HATTIE: Hi, I'm Hattie Bryant. Why are there so many people of Arab decent living in America today? It is because America is the home of the brave and the free, and we attract those who are very brave and want so much to live in freedom. Now you'll meet Ahmad Chebanni, the founder of Omnex Accounting, Arabica and a Beirut-based digital imaging company, and a founding member of the American Arab Chamber of Commerce.

He is just one of the millions from war-torn lands who has taught us, without peace there can be no prosperity and with peace, everything good is possible.

Today we go to Dearborn, Michigan where we find the largest concentration of Arab-Americans in the US. They have turned a declining neighborhood into a growing one and Ahmad has been central to the success.

AHMAD: I can never pass a good idea. This is the problem I have. If I have a good idea, I would never just want to drop it. I've owned other businesses; we've sold them. But I like starting up new ideas. Everything I have ever done was original.

HATTIE: In 1987, Ahmad Chebanni and his wife, Michelle, started Omnex Accounting, and today they have 16 employees preparing tax returns for some 3,500 individuals and 600 businesses. The office is located on Warren Street, close to their clients.

AHMAD: Before I graduated, I worked for a non-profit organization as a bookkeeper. They needed the help, so I worked with them for a while. I started at $5 an hour, which was good at the time - excellent.

HATTIE: Now, what year was that?

AHMAD: That was 1984.

HATTIE: 1984, $5 an hour, you are out of college; you're a CPA. And they're paying you $5 an hour.

AHMAD: That's all they could afford. I was blessed with a good job. It was a good start.

You always have to start some place, regardless.

We had the organization grow. From a $200,000 budget in a year toI think, we got to $3 million budget (within two years). We quadrupled our staff and then we diversified our services.

One of them was, I found, there was a need for free income tax service for new immigrants and low-income people. We work in centers (in the) afternoon and people come in and we help with their taxes. Because the immigrants did not know what they were entitled to legally. So we were able to educate them, and try to get the refunds or file their taxes correctly, basically. And that grew with knowledge for myself. And then I found out there was a need for an independent office, and that the market did not have that. So I planned it for a year, and then I started doing income taxes out of homes, for people who'd call me up, “You know, I heard you were a good tax preparer. Would you come over?”

You know, then I did that out of visiting homes, out of my briefcase. And then a year later, it was justifiable for me open an office and take the risk on that. So we started in 1987, between my wife and myself.

MICHELLE: In the beginning, it was very slow, and we were growing, but now we're quite large, and it's very time-consuming. I mean there's a lot of things that we do. We do Accounts Payable/Receivable, handling employee issues; we have some commercial properties that I handle, so we a lot of things – not to mention family, of course.

HATTIE: Right, and oh, by the way, three little girls in between.

MICHELLE: Right.

AHMAD: Well, I did maintain my job in the morning, while she stayed in the office. But we did something unique is that we opened the office at different hours, from 11-to-8 in the evening. We found professionals don't have time to come in during the day to do their business.

HATTIE: Like someone running their medical practice --

AHMAD: Exactly. Wouldn't have time.

HATTIE: Is taking care of their patients 8 to 5. So they could come to you at 7 at night.

AHMAD: Anytime you want us. Even Sunday. For the first three years how we did that and we created a loyal based clients. And um, people thought it was weird to have very late hours. To me, I'm a late, I mean I'm an evening person and I enjoy that a lot, basically. And people love this accommodation. And it took us three years basically before I was able to move in full-time into the job.

HATTIE: Thank you so much!

CLIENT: You're welcome.

HATTIE: Ahmad is proud of his clients and would have loved to have introduced us to all 600 of them.

FAYSAL RAHHAL : (speaking Arabic with Ahmad)

AHMAD: That's to say he likes to come here every day.

FAYSAL: (Ahmad) Is my friend. He'll help me anytime. Nobody helped me. My friend helps me.

AHMAD: That's why I think we're unique. Knowing, understanding what the new immigrant agony is, experience is. Is that we take the extra step of assisting them, of making their life easier. And that's why probably we're liked. That's why probably we are successful. Is that really caring about the small thing that the individual wants, you know. The client knowing that you care about that is enough to create the self-respect.

HATTIE: Chaker Aoun owns this beverage distribution company.

CHAKER: We started the company in May 15, 1989, and Ahmad was the first Accounting to talk to and to sub with at that time.

HATTIE: You now have 3,000 accounts?

CHAKER: Around - between 3,000 and 3,500 accounts. We call on those every week.

HATTIE: And you deliver convenience stores, grocery stores –

CHAKER: Convenience stores, supermarkets, gas stations, liquor stores, everything have -- any stores (where) they sell fresh juices and uh water, iced teas, beverages in general.

