You also want to be among those who realized their American dream? Then the story of 52-year-old Lina Hu, held hard and thorny path to success in America, will be another incentive for you. Today Lina Hu is a successful businesswoman, she is the head and CEO of Clipper Corp., which supplies uniforms and other products to companies in the retail, hospitality, shipping and food industry.
«We supply to restaurants capacity for frying, steak knives, serving trays, Cutlery,» says Hu. «Pots, pans, everything you can’t eat. We also provide high quality stainless steel kitchenware and disposable tableware. We are supplier with a full range of services from design to production and implementation.»
Company Lina Hu called Clipper Corp. was founded in 1994 year. Today, it costs $ 40 million. Its customers include Burger King Corp., Target Corp., Home Depot Inc. and FedEx Corp.
Success story
In the early 90’s, after Hu are unable to get a job in Boston, she moved to Los Angelesto be close to friends. With her dream come true at that time was employment as of old..
«When life puts you in a difficult position, you will be amazed at how well you can survive,» said Hu.
First job interview upended her world. «I saw this possibility during the interview. The employer showed me the dishes, plates that I will need to wash. I looked at all these pots and pans, silverware, dishes. And I thought that in China a lot of factories. They can do these things cheaper and I can sell them here.»
Speaking about the idea to my friends, Hu has not received support which was expected. Almost nobody believed in the success of her plan. «First, you don’t speak English. Secondly, you have no product, you have only an idea. Thirdly, you’re Asian and you’re not being here with all due respect,» said friends of Hu. But the woman decided to try. Preparing a proposal, she began to ring up the restaurant chain.
«I said, «I can provide you the same quality but with less cost». Or: «You will spend the same amount of money but get a quality product». Most never even called me back».
«Finally, Burger King has appointed me to my first meeting, and I made a deal. They were baseball caps made in South America, but they agreed to my proposal and became my first client.»
«Then I went back to China, found a factory that could execute the order,» — said Hu. «They asked me to pay them. I said I have no money and I can be their free seller. «You make the product. I am looking for a buyer, and you pay me for it». We have a deal. After the order I took the money at Burger King and paid the factory».
Lin Hu was born in China the son of an engineer. Businesswoman says that at home she didn’t have role models among women, but she always wanted to have your own business. She received a bachelor’s degree in statistics and a master’s degree in business at the University of Zhejiang, South of Shanghai.
The following customers, Hu became the restaurant chain Darden and company , Yum Brands, working with KFC, Taco Bell and Pizza Hut.
New customers Hu suggested to bring free samples of the product and assured them of its reliability and full accountability.
Further, customers have become more and the firm became very successful. Today at Clipper Corp. working 80 people (in Carson and Atlanta), and the factories in China that cater to company — 500 employees.
Lina Hu is an active public figure, she is a member of the Board of Trustees HAMPTON University of Virginia, she previously represented small and medium business in the Advisory Committee of the Department of trade. It is also just an active person, loves to travel (visited 85 countries), leads a healthy lifestyle and loves sports.
Example Lina Hu shows that the American dream is achievable not only for native Americans but also for immigrants, even not knowing the language! It would be a desire, aspiration and readiness to overcome difficulties!
I spy…#pastcover Lina Hu, Clipper Corp., @csoward and #WBEsWhoRock nominee Rashmi Chaturvedi, Kaygen @USPAACC_EF #Celeb17 pic.twitter.com/7ZiTiitWmt
— MBE magazine (@MBEmag) May 31, 2017
According to the materials of the Los Angeles Times
