KERSTIN KANSTEINER
Owner,
Portfolio Coffeehouse and Berlin Bistro,
Long Beach
From: Germany
When did you arrive in the United States and why did you come?
I arrived on Sept. 14, 1989. I came as a student to fulfill my internship requirement for college in Germany. I stood alone at LAX at the curb and I thought that there would be a public bus that would take me to Long Beach.
Did you intend to return to your native country at the time?
Yes, I could not wait to return to Germany at that time. I did not own a car and did not know that public transportation is not the same here in the United States. Making friends and exploring my surroundings was extremely difficult without a car.
Do you now intend to return?
I now have a family, friends and my life built in the United States. I would not say that I am completely excluding the thought of returning – maybe just for a few years to show my family a life in Europe.
Why did you start your business in the United States instead of your native country?
I learned that it was so much easier to start a business in the United States than in Germany. My initial difficulties making friends and acquaintances became my motivation to open my café. I wanted Americans to experience the café culture: meeting people without going to a bar.
What’s the worst thing about starting and running a business in the United States?
American work hours are much longer than European hours. Vacations for a small-business owner in the United States are almost nonexistent and may just consist of a long weekend, not like a European vacation that tends to be two to three weeks, several times a year. Also, Sundays are usually a day of rest in Europe; here, Sundays are normal shopping or dining days. Many stores are open 24-7.
What’s the best thing?
Stores are open 24-7.
What were the biggest surprises?
The social safety net is not comparable to Germany. I had full health insurance, dental and vision, and I never had to worry about this before. I have always paid for my own health insurance in the United States, but this comes at a premium and services are still very limited. Also, my Social Security stands in no comparison to what I would be entitled to in Germany after my retirement.
Would you tell someone from your native country to start a business there or here?
Probably neither; unless you love your business for what you do and not the financial outcome. I happen to love what I do and every day is a challenge. I may not make a lot of money but I love what I do.
What advice would you give someone from there about starting a business here?
Ask a lot of questions. Find a fellow entrepreneur and mentor. Don’t start to compare there to here. You are here now and you need to immerse yourself in this country in order to be successful.
Do you go back often?
My entire family still lives in Germany. I try to visit once a year for a week, but since this trip tends to be the only “vacation” I can take per year, it becomes a week of many visits to friends and family, with very little relaxation.
What was your view of the United States growing up?
The United States is a land of the big: big buildings, big land, big foods and big people.
Did reality match your expectations?
It did not match. Yes, it’s big, but I now appreciate this country for its diversity, different cultures, the friendliness and openness of its people. Germany is a bit more reserved. Here I call people by their first name and I can give them a hug.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you as a foreign-born entrepreneur?
My dad came to visit me and he asked me to show him a bit more of the “countryside.” We drove for hours and never made it out of Los Angeles. We turned around. He then asked me in the evening to show him how far we traveled on a map. His finger went far into Texas and he asked, “Is this how far we drove?” I put my finger over Los Angeles and said, “We never left the area under my finger.” He never came to visit again.
