SMALL BUSINESS MONTH: FOUNDER STORIES

May is Small Business Month. Lexicon Bank celebrates its advocacy and support by sharing stories and encouragement from a group of inspiring clients who are not only moving their Las Vegas businesses forward but also supporting the communities in which they live.

THE SMALL BUSINESS MONTH PANEL

Nevada's Small Business Administration economic profile states that there were over 270,000 small businesses in Nevada as of 2020 and more than 480,000 people employed by a small business, which represented over 40 percent of overall workers in the state.

Without a doubt, small businesses are the backbone of our economy, particularly within our Southern Nevada communities, and continue to do so as the city grows.

April Wilson, VP/Relationship Manager of Lexicon Bank, served as a moderator of questions for these incredible Southern Nevada business owners as the Bank strives to continue supporting and igniting the positive momentum of any small business. Below is an abbreviated summary of responses to serve as encouragement and advice for fellow small business owners, professionals and other aspiring entrepreneurs.

1. Tell us about yourself - How did you become an entrepreneur? 

Alex Khalaf: Jimmy Buffet sings about being the son of the son of a sailor. I was destined to be the son of the son of the son of an entrepreneur. My great-grandfather immigrated from Palestine to the USA in 1912. He sold rugs and tapestries in New York City inside a wholesale company he established. His son, my grandfather, did not care for the big city and preferred traveling. He drove west and sold similar products door to door to farmers and ranchers all over America. His son, my father, loved the southwest and began trading rugs and tapestries for turquoise and silver jewelry with the Santa Domingo, Navajo, and Zuni Native Americans. I was born on the Navajo reservation in 1974 and that is where my life journey began. My parents wanted me and my four sisters to have better educations than available on the reservation so we moved to a magical little place called Aspen. I worked in my parent’s jewelry and crystal shop in my middle and high school years. My father was the best teacher I ever had. He helped me learn how to spot the beauty in crystals, gemstones, and fossils… how to source them and how to sell them. Unfortunately, when I was 17 years old, my father had some health and financial challenges. I learned what an eviction notice was, worked hard after school and on weekends to salvage my father’s business. With the grace of God, business improved, creditors accepted my payment plans on my father’s debts, and everything worked out. Thank God, my father’s health improved and he returned to run his store too.

Joe Ferraro: I have been in sales and sales management my entire adult life - three-time previous business owner. I like to lead with integrity, honesty, and I believe that brings back repeat business, which is how I grew the business. I have never been so passionate about any other endeavor. I truly have fun every day, and I have the right people in place in all positions. It’s very exciting to have a staff that shares your passion—they will tell you themselves why they fit in here because they have the same values. It’s been an 18 year journey and to find a group like this team is a blessing.

Mike DiAsio: My wife, Jackie, and I are originally from Cleveland, Ohio. When we moved to Las Vegas in 2006, Jackie took a position with the previous owners of Visiting Angels. I was in banking. In 2010, the previous owners decided to retire and asked us if we wanted to purchase the business. And, here we are today.

Chris Jackson: I used to work for Apple Computer at their corporate office in Cupertino, California. I was in charge of special projects and was part of Apple’s major growth at this time. Although I was living my dream and gaining success I wanted to set a different example for my son. I spent half of my life as an employee and wanted the next chapter to be entrepreneurial so my son could have both examples set for him. It was at this time I moved to Las Vegas and went into business for myself.

Brett Blanton: Our Benyeh team collectively has been in Las Vegas for the past 60 years where we have a passion for hospitality and the community. We have had the opportunity to work at some of the best casinos and venues in Las Vegas, which is how we all met. In every role we have held respectively we have always held those venues or establishments as they were our own, we have always been entrepreneurs at heart.

2. When did you first open your business and what inspired you to do so?

Alex Khalaf: In 1996, I traveled to China to develop higher margin gemstone jewelry and gift items that I could market in tradeshows to more jewelry and gift stores. By 1999, my wife Fahima and I were blessed with our first two sons: RJ and Rami. We were starting to feel a little cooped up living in such a small seasonal ski resort. Also, the new products we started importing were gaining traction with more wholesale customers. Thus, we moved from Aspen back to New Mexico to establish our new wholesale business because we needed more affordable labor and warehouse space. My Uncle Bob and Uncle Nash were established in Gallup, NM. They were extremely supportive and helpful in making the big move there. A year later, it made sense to move from Gallup to Las Vegas because we were exhibiting at multiple Las Vegas trade shows leading us to do a good amount of business with the gaming industry. Equally as important, my wife and I faced the same challenges with the quality of education for our sons on the reservation. Thus, Las Vegas became home for us in 2000. A year later we were blessed with our third son Mohammad. And in 2006 the greatest gift of all was delivered, our daughter Jannah. My kids inspire me day in and day out.

