Fahri Cimen
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Fahri Cimen is a Turkish-American entrepreneur and the founder of a leading charter bus company in San Diego County. After arriving in the United States from Turkey in 2000, Fahri began his journey working multiple jobs, including as a gas station cashier and limousine driver. In 2009, he took a major leap of faith by purchasing his first 28-passenger minibus at an auction. From that single vehicle, he built a thriving transportation company that has grown to a fleet of 30 vehicles and become the second-largest charter bus company in San Diego County.
Fahri's journey is defined by resilience, integrity, and a commitment to helping others succeed. After facing significant financial challenges in 2017 and later navigating the unprecedented impact of COVID-19, he refused to give up and continued building the business. Today, he is also known for supporting fellow transportation professionals, helping smaller companies get started, and building strong relationships with industry affiliates rather than viewing them as competitors. His philosophy is simple: success is built through hard work, honesty, discipline, strong relationships, and the belief that there is enough opportunity for everyone.
IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:
- That starting with a single 28-passenger minibus can grow into San Diego's second-largest charter bus company.
- How immigrating from Turkey with little and working multiple jobs can lay the foundation for entrepreneurial success.
- Why taking a leap of faith at a vehicle auction in 2009 became the turning point for building a fleet.
- That navigating a 2017 financial crisis and nearly facing bankruptcy can strengthen business survival strategies.
- How COVID-19 forced a transportation company to adapt and persevere when travel came to a standstill.
- Why leading with a clean heart, honesty, and transparency builds enduring customer trust in transportation.
- That being on time and staying disciplined can set a charter bus company apart from competitors.
- How treating competitors as partners creates mutual support and opens doors to new opportunities.
- Why a reputation for helping smaller companies grow can elevate you to a California Bus Association board role.
- That you don't have to start big to build something great when you have courage and determination.
about the show
Made It In America is an entrepreneur TV series featuring foreign-born founders, immigrant entrepreneurs, business leaders, and visionaries who came to America and built something meaningful through resilience, ambition, and hard work.
Each episode takes viewers inside the founder story behind the business, showing the challenges, sacrifices, decisions, and breakthroughs that shaped each guest’s journey. From arriving with limited resources to building companies, creating jobs, entering competitive markets, and earning credibility, these stories reveal what it takes to succeed in America.
The series highlights entrepreneurs across industries who turned their background, culture, work ethic, and lived experience into a competitive advantage.
Made It In America celebrates the builders who brought their dreams, skills, and determination to the American market and used them to create business success, personal freedom, and lasting impact.
For featured guests, the series provides a platform to share their journey, build authority, and inspire others through the story of what they built in America.
