Ali Irani-Tehrani San Diego, California Entrepreneur MI ... - Tech Prep

Ali Irani-Tehrani
San Diego, California
Entrepreneur
MI Technologies, Inc.
Ali Irani-Tehrani, I was born in Iran, Tehran in 1980. I left Iran with my family at the age of 5 for
asylum to Bonn, Germany. By age 7, my family had moved to San Diego, California to start a
new life. My mother was only 35. My father, 45, and was very successful government member
in Iran. At that time my father was considering retirement until sudden events in Iran forced us
to leave the country (the Revolution of 1979 and the after effects). My family left our privileged
life to start over in the United States. It was both of my parents' hard work and dedication to our
family and this country that has resonated within me since an early age. My third grade teacher,
Mrs. Cross and childhood mentor Brent Rummel were instrumental in developing my psyche. It
is also the lessons I learned from our struggles that have inspired me to be the best person I
can possibly be. At the age of 13, I started working at a local recreational center. By 16, I was
working as a private computer teacher/ tutor, charging $25/hr.
During my high school years at Patrick Henry High I took several classes that improved my
skills in technology such as computer networking, computer aided drafting, business
applications and business as well as classes in public speaking, presenting skills and writing
techniques. This is how I learned to write in three different languages, (Farsi, French and
English and some Spanish).
At the age of 18, I obtained a job with the San Diego Unified school district working as a
teaching assistant at Mission Bay High School in a computer networking class. Although I was
technically the assistant, I planned and presented the daily curriculum. At this time I began to
think seriously about a business in the high tech industry since I was proficient in computers and
computer networking but at the same time I was not sure if I wanted to work for a single
company since growing up I saw both of my parents work long hour shifts to support us. Which
it made them unhappy in a way since we could not really spend the quality time they wanted
with us as a family not to mention that at times they struggled financially. I wanted more for
them and for myself and somehow I knew I wanted to work hard and prepare myself to be able
to return somehow what my parents and this country had done for me.
Once I graduated from high school I enrolled at San Diego State University in 2000 majoring in
business. During my first year at San Diego State University, I formed my first business entity,
Modimplant. (A small corporation which operated out of a warehouse in Otay Mesa no bigger
than 1,500 sf) It was during this time when I knew that I had something good in growing
process despite of the fact that many skeptical people said that I was investing my time and
money in the wrong business and therefore it would not be successful. So they said.
By 2004, Modimplant transitioned into MI Technologies, Inc. and had to be relocated to a bigger
facility, around 10,000 sf. By 2006, MI Technologies, Inc. opened a branch in Mexico began
shipping products online worldwide. Today, MI Technologies, Inc. employees more than 120

people and operate in 4 countries (US, Mexico, UK, and Hong Kong) with customers in over 130
countries.
With all this being said I have a small piece of advice for the new generations to come:
Continuous education is essential! School should prepare you for the real world, but education
should never end, especially today in the fast paced society we live in. Education is the ultimate
empowerment tool that will give you the advantage over your peers, and in business, colleagues
and competitors. You are your biggest asset, invest in yourself!
Interviewed by: Omar Garcia
Ali Irani-Tehrani’s Open Road Map
At age 5, left Iran for asylum in Germany.
At age 7, came to San Diego, Ca with a broad perspective of the
world.
At age 17, got serious about business in the high tech industry
At age of 18 Formed first legal company and attended SDSU
for business
Between 18-25, I was the youngest employee out of 15 people in
my own company
At 26, business became International with office and production
plant in Mexico with sales around the world
At 29, we are a fast growing company with over 100 employees,
all who feel part of my extended family and enjoy coming to
work every day.