Chris Jackson: I opened North American Commercial in December 2016. I had a very accomplished friend convey that he wanted to become an owner of an NBA basketball team. This was a very accomplished individual who was dreaming big. This influenced me to start dreaming bigger and also helped me come up with the name North American Commercial.

Brett Blanton: We happily opened our doors Oct 21, 2020 in lieu of the pandemic navigating before and after opening our doors, believing it was our time. We always strive to do our utmost to deliver a superior, elevated product by always being inspired by smiles.

3. What words of advice would you give to other small business owners as they navigate this new era of business?

Alex Khalaf: Be ADAPTIVE and say YES. Big business is getting bigger each day. A small a business's greatest advantage is being able to shift gears or lanes and make changes faster than the big guys. The old cliché is true… ‘the only constant is change’. We learned that especially this past Covid year. Everything can seem stable and fine, yet forces beyond our control can disrupt the status quo. That is ok. That is good. God only gives us good. The bad can have a tough disguise, but if we look inward and if we are flexible, change can and should be good. And along the way, saying YES opens more doors and creates more opportunities. One YES can open more doors and lead to more opportunities. Saying NO closes doors and reduces opportunity. Be ADAPTIVE and say YES.

Joe Ferraro: I think it must be your passion, the reason you get up every morning, and love to get out the door and go do it. If it is not your passion, wait for something that is. Put processes in place to be the absolute best in the business because anything less than that, will lead to mediocrity. Then lead with integrity for both your clients and your employees. If you take care of them, they will take care of you. You must surround yourself with employees who care to do their best.

Brett Blanton: It’s a marathon not a race; it’s all about endurance; use the assets available to you. Ask questions, double check your work, strive for perfection. 

4. What do you hope to see happen in the Southern Nevada small business community in coming years?

Mike DiAsio: Hopefully, the small business community can accelerate Southern Nevada’s plan to diversify its economy.

Chris Jackson: Nevada is still a business friendly state. Staying the course is paramount to our States growth. The only thing I would like to see change is diversification of industries. Engineering, tech and other high income salary jobs all create revenue that goes back into our community. It’s within this extra layer that Nevada will gain economic depth and growth.

Chef Orady Ditgnavong: Supporting one another and hoping to see more original concepts and brands coming out of Las Vegas.

5. Where do you find support in our Las Vegas community? 

Joe Ferraro: In 2013 we opened more appropriately as Closets Las Vegas. My wife Dianne is 51% owner and I hold the remaining 49%. I have been involved with the Southern Nevada Home Builders Association since I opened the business. Then in 2014, I was asked by its president if I would be willing to host a monthly builder’s mixer event at my office. I agreed to do so as I saw an opportunity to meet all the builders at once.... this became the start of our builder growth at Closets Las Vegas. I found myself surrounded by the same “like minded” individuals and the biggest leaders in the home building industry whose mantra is “those who belong care.”

Jackie DiAsio: Everywhere. We have found the Las Vegas community to be both welcoming and helpful.

Chris Jackson: We have tons of support. We help thousands of business owners expand and grow their businesses through Commercial Real Estate. By putting customers first this allows us to help the local community move one step closer to living their dream. Because of our unique position we find tons of support from business owners, friends and colleges in CRE. 

6. What are your future plans?

Alex Khalaf: We have locations inside the Forum Shops at Caesars Palace and The Grand Canal Shoppes at The Venetian. We started construction in December 2020 for two new locations inside McCarran International Airport. We look forward to having them open and ready to welcome our visitors in the coming weeks. We also plan on opening our local 14,000 sqft warehouse to local designers and collectors. We want to make it easier for folks looking for great Crystals, Gemstones, Fossils, and Metal Art.

Please do not ask me about retirement—it is not for me. My life is my work and my work is my life and I love it. Our business is more fun than ever because we have so many team members making such impactful and positive contributions each day. Lastly, the bonus for me is passing on the knowledge my father taught me to my three sons who are helping make KALIFANO a five generation old family business, with God’s will.

Joe Ferraro: Closets Las Vegas is looking for a new facility, more than twice the size of the one we are in now. We are continuing our growth bringing in more clients, more product lines, and expanding our capabilities of existing lines. Once we just did closet organizers, throughout the home and garage. Now, window treatments, such as shades, shutters, blinds, and drapes. One year ago, we started a new floor coating system - our own product created from my partner’s 32 years in the business. Coming soon by fourth quarter are wine cellars that are both cooled and decorative and countertop restoration with our liquid process that will look like marble granite or artwork exceeding all quality and pricing expectations of remodelers. Two more product lines will start with our first quarter 2021.

It is both exciting and rewarding that after all these years of chasing after business, asking for just an opportunity to show what we can do, we are now being sought after by those same people. And we welcome them with open arms.

Mike DiAsio: We plan to hire as many additional employees as possible to allow us to continue to assist the growing senior population in Southern Nevada.

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