16“But I believe that if you workhard <strong>an</strong>d treat people right,you c<strong>an</strong> make it <strong>an</strong>ywhere.”Eddie has about twenty employees <strong>in</strong> his threeestablishments, not just family <strong>an</strong>d friends, but alsoo<strong>the</strong>r immigr<strong>an</strong>ts from Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Asia, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g someHmong people, <strong>an</strong>d a number <strong>of</strong> Americ<strong>an</strong>s as well.When asked if he might have been just as successful <strong>an</strong>ddone just as well if he had stayed <strong>in</strong> Thail<strong>an</strong>d, he <strong>an</strong>swersemphatically, “No, <strong>the</strong>re are greater opportunities <strong>in</strong><strong>the</strong> U.S. I have been more successful here th<strong>an</strong> I everdreamed. But I believe that if you work hard <strong>an</strong>d treatpeople right, you c<strong>an</strong> make it <strong>an</strong>ywhere.”Eddie Pradithav<strong>an</strong>ij is a lead<strong>in</strong>g figure <strong>in</strong> Michig<strong>an</strong>’s Thai<strong>an</strong>d Sou<strong>the</strong>ast Asi<strong>an</strong> community, <strong>an</strong>d a past <strong>of</strong>ficer <strong>an</strong>dactive member <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> Thai-Americ<strong>an</strong> Association <strong>of</strong>Michig<strong>an</strong> (TAAM). TAAM is a not-for-pr<strong>of</strong>it org<strong>an</strong>izationdedicated to help<strong>in</strong>g Thai communities across <strong>the</strong> state,educat<strong>in</strong>g people about Thai culture, <strong>an</strong>d assist<strong>in</strong>gboth Thai <strong>an</strong>d Americ<strong>an</strong> enterprises do<strong>in</strong>g bus<strong>in</strong>ess<strong>in</strong> Thail<strong>an</strong>d <strong>an</strong>d Michig<strong>an</strong>. Eddie merges his personal<strong>an</strong>d pr<strong>of</strong>essional life <strong>in</strong> pursu<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>se goals. He hasnever turned away <strong>an</strong>yone who asked him for help, <strong>an</strong>dgoes beyond just giv<strong>in</strong>g advice to provid<strong>in</strong>g whatever isneeded. Over <strong>the</strong> years, <strong>the</strong> young m<strong>an</strong> who arrived herewith his career pl<strong>an</strong>s on hold, know<strong>in</strong>g only his girlfriend,has become a successful, well-respected bus<strong>in</strong>essm<strong>an</strong>,mentor, <strong>an</strong>d fa<strong>the</strong>r figure to o<strong>the</strong>r immigr<strong>an</strong>ts try<strong>in</strong>g toget a foothold on success <strong>in</strong> America.Does Eddie have <strong>an</strong>y pl<strong>an</strong>s to retire? “Yes, some day I willcerta<strong>in</strong>ly retire. And <strong>the</strong>n I will open just a small carryoutplace…”Written by Dr. Su McKei<strong>the</strong>n-PolishA DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEUR
LANSINGWE GLOBAL NETWORK 17FearlessELESBAN GALLEGOShe was able to observe a different world, <strong>an</strong>d it was thisrole that propelled him to move to <strong>the</strong> next phase <strong>of</strong> hispath. Aga<strong>in</strong>, grateful for <strong>the</strong> opportunities that he wasgiven, but ready for someth<strong>in</strong>g more, Elesb<strong>an</strong>, now 25years old, set his sites on <strong>the</strong> United States. He crossed<strong>the</strong> United States <strong>an</strong>d Mexico border at Brownsville, Texas<strong>in</strong> 1968.Country <strong>of</strong> Orig<strong>in</strong>: MexicoComp<strong>an</strong>y: GM & Sons, Inc.gm<strong>an</strong>dsons.com6784 Whitmore Lake Road,Whitmore Lake, Michig<strong>an</strong> 48189(734) 929-1259Employees: 82Years <strong>in</strong> bus<strong>in</strong>ess: 23Elesb<strong>an</strong> Gallegos spent Th<strong>an</strong>ksgiv<strong>in</strong>g <strong>Day</strong> watch<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong>Detroit Lions w<strong>in</strong>, surrounded by his family, wait<strong>in</strong>g for<strong>the</strong> turkey to cook to perfection. Reflect<strong>in</strong>g on one’sbless<strong>in</strong>gs dur<strong>in</strong>g <strong>the</strong> holiday season is noth<strong>in</strong>g new.Elesb<strong>an</strong>, born <strong>in</strong> 1943, grew up one <strong>of</strong> eight children <strong>of</strong>subsistence farmers <strong>in</strong> Senguio, Michoac<strong>an</strong>, Mexico.Michoac<strong>an</strong> certa<strong>in</strong>ly has much to <strong>of</strong>fer <strong>in</strong> terms <strong>of</strong> naturalbeauty, culture, <strong>an</strong>d history; it doesn’t <strong>of</strong>fer, however,much with regard to opportunities. This is true today,but was far more <strong>the</strong> case when Elesb<strong>an</strong> was a youngm<strong>an</strong>. While he had a deep love for his family <strong>an</strong>d for hispueblo, he understood early that a life lived attempt<strong>in</strong>gto make a liv<strong>in</strong>g from <strong>the</strong> l<strong>an</strong>d was not for him. With thatknowledge <strong>an</strong>d with a bless<strong>in</strong>g from his parents, Elesb<strong>an</strong>left his pueblo at <strong>the</strong> age <strong>of</strong> 14 <strong>an</strong>d made his way toMexico City to seek out better prospects.Upon his arrival <strong>in</strong> Mexico City, literally carry<strong>in</strong>gnoth<strong>in</strong>g but a few clo<strong>the</strong>s, Elesb<strong>an</strong> found a position asa dishwasher. He <strong>in</strong>itially survived by eat<strong>in</strong>g morsels <strong>of</strong>leftovers from <strong>the</strong> plates that he washed, but quickly,he showed his worth <strong>an</strong>d versatility. He moved up: froma dishwasher, to a busboy, to a cook, to a waiter, <strong>an</strong>df<strong>in</strong>ally he became a bartender. It was <strong>in</strong> this role thatMak<strong>in</strong>g his way from Texas, to Chicago, to Eau Claire,Michig<strong>an</strong> to L<strong>an</strong>s<strong>in</strong>g, Michig<strong>an</strong>, Elesb<strong>an</strong> aga<strong>in</strong> foundhimself const<strong>an</strong>tly <strong>in</strong> motion <strong>an</strong>d const<strong>an</strong>tly experienc<strong>in</strong>gch<strong>an</strong>ge. He worked <strong>in</strong> restaur<strong>an</strong>ts <strong>in</strong> Texas <strong>an</strong>d Chicago,<strong>an</strong>d <strong>in</strong> a poultry process<strong>in</strong>g pl<strong>an</strong>t <strong>in</strong> Eau Claire. Imag<strong>in</strong>enavigat<strong>in</strong>g all <strong>of</strong> this ch<strong>an</strong>ge while underst<strong>an</strong>d<strong>in</strong>g <strong>an</strong>dspeak<strong>in</strong>g very little English!It was <strong>in</strong> L<strong>an</strong>s<strong>in</strong>g that Elesb<strong>an</strong> felt he found a home <strong>an</strong>dhad a ch<strong>an</strong>ce at success. In 1972, he beg<strong>an</strong> work at <strong>the</strong>Motor Wheel factory. While this job me<strong>an</strong>t 10, 12, <strong>an</strong>d 14hours a day away from his wife <strong>an</strong>d two children, he wassatisfied because <strong>the</strong> wages were fair, <strong>the</strong> factory wasunionized, it provided health benefits for his family, <strong>an</strong>dit was steady work. Elesb<strong>an</strong> purchased a small home nearhis workplace <strong>an</strong>d settled <strong>in</strong>, pl<strong>an</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g to work for hisemployer until retirement, but <strong>in</strong> 1987, Elesb<strong>an</strong> was laid<strong>of</strong>f from Motor Wheel shortly before <strong>the</strong> comp<strong>an</strong>y closedperm<strong>an</strong>ently. A m<strong>an</strong> <strong>in</strong> his forties, with a new wife <strong>an</strong>dtwo more small children, Elesb<strong>an</strong> was now faced with <strong>the</strong>realities <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S. economy.With no formal education, seek<strong>in</strong>g employment <strong>in</strong><strong>the</strong> late eighties was very different th<strong>an</strong> at <strong>an</strong>y timebefore. In <strong>the</strong> past, <strong>the</strong> will<strong>in</strong>gness to work long <strong>an</strong>dhard were credential enough to at least provide <strong>the</strong>ch<strong>an</strong>ce at employment. With <strong>the</strong> rise <strong>of</strong> globalization,<strong>the</strong> m<strong>an</strong>ufactur<strong>in</strong>g sector <strong>in</strong> <strong>the</strong> U.S. was beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g itsdecl<strong>in</strong>e. It was no longer as easy to secure a well-paidm<strong>an</strong>ufactur<strong>in</strong>g position that would enable a breadw<strong>in</strong>nerto care for his family. Elesb<strong>an</strong> attempted to secure newemployment with no success. Dented but not undaunted,Elesb<strong>an</strong> reached for <strong>the</strong> three th<strong>in</strong>gs that he could counton: his fearlessness, his will<strong>in</strong>gness to work long <strong>an</strong>dhard, <strong>an</strong>d his network.STORIES FROM AMERICA’S RUST BELT
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