Stratosphere Hotel &
Stratosphere Hotel & Casino S U B S C R I B E ! The Stratosphere Casino, Hotel & Tower has everything you need for an unforgettable vacation. Our full-service casino has all of your favorite games for the most exciting casino experience in town—over a thousand slot machines and dozens of table games. In addition to gaming on our casino floor, look for Bikini Blackjack at Stratosphere’s Level 8 Pool. The resort style pool and recreation deck is a beautiful oasis surrounded by the city. Or enjoy the highest pool in Las Vegas, the secluded, adult-only Beach Club 25, discretely tucked away on the 25th floor and offering panoramic views of Las Vegas. The Stratosphere is the place to be for live entertainment daily, relaxing at our international salon and spa, shopping at our Tower Shops, and eating at our Top of the World Restaurant— home to the best views in Las Vegas. Call Venice for 4th of July weekend specials. 702-380-7688 (office) 702-287-0268 (cell) Venice Yaldo venice.yaldo@acepllc.com Middle Eastern Marketing SUBSCRIPTIONS DUES 12-Month subscription 12-Month online only I wish to subscribe to the Chaldean News for 12 issues Please fill in your name and address below: Name ____________________________________________________________________________ Address ___________________________________________________________________________ City ___________________________________ State _____ Zip _____________________ Phone ______________________________ E-mail _____________________________ Please mail the form, with a check made payable to: The Chaldean News, Attn: Subscriptions 29850 Northwestern Highway, Suite 250 • Southfield, MI 48034 Phone: (248) 996-8360 • Fax: (248) 996-8342 www.chaldeannews.com Mazin Sandiha owns numerous businesses with his siblings, including this Save a Lot food store. BUSINESS continued from page 26 common goal to succeed and provide for our families,” said Kassa. “We have all worked together since childhood.” Not only have they grown up in the businesses and with each other, each plays a key role in the business by bringing various skill sets to the daily operation. Raad Kathawa came to the United States more than 40 years ago and said his current work ethic, which he now passes down to his three children including 25-year-old Ryan, who works with him, was something instilled in him in Iraq. “Our cultural influences in business started many years ago in Chaldean Christian villages in the Nineveh Valley,” said Kathawa. “It wasn’t uncommon for entire families to work the farm — fathers, sons, cousins, everyone. Even when families moved out of the villages to larger cities, they continued that same mentality of operating family businesses.” Raad’s grandfather on his mother’s side left northern Iraq for Baghdad, became a fabric merchant and operated the business with his brothers. When Raad and his family moved to America, he first went into business with his brothers. As the years passed, they had families of their own and today Raad and his son Ryan manage Ryan’s Supermercado in Mexicantown. Like Kathawa, Nick Sandiha and his siblings partnered in retail businesses decades ago. They started out like most Chaldeans, in the retail service industry owning and operating grocery stores, which are still a key holding in their portfolio. Over the last 15 years, they have ventured into owning, developing and managing commercial real estate, gas stations and hotels. Today, older nieces and nephews are joining the family business. Tying culture with the Chaldean Catholic faith, Sandiha agrees that the Chaldean culture influences business success. “First and foremost is our strong belief in the Lord Jesus Christ; without Him nothing is possible,” said Sandiha. “As most Chaldeans back home, my father came from a very hard-working, closeknit family. Nothing was given to them and they had to work day and night to help support the family. It’s that same strong belief, hard work ethic, dedication and drive that have played a huge role in our success today.” This is all reflective of Spurlock’s research. “Chaldeans are very good at building social capital through social networks and this is part of their ‘tool kit.’ Social networks are driven by distinctive cultural features brought from Iraq but persevered in the United States by family traditions. These in turn make Chaldeans great at building networks and these social ties have been incorporated into family business.” Spurlock described how a collective attitude towards the family’s welfare and family business is part of a person’s identity. It is not imposed but rather “is part of a person’s everyday life, without conscious deliberation. Rather, Chaldeans just know they need to take care of their families.” Chaldean roots are deep and imbedded in those roots is a strong work ethic. “These values were instilled in us by our grandfather,” said Kassa. “He always stressed the fact that success is a result of dedication to church and family, cohesiveness, strong family values and hard work.” “Without holding onto our culture that we took with us to the larger cities in Iraq and eventually to the U.S., it would be difficult to be successful,” said Kathawa. “Trust, loyalty, respect and hard work are key to the success of any business,” said Sandiha. “We are blessed and fortunate to have these traits within our family. For the most part we always figure out ways to make decisions when there are differences of opinion. We have a sense of cohesion. Deep down, we really care about each other and we can get through the difficult times that every business faces.” 28 CHALDEAN NEWS JULY 2010
AC MILAN PANATHINAIKOS Tickets available at silverdometickets.com, Silverdome Box Office or charge by phone at 248-338-2500. Group sales available. SOUTHFIELD Southfield Dodge Chrysler Jeep welcomes ZIA ORAM to their sales team! Stop in Today, Zia beats ALL deals! Office: (248) 354-2950 Direct: (248) 794-9676 Southfield Dodge Chrysler Jeep 28100 Telegraph Rd. • Southfield, MI 48034 Hours: Mon & Thurs 9am-9pm Tues, Wed, Fri 9am-6pm • Sat 10am-3pm W W W. L E A S E F O R L E S S . C O M JULY 2010 CHALDEAN NEWS 29