HATTIE: Okay. How have you grown? What do you think the secret to your success is?

CHAKER: Well, we started from $0, now we're at over $10 million sales a year. Ahmad is one of the people we consult on a monthly basis, a quarterly basis. He advises. He knows his job in the Accounting. He keeps the numbers straight and he makes sure we're doing the right Account ways. The future looks better.

The harder we work, then the luckier we get.

AHMAD: (voiceover) Let's just set up a new one. It's much easier --

HATTIE: Ahmad does more than number-crunching for his clients. He's a business advisor. He helps them value their assets, tangible and intangible. He shows them how they compare to others in the same industry. He provides real estate cost-analysis, employee wage and benefits data. And here, he puts a banker with a client who is ready to expand.

BANKER: As long as you stay within budget you'll be fine.

CLIENT: I'll be fine.

AHMAD: You have experiences that start from 0 ... then you grow with these individuals who come in as the first-starters, and you share with them their experience, their agony to stay in business. And then a year later, two years later, you share with them the success stories, and then the growth and acquisitions and so on.

HATTIE: As he worked to grow his own business, Ahmad has worked to improve the entire neighborhood.

AHMAD: (voiceover) Here we have the entry access to the area.

AHMAD: My initial idea was to set up a Warren Avenue Business Association because I wanted to improve this area. This is the Warren Avenue. This stretch for the last 15 years has improved quite a bit, as Arab Americans have settled in Dearborn as their adopted community. Nice small restaurants popping up, grocery stores, and obviously a lot of professional offices around. It's good it has grown economically. We want to make Arab Town, the destination for people to come and taste the food and so on.

HATTIE: At Omar's Pharaoh's Café, Ahmad meets clients who are also friends and fellow Chamber members. They relax with the traditional Persian tobacco pipes and strong hot tea.

AHMAD: Omar is one of the business owners here who we're very happy to have on this street. He is a Chamber member and he brought in an idea which is very exciting. People can come in here to the café to smoke the arhili, so you might often see people here past midnight, on the street, you know smoking and chatting. It actually gives livelihood to the area.

AHMAD: The three of them are advising me on where to buy furnaces from.

SMOKER: That's where I bought mine from, so I was telling him --

AHMAD: Since he's building a house, and I'm furnishing a house. And they understand where to go. So I bet I get 3-4 advices while I am sitting here.

HATTIE: Just a few blocks away, Ahmad works hard advocating for the Arab American Chamber of Commerce. I met Michael Guido, the Mayor of Dearborn, on the steps of City Hall.

HATTIE: Mr. Mayor, I have a question for you.

MAYOR: Yes ma'am.

HATTIE: I'm Hattie Bryant. I don't live here. I know nothing about Dearborn, except what I'm trying to learn.

MAYOR: Okay.

HATTIE: Why is the Arab American community and the Arab American Chamber important to the city of Dearborn?

MAYOR: Well, it's another leg in a stool of commerce that we have here in the city. I mean, most people know Dearborn as the home of the Ford Motor Company. But in reality, we have a multitude of small businesses. And along Warren Avenue, the Arab community has taken that and helped transform it into one of the most vibrant shopping districts in southeastern Michigan.

HATTIE: You're a visionary --

HATTIE: At the Arab American Chamber of Commerce, Ahmad explains the group's involvement in local, national and international affairs.

AHMAD: We work closely with all local government leaders. And basically, we have a lot of members in Detroit. And our relation is important, so we can facilitate the way business is done in Detroit. We work a lot with Washington, particularly in the White House, because we have also concerns of foreign policies for the administration, that have a direct impact on economic relations.

...if you don't have peace, you don't have economic prosperity.

HATTIE: Ahmad Chebanni knows, he only succeeds when everybody else does. To build his business he concentrates on helping his customers build theirs. This strategy only works for owners who are in it for the long haul. Ahmad's first customers were immigrants, like himself, who came to this country to build a life. Omnex still focuses on the Arab-American community and Ahmad's team is so good, he can now work on growing two other companies, and has time for community volunteer work. His volunteer time is concentrated on neighborhood improvements --- plantings, parking, painting. This all helps his customers and so, he teaches us, “We can only succeed, when our customers do.”

HATTIE: We ate lunch at La Pita which is owned by one of Ahmad's clients, Kasim Shamut.

HATTIE: When did you start La Pita?

KASIM SHAMUT: La Pita was established in 1992.

HATTIE: And you are doing well?

KASIM: Yes, we expanded – the first version of expansion was – we added another 1,400 square feet and now we are building another 12,000 square feet establishment.

