Qing Hammell, a native of China, explains how global knowledge helped her achieve the American Dream.
Hammell immigrated to the US 20 years ago in order to pursue a MBA at Claremont Graduate University.
Upon graduation she pursued a career in financial investment which took her all across the Western Hemisphere. It was during these travels that Hammell decided she wanted to open her own business, and with a lifelong passion for food she decided to become a Teriyaki Madness franchisee. Hammell currently owns one location in the Denver area and plans to expand to three more within the next year and a half. During an intimate interview, Hammell explains the three most important lessons she has learned from her global travels and how they have helped her to successfully achieve the American dream.
The first lesson Hammell had was to search far and wide for a good fit. She discussed how important it is to find a company that offers a good product and also supports their franchisees. Hammell decided Teriyaki Madness was the right fit for her based on the high quality of its ingredients as well as a feeling that the franchisor was always working hard, and was willing to listen in order to make the franchisees more successful.
Lesson two, according to Hammell is to let your professional background help, and not hinder your new business. She has used many skills from her global travels but warns that franchising and running a restaurant is not easy if you are not prepared. It is important to learn how to manage people as well as learn the internal structure of the company.
The last important lesson Hammell had to offer was to respect, and give back to the community. As a Teriyaki Madness franchisee she reaches out to local schools to help with fundraising and is thinking about placing a community bulletin board in her location. Hammell explains why supporting the community is so important to her, “I came here with nothing, and I always had so many people help. Now I feel it’s my turn to return the favor and help other people as I was helped.”
To read the full interview with Qing Hammell click here.
