Dearborn, Michigan: We all need to hold a special place and a hope for some of our fellow citizens -- those who have left their Arab homelands in search of freedom, peace and prosperity. These people, especially leaders like Ahmad Chebbani, know the real heart and soul of their new country and they can represent the United States of America as we know it and not as Hollywood and Madison Avenue have portrayed us to these people living in restrictive societies that breed contempt and hostility.

Ahmad Chebbani and his wife, Michelle, began their accounting business in 1987. Today, they are the busiest single tax preparation office in the USA.

Meet the people of Omnex Accounting. This team makes filing of the tax returns for 3,500 individuals and 600 businesses look easy.

Ahmad came to America at the age of 19 from his birth country of Lebanon. With the responsibility of his younger brother, the two arrived in Chicago knowing no English. They worked as busboys and attendants in service stations until they learned their new country's language and her ways. And in the process, they adopted her culture and even her hopes and dreams. While working a full-time job, he did tax work for individuals and small business owners in the evenings and on the weekends.

Today Ahmad is leading the Arab-American community in Dearborn. Since 1994, Ahmad has been the founding chairman of the American-Arab Chamber of Commerce.

The Mayor of Dearborn, Michael Guido, acknowledges the significant role the Arab-American community has played in transforming the city.

Today, Ahmad's team has grown to 16 thoughtful people who help to build the portfolios of many new immigrants to America. Ahmad and Michelle also own and manage a real estate company and they are partners in a Beruit-based digital imaging company that does double digit millions in sales.

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The people in Omnex Accounting watch SmallBusinessSchool on Detroit PBS.

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CONTACT:
Omnex Accounting
12740 W Warren Ave Ste 200
Dearborn, Michigan 48126
Tel: 313.846.3322
E-mail: Click here
URL: AmericanArab Chamber of Commerce

We invite your questions or comments

• SUPPORT PUBLIC TELEVISION:
  Become a member of your local station. If you are already, great. If not and your business is doing well, consider joining the Producers' Club ($1000).

• JOIN, JOIN, JOIN: Your professional associations in your industry are your key to continuing education, market research, collaborations, strategic partnerships, capital and so much more ... often you'll find that you enjoy like-minded people and many will become friends for life.

• FIRST PRINCIPLES: Starting a business is the road to economic independence for most of us average people. Read a little more to see why incorporating a business keeps the passion of the American revolution alive!

• GO FURTHER: Spend some time with each of the key points of the case study guide (just above in the green box) and each of the related transcript segments.

• THESE PAGES IN ARABIC: Arabic opens in a new window! This episode of the show was among the first to be translated for the families and friends in the Middle East: Arabic Transcript, Arabic overview and Arabic case study guide.

• MANY PAGES IN ARABIC: Many more pages have been translated (sometimes it can be a little slow loading the language set). Also, shows have been dubbed in Arabic through the Voice of America. The Duabi Business Channel aired the show for about a year in English. Our current efforts are to air the show in Baghdad in English with Arabic subtitles.

• STEP 1: I'm Going to Start a Business. Ahmad said it. Now, he helps new immigrants say it, "I'm Going to Start a Business," then do it! This page is also in Arabic.

• NATIONAL TRADE ASSOCIATIONS. There are national trade associations for every industry and business sector. These associations are the most relevant resources for continuing education and networking for small business owners. We are not alone.
  
  Ahmad's association is huge. He is part of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA). There are about 1 million accountants in the USA!

• First Principles of Capitalism. There are very key first principles of business – capitalism and democracy (also an Arabic version). The antithesis of business is the focus on fan episode titled, Lying, cheating, and stealing (and here is an Arabic translation) can not be part of it.

• CASES BY BUSINESS TYPE. Click on the heading to find all the business types and then click on your type of business to check out those case studies.

• Chambers of Commerce: We work with all business associations to help them serve their business members better. We did a very special episode about volunteers within the Chambers of Commerce. We have a special section of this web site for Chamber executives ( which is also in Arabic).
  
  THE PAGES ABOUT THE CHAMBER ARE ALSO IN ARABIC: (These pages need to open in a new window) homepage, transcript, overview and case study guide.
  
  Working together, all of our business organziations can positively impact the violence in the world today.
  
  Chamber of Commerce: Your local, state and the national Chamber are well worth your time. Some of these people could be on your own board of advisors.

• PRESS RELEASES: The American Arab Chamber of Commerce is on top of current issues that effect us all. Here is a press release about the UAE Dubai Ports World buying assets of London-based Peninsular & Oriental Steam Navigation, operator of six US ports.