02 February 2009
Iranian-American Entrepreneur Discusses Immigration, Technology
CO.NX webchat transcript, February 2
Iranian-American entrepreneur Ali Reza Manouchehri, chief executive of MetroStar Systems Inc., discussed immigration, education in the United States and entrepreneurship in a CO.NX webchat on February 2.
Following is the transcript:
(begin transcript)
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Bureau of International Information Programs
Webchat Transcript
CO.NX Chat: Immigration and Entrepreneurship
Guest: Ali Reza Manouchehri
Date: February 2, 2009
Time: 8 a.m. EST (13:00 GMT)
Tim (Webchat Moderator): Enter your questions below. We are receiving all your questions and post answers once our chat begins.
Tim (Webchat Moderator): Hello and thanks for coming. We would like to welcome our guest Ali Reza Manouchehri, CEO of MetroStar Systems, Inc. He is receiving your questions and will begin posting answers shortly.
Comment [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Good morning everyone, it is great being here on this webcast with you all. I will start answering some of the questions submitted earlier and then we will get this chat going.
Comment [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: My parents moved here to the States before the Islamic Revolution in Iran. I went back with them during High School in the early 90's and finished in Tehran and came back for College at George Mason University.
Question [Hussain]: What was your life like in bazaar?
Answer [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Bazaar Life was a culture shock. I mean here is a teenager from Fairfax, Virginia working in Tehran’s Grand Bazaar. After a few months everyone started accepting me in and the shock settled for me and I made some really good friends. Too many stories….
Comment [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Okay another question about MetroStar. I like to think of MetroStar as the United Nations.
Q [Andrew]: How many Iranians live in USA?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: A wonderful part of experiencing America is its diversity. You have 400,000 Iranian Americans over 3.5 million Arab Americans
Q [Mohammad]: Do you have Iranians working for you at Metrostar?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: At MetroStar we: Iran, Jordan, Nepal, China, Vietnam, Korea, Jamaica, Tunisia, Argentina, El Salvador, Puerto Rico, India, and American
Q [Hussain]: How did you get to the US? What school did you go to?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri}: My mother applied for my Greencard and I went to the Abu Dhabi Embassy for my interview.
Q [Mohammad]: When does your mobile game come out? Where to get it?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: The mobile game will be out early February.
Q [Silya]: How many people work for you? Is your company growing?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: We have almost 72 employees now.
Tim (Webchat Moderator): Here's a recent story about Ali:http://www.america.gov/st/econ-english/2009/January/20090121162300berehellek0.5543177.html
Q [Diaspora]: Do you think these new networks will make the world better?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: I think that technology can be another tool for diplomacy and another tool to communicate and listen to one another.
Q [Java Guy]: When can I get your new game?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: the game will be available at: http://www.x-lifegames.com.
Q [Desai]: What is the best advice in starting a business in the U.S.? What are your goals as a business owner?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: The ability to plan and execute…be patient and put smarter people around you.
Tim (Webchat Moderator): You can also try the Beta X-Life Website @ http://xlifegames.com/default.aspx.
Q [Aziz]: Do you still talk to Iranians? Does your company hire Iranians?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Of course…I speak Farsi fluently and we have four Iranians including myself.
Q [Andrew]: Where do you live in USA? When did you first come to the USA?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: I live in Northern Virginia and I came to the State with my parents for the first time in 1984.
Q [Daniel Nguyen]: Hi Ali. What are your thoughts on how President Obama and the new administration will have on MetroStar Systems and its projects with the government?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: President Obama is a dynamic leader that is hungry for change. I believe he will reach out to the world and listen to everyone.
Q [Mohammad]: What is your average salary at your company Metrostar?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Mohammad my employees love me so much that they work for free…just joking we are very competitive and we take care of our employees; they are our number one assets.
Q [Silya]: What is the easiest way to come to US to work?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Silya, Education is the best path to get to America.
