As our nation celebrates its 250th anniversary, I have been reflecting on the opportunities that the United States has provided to generations of people who have come here seeking a better future. Few industries illustrate that story better than retail real estate, where hard work, entrepreneurship, and perseverance continue to create opportunities for individuals and families from every corner of the world.
At Progressive Real Estate Partners, where we focus on retail properties throughout Southern California’s San Gabriel Valley & Inland Empire, we have a front-row seat to these success stories every day. After more than 30 years in the retail real estate business, I have worked with a uniquely high number of brokers, tenants, and property owners who are first and second generation Americans who immigrated to the United States in pursuit of greater opportunity.
More than half of our team are first- or second-generation Americans with family roots including Mexico, Argentina, Brazil, Philippines and Taiwan. Their stories, backgrounds, and experiences have helped shape our company and strengthened our ability to serve the diverse communities throughout Southern California. A matter of fact, one of our Core Company Values is “we value diversity amongst our clients and ourselves.”
Although we each have our own story, Senior Vice President, Paul Su’s story is very dear to me. Paul moved to the United States when he was 18 years old speaking very little English. In a total of 6 years, he graduated from Chaffey Community College and then Cal Poly Pomona with his degree in which he majored in Finance, Real Estate & Law. Shortly thereafter, Paul joined our firm and became one of our most successful brokers. But what really sticks with me is when Paul told me that if he had stayed in Taiwan, he likely would have been a taxicab or bus driver. Because although Paul is very smart, when he was a teenager in Taiwan, he was not a great student and didn’t test well for the college entrance exams. If you don’t test well, you can’t go to college, and your life goes in a very specific direction that is difficult to overcome. But not in the United States. In the United States, Paul’s opportunity is endless.
I see similar stories among the independent and regional retailers who occupy our shopping centers. The ability to open a nail salon, donut shop, dry cleaner, restaurant, convenience store, or countless other small businesses is one of the great strengths of our country. Many of these business owners arrived with limited resources but abundant determination. Through hard work, calculated risk-taking, and long hours, they have built successful businesses that support their families, employ others, and contribute to their communities.
Over the years, I have met countless entrepreneurs who arrived in the United States with little more than a dream and a willingness to work. Many left countries where economic opportunities were limited or personal freedoms were restricted. Watching what they have accomplished for themselves and future generations of their families has been both inspiring and humbling.
The same can be said for many of the property owners we serve. Our client database reflects an extraordinary diversity of cultures, religions, and backgrounds. Yet regardless of where they came from, they share a belief in the opportunities created by private property rights, the rule of law, and the ability to build wealth through investment and entrepreneurship.
As we celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, I am reminded that one of this nation’s greatest strengths is its ability to create opportunity for people from all backgrounds. Whether you are a first-generation American, a tenth-generation American, a retailer, broker, investor, or property owner, the combination of freedom, personal responsibility, and the rule of law continues to create possibilities that can change lives.
At Progressive Real Estate Partners, we are grateful to work alongside so many individuals who embody that spirit every day. Their success stories have helped shape our communities and strengthened our region’s retail real estate market.
Happy 250th Anniversary, America!