Small Business Today Magazine JAN 2015 AIM GLOBAL LOGISTICS | Page 24

Success is truly a “team effort” at Prosperity Real Estate Group. Dynamic results come
from a dynamic team and a dynamic program! Photo by Gwen Juarez.

to mentor others in home investing that
would give them the firm foundation for
success.  In addition, the company would
continue to earn wealth on its own.

Born in Vietnam in 1975 at the height
of political oppression,Tim Mai was one of
seven children.  His family of nine made
many attempts to escape to the United
States in hopes of a better education and
to have the freedom that Americans enjoyed.  Long, arduous attempted escapes
consisted of walking for days and nights
through rice paddies, sleeping in different
houses, and trying to board boats.  Each
time, these attempts ended poorly.  At the
age of six, Mai, like Ramos, found himself in
prison, although for different reasons.  He
and his family were put in jail because it
was illegal to voluntarily leave Vietnam.

When Tim was 11 years old, his brother
turned 18 and invited him to try again to
escape.  Thinking this was just another attempt that would end up with everyone
returning home, he gladly went along without fear.  This time, however, they made it
to a fishing boat after walking for a week in
the dark.  Packed like sardines in a can,Tim

traveled with 37 other people for seven
days and six nights.  On the fourth night,
the boat was attacked by pirates!  The
usual outcome of these attacks ended
with women being raped and men being
killed.  Miraculously, the pirates stole from
them but then let them safely go.

Mai and his brother eventually made it
to a refugee camp in Malaysia and then
transferred to one in the Philippines.  By
1987, 12 year old Tim and his brother
were permitted to go to Houston.  After
arriving, he felt so fortunate to be able to
attend public school.  Tim’s parents’ dream
had always been for their children to be
educated.  Although Tim had no real adult
supervision, he was self-motivated and attended class every day.  His appreciation
for what he had and his internal drive to
achieve continued through college and beyond.

After studying to work in Computer
Science, Mai was offered a position at a
Dallas-based IT company called Infusion. 
The skills and knowledge he learned there
were priceless.  In addition, he made out
very well financially because he was able

22 SMALL BUSINESS TODAY MAGAZINE [ JANUARY 2015 ]

to bill clients $230.00 an hour for his expertise.  Unfortunately, the year of 2002
brought about bankruptcy in the dotcom
industry and Tim was laid off. 

Like his future business partner, Tim
decided to attend a weekend seminar
to learn how to succeed in real estate
investing with no experience, no money down, and no credit.  He went on to
make over $1 million in profits in his first
two years!  His success was so impressive
that he was asked to share the stage with
the likes of Tony Robbins, Paula Abdul, Les
Brown, and Tony Hsieh.                                                   

In 2011, A.C. and Tim each owned thriving businesses, Citiscape Investments and
DoDeals.com, respectively.  It was clear to
both men that if they were to merge, a
unique opportunity would present