591 – From Survival to Sustainable Business with Neri Sillaman

591 – From Survival to Sustainable Business with Neri Sillaman

Author: Henry Lopez January 5, 2026 Duration: 47:03

Immigrant entrepreneurs often build businesses to last, and their approach to resilience, hospitality, and value creation offers powerful lessons for any small business owner.

Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/591-neri-sillaman-survival-to-sustainable/

In this episode, Henry Lopez talks with Neri Karra Sillaman, author of Pioneers: Eight Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs, about what immigrant entrepreneurs can teach us about building businesses that endure.

Neri shares her remarkable journey from growing up in a Turkish minority family in communist Bulgaria, being forced to flee as refugees, and helping her family rebuild their lives and livelihoods in Turkey. She explains how those early experiences shaped her view of entrepreneurship, not as a career choice, but as a means of survival that later evolved into a powerful business philosophy.

Drawing from her family's business experience and her formal business education, Neri discusses several of the core principles from her book, including resilience, authentic hospitality, cultural bridge-building, and a focus on long-term value rather than short-term profit. She explains how immigrant entrepreneurs often leverage past hardship, adaptability, and deep human connection to create businesses that last across generations.

Whether you are an immigrant entrepreneur or a small business owner looking to build something sustainable, this conversation offers practical insights on trust, perseverance, and designing a business for longevity.

This episode is hosted by Henry Lopez. The How of Business podcast focuses on helping you start, run, grow and exit your small business. The How of Business is a top-rated podcast for small business owners and entrepreneurs. Find the best podcast, small business coaching, resources and trusted service partners for small business owners and entrepreneurs at our website https://TheHowOfBusiness.com


Henry Lopez hosts The How of Business-How to start, run, grow and exit a small business. It’s a practical resource for anyone who wants to move beyond just the idea of entrepreneurship and into the actual work of building something. Each week, the focus is on the tangible steps and decisions involved in a business’s entire lifecycle, from that initial launch through to managing daily operations, scaling up, and even planning a future exit. You’ll hear straightforward conversations that dig into specific topics, breaking down complex challenges into manageable advice. Often, Henry sits down with a small business owner who shares their real-world experiences-the successes and the setbacks-offering a genuine look at what it takes. This podcast is built on the understanding that running a business is a series of learned skills, and it aims to provide those lessons without fluff. Whether you're sketching your first plan on a napkin or steering an established company toward growth, the discussions here are meant to be directly applicable to your own journey. Tune in for a regular dose of clarity and concrete strategies from someone who understands the day-to-day realities you face.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

The How of Business - How to start, run, grow and exit a small business.
Podcast Episodes
R361 – Start and Grow Without Investors with Tyler King [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 43:44
How to start and grow a small business without investors. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r361-tyler-king-without-investors/ Bootstrapping a software business without venture capital or angel investors…
619 – Presentations That Close Deals with Dean Curtis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:27
Increase Close Rates with consistent, professional in-home sales presentations for home improvement and home services businesses, and Dean Curtis of Ingage shares the principles and tools that help small operators win mo…
618 - Buyer Due Diligence [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:34
Buying a Business? Do Your Due Diligence! Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/618-buyer-due-diligence/ Buyer due diligence is your primary protection when purchasing a small business, and on this episode He…
617 - Remote, Hybrid, or In-Office? with Claudia St. John [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:49
Deciding between remote, hybrid, and in-office work is one of the toughest calls small business owners face today, and HR expert Claudia St. John shares how to choose the model that fits your team while staying legally c…
616 - Parkinson's Law for Small Business [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 21:28
Why work expands to fill the time available, and how small business owners can use deadlines, time blocking, and clear outcomes to get more done in less time. Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/616-parkins…
615 - AI and Cybersecurity for Small Business with Mordy Hackel [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:33
Technology expert explains how small business owners can leverage AI as a force multiplier while protecting their data, systems, and intellectual property from emerging cybersecurity risks. Show Notes Page: https://www.t…
614 - Growing a Family Business with Kaiden Routh [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:34
How he earned his way into leadership, developed a capable management team, and transformed a hands-on family equipment dealership into a scalable business that no longer depends on him for every decision. Show Notes Pag…
R346 - The 6 Traits of Entrepreneurs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:41
Do you possess the innate characteristics, the 6 essential traits, required to become a true entrepreneur? Show Notes Page: https://www.thehowofbusiness.com/r346-6-traits-of-entrepreneurs/ How to honestly assess whether…
613 - Conflict Resolution Principles with Jeremy Pollack [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:03
How understanding the neuroscience behind conflict can help small business owners become more effective leaders, build healthier teams, and transform workplace conflict into collaboration. Show Notes Page: https://www.th…
612 - What a Waymo Ride Taught Us About Innovation [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:46
A Waymo driverless vehicle ride sparks a discussion about AI, innovation, technology adoption, and why small business owners can't afford to wait for perfection before embracing emerging technologies like AI. Show Notes…