Learning to network pays off
17.06.2008 23:00
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- Source: JS Online
Jing Wang used hard work and connections to build a successful business venture in China that prospered as capitalism caught on. Now, Wang is leveraging her resourcefulness and experience gained back home to make a go of it in the restaurant business in Milwaukee. Wang is the owner and operator of Jing’s, an upscale Chinese restaurant in the Third Ward that offers authentic Chinese cuisine, a cozy atmosphere and friendly service. Her husband, Jiankang “Jack” Xu, wears several hats as head chef and deliveryman and helps with other restaurant operations. Jing’s opened for business last fall and is a welcome addition to an area that bustles with trendy restaurants, but where Chinese cuisine has been sorely lacking. The couple came to the game in a good cash position, having generated income from previous businesses they ran in Shanghai, and needed no loans. Starting a business with little or no debt is a plus when 60% to 75% of small, independent restaurants fail within their first year. "We had business in China for more than 10 years. We caught good times. China had just opened the door to capitalism," said Wang. "We used networks and relationships with government people, family, friends and entrepreneurs to go into business. I wanted to learn how to get connections with people here and how to run a business in this country." Wang has developed contacts within the community that have helped her acclimate to American culture and its way of doing business. She took English lessons and eventually turned to the Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corp., where she took business education courses. The women's business association referred her to SCORE for additional help. The Service Corps of Retired Executives is a program of the U.S. Small Business Administration. At SCORE, Wang was helped by Chuck Filipiak, a SCORE volunteer and former restaurateur who has 30 years of experience as a general manager and troubleshooter for chain restaurants throughout the U.S. "She's a smart businesswoman," said Filipiak. "She's been able to network through contacts, and she does her research and follows through. She holds her standards very high. By doing a lot of extra work that a lot of folks won't do, I see her as being a strong player in this market for a long time." 'Survivor culture'Wang learned to value hard work from her father, a businessman who pushed her to excel in school. "My father wanted us to always achieve and be ambitious," said Wang, whose mother was a doctor and businesswoman "We are a survivor culture. You are always expected to work hard and save your money." Wang and Xu moved to Milwaukee from Shanghai in 2000 to be near one of Xu's cousins who lived here. Understanding that entrepreneurship was a pathway to wealth and prosperity, Wang wanted to start her own restaurant. In China, the couple spent a decade running a lighting store that expanded to five locations. But entrepreneurship would be elusive to Wang in the U.S., without connections, an understanding of the American business system and grasp of the English language. "Jobs were hard to come by due to language barriers," said Wang on a recent afternoon at her restaurant. "Because we worked for ourselves in China, I always wanted to have my own business. I was full of passion. I wanted to have some education in my life - to learn the business sense. I wanted to know how people lived and how they do business here." Gaining confidenceWang's first step was to enroll in English as a second language classes at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. For two years, she worked hard to learn English and absorbed everything she could about American culture. "It gave me confidence to socialize outside of school," she said. After completing her English courses in 2002, Wang tapped into business and entrepreneurship training in the community. She began reading business books written by late Milwaukee businessman George Bockl, which inspired her. It was while visiting the Bockl building in the Third Ward that Wang stumbled upon a space at 207 E. Buffalo St. that would become Jing's. "I knew this was a good location because there are a lot of good restaurants and bars around here. I wanted to bring Chinese culture here," said Wang. "When I think about having a nice, clean, fresh restaurant here to serve the community I get a payback." When she considers the language and cultural barriers she had to overcome, Wang is grateful for the support she received from the local community. "This is the community where, if you want to have your dreams come true, people are very helpful." Get connected • To learn more about SCORE, contact the Southeastern Wisconsin chapter office at (414) 297-3942 or send an e-mail to score@scoresewisconsin.org. • To learn more about Wisconsin Women's Business Initiative Corp., contact the Milwaukee office at (414) 263-5450 or visit its Web site at www.wwbic.com. • For information about the English as a second language program at UW-Milwaukee, call (414) 229-5757 or send an e-mail to esl@uwm.edu. Tannette Johnson-Elie writes about how small businesses and start-ups are using networking and business associations to tap the expertise needed to grow. She can be reached at (414) 223-5172 or by e-mail at telie@journalsentinel.com.
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