Why Immigrant Entrepreneurs Beat the Odds | Neri Karra Sillaman

What separates entrepreneurs who build lasting companies from those who fail?

In this episode of Show Your Value, Lee Benson sits down with Neri Karra Sillaman, immigrant entrepreneur, academic researcher, and author of Pioneers, to unpack the mindset behind long term business success.

Born into the Turkish minority in communist Bulgaria, Neri’s family fled the country when she was 11 years old. She lived in a refugee camp before eventually building a global luxury manufacturing company that produces for brands like Prada. Her story is powerful. The lessons are practical.

This conversation goes far beyond inspiration.

You will learn:

• Why immigrant entrepreneurs start businesses at significantly higher rates
• How to reframe failure as information instead of defeat
• Why raising money too early can weaken a company
• What “fry in your own oil” means for founders
• The difference between chasing profit and building legacy
• How social capital can outweigh financial capital
• Why long term impact creates sustainable growth

If you are a founder, CEO, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode challenges conventional startup thinking and offers a blueprint for building a company that lasts decades instead of funding cycles.

Learn more about Neri’s book Pioneers
Connect with Neri at neryspeaks.com

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