Why Study Immigrant Entrepreneurs

In today’s episode, we explore what it means to create work that lasts not just for the next trend cycle, but for generations. We dive deep into the interplay of intuition, identity, and intentionality that underpins creative longevity, and how these often-invisible forces guide great design, resilient businesses, and enduring cultural impact.

We sit down with two very different thinkers whose experiences mirror this theme. First, we hear from Robert Brunner, renowned industrial designer and founder of Ammunition Design Group, whose work includes designing Beats by Dre headphones and pioneering shifts at Apple. He shares stories of working with some of the world’s most creative—and opinionated—collaborators, and how intuition fused with empathy leads to breakthrough products.

Next, we talk with Neri Karra Sillaman, a scholar and author of Pioneers: Eight Principles of Business Longevity from Immigrant Entrepreneurs. Her research unpacks why immigrant-founded companies tend to outlast their peers—not simply due to external market factors, but because of internal clarity, community orientation, and the reframing of adversity.

We broaden the lens from iconic objects to enduring enterprises, discovering through-lines that shape both remarkable products and resilient organizations.

Five Key Learnings from the Episode:

1. Intuition is Earned, Not Mystical: We learn that intuition isn’t some innate gift—it’s the result of deep attention, lived experience, and empathy, brought to bear at critical moments of creation.
2. Identity Drives Longevity: Durable work starts internally, rooted in a clear understanding of who we are and what matters to us. This self-knowledge—tempered by adversity or migration—shapes everything from product design to business models.
3. Collaboration Requires Respect and Empathy: Great breakthroughs often emerge from teams with diverse perspectives. Navigating strong personalities and creative differences means honoring others’ ideas and creating environments where bold work can thrive.
4. Community and Shared Value Matter: We see how leaders build enterprises to last by weaving strong communities and ecosystems, deliberately involving employees and stakeholders, and focusing on shared value over short-term profit.
5. Resilience is Built Through Reframing Rejection: Successful creators and entrepreneurs don’t see setbacks as verdicts on their worth—instead, rejection is information and an invitation to try again, often with even more clarity and resolve.

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