The road to success for this immigrant family is hard work, sacrifice, and helping others build a foundation for their success.
In 1980, Cubans were allowed to leave the island, and they left en masse via what became known as the Mariel boatlift. An estimated 125,000 Cubans left Cuba for the United States. Overnight, our extended family came to Tampa, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and many cousins. The freedom Emilio and Carmen sought in the 60s and were able to realize was now available to more families two decades later. The courage and guts these people had to take that leap of faith in search of freedom and independence and to travel by small boats through the treacherous waters across the Caribbean Sea from Cuba to South Florida were astounding. Survivors claimed Fidel Castro would only allow the boats and vessels to set sail for the United States when it was stormy and windy out on the water. It was like a final “screw you” to anyone wanting to leave Cuba.
With all the extended family on U.S. soil, getting the families off on the right foot by finding adult employment, enrolling the young kids in schools, and getting everyone “set up” for success was important. We all made many sacrifices. Emilio and Carmen demonstrated authentic altruism to ensure everyone acclimated to their new country, which they had called home for several years. My family’s desire and ability to achieve the American Dream were now being shared with and enjoyed by several other families. Looking back, it was like witnessing the events of September 1969 all over again. The formula for success had no secret or luck; it was simple yet not easy. Hard work, determination, and perseverance through difficult times, language barriers, and learning new customs were what it took to achieve success. It was something available to all in the United States. The opportunity was present for those that wanted to get ahead.
Fast forward to the 1990s; by then, the eldest son Tony was in the military, and Hiran was attending college and working part-time. With the significant duty of child rearing behind them, Emilio and Carmen began to slow down as they entered their retirement phase. Emilio and Carmen purchased a second home as an investment to supplement their income during retirement and set it up as a rental property. They found the process exciting and could see how lucrative it could be. The prospect of being landlords appealed to them, and soon, they leveraged their assets and purchased their third property. Still working and saving money, they could buy “gently used” homes that needed a bit of tender loving care. They also began to learn a bit about home remodeling and repair. They enjoyed putting their time and energy into these home projects.
The years passed, and they came to own five homes together. They mastered the art of real estate negotiation, and Carmen especially had a knack for selecting suitable tenants. Emilio and Carmen were definitely “hands on” landlords. They would frequently engage with their tenants and immediately see to any issues. A happy tenant is a good tenant. It seemed that the American Dream unfolded most unexpectedly for them, and they were enjoying the fruits of their labor.
Hiran is a proud first-generation Cuban-American who credits his success in life, in no small part, to the courage of his parents and the sacrifices they made so their family could have a better life. Hiran wrote this story to honor that legacy.
This story was originally published on July 15, 2021.
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Next week - The conclusion to An American Dream. Part 4. Giving Back.
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