First Pathways Partners’ Regional Director of South Africa, Sonja Clarke journeyed to the United States, specifically to our headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this past January where she met IIUSA President and FirstPathway’s CEO Bob Kraft. During her visit, Sonja saw firsthand many of FPP’s completed EB-5 projects in Milwaukee including the BMO Harris Financial center, Aloft, and Marriot hotels, as well as the site of the Tempo by Hilton, FirstPathways Partners current project. Sonja enjoyed her stay in Milwaukee at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel, which is another past project of FirstPathway Partners.
First Pathways Partners’ Regional Director of South Africa, Sonja Clarke journeyed to the United States, specifically to our headquarters in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, this past January where she met IIUSA President and FirstPathway’s CEO Bob Kraft. During her visit, Sonja saw firsthand many of FPP’s completed EB-5 projects in Milwaukee including the BMO Harris Financial center, Aloft, and Marriot hotels, as well as the site of the Tempo by Hilton, FirstPathways Partners current project. Sonja enjoyed her stay in Milwaukee at the Kimpton Journeyman Hotel, which is another past project of FirstPathway Partners.
On today's episode of investing in the American Dream podcast we have featured guest Sonia Clark. Sonia is FPPS Regional Director based out of Johannesburg, South Africa, whose focus is on US immigration through the EB five visa program. Sonia has been here visiting the United States and more specifically to meet with I USA President Bob Kraft and the members, the first pathway partners. She's also been touring many of the EB five project sites here in Milwaukee, including the current project temple by Hilton, which is in the lucky near the Pfizer forum, the NBAs Bucks arena. Let's get into it. So joining me live in the studio is Sonia Clark and Shivani. Birmingham. Welcome. Thank you, Jessica. And so nice to be here with you in person in Milwaukee. And so nice to meet Vaughn. What an absolute pleasure, most beautiful, glorious offices in Milwaukee, you know, the first pathway officers get up to meet investors. And obviously, all of us, representing football players all across the globe and the world are so happy to have you here. And we have Shivani as well. Thank you guys for having me. So Sonia, you've been able to come visit the office here and visit some of the project sites and kind of tour downtown Milwaukee. Can you tell us a little bit about some of the sites you visited and projects and maybe specifically, you know, I know you mentioned the BMO Harris office tower. Okay. Yes, of course. So, Jennifer Sharon, that senior vice president, we took the afternoon to go for a drive in conversation with Mr. Kraft. You know, I mentioned how different Milwaukee is from my last visit. I actually stayed in Milwaukee 23 years ago. And compared to what it is today, it reminds me very much of what Chicago was back then. The streets are beautifully clean, the architecture is magnificent. You've got all the historical architecture with all the modern architecture. When we reached the BMR, the Bank of Montreal, it was spectacular. You know, a typical high rise, strict security, marble floors marble up the wall, you know, state of the art finishes, you know, you've got so much space, you know where you can conduct your businesses, we've also got terraces, you've got the massive parking areas. You know, just just how, you know the technology that they've implemented into this building was absolutely first world first class. Yeah, it was very thoughtfully, well designed and planned. And that kind of goes along with all of these projects that you know, FPP chooses for the EB five investors, you really can tell, you know, it's all the latest state of the art technology, a lot of those high end design features. So it's really great to be able to, you know, show those projects, you know, to our to you and you know, to our investors. I'm glad you got to do that. Sonia, I know that you are staying at one of our EB five projects, which is the Kimpton journeymen Hotel, which is actually located across the street from our headquarters here in Milwaukee and how have you found the hotel? What do you think of it? And also, what do you think of the overall maki vibe that you've found during your trip your way to start, you know, the Kimpton hotel, very well positioned, you know, for anybody that doesn't know me walk in, has never actually been in this particular Ward, it's in ward three. And there's plenty to see, as you step up the hotel you you can either go left or right if you're going to go either way, the one side will take you down to the river where you can actually go for walks and the opposite side you've actually got the leg in between you've got the most amazing little shops, you know, you've got restaurants, it's very much international so you can hear from sushi to Italian. That type of thing. Going back to the journeymen to the Kimpton hotel. It is the staff are so friendly, it is so clean, the rooms are spacious, it's got everything you need. Even the products inside the rooms are absolutely amazing which just makes your stay so much you know more comfortable and that you don't want to leave. Inside the hotel. You've got two fireplaces. So what we've been experiencing this week Celsius wise, you know it's very cold in the winter. Yeah, any anything from minus six to What we had this morning to minus 15 degrees. So the minute you step into the hotel, it is warm, you know, you really feel at home, I think from in terms of, you know, the infrastructure and the structure of the building. It is, you know, on par with with the top hotels globally. You know, Sonia, you mentioned visiting the different project sites. And I know actually one of them is the temple by Hilton project. And that site is situated right near the NBAs box basketball arena. And that whole area is such a huge tourist attraction, you know, so that accommodation to have a hotel, there really is such a need for this project, and especially to with the Wisconsin convention center expansion, it's just such a high traffic, high profile location, I'd say it's, you