HATTIE: Oh – it is beautiful.

HATTIE: They served a beautiful classic middle eastern meal.

CHEF: (names the dishes)

HATTIE: Spices are the chef's secret blend, juices are swirled – it is delicious -- and Pita bread is baked in a traditional brick oven. Ismeal Ahmed is director of a non profit program that helps immigrants.

Ismael: I know Ahmad from when he got out of school and joined Access. Access is a human service center. The largest Arab American human service center in the country.

We were just getting started -- we were just a small store front -- he (Ahmad Chebbani) came on board as our accountant and you know we would write in who gave us money and who didn't. And he would write up a whole accounting system. And today Access is a 15 million dollar a year program. Hundreds of programs ---

HATTIE: So you are the guy that paid him five dollars and hour

Ismael: Yes – (laughter)

HATTIE: This virtual tour of the ancient city of Baalbek was created by Next-Vision, the company Ahmad and his cousin started in 1994. It is based in Beirut with 21 employees and millions in revenues today.

Ahmad: We are an imaging company – we provide imaging services. We do archiving of images, we do 3D rendering services. We take an architectural design, we render it, we create it so an investor or an entrepreneur can see the project before it is built. This is called Baalbek. It is a historical site about 5,000 years old. It is Roman ruins. That was re-constructed by us, by consulting with archeologists and historians basically. And our artists sat down with them and we were able to re-construct the area – how it might have looked when it was originally built. It was very impressive and we built the CD around that so that we can create a virtual tour. Eventually our ultimate goal is to have an individual tour virtually into this old temple that is 5,000 years old.

HATTIE: In 1999, Ahmad started a magazine called Arabica. He was on the right track, hiring talented journalists who created a slick lifestyle publication.

Ahmad: We came up with the magazine to target people who were born here or who had been here a minimum of 7 to 10 years – who were fluent in English and also Americans around the Arab American community who really wanted to learn more. I am also a person who wants others to see how we are as Arab Americans. Because, once people know your culture – where you come from – I think they respect you more. They know you have a past – so you come from someplace.

HATTIE: September 11th changed everything and is proof that smart business owners can't control most outside circumstances. Advertisers fell away and the doors closed on Arabica.

HATTIE: Businessman, husband, father, community leader and New American, Ahmad inspires me. Why do you think immigrants are so successful when they come here?

Ahmad: In the immigrant's mindset – “I have come to a new country, I better have a fresh start. I should do it right this time. If I wasn't successful then, let me try it now.” And being in a country alone – on your own basically – you need to feed and shelter your kids and families. It is a good cause enough to work as hard to prove to yourself that you can support a family and to make a world for yourself. A lot of them have this idea of working hard, a lot of them talk about “party store” (convenience store) owners. Who would want to work 16 hours a day anymore? The only one who can turn this is a new immigrant and this has been proven in the US.

HATTIE: Your parents sent you here. You didn't know English – but you had studied English perhaps in school?

Ahmad: No, I am French educated. I was educated by the Jesuits for 18 to 19 years. And I came here and I had to start over. And that was an experience by itself.

HATTIE: So, you are 19 and your brother is 15 and your family at home expects you to take care of both of you. How did you do it?

Ahmad: It was an exceptional experience. Being in a place, not knowing people – unable to communicate with people. I lived in Chicago, which is a large city basically. Trying to get around was even a story by itself. I had to write notes and directions in my notebook. People were very friendly. It didn't take long basically – maybe 6 months later I was able to communicate and drive a car and move around. There are jobs for non-English speaking people. I did the busboy work for a while. Then I work in service stations. Whatever jobs we could get – I did take. We thought at one point – the only way it had to be done is by being totally independent and doing things our own way. And we did.

HATTIE: So it is like jumping in the ocean and not knowing how to swim.

Ahmad: Exactly. And trying to float – I would say.

HATTIE: You have 16 people here at Omnex. How did you find these good people and then how do you keep them?

Ahmad: We find the best way is bringing people out of college – train them throughout – and then basically have them grow into our business and the way we do business here. And we were very successful in creating a family ambiance in the office. We go outing together. I have taken them on trips and vacations together to Vegas ---

HATTIE: The whole 16?

Ahmad: All of them – yes.

HATTIE: All 16? All of Omnex Accounting and Tax Service goes to Las Vegas?

Ahmad: We take them to Vegas, we take them to Florida. They have chosen Vegas more often. This is a way for them and us to spend more time. After all, when you work with employees, you spend most of your day with people. You spend 8 to 10 hours a day. You see them, you work with them. They not only become employees, they become totally friends. Because, now you interact with their personal lives. This guys getting married, this guy is dating so and so. So this is very exciting. Then it becomes part of our daily lives basically. They have a lot of respect for the business as – we strategize together on issues.

