A-Day-in-the-Life-of-an-Immigrant-Entrepreneur-Story-Book

LANSINGWE GLOBAL NETWORK 17FearlessELESBAN GALLEGOShe was able to observe a different world, and it was thisrole that propelled him to move to the next phase of hispath. Again, grateful for the opportunities that he wasgiven, but ready for something more, Elesban, now 25years old, set his sites on the United States. He crossedthe United States and Mexico border at Brownsville, Texasin 1968.Country of Origin: MexicoCompany: GM & Sons, Inc.gmandsons.com6784 Whitmore Lake Road,Whitmore Lake, Michigan 48189(734) 929-1259Employees: 82Years in business: 23Elesban Gallegos spent Thanksgiving Day watching theDetroit Lions win, surrounded by his family, waiting forthe turkey to cook to perfection. Reflecting on one’sblessings during the holiday season is nothing new.Elesban, born in 1943, grew up one of eight children ofsubsistence farmers in Senguio, Michoacan, Mexico.Michoacan certainly has much to offer in terms of naturalbeauty, culture, and history; it doesn’t offer, however,much with regard to opportunities. This is true today,but was far more the case when Elesban was a youngman. While he had a deep love for his family and for hispueblo, he understood early that a life lived attemptingto make a living from the land was not for him. With thatknowledge and with a blessing from his parents, Elesbanleft his pueblo at the age of 14 and made his way toMexico City to seek out better prospects.Upon his arrival in Mexico City, literally carryingnothing but a few clothes, Elesban found a position asa dishwasher. He initially survived by eating morsels ofleftovers from the plates that he washed, but quickly,he showed his worth and versatility. He moved up: froma dishwasher, to a busboy, to a cook, to a waiter, andfinally he became a bartender. It was in this role thatMaking his way from Texas, to Chicago, to Eau Claire,Michigan to Lansing, Michigan, Elesban again foundhimself constantly in motion and constantly experiencingchange. He worked in restaurants in Texas and Chicago,and in a poultry processing plant in Eau Claire. Imaginenavigating all of this change while understanding andspeaking very little English!It was in Lansing that Elesban felt he found a home andhad a chance at success. In 1972, he began work at theMotor Wheel factory. While this job meant 10, 12, and 14hours a day away from his wife and two children, he wassatisfied because the wages were fair, the factory wasunionized, it provided health benefits for his family, andit was steady work. Elesban purchased a small home nearhis workplace and settled in, planning to work for hisemployer until retirement, but in 1987, Elesban was laidoff from Motor Wheel shortly before the company closedpermanently. A man in his forties, with a new wife andtwo more small children, Elesban was now faced with therealities of the U.S. economy.With no formal education, seeking employment inthe late eighties was very different than at any timebefore. In the past, the willingness to work long andhard were credential enough to at least provide thechance at employment. With the rise of globalization,the manufacturing sector in the U.S. was beginning itsdecline. It was no longer as easy to secure a well-paidmanufacturing position that would enable a breadwinnerto care for his family. Elesban attempted to secure newemployment with no success. Dented but not undaunted,Elesban reached for the three things that he could counton: his fearlessness, his willingness to work long andhard, and his network.STORIES FROM AMERICA’S RUST BELT