know, it's perfect for hotel. Absolutely, you know, just driving up to the Bank Stadium last night, where we actually watched the Milwaukee Bucks play what Nick's experience next to none, you know, just just leaving the stadium, one can see, you know, that you need to be in walking distance to a lot of the facilities and amenities that the city has got to offer. So, right next to the tempo site, you've got the conventional building, which Jessica just mentioned, and it's really so cheap, strategically placed. Whereas, you know, you've got the stadium right across the hotel, you're on the river, where you can actually hire boats. They also have like, political concerts right across the road as well. Yes, a big entertainment district over there. Yeah. 100%. And, and, you know, for those tourists that want to come and experience the nightlife, you know, there's rows and rows and rows of bars, and really nice, friendly dining places and things like that. So and there's no hotel in that vicinity. So definitely a hotel is needed there. Yeah, I would say that the events that are coming into Milwaukee and how well the Bucks have done in the past year, it just goes to show how many people want to come to Milwaukee and how there's definitely a need for space, and a need for more jobs where a project that we have here from FTP is so useful. And I want to ask you, Sonia, how, on your first visit here into the office meeting our CEO, Bob Kraft, how did you initially like receive? And what were your first impressions here in the office? Mr. Croft, being an icon in the industry is one of the most magnificent people you'll meet. He's warm, he's friendly, is knowledgeable, you know, he's caring, he's very deep, caring person cares about everybody in the office. And most importantly, he cares about our investors. I think definitely Mr. Kraft communicates openly with his investors throughout the whole process. And that's definitely an important trait you want to have for with someone in this process. And it's, it's so nice to have a resource like Bob, who's also so highly involved with IR USA, and what's going on with EB five. And the fact that he really cares about the integrity of the program. And, you know, not just, you know, for the program itself, but for the investors and making sure that they understand how the program works and the benefits and obviously choosing projects that really will benefit, you know, our investors and making sure that it meets the criteria that they need in order to have this process work for them successfully. 100% It's just testament to what we do and what our goal is to ultimately handhold everybody so that they can have a smooth journey to the United States. What are some things you know, that you've noticed, that are major benefits of someone who's looking to immigrate from South Africa to the United States? You know, I've I know you've talked to us sometimes about having some issues with electricity. So what are some other factors that are, you know, really persuading others to look at these options such as the the EB five investment program? Okay, so first and foremost, what comes to mind is executive vice president, he's, he's got five children, his children walk to school. I mean, that is something we would never do, you know, back in South Africa. Secondly, a lot of people have spent a lot of money going off the grid, you know, investing into solar into inverters. You know, really trying to get onto prepaid water, all the things that shouldn't actually be happening with a country like we have in South Africa, me we used to be a really, really well run services that work but unfortunately, the breakdown, you know, of our service delivery in our country has led to a lot of violence, riots, protests, interruptions in water, you know, you cannot continue Running a business and manufacturing business with no electricity, rain, you know, as is in our households, we can put up solar, we can have the inverters, we can do whatever we can to get ourselves to a point where we don't have these interruptions so that we can actually continue our business day and we can work from home and still thrive in our South African economy. But, you know, the Outlook doesn't look very good for us, the Center for Risk Control, you know, they've got briefings that they put out, every now and then. And, you know, with our parliament building that burned down, we had no insurance, that is a major worry. I mean, the fire doors weren't even closed. I mean, we can go into that whole debacle. But, you know, basic security, I mean, who, who, who lets, you know, the center vada mock democracy go up in flames? So, yes, from a safety security point of view. It's just lovely from the minute you, you enter the United States, you have an immense sense of freedom. And, yeah, I think it's not just the freedom, it's the security that goes with it. And it is the freedom of choices that you've got, you know, not just choices in your everyday life, but you can afford cars, you can afford houses, you can afford schools, you know, healthcare, all these things. So the quality of your life most certainly, you know, coming from South Africa, which was considered a first world country to the United States is truly a first world country. You know, that's what we're all striving for. We want a better quality of life, and we want a better future for our children. And most certainly, you know, I'm proud to say that my son is graduating from the military tomorrow, and he's got a thriving future and career ahead of him. It's wonderful. Absolutely. Well, Sonia, we really appreciate you taking the time to sit down with us today to discuss your experiences here in Milwaukee and enthusiasm for our community. Thank you so much. Thanks, Jessica. And Siobhan is always a pleasure of course. Thank you, Sonia, for sharing how you found everyone here in the FPP office, especially our CEO Bob Kraft. I found everything you've shared with us today super insightful, and thank you for joining us. If you would like to know more about first pathway partners, and how they can help you with a direct EB five investment or if you're looking for other visa opportunities such as an E two visa, please contact them directly online at www dot first pathway.com