Benjamin Ho

When 90-year-old Benjamin Ho looks back on his past, he does not think of grand dreams, but rather a life journey defined by survival, integrity, and hard work. Born in 1936, Ho spent his early years in Taiwan during the period of Japanese colonial rule, a turbulent era marked by conflict, forced conscription, and disease.

"War is terrible," Ho recalls, "not just because of the killing, but because of the harsh living conditions and disease." He speaks of how young people at the time were swayed by wartime propaganda to join "suicide squads," sacrificing their lives for empty glory.

During high school, inspired by the humility and self-discipline of Benjamin Franklin, he adopted "Benjamin" as his English name. He resolved then that if he ever had the chance to go to the United States, he would uphold that same work ethic and diligence.

After studying law in Taiwan and working as an accountant for an Indonesian timber company for over ten years, he faced a rising tide of anti-Chinese sentiment in Indonesia. Seeking a stable career, he immigrated to the United States at the age of 40 with his wife and three children.

In 1980, introduced by a relative, Ho set his sights on the Park Motel in Morris, Illinois, located along Route 66 and just an hour's drive from Chicago. However, he lacked the capital to afford a bank loan with a 15% interest rate. It was then that he met the motel's former owner, a key figure in his life. Impressed by Ho’s sincerity, the owner offered to finance the purchase at a fixed interest rate of 9%, a very favorable rate given the high inflation at the time.

Over the next 35 years, Benjamin poured his heart and soul into operating this independent, 24-room motel. In an era before modern online booking platforms, they relied primarily on roadside signs, travel guides, and word of mouth recommendations to attract guests. Most visitors were people on business trips to the nearby nuclear power plant. To keep costs down, Ho handled almost everything himself, except for daily housekeeping. He personally took charge of plumbing repairs and lawn maintenance, while also teaching his three sons how to run the motel. Eventually, they all became skilled at making repairs.

Beyond the physical labor, the secret to Ho’s success lay in the lasting friendships he built with guests from around the world. He always put his customers first, even shipping a suit left behind by a Japanese guest all the way back to Japan. When faced with guests who caused trouble, Benjamin responded with empathy rather than anger. "I would just think, 'Poor soul, he didn't have good parents to teach him how to be a decent person,'" Mr. Ho said. "If you put yourself in others' shoes and approach things with empathy, you won't spend your days feeling miserable."

Now, Mr. Ho lives with his children in San Diego. He has leased out the motel and spends his time reading and enjoying family life.

When asked what advice he would give to young aspiring entrepreneurs, Mr. Ho offered a simple answer:

"Find what interests you. Do work you are truly passionate about so you don't waste time complaining about life. Work hard and be honest. Don't try to be clever or cheat others. Just stay grounded and strive hard."

Author：Valen Miao