Shirtsleeves to Sibling Success

Steven Ai and Carol Ai May of City Mill

by Lauren Kawana Time and again, brother and sister team Steven Ai and Carol Ai May of City Mill will tell you how one of their father’s sayings has forever haunted—and motivated—them: “Shirtsleeves to shirtsleeves in three generations.” In other words, the first generation of a family pours its blood, sweat, and tears into creating a busi- ness. The next generation works hard to build it, and the third, lacking the necessary work ethic, is, well, apt to destroy it. But squashing the superstition, these third-generation siblings are, after nearly twenty years at the helm, success- fully steering City Mill into its 111th year. Steven and Carol’s grandfather, Chung Kun Ai, established City Mill in 1899 as a lumber importing and rice milling opera- tion in Chinatown. He passed it down to their father, David Ai, who transformed it into a retail hardware and lumber stop for the everyday consumer. Click here to read this complete article

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