, ThevertMenthe and Layers of Time, and for Rodeo Film.
Freelance Software Developer, Lead Developer and Project Manager · Independent
- Led bespoke software projects for industrial machinery clients.
- Assembled and managed project teams from development through delivery.
Research and earlier experience
Research Assistant, Facial Expression Analysis · King’s College London
- Contributed to micro-expression research and training software, linking Facial Action Coding System data and CK+ Datasets to study seven core emotions.
Sales Manager, Part-Time · The Sales Unit, Nijmegen
- Worked in field sales, door-to-door sales and marketing.
Sales Specialist · RIU Palace, El Arenal, Spain
- Worked in sales.
Projects
- Helder
- Bookkeeping web app that sorts and organises the salon’s bank transactions.
- HelderBoard
- Whiteboard and mind-mapping tool for turning ideas into clear briefs for AI coding agents. Its iPhone companion, Ahura, is in development. helderboard.tech
- Pinkstagram
- Instagram growth studio for Pink Elephant Salon.
Education
MSci Computer Science · King’s College London
Access to University, Level 4/5 Route · North London College
Secondary Education · West Vancouver Secondary School, Vancouver
Skills and languages
- Business: Operations, administration, finance, pricing, sales, marketing, hiring, supplier and contractor coordination.
- Technology: WordPress, Shopify, Strapi, Next.js, Three.js, Vercel, GitHub, JavaScript, Node.js, React, C, C++, Objective-C, SQL, PostgreSQL, HTML, CSS, Git, nginx, Swift, SwiftUI, Xcode, electronics and computer repair.
- AI tools: Claude, Codex and local models.
- Languages: Persian (native), Dutch (professional), English (professional).
Additional
- Volunteer, homeless shelter food service, City of Vancouver, 2010 to 2012
- Music production