Imagine leaving a home with no running water or electricity, where coming to America felt like “going into space.” That was Jack Ng’s reality at age 12. Now, at 48, he owns five restaurants doing over $13 million in sales. But the path to success wasn’t paved with luck—it was built on raw grit and a shocking decision at 21.

The $60,000 Gamble That Changed Everything

Jack didn’t graduate high school. He couldn’t even speak English when he arrived in Washington. So, how did he open his first restaurant at just 21? The answer lies in the Bering Sea.

“I knew I needed to save money and start my own company,” Jack told Business Insider. That led him to become a deep-sea fisherman. He worked 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, for three months straight. Every time he left the dock, he’d be severely seasick. But the payoff was massive: $15,000 per trip.

After two years of this brutal routine, he had saved $60,000. With that, he opened China City—his first restaurant. “The first year was difficult, and we didn’t make much money. Still, opening that restaurant felt like I had achieved my American dream.”

The Secret Sauce No One Talks About

Jack didn’t stop at one restaurant. He expanded to a second location on the water in a tourist town, complete with white linens and an upscale feel. But the real game-changer? He spent hours learning from the best chefs in Seattle. “I went to the best restaurants, learning from other chefs whenever I could.”

Today, his company NGMA Group owns five restaurants in Washington. But Jack’s philosophy is simple: you have to know how to cook and wash dishes. His 22-year-old son works in one of the restaurants, and Jack insists he gets a college degree first—and spends at least a year in the kitchen. “If you’re going to have a restaurant, you also need to know how to cook and wash dishes. You have to always be ready to jump in and work hard.”

What’s Next for This Immigrant Empire?

Jack could retire now, but he says that “doesn’t sound fun.” He’s built a team around him and has financial security to travel back to China whenever he wants. The lesson? Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard. And for Jack, the dream isn’t over yet.