We need to help people and the ‘American Dream’ will come true 100%
– shares her rules Alina Mukhopadhyay. She told us about how to overcome obstacles on the way to your dream, how to achieve success when it seems that fate gives no chances. Alina Mukhopadhyay, Vice President and co-founder of My Insurance Services Inc., Vice President of Sales at DevCool, Realtor at USKO Realty and an advisor to multiple companies in the industry.
When did you come to America? What is the source of your inner strength and determination?
Before coming to America in 1997, my family lived comfortably in the beautiful city of Chernivtsi, Ukraine. But my parents decided to change countries, and as a twelve-year-old girl at the time, it was very difficult in America: my parents didn’t speak English and could only work in low-paying jobs due to that. For instance, when mom would go to house cleaning jobs, she would ask me to join her to help her with them, my father was in construction.
Yes, and there was no one around to help with documents or solve everyday problems. From childhood, I saw how people who don’t know the language were treated. That’s when I decided that I would learn the language as soon as possible so I can stand up for my family. School was tough, classmates often laughed at me and my grades were not the best due to the language barrier. It was hurtful because I tried my best.
What did you want to be when you grew up?
Yes, I dreamed of becoming a lawyer, advocating for justice. I graduated from high school but to study law, you need to go to college and have financial support and have a very thick skin and strong personality, which I had none of. At that time it was a luxury my parents could not afford sending me to any college. I was in despair, I thought that my dreams were shattered: even if I somehow got into college, taking a loan of $60,000-75,000 was a huge number. I knew I had to get a simple job, help my family, my parents and make the best out of what I have.
Later I realized and found that there are many endless ways to help others and I don’t have to be an attorney to do that.
What period was the most difficult in your life and at the same time the starting point on the way to success?
In 2005, I started working in real estate, and soon after, I got married. Again, there was no time for college, then two children were born, and a divorce occurred. We were both from believing families. I couldn’t imagine that this could happen to me after years of marriage. The kids were then 4 and 6. All of a sudden I found myself with two young children, no reliable income, bills, and my ex-husband just left and sued me over the children’s custody. Court visits, mediation felt like never-ending and so terrifying. A simple thing like a bruise or a scratch on the child would result in constant threats to take the children away. The stress was terrible. My family and local church were super supportive and there for me through this time.
Few years later I met a new person, my current husband now. He was one of the first people from Indian culture that I met. He had no family in the USA just 1 daughter, but he really misses and loved to have family including wanting to have more sons, daughters. I didn’t plan to marry, but when I saw how he treated my family, how my children loved him, communicated, opened up, I then saw new hope. I decided that it was worth trying. And we all started from scratch again, both he and I.
Weren’t you afraid? After all, it’s a completely different culture?
I was worried to start over but I thought if he fulfilled even half of what he promised, it would be great. My parents as well said that he is the one. And I understood taking risk is part of the jackpot sometimes. How 10 years later He turned out to be a very amazing person and fulfilled many times more than promised to me and my family. The children, of course, understand that he is not their biological father, but they adore him and obey him, respect him. He has a daughter from a first marriage, and I have two. We decided that we should also have a joint child. Now we have a blended family of four children and are loving life.
How did you get into IT?
Most of our friends are in the Information Technology industry. They spotted my talent towards customer, people’s skills, sales skills. I acquired that from being in real estate. They offered me to handle sales and marketing because I communicated well with clients. At first, I had doubts if I should even go in a new direction as I had no experience in IT, but I took the risk, and a couple of years later, I started closing all the major deals. Today I am often invited as a consultant to help other IT companies to help with sales.
When you decided to get involved in health insurance, did you already have several businesses?
Yes, I continued to work in real estate many times I am “agent of the month,” “second agent of the year,” the second agent in an office where there were 70 contenders for these titles for 2023. I am able to manage IT work as well in parallel. Due to a strong team, I can multitask well.
When the war started in Ukraine, my great long time friend Yelena and Michael Obutkov suggested starting to help people and work as a medical provider as State launched a new program. We put our effort together and we were granted a state contract!!!! That’s how I got involved with My Insurance Services. However, the company has been around for 16 years. I am super excited about this opportunity as it’s allowing me to do what I love the most: putting all my knowledge gained over years and helping thousands!
Alina, you have such a huge kind heart, you strive to help everyone. Will your children continue your work?
It’s not clear yet because they think my job is very difficult. They are still small. They talk among themselves that I have a very high standard. But they definitely can’t walk past a person in need. They do show always many good gestures and time will show. I do believe they will carry on.
Have you ever thought that you could not work and just enjoy life?
Since day one my spouse would prefer me to stay home. Yes, I have tried to have no job and be a full-time stay-at-home wife but that lasted a little over 35 days and I was back to all work I can get. Besides, My Insurance Services is both my brainchild and hobby at the same time I don’t feel that it’s work. I just do it. Since childhood, I was raised to develop new talent and use it in God’s favor. Being able to help our community is not optional for me. It’s a must.
Is it difficult to find a balance to cope with work and devote time to children?
It took some practice on my end and the Family as well learned how to adjust to find a good balance. I use my time in a very planned way and always give 100% of anything I do. If I am working they try their best not to disturb me during business hours as most of the time I work remotely so they see me always. But the children know that there is dedicated time for them, and they get attention, gifts, and wishes fulfilled then. We have a family time schedule and they love that structure. I have a few full-time caregivers/housekeeper/babysitter always at home helping with kids so at any given time they always are taken care of without impact to their needs and life. My husband loves to travel in addition to everything that we have going on so we as well have to fit that in the schedule and I have adjusted to work no matter what country I am in or time zone.
What global goals are you currently setting for yourself in business?
We work where there is demand. Projection is that we are to keep expanding in CA throughout a few more counties.
What would you wish for newcomers, what is your recipe for the American dream?
In America, there is a lot of good, but there are also many rules that I would ask people to respect and abide by. Every country has something positive and negative. Don’t compare your home country as they are just different. First of all, study the language, in a new country, I would suggest finding you a group of people, like-minded individuals, establish connections, build relationships. Then people will lead you over time, lend a shoulder, and if you work, it is 100% a dream come true. I couldn’t even dream of what I have now been blessed with today. I was afraid to dream, my plans were a time fraction of what I have now. You need to work, do good, spend time with good people, and at one point it all will come to you. Plant your seeds of effort and it will come through.
