Nick and Randy Najjar Contribute to the Traveling StoryCorps Series

Nick and Randy Najjar, with StoryCorps moderator, Francesca.

By Cal Abbo

The Chaldean News sponsored a trip to Kalamazoo last month for a father-son duo, Nick and Randy Najjar, to share their story with a program called StoryCorps, which aims to “illuminate the humanity and possibility in us all – one story at a time.”

The criteria are slim and anything but exclusive. One only needs to have a story to tell and a partner to do it with to qualify. StoryCorps travels the nation in search of stories like the ones this Chaldean pair had to share. StoryCorps has a unique format which involves the two participants interviewing one another, which leads to deep and meaningful conversations.

Since 2003, the program has recorded more than 640,000 conversations. Each of these is collected in the Library of Congress and preserved for future generations. Select stories are broadcast on National Public Radio (NPR), made into animated shorts, or published as a book collection. This opportunity gave the Najjars a chance to shed light on Chaldeans and our culture, if their story is selected for further promotion.

Nick has a great story to tell on his own, but it was improved by the conversation with his son, Randy, who gave an important perspective. Nick is deeply involved with his community and conducts most of his business in real estate. He has, however, been involved in other things in the geopolitical sphere.

Nick and Randy had a heart-to-heart conversation. They discussed how Nick grew up in Iraq, where their family name comes from, and Nick’s journey to the United States. He lived in Greece for three years, a large part of it separated from his family, who still lived in Iraq. He sent money to them there.

Once he got to the United States, Nick went to work in a liquor store — 17 hours a day, 7 days a week for an entire year. His request for a day off was met with discontent. “If you take a day off, don’t come back to work here,” his boss replied.

Nick eventually bought his own store, which he sold in 1994 to venture into real estate. He continued working long hours to earn money for his wife and kids. Randy explained that, as a kid, this made him feel sad. He would see other friends’ parents who were well-established in this country spend more time with their kids.

For his first six months in real estate, Nick didn’t sell one house and almost quit the real estate business. “I almost quit a day before Easter, but I didn’t. After Easter, things opened up, maybe because I prayed about it,” Nick said. “God told me this was my destiny.”

“As I got older, I realized it was a different kind of love,” Randy said. “Time is one way to show your love. But you show it by supporting and providing for the family, creating a life where we moved out of a small house into a decent area. One of your goals was for me to go to college, too, and you helped me pay for it.”

Randy has a similar work ethic to his father. About 10 years ago, he founded Sapphire Homes, which builds luxury houses and landscaping. The company provides everything from architecture and interior design to realty. Nick recognized his son’s work ethic, but also noted his head start over his father.

“Now I have a two-year-old son,” Randy said. “I told my wife, when summer comes, I don’t like to work on the weekends because I want to spend time with my family. Thankfully this summer finally I’ve been able to take some time off.”

Now, Randy and Nick spend a lot more time together, and they can spend it discussing business. “One of the reasons I wanted to do this recording is because I’m trying to learn from your mistakes and your successes in the past,” Randy said.

Nick lived through The Great Recession as a realtor, which was not easy for anyone in the housing industry. In 2008, Nick got the opportunity to join the U.S. military in Iraq as a media analyst and translator for about one year, followed by another year in the States. This was Nick’s first trip back to Iraq since he left in 1980.

“I was 48 years old, and I left everything behind me,” Nick said about going to Iraq with the military. “The main reason was financial. The second reason was to pay back what the U.S. gave me in opportunity. If I had to do it again today, I would. I’m proud I had that experience.”

This left Randy and the family in a lurch. As a young adult, he “picked up the pieces” of his father’s business and managed it while he was gone. He was thrown in the deep end but clearly was a quick learner, judging by his business success today.

Nick actively encourages his family to enlist in the army because he considers it honorable and understands that Americans respect their veterans. For Nick, his service propelled a candidacy for the Michigan House of Representatives in 2012, which he lost in the Democratic primary.

Nick expressed his joy and pride for his son Randy. “Thank God you’re successful in your business, and I’m very, very proud of you,” Nick said. “For every dad, this is his proudest moment. To have his kids succeed and become better than him.”

Nick imparted wisdom he received from his own father. “Whenever you’re dealing with the public, treat the people the same way you want to be treated. Respect people the way you want to be respected. Don’t let fame or money allow you to drift away from this,” he said. That’s great advice given with love.