Q [Diaspora]: What can you do to make a business in the US that you can't other places?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Opportunities at hand…and a system that wants you to prosper. It just depends on your determination
Tim (Webchat Moderator): Here's a good link about studying in the U.S. - http://www.educationusa.state.gov/.
Comment [Joe]: Wow this live Q&A session is very intuitive
Q [Daniel Nguyen]: What are your goals for MetroStar Systems in 5 years? in 10 years?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: In five years MetroStar will be evolving and providing unique technology services like it New Media technologies. In Ten years, I should retire and have a new leader take over with fresh ideas to expand our company to the next level …maybe take a vacation finally
Comment [SilyA]: Thank you for talking with us today
Tim (Webchat Moderator): See all the latest information on U.S. foreign policy in Farsi @ http://www.america.gov/persian/.
Q [khosro khorramniA]: Hi, Ali Reza. I think you had enough money to study and settle in US. What are your comments for whom who have novel ideas but no enough money to start their business in US? Thanks again Alireza.
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Khosro, I ‘m very fortunate to have parents that sacrificed for my education and my future. I did raise money but it was never enough to do all the things we wanted as leaders of the organization. Me and my two partners didn’t take a salary for 4 years so the organization can survive and prosper. This is why we are a resilient and courageous organization.
Q [Java Guy]: How is your work with US government?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Working with the US Government is challenging like any other project. You just have to be more patient at times.
Q [Desai]: Will the immigration be opened up under Obama? What are the steps to get a work visa?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Check America.gov periodically and the links Tim sent above.
Tim (Webchat Moderator): We will have some upcoming discussions with experts on immigration. Check our Facebook site for a list of upcoming chats. http://co-nx.state.gov.
Q [JohnZG]: Ali, as an immigrant, do you perceive any special obligations to your host country? Do you see natural born citizens taking on these obligations?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Of course I’m proud of my heritage and this will always be a part of me. But the opportunities given to me have been in America. Read my blog I write about this a little…
Q [Ikken]: When will Obama make the new immigration policy?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Ikken, continue reading State.gov and America.gov for more information.
Q [Daniel Nguyen]: What are your thoughts on the future relationship between America and Iran? What can be done to improve it?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Good question Daniel…I think the Secretary of State should answer that one and I believe in communication. You never now maybe one day we will open up a new embassy in Tehran.
Comment [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Here is my blog, in the event you want to continue dialogue http://blogs.metrostarsystems.com/amanouch/default.aspx.
Comment [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: This has been really fun. I would like to thank Tim and his colleagues for this opportunity. They work very hard at trying to bridge cultures.
Q [SaleenA]: What do you think was your best idea?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: My best idea was finishing up school in America and meeting new friends that put me on this path and journey.
Comment [Ross B]: Thanks for taking your time Ali!
Comment [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: thank you.
Q [SaleenA]: What would you do differently on business, school if you did it again?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: I would not do anything differently, but I would certainly pay more attention in class…
Q [gm]: Ali, how has Philosophy helped you in business?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Philosophy has helped me become more of a logical thinker.
Q [Joe]: Is that the X-Life Games website in the picture posted next to the chat room?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: yes it is...
Q [mll]: What inspired you to create MetroStar, and how did you chose the name?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Livening in the metropolitan area inspired us to pick MetroStar.
Comment [Sean Connory]: It looks great!
Comment [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Wow we have Sean Connory here
Comment [Joe]: It looks very cool.
Comment [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Hello Sir Connory.
Q [Barbara Larimer]: Congratulation on your 10 year anniversary this coming May. Did you think MetroStar would be where it is at today?
A [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Life goes by way too fast....this is why we have to enjoy it together as one.
Comment [guest]: thank you
Comment [Ali Reza Manouchehri]: Thank you again
Tim (Webchat Moderator): We would like to thanks Ali for his time today and for your questions and participation. Once again Metrostar Systems will be releasing a free mobile game called X-Life in the next few weeks. Visit the Beta website at http://www.xlifegames.com/default.aspx.
(end transcript)
