Zia Sheik shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Zia, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Something outside of work that’s been bringing me a lot of joy lately is cooking – especially Indian cuisine. I actually never cooked when I lived in India, but after moving to the U.S., I started learning from my mom over video calls. It became a way to stay connected to my roots.
Last year, my mom visited me from India, and I had the chance to cook for her — including my favorite dish, chicken biryani. She absolutely loved it. I also made her chai three times a day, and traditional breakfasts like dosa and idli. Seeing her so happy and proud of me was a really special moment.
Cooking has gone from being a necessity to something I truly enjoy. It’s creative, relaxing, and it brings people together – which is something I value both in life and in the community I’m building through snooker.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Zia Sheik, originally from India, and I moved to the U.S. in 2014. I’m passionate about snooker — a game I started playing back in school — and over the years, I’ve competed in tournaments across the U.S., Canada, and Pan America.
When my wife and I moved to Nashville in 2018, I realized there were no snooker clubs in the state. That inspired me to create Nashville Snooker Academy, the first private snooker academy in Tennessee. We offer a professional-grade table, coaching for beginners, monthly tournaments, and a space where players of all levels can enjoy the game. Our mission is to promote snooker, grow the community, and hopefully inspire the next generation of champions from Nashville.
By day, I’m an Executive at a staffing firm, and the strategic thinking, planning, and precision I apply at work translates directly to how I run the academy.
Outside of work and snooker, I’m passionate about cooking, especially Indian cuisine. I love sharing meals with my family & friends— and it’s been a real joy to cook traditional dishes like chicken biryani and dosa for my family when they visits from India.
Right now, I’m focused on growing Nashville Snooker Academy, spreading awareness about snooker in the U.S., and building a community of players who share the same passion for the game.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: What breaks the bonds between people—and what restores them?
From my experience, the bonds between people are often broken by a lack of transparency, communication, misunderstandings, or not valuing each other’s time and efforts. In both my professional work and with Nashville Snooker Academy, I’ve seen how small miscommunications can create tension or disengagement.
What restores bonds, in my experience, is genuine effort, open communication, transparency, and shared experiences. For example, at the Academy, bringing people together through tournaments, coaching sessions, and casual practice sessions has created a sense of community and camaraderie. People bond over shared goals, friendly competition, and celebrating each other’s achievements.
On a personal level, the same applies. Spending meaningful time together, with family, personal friends and snooker friends showing care through small gestures — like cooking for my family — helps restore and strengthen relationships. Whether in life or business, connection comes from understanding, presence, and shared joy.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
Yes, there was a time I almost gave up while setting up Nashville Snooker Academy. After deciding to bring professional-grade snooker to Tennessee, I faced several major obstacles. First, I had to find a house with a room large enough to accommodate a 12-foot snooker table and then reinforce the floor to hold its weight. Then, the table I ordered from the world’s top manufacturer arrived damaged, with half the shipment missing.
I spent a year negotiating and coordinating with the manufacturer, and just when things seemed to be on track, the pandemic hit, causing further delays. At times, it felt overwhelming, and it would have been easy to walk away.
What kept me going was my passion for the game and my belief in the mission — to grow snooker in Nashville and create a community of players. I stayed persistent, kept problem-solving, and eventually the Academy was successfully established. That experience reinforced my belief that resilience, patience, and persistence can overcome even the toughest challenges.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
I’m deeply committed to growing Nashville Snooker Academy and building a strong snooker community in Tennessee, no matter how long it takes. When I moved here, I realized there wasn’t a single snooker club in the entire state, and I wanted to create a space where players of all levels could enjoy the game and improve their skills.
The journey has already taken years — from finding the right house and installing a professional-grade table, to building awareness and a loyal community from scratch. I’ve faced delays, challenges, and setbacks, but my commitment hasn’t wavered because I genuinely believe in the value of this project: introducing more people to the game, coaching beginners, and maybe even creating future champions from Nashville.
For me, the long-term impact and joy of seeing the community grow far outweigh the time and effort it takes. It’s a belief I’m willing to invest in for the years to come. My goal is to have a facility that can accommodate 10 snooker tables where I can host a US National Championship.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as someone who built communities, inspired others, and shared my passions. Through Nashville Snooker Academy, I want my story to be one of creating opportunities for people to connect, learn, and grow — whether it’s introducing someone to snooker for the first time, coaching a young player, or helping someone realize their potential.
I also hope they remember me as someone who cared deeply about family and culture. Cooking for my family, sharing meals with friends, and staying connected to my roots is just as important to me as my professional or entrepreneurial achievements.
Ultimately, I’d like my legacy to reflect passion, perseverance, and the joy of sharing what you love with others — whether that’s snooker, food, or simply helping people feel included and inspired.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nashvillesnookeracademy.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nashvillesnookeracademy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nashvillesnookeracademy/
