From Refugee Boat to Philanthropist: The Strategy of Soon Hagerty

Hagerty’s path from a refugee camp in Indonesia to the helm of multiple businesses—including a luxury PR firm and the Michigan-based restaurant The Good Bowl—was forged through necessity. Her parents established Mai’s Produce by identifying a market gap for Asian vegetables in California, a lesson in entrepreneurship that Hagerty applied to her own career. When a planned promotion at a PR agency fell through, she bypassed the setback by launching her own communications agency within 48 hours, a decision driven by her habit of asking how to derive value from every obstacle.

Her venture into the restaurant industry served as a tribute to her parents’ sacrifices, yet it also highlighted her philosophy on growth. Lacking restaurant experience, Hagerty prioritized humility over ego, seeking financial guidance to master thin margins and complex P&Ls. She maintains that the most vital management task is self-regulation, dedicating time each morning to meditation and journaling to sharpen her communication.

Through the Boundless Futures Foundation, Hagerty now formalizes this support for others. The organization offers $50,000 grants twice a year, pairing capital with an Advisory Circle of experts. For Hagerty, the core of her mission remains simple: entrepreneurs must remain curious and disciplined, recognizing that confidence is merely a byproduct of taking consistent action despite fear.