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

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18Over the years, as Elesban moved from one pueblo toanother, one country to another, and one job to another,he never forgot those who counted on him, or those whobefriended him. Because of this, he built up and was apart of a cohesive enclave in both Lansing and Mexicowhom he could reach out to for assistance. Havingfound no success in the job market, Elesban and afriend reached into their networks and began a cementconstruction business in 1990, and in 1992 it becameGM & Sons, Inc. What began as a handful of men witha requirement to care for their families and with adriving desire to be successful has now grown into amulti-million dollar company with over 80 employees.Without a doubt, one of the key factors in the successof GM & Sons, Inc. is the large network that Elesban hascreated. Within this network is an understanding ofthe work ethic that is expected, coupled with Elesban’sreputation as honest, fair, and willing to work with thosewho are willing to take a chance on him as well.“Elesban reached for thethree things that he couldcount on: his fearlessness,his willingness to work longand hard, and his network.”There are so many lessons to be learned from this lifestory. Fearlessness. Forward-motion. Tenacity. But aboveall is an awareness and acceptance that no one cansucceed alone. In every annual company meeting withhis employees, and in his many conversations with hiswife and children, Elesban humbly states that all successis due to everyone working towards it together. And thisis true. But what Elesban does not fully take credit for isthat it sometimes takes one person to step out, to take achance, to provide a vision that others can believe in; thisis what leaders and visionaries do. As he reflects upon hislife in Lansing, it is hoped that he takes a bit of credit for allof the families that he has helped to sustain and grow overthese last many years. It is hoped that he takes a momentto breathe in, and to embrace the true measure of the welllivedlife that he has so fearlessly lived.Authors: Angelica Gallegos, Ricky Gallegos, Hugo Gallegos,and Marisol GallegosA DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN IMMIGRANT ENTREPRENEUR
MINNEAPOLISWE GLOBAL NETWORK 19English,education andemployment:Cleaning theway for AfricanImmigrantsFRANK DOGBECountry of Origin: TogoCompany: SOS Building Services –Commercial Cleaningsosinc1.comOffice: (612) 886-1383Cell: (612) 203-1812frank@sosinc1.com1422 West Lake Street Suite 202,Minneapolis, MN 55408Years in business: 10Employees: 24Frank Dogbe gives most of his new employees fromWest Africa a one-year promise.Dogbe, founder and owner of SOS Building Services, abusiness that cleans commercial and office buildings,hires immigrants fresh from Africa and gives themone year to show him that they’re well on their wayto learning English or that they’re working towardtheir GED.“I want them to be inspired by my journey,” Dogbe said.“I say to them: ‘I started out like you when I came to thiscountry, even worse. I didn’t have someone who spokemy language and was there to push me.’”Dogbe is from Togo, a long, narrow country on thebottom side of Western Africa. There are far fewerTogolese than Somalis or Ethiopians who have settledin Minnesota, but those who have, surely have heard ofDogbe. In addition to hiring and mentoring new arrivals,he is the president of the Togolese Communityof Minnesota.Dogbe arrived in the U.S. with a Green Card and a ferventdesire to stay. His first job was on the cleaning team atthe St. Louis Park Target in 1999. He knew hard work,an education, and English fluency were the best placesto start on that goal. He joined the local chapter ofToastmasters International, where he learned to speakin front of people and get feedback on his grammar andsyntax. Later, he got his Bachelor’s degree in accountingfrom Metro State University.“I had a goal,” he said. “I wanted to own my business.”In the actual running of a business, things are rarelysimple. Dogbe started SOS in 2009. Five years later,business was booming, but some of the new accountswere huge buildings – more than 100,000 square feet,and he needed to get a loan for bigger, more powerfulequipment to keep up. Dogbe approached his local U.S.STORIES FROM AMERICA’S RUST BELT
Page 3: “...every aspectof the Americanec
Page 6 and 7: WEGlobalNetwork.orgWelcomingEconomi
Page 9: Contents9 Did You Know? Immigrant E
Page 12 and 13: 10A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN IMMIGRANT
Page 14 and 15: 12“I amcontent.I live theAmerican
Page 16 and 17: 14“I havebeen moresuccessfulhere
Page 18 and 19: 16“But I believe that if you work
Page 22 and 23: 20Bank, but his poor credit rating
Page 24 and 25: 22In June of 2012, I started my sma
Page 26 and 27: 24My choice to own a restaurant was
Page 28 and 29: 26Burmese market in Akron, a city n
Page 30 and 31: 28work, and their career growth kee
Page 32 and 33: 30growth and increased sales. I go
Page 34 and 35: 32The Job…At the job site, the fi
Page 36 and 37: 34EDDIE AND KANCHANIJ PRADITHAVANIJ
Page 38 and 39: 36About UsWE GLOBAL NETWORKThe WE G
Page 40 and 41: 38Our NetworkWE Global Network aske
Page 42: Our SponsorsA Day in the Life of an

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