In the bustling streets of Manhattan’s Chinatown, Luo Jiaxin’s restaurant stands as a testament to perseverance and the American dream. At 61, Luo has transformed from a newcomer who couldn’t speak English to a successful business owner who now helps others follow in her footsteps.
“I came here by myself at that time, and I didn’t know anyone here,” Luo recalls. Born in rural Guangdong, China, where educational opportunities for girls were scarce at the time, Luo was inspired to seek a better life after hearing stories about a cousin’s success in America.
The transition wasn’t easy. At 22, Luo faced the daunting challenges of learning a new language and adapting to American culture. Her first job as a server in a Chinatown restaurant proved challenging, with some customers refusing her service due to the language barrier. However, her employers became her mentors, teaching her English during quiet moments in the restaurant.
“The boss’s wife would patiently correct my pronunciation over and over again,” Luo says, crediting their support for her eventual success. Years of dedication paid off when she partnered with her former employers to open her own branch restaurant, which has since become a neighborhood staple.
Today, Luo’s restaurant does more than serve food – it serves as a steppingstone for other immigrants. She employs newcomers who, like her younger self, struggle with English, and teaches them the language in her spare time. “If she hadn’t been willing to give us this job, we might not have money to eat,” one employee shares gratefully.
When asked about her commitment to helping others, Luo smiles and shares her philosophy: “I want to spread kindness and love to the world. Today I helped them, then tomorrow they will help others.” She believes that “kindness is like the warm sunshine, it makes people feel warmth of the world.”
Luo’s story represents more than personal success – it embodies the ripple effect of community support and the power of paying it forward. Her restaurant has become not just a business, but a beacon of hope for newcomers seeking their own American dream.
As our conversation ends, the dinner rush begins, and Luo returns to work, greeting customers with the warm smile that has become her trademark. In the heart of Chinatown, she continues to serve not just meals, but also the hope and kindness that were once served to her.
By Emily Wu