Young Laotian-American businessman Pida Kongphouthone is the owner and president of the California Capital and Investment Group, which has been in business for three years with assets currently worth $2,500,000.
The company will soon move into a new 8,000 square feet headquarters, The California Capital and Investment Group has 50 sales agents who can provide services in more than ten languages.
Pida says in an interview with VOA, “I am very proud and happy to work with many people. I enjoy working with people, especially helping the Laotian-American community here in Southern California. As of now, CCIG can provide services in more than 10 languages. We have a diverse group of people working for us, ranging from African-Americans, Europeans, and Asians. These agents are very smart and talented people who know the culture and traditions of many different backgrounds. They can assist people in finding the right home to buy.”
Pida came to the United States when he was merely three years old with his parents and one sister. The family resettled in San Diego, California. Pida didn’t know the difference between Lao and American cultures then because he was too young.
Despite all the difficulties in assimilating into the American way of life, Pida managed to finish his college degree. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Political Sciences. He had wanted to become a lawyer, but turned into a realtor and financial businessman instead.
Currently, CCIG has a real-estate license to operate in California only but is licensed to provide loans in several states throughout the nation. Pida told us he is very happy to lead the company to this point but, five years from now, Pida would like to see his company moving toward the next level, having several offices in many different states and hope-fully employing more of Laotian-American agents.
Concluding the interview, Pida offers these advices to would-be home buyers: Obtain a credit report to find out how good or how bad it is. And if the score is low, we suggest that you try to improve it and we can look for ways to help you. Make sure that you like the neighborhood that you will move into, taking into account how far or how close it is to your work, school, church and shopping. What is your budget? Take into account all the factors that will be included in your mortgage. Don’t rush, take your time to make sure that you will love the home you will move into once you decide to buy."
Listen to our interview with Pida for more details in Lao.