Bright Lights by Lacy Johnson

Bright Lights by Lacy Johnson

By Bright LightsBusinessEntrepreneurshipKids & Family
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Bright Lights by Lacy Johnson episodes

  • Bright Lights with Lacy Johnson EP54: Maricela Gallarzo

    Maricela Gallarzo is a wife, mother, and businesswoman who emigrated from Mexico to Chicago in 1997 to pursue her American dream.  There she met and married her husband Cef. The couple and their first child moved to Minnesota in 2000. She became a US Citizen in 2002.


    She and Cef currently own and operate the only Planet Smoothie in Minnesota and an office cleaning business.

    Government policy in response to the recent riots and pandemic contributed to a drastic loss in her customer base in downtown Minneapolis and created many obstacles to success. It has not been easy.

    However, her attitude, work ethic, and tenacity motivate her to work 12-hour days at her smoothie business and afterwards join her husband to help with office cleaning.

    According to Maricela, one of her main goals is to teach her three children that they can be anything they want to be in America…if they make good choices, set goals, work hard, and sacrifice.

    1 hr 12 min
  • Bright Lights with Lacy Johnson EP 53: May Lor Xiong

    May's Story...

    My family were among the Hmong people that fled the communist rule in Laos during the Vietnam War. After seeking refuge in the Ban Vinai refugee camp in Thailand, we emigrated to America in 1987 to a better life. We did not know what would happen to us, and we were terrified of what the future may hold. We learned about the American Dream and pursued it passionately. While I am proud of my Hmong heritage, I am equally proud to be an American. Our American Dreams are under attack by the Left. In the name of “equity”, they have diminished American values and destroyed businesses. It breaks my heart to see those dreams disappear in front of me. While not perfect, America is the best! We have come a long way in achieving opportunities for all. Everyone has the right and the chance to pursue their American Dream, whatever that dream might be. " I decided to run for Congress as a Republican to protect the dreams of each and every American."

    1 hr 19 min
  • Bright Lights with Lacy Johnson EP52: Anthony Hulula

    Anthony is the founder and director of the Ngao Foundation.  While they valued education, Anthony's parents had 10 children and not even enough money for food.  Anthony was able to attend high school by working as a cobbler.  At school, he joined Young Christian Students (YCS) becoming YCS President. After high school, Anthony began working with the Xaverian brothers coordinating programs for homeless children while studying to become a teacher. After moving to Kangemi, Anthony continued to work with homeless children and those in need.  Having spent 9 years coordinating community programs, Anthony realized that he wanted to start his own organization. This is where the Ngao Foundation really began. Through recruiting like-minded, devoted people, Ngao has grown to be the organization that it is today. Anthony and his team are devoted to the Foundation’s success and work tirelessly with the communities to improve lives through community outreach, education, and empowerment building.

    1 hr 16 min

About Bright Lights by Lacy Johnson

From the publisher's feed

Lacy Johnson has been a resident of North Minneapolis for over 40 years. He believes the community and its people are among the best in Minnesota. Join him as he talks business, ideas, and family…