EL DORADO COUNTY, Calif. (November 26, 2023) – In a quiet observation, Matthew Chitiea recently noted a shift in management at his local car wash in El Dorado Hills, now under East Indian ownership. Speculation arises that this change might be more than a simple transition but a strategic move towards exploiting a “vertical” market.
Cris Alarcon suspects a holistic approach by the new owners, beyond bulk supply purchases, involving collaborative services and marketing efforts for enhanced cost-effectiveness. This echoes a business strategy reminiscent of his own experiences with Filipino workers during his construction business days.
Drawing from personal anecdotes, Alarcon reminisces about hiring industrious Filipino workers in their 20s, who demonstrated exceptional work ethic and discipline. These workers, organized in shared accommodations, maximized their efficiency by handling household tasks collectively, allowing them to dedicate long hours to work.
Alarcon’s narrative unfolds a pattern: years of hard work, disciplined financial management, and diligent saving led these workers to retire as prosperous individuals, realizing dreams such as owning ranches and becoming cattlemen back in their home country.
The parallel drawn by Alarcon speculates that East Indians might be applying a similar strategy, this time in the gas station convenience store niche market. By working collaboratively and embracing a disciplined lifestyle, they could be creating a path to long-term financial success, akin to the Filipino workers in Alarcon’s past.
In his contemplation, Alarcon urges Americans to glean lessons from such immigrant communities. He advocates for a work ethic and self-sacrifice that builds wealth over generations, contrasting it with the tendency of some Americans to rely on immediate benefits without an eye towards the future.
Alarcon invokes the historical narrative of the United States, built on the hard work and sacrifice of immigrants. However, he notes a cautionary tale – the risk of losing accumulated wealth after a few generations of comfortable living.
It reminded Alarcon of a saying,
“When opportunity knocks, open the door.”
Thomas A. Edison wrote,
“Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work.”
Citing famous quotes from Thomas A. Edison, Alarcon emphasizes the importance of recognizing opportunities, even if they demand hard work. The underlying message encourages a proactive approach to grasp opportunities, reminding us that success often requires effort dressed in overalls.
In this tale of shifting ownership and entrepreneurial strategies, Alarcon prompts reflection on the enduring principles of hard work, discipline, and a forward-looking mindset. It’s a narrative that resonates beyond business ownership, inviting a broader dialogue on values and work ethics.