We have to – nobody can run a business without solid employees. If they don't care about the business – maybe they won't even stay here. I have to have employees who care about my business because – if we don't succeed – if they don't help me succeed we all fail.

Employee: I am very proud to have the chance -- to have the opportunity to work here. To serve the community and American to. And to be a part of Omnex.

HATTIE: What is the reputation?

Employee: The reputation of this company is the best. This is the biggest one office operating in the nation.

HATTIE: Really?

Employee: We handle over 3,500 clients for individual income taxes in one single office. We are bigger than H&R Block.

HATTIE: You are bigger than H&R Block?

Employee: For one office

HATTIE: For one office – okay – this one office cranks out more tax returns than any other one office in America.

Employee: You got that right.

Employee: Ahmad gives you the opportunity to all of his employees to learn from their mistakes and he gives opportunities especially to students who just graduate. Like he is open-minded. You can do mistakes, if you want to learn. And he treats all customers well.

Employee: When you know what you are doing – you just plug it in – here we go. Boom – boom -- boom.

HATTIE: Okay, so good systems -- good experience.

Employee: Good systems, good software – good boss here. Makes everybody happy.

HATTIE: He makes everybody happy? How does he do that?

Employee: Sure – he does that by socializing with us at Christmas time we go party, when you have a birthday coming up – cake -- sing for you. We feel like it is a family business. We don't feel like he is our boss – he is like our brother. He is so sweet.

HATTIE: You compete – offering –

Employee: Wages – benefits and wages – they have to have that. These people work for some reason. People work for financial rewards and we have to provide that to people. And also one other benefit is that --- not only do they receive the fair competitive compensation – they also have to receive a comfort zone in their life. The flexibility – the flex hours we provide -- the casual dress. Because professionalism is not only the way you dress – professional is also the knowledge you carry around. This is what it is.

HATTIE: The way you deliver those documents – take care of those clients.

Ahmad: That's right. Caring about people.

Employee: He can teach you anything. He can introduce you. He can build a good personality of you. He is a smart guy.

Ahmad: We are most successful because people out there respect the business – respect who they work with in the office. And we don't want to lose them to anybody else. This is the key here is – working in a small business versus a corporate environment. People tend to see it as a more value in a small business than in a corporate environment because you count for something. You are heard, your actions are measured with certain results. And you are valued at that and you are commended for that. And this is what really counts in life basically. People pat you on the back and say, “look – you have done this and we have grown so much because of your idea.” And that is important for people.

Employee: Ahmad is a very respectful person. Ahmad has a vision -- he plans. That is what I respect about him, he plans things. When it comes to characters, he is a very good judge of characters.

Employee: He teaches you how to look for the small details to find the gaps to make sure that your work is right – no mistakes. You have to be careful for the numbers. That is why we have the highest reputation in the area.

Employee: Whenever it comes to perfection, they can call Omnex.

Ahmad: It is really dedication. It's knowing what I want and what I wanted to be basically. And work for it on a daily basis. I found it is achievable. And we work through this on a year to year plan. And we found out -- as we were achieving our plan on an annual basis, we move to set newer goals.

Michelle: Besides good character, honestly, loyalty, hard-working, faithful – all of those good things – I think he has the Midas touch. I think whatever he touches is success.

Ahmad: Success is basically -- affording the things that I want, providing to my family the proper education, having a comfortable home and doing things that I always wanted to do. But this is also materialistically speaking. The other success is -- knowing that people respect you. I think this is the key here. It is not only you making money, growing a business – that means nothing if people do not respect you. Knowing that people respect you – what you have done for them – that you have shared some common history. I think that is success enough.

HATTIE: For those of us who are in business for the long haul, we can learn from Ahmad Chebbani. He knows he only succeeds when everybody else does. To build his business he concentrates on helping his customers build theirs.

HATTIE: (In the Studio) Texas Jet is a fixed-base operation at Meacham Field on the north side of Fort Worth, Texas. Every pilot who stops here gets red-carpet treatment and they are mailed a thank you note with a customer survey card enclosed. The survey is printed on a card with return postage paid. Owner, Reed Pigman, says this technique gets him a 33% response rate. Staying in touch with customers, listening to their ideas, and saying thank you, is at the root of Reed's success.

This idea is good for growing companies and also for the 15 million of you out there who operate a company of one. Don't ever be afraid to ask customers what they think.

The Closing of the Show