Arab-American entrepreneurs share the secrets of their success 

Arab-American entrepreneurs share the secrets of their success 

CHICAGO: The struggles of being an immigrant has helped many successful Arab-American entrepreneurs, a panel of business leaders said on Wednesday during an online panel discussion hosted by the Arab America Foundation.

Participants included business leaders who have appeared on many popular American TV programs including "Shark Tank“, "The Apprentice“, "The Kardashians“, and "Operation Runway.“ 

The panel also hosted several high-flying businesswomen who said they had overcome gender imbalances.

All said their success was in part a by-product of the work ethic that their immigrant parents brought to the US, as well their own "passionate drive“ to pursue their dreams.

"My parents paved the way for me “¦ even though poverty was common there in Yemen “¦ they came to this country in the 1960s with only a determination to succeed,“ said Aneesa Muthana, CEO of Pioneer Service Inc, a women-owned and operated small Chicagoland business providing precision-machined parts since 1990.

"My parents worked very hard. Saved their money. They opened up a manufacturing facility “¦ I learned how to run a company from inside and out.“

Muthana manufactures parts for aerospace industry companies including Tesla, and for ventilators and oxygen equipment, some of which have helped the medical industry cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

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