Happy 4th of July, America's birthday

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Matthew 11:28

America is made up of proud immigrant people who risked their lives to come to this country. Some never made it, while others arrive on Ellis Island with just the clothes on their back.  Most grieved for the land they left behind and their homes that were filled with memories of long-held family traditions- all for the sake of starting over and giving their children a future.  I was impressed to learn that immigrants were more likely to start successful businesses. 

In one article, immigrant-founded Fortune 500 companies employed 3.6 million workers around the world in 2011 and were responsible for more than $1.7 trillion in revenues in 2010, according to the Partnership For A New American Economy.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/22/american-companies-founded-by-immigrants_n_3116172.html

A 2012 report found immigrants as a whole were more than twice as likely to start a business in America as someone born in America.  As of 2011, Immigrant-run businesses employ 1 in 10 American workers.

 Here are just some of the immigrant founders of some of the biggest corporations:

Google-Immigrant Founder: Sergey Brin Country Of Origin: Russia Fun Fact: Google was named after the mathematical term "Googo

AT&T-Immigrant Founder: Alexander Graham BellCountry Of Origin: Scotland Fun Fact: Bell originally came to the U.S. as a teacher of the deaf, which led him to the invention of microphone and later the telephone.

Goldman Saches-Immigrant Founder: Marcus Goldman Country Of Origin: Germany Fun Fact: Goldman Sachs was founded in 1869 in New York City. The company began in a one-room office on Pine Street.

Ebay-Immigrant Founder: Pierre Omidyar Country Of Origin: France Fun Fact: Pierre and his wife are the single biggest private donors to efforts against the human trafficking industry.

Radio Shack-Immigrant Founder: Theodore and Milton Deutschmann Country Of Origin: England Fun Facts: RadioShack was named after the wooden compartment that held the radio equipment on ships. The first store opened in 1921 in Boston, Massachusetts.

Kohl's -Immigrant Founder: Maxwell Kohl Country Of Origin: Poland Fun Fact: Maxwell Kohl worked in factories around Milwaukee until 1927, when he finally saved up enough money to open a small grocery store, the beginning's of Kohl's.

Comcast- Immigrant Founder: Daniel Aaron Country Of Origin: Germany Fun Fact: Aaron’s first job was actually as a journalist. He was working on a story about a cable company when his interest in the industry took off.

Big Lots-Immigrant Founder: Sol Shenk Country Of Origin: Russia Fun Fact: Big Lots started as a auto parts wholesale shop in 1967.

Yahoo-Immigrant Founder: Jerry Yang Country Of Origin: Taiwan Fun Fact: At age 10, the only English word Yang knew was "shoe."

Nordstrom-Immigrant Founder: John W. NordstromCountry Of Origin: Sweden Fun Fact:Nordstrom came to the U.S. in 1887 when he was 16 with only $5 in his pocket.

Colgate-Immigrant Founder: William Colgate Country Of Origin: England Fun Fact: In 1806, Colgate's first business was a starch, soap and candle businessin New York City.

Sara Lee-Immigrant Founder: Nathan CummingsCountry Of Origin: Canada Fun Fact: It was an accident that Cummings was born in Canada. His parents were coming to America from Lithuania when they mistakenly got off the boat in Saint Johns, Canada, rather than their intended destination: New York City.

Dupont-Immigrant Founder: E.I. du Pont Country Of Origin: France Fun Fact: du Pont studied explosives production techniques and worked at France’s central powder agency as a teenager in the late 1700s.

Kraft Foods-Immigrant Founder: James L. Kraft Country Of Origin: Canada Fun Fact: James Kraft could barely scrap up the money to get Kraft Foods started in New York City after the cheese company he invested in went under.

Pfizer- Immigrant Founders: Charles Pfizer, Charles Erhart Country Of Origin: Germany Fun Fact:Pfizer and Erhart started the company with a $2,500 loan from Pfizer's father.

Proctor and Gamble-

Immigrant Founders: William Procter, James Gamble Countries Of Origin: England, IrelandFun Fact: Procter was encouraged to come to the U.S. in 1830 after his shop in London was destroyed by fire and burglary.

Today's immigrants are starting successful small businesses that may one day be household recognizable names in the future. One such person I personally know is a man who immigrated to America from Syria several decades ago to complete his college degree along with successful corporate experience before founding his own company. I'm proud to call this man with the entrepreneurial spirit my friend.  

Happy birthday America and thank you to the former and current immigrants coming to America to realize their dreams that ultimately benefit all of us.

-