Try this on for size! At 18 years old you immigrate to the United States from an "average” Pakistani family to Cleveland, Ohio, to attend college. You carry 500 borrowed dollars in your pocket. A single driving force propels you: a burning desire to succeed.
Your only family in America, a cousin who is to help, is “not doing well” and cannot help, after all. You land a grocery store security job in a gang-infested neighborhood, rent a basement sleeping room, and enroll in a community college. You sleep 4-5 hours each night, 6-7 nights a week.
You study on, and a kind man helps you get a third-shift assembly line job which your co-workers detest but you love because it pays decent money and enables you to complete your BA in accounting at Cleveland State University, after which you land a job in the then-largest investment bank in Ohio.
You study yet more, and in time graduate from Case Western Reserve University with an MBA in Finance and Investment Banking. A Chicago insurance company hires you, but within five years, you become a key executive, responsible for a $4B premium revenue, of the entire Midwest region of one of the largest insurance companies in the world! Not too shabby, Mr. Moin Syed Haque of Naperville!
Meanwhile, this Mr. Haque found he had an uncanny knack for real estate investing and within four years his investment portfolio numbered about one dozen properties.
Smart friends and family sought and used Moin’s advice, and likewise, couldn’t loose! Haque thrilled to the ability to help others change their lives though real estate!
“I thought outside the box, focused on others’ needs, and really wanted to help,” explained Moin. So, why not study more, he thought, and Haque became a real estate agent in 2006. Now he could officially help even more people achieve dreams, while adding to his corporate salary.
He worked for a few real estate brokers but kept looking for an office to best align with his talents and values. Haque heard about Prospect Equities® (PE), headquartered in Oakbrook where he saw the expanding, young company that Broker-Owner Rich Killian, also young, had built in just eight years. PE offered clients one-stop-shopping with title, mortgage and attorney services, plus PE handled both commercial and residential real estate.
“I made the right decision moving my license to this exceptional office, Prospect Equities” said Haque who in 1996 had started investing in real estate part time and then moved to PE in 2009.
But a major dilemma surfaced. Moin treasured his position, his colleagues and all of his coworkers. His gratitude to his company could not have been deeper. Still, given the expansion of Moin’s real estate business, he envisioned endless opportunities to help people to truly change their lives.
Come 2011, Moin had determined he must pursue his real estate passion as he could no longer do both. He submitted his resignation in the spring. Real estate had won.
“You must think this through again,” his shocked boss urged trying to discourage Haque from all angles. Moin took that advice, but by July, his decision was firm. He couldn’t say no to the expanding dream in his heart.
“I had to face where I could be most happy, add value to the world and feel most aligned with my values, character and personality,” said the people-lover. Moin well knew his passion for real estate where work was like play every day, and he knew he could help others make real changes in their lives. Real estate won hands down again! He’d combine having fun and earning a living. How could he loose? While valuing money, the potential to help others meant more.
Once settled full time with PE, Moin focused 100% and laid out long-term plans. As Illinois’s first real estate company licensed in 2010 to sell franchises, PE’s franchise opportunity had only stirred Moin’s visions. How excited he got thinking about motivating others to sell real estate with a caring, genuine heart to help. Owning a franchise would offer another avenue of influence. Within months, completely self-assurance and convicted, Haque bought the PE franchise and had found an ideal Naperville location right where he lives!
“I love the PE business model with its tiny fees and 100% commission to agents. That will make a difference for my family and families of my agents. I can meet my obligations and fulfill my goals. I will follow my passion and fulfill my belief in what I can do,” said Moin who labels himself a “blessed person, a lucky man with a loving, supportive wife and three beautiful children”.
All American, Moin’s favorite pastime has become watching professional baseball and football with his oldest son Eabad who guides his growing grasp of American sports. However, Cub fan Eabad continues challenged. Moin insists on backing both the Cubs and Sox. But perhaps we give him some slack. Moin’s first loyalty lies forever with the Cleveland Indians.
“I can make my own destiny, be a role model, and motivate others showing them our long-term potential,” said Moin, who has been inspired by the success of his countrymen since he arrived in the USA. If they could make it, so could he, he’s always believed.
“In conventional jobs, others control one’s destiny. You work within their boundaries. They judge you,” he said adding that in real estate, he gets heartfelt compliments all the time. But as the boss himself, he will have no limits. If he errs, he can bear down and learn what to do differently the next time.
“Real estate is a great fit for me because I love to connect with people,” he concluded, eyes twinkling.
What enables Moin’s success? He believes: put your own interests on the side, listen to others, and fully analyze the facts. Then present all the options to a client so he can make the decision that works for him. Clients trust Moin with this knee-jerk second nature, putting others first. In his former positions this ever-rising star earned and enjoyed the respect, appreciation, and affection of his bosses and fellow staff.
“Money is a great reward, but I can best help people holding the reigns. I feel great when I close business or make the impossible possible. Even if there’s no money and I give good advice that helps someone, I’m rewarded,” said Haque who credits his finance background for a broader investment perspective that clearly discerns risks and rewards as he advises clients.
“The United States is the land of opportunity, and the greatest country on the face of the earth. Nowhere in the world could I have achieved what I have here, even in my homeland,” further declares Moin adding that Americans can’t see what they’ve got. They take this country for granted.
Given his fine fortune he wants to do something to make his country proud and give back to people. He believes in hope, courage, and passion.
“Bring your own desire, trust yourself, and don’t loose hope, or get discouraged. You can make a difference,” he advises. He’s done that coming from a country where English is not the first language and being green about the US. But he watched, learned, always worked hard, set goals, and made his way.
“I never give up. People made fun of me for always being in school, but I will continue to aspire and work for more.
“The USA offers perfect freedom of religion,” said Moin who says his kids must treat others with respect and as human beings. We need to build bridges and focus on what unites us, not divides us.
“People stereotype others, but we all share the same goals. We want to do well for our families and live in peace,” says Haque whose humble heart, wisdom, and love of people make him someone to listen to indeed.
