COVER STORY
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The color of success
How 5 minority business owners defied the odds to become leaders in their industries – and role models for everyone.
By Jerry HicksPublished: February 01, 2010
Introduction
It was the cold in January that Abdi Ahmed (left) first noted when he came to the United States from his native Equator-zone Ethiopia as a young college student in 1983. It was the warmth of the people that made him stay. Today his Irvine-based NetServe Systems is one of the most successful high-tech consulting firms in the country.
When you’re all alone and from a Third World country, you don’t have built-in resources surrounding you, Ahmed says. But he noted that if you’ve got a good idea – and you’re willing to stick to it – you can overcome any adversity that minorities might face.
Click HERE for links to the five minority
business owners profiled by OC METRO.
“There may be disadvantages to being a minority in business,” he says. “But there was also a big advantage for me – because it made it more of a challenge. That challenge made me work harder to succeed.”
Tina Aldatz (right) of Huntington Harbour, who founded her own company in her early 30s, is convinced that her Hispanic background was actually helpful in finding an investor. Her minority problem: being a woman.
“You’ve heard of the good ol’ boys network; we need a good ol’ girls network,” she says. “Women need to do more to help each other in the business world.” (Continued >>)
5 Minority Business Owners:
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IntroductionIt was the cold in January that Abdi Ahmed (left) first noted when he came to the United States from his native Equator-zone Ethiopia as a young college student in 1983. It was the warmth of the people that made him stay. Today his Irvine-based NetServe Systems is one of the most successful high-tech consulting firms in the country. When you’re all alone and from a Third World country, you don’t have built-in resources surrounding you, Ahmed says. But he noted that if you’ve got a good idea – and you’re willing to stick to it – you can overcome any adversity that minorities might face. Click HERE for links to the five minority business owners profiled by OC METRO. “There may be disadvantages to being a minority in business,” he says. “But there was also a big advantage for me – because it made it more of a challenge. That challenge made me work harder to succeed.” Tina Aldatz (right) of Huntington Harbour, who founded her own company in her early 30s, is convinced that her Hispanic background was actually helpful in finding an investor. Her minority problem: being a woman.“You’ve heard of the good ol’ boys network; we need a good ol’ girls network,” she says. “Women need to do more to help each other in the business world.” (Continued >>) 5 Minority Business Owners: |
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