How This Immigrant Entrepreneur Is Helping Others Achieve the American Dream

Mercedes Concepcion-Gray started working at age 15, and she’s never stopped. Growing up in the Dominican Republic, she made her own money by other kids English and tutoring them in math. At 21, with two suitcases, $200 in her pocket, an engineering degree and relatives willing to house her, she moved to the United States and entered markets. But her real ambition was to own a business, and after two decades of corporate life, she decided to finally venture out as a franchisee of Patrice & Associates, a recruiting search firm for the hospitality industry with 140 offices across the country. Today, she runs her Atlanta location while doing even more to help her fellow .