48: Hit by an RPG with Yonas Hagos


Yonas Hagos was born in Africa and grew up in a Sudanese refugee camp before he came to America as a young boy. He enlisted in the Army after the terrorist attacks on 9/11 and was hit by an RPG in Iraq during his tour of duty. He survived and went on to become a successful serial entrepreneur in Illinois. In this episode:

  • Growing up in a Sudanese refugee camp
  • Muslim vs. Christian persecution
  • Family is important and family must stick together
  • Coming to the United States and living in the projects but feeling like a king
  • Learning English, preserving Ethiopian culture, and avoiding the hood life by listening to his parents
  • Serving in Iraq and getting hit with an RPG
  • Overcoming PTSD and how he views it now
  • Transitioning to an entrepreneur: 16 Dunkin Donuts, 2 Pet Supplies Plus, and a gun manufacturing company
  • Persistence beats resistance

You can find out more information about Yonas at www.yonashagos.com or on his public Facebook profile https://www.facebook.com/yonashagospage/