In this episode
Meet Haysam Sakar, a proud US citizen who has overcome multiple hardships in his life to achieve the American dream. Born and raised in Giza, Egypt, to an Egyptian mother and a Palestinian refugee father, Haysam inherited his father's refugee status despite living his whole life in Egypt. His family owned a successful tourism business until the Gulf War hit and they lost most of their business. Haysam's father was determined to provide quality education for his children, and his struggles and determination taught Haysam how to have an iron will.
Haysam graduated with a degree in Accounting and Financing in 1997. Fate intervened when a distant relative from Staten Island, New York, offered him a plane ticket to NYC upon hearing about Haysam's educational success. Despite the refugee status that had been one of his greatest hurdles, it was now his greatest blessing, as he received a visa on his first attempt. Haysam started at the bottom, working for his uncle who distributed baby formula to all the State of New York, cleaning up fecal messes made from cats chasing mice in the warehouse. He worked his way up the ladder and built a successful career in car sales, eventually moving to Utah where he has lived for the past 21 years with his wife, Lexie, and their five sons.
Haysam is the CEO of Action Solar and has been involved in local politics, advocating for small business owners in Orem, Utah. He is currently the chair of the Planning Commission and volunteers with the Orem Police Department. Haysam's story is an inspiration for all those who have faced hardships and struggles in life.
