Sunil Wadhwani’s success story is one of grit and determination. Born to immigrants who came to America with only $100 to their name, Wadhwani learned the value of hard work at an early age. He started his own business over 20 years ago, and today he owns eight hotels. The Net News Ledger was interested in learning his secret, but according to Wadhwani there is no secret to success – it simply comes from working hard and being persistent. This philosophy has served him well, and he is now a successful entrepreneur.
Wadhwani believes that a person’s success is determined by his or her own choices and actions. He doesn’t believe in luck, fate, or any other intangible factors – hard work pays off for those who are willing to put in the effort. The same can be said of his success as an entrepreneur: he has built eight hotels – a stunning achievement for anyone. But he knows that it’s simply the result of his determination and work ethic, which have paid off time and again throughout his career.
Who is Sunil Wadhwani of McAllen Texas?
Sunil Wadhwani immigrated to the United States with his family when he was just six years old. His family settled in Brownsville, Texas with very little money and just a vision of the life they imagined for their children. Ultimately, his parents were able to open a retail store and find some economic comfort.
After graduating high school, Wadhwani still wasn’t sure what he wanted to do with his life so he went to work with his parents rather than attend college. Through doing this, he was able to learn about the retail industry, and at 25, he was ready to go out on his own.
Sunil Wadhwani’s first business venture was a retail store specializing in electronics and name-brand watches in McAllen, Texas. He found success here and made the decision to expand into online retail. He was able to build one of the biggest internet watch retailers before Amazon took over the industry.
After that, Wadhwani switched focus and started a career in real estate development. However, his timing was poor as he became involved in a 20-acre housing development project just before the housing market collapsed in 2008. Unfortunately, this marked the end of his career in real estate.
How did Sunil Wadhwani get started in hospitality?
Undeterred by these setbacks, Sunil Wadhwani decided to take a chance on learning about hotel ownership and bought his first inn, part of the La Quinta franchise. Opening its doors in 2000, the hotel had 65 rooms. Now, over 20 years later, Wadhwani has expanded his portfolio to include eight hotels, with a ninth opening its doors soon. His eight hotels total nearly 1,000 rooms and include a range of brands including LaQuinta/Wyndham, Motel 6, and Marriott. But you won’t find Wadhwani sitting back and enjoying his success. Instead, he works tirelessly, visiting all eight of his properties every single day. He’s extremely hands-on and is made aware of all issues and problems as they come up. His high standards and focus on guest satisfaction have led him to be voted as Franchise of the Year for both La Quinta and Motel 6 multiple times.
What’s Next for Sunil Wadhwani?
While he is now approaching his 60s, Sunil Wadhwani is showing no signs of slowing down. His goals now include expanding his portfolio to over 1,000 rooms across South Texas, each with its own exceptional management team in place. Once this is achieved, he will be able to take a step back from the day-to-day operations.
But what will he do with the extra time in his day? Wadhwani plans to enjoy retirement with his wife of 35 years, their 4 children, and 3 grandchildren.
If you learn anything from Sunil Wadhwani and the journey that led him to the success he has today, let it be that there is no substitute for experience, and the only way to gain experience is by diving in headfirst. “The best way to learn is by doing,” he says. “You can read all the books in the world, but if you don’t actually get out there and start working, you’re not going to learn anything.”
Sunil Wadhwani’s advice is particularly relevant for aspiring entrepreneurs. If you’re looking to start your own business, don’t be afraid to get your hands dirty and learn by doing.