03/27/2008
CONTACT: Rosemary Elebash, 334-264-2261 or Todd Pack, 615-872-5897
Sieu Tang Wood immigrated to United States 35 years ago with $275, built nationwide business
MONTGOMERY, Ala. -- Sieu Tang Wood, founder and owner of Tang's Tailor Shop in the Montgomery area, has been named the 2008 Solveras/NFIB Small Business Champion for Alabama by the National Federation of Independent Business.
"Sieu Tang is the definition of a true entrepreneur," said Rosemary Elebash, state director of NFIB/Alabama, the state's leading small business association. Wood was presented the award during NFIB's Small Business Day at the Capitol.
"The dream she had when immigrating to the United States from Laos in 1973 was to work hard and provide for her family and others," Elebash said. "She wanted a hand up, not a hand out, and today she's giving a hand up to other small business owners."
Wood serves on NFIB's Leadership Counsel, advising the association on issues affecting small business owners. She has contributed to the NFIB Young Entrepreneur Foundation, and her donations helped establish the first fully endowed NFIB scholarship. "She's tireless in her support of NFIB's mission to promote and protect the right of our members to own, operate and grow their businesses," Elebash said.
Wood and her sister, Sio Yee Woo, arrived in San Francisco 35 years ago with $275 and a desire to help their family move to the United States. The sisters moved to Anchorage, Alaska, where they found jobs as seamstresses in a tailor shop run by a Hong Kong immigrant, whose son had a contract to provide alterations for military uniforms. In 1985, Wood moved to Montgomery to provide alterations for personnel at Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base.
Over the next 10 years, Wood added alterations contracts with military bases throughout the Southeast and Hawaii. In 1993, she opened her first civilian shop in a storefront on Cloverdale Road in Montgomery. Today, the business that began with a single $25 sewing machine has grown to include about 120 sewing machines in six shops in Montgomery and Prattville. In addition, Wood now designs formal and bridal gowns and women's suits.
She has served on the boards of the Montgomery Rotary Club, the Montgomery Area Chamber of Commerce and the Girl Scouts of South Central Alabama. She currently serves on the boards of the Montgomery Area Council on Aging, the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, the Montgomery Ballet, the Montgomery Chorale and the Junior League of Montgomery. Wood, whose son died of lung cancer in 2004, also donated a van to Kid One Transport, an organization that provides transportation to sick children and expectant mothers.
"Sieu Tang has become something of an institution in Montgomery, and a role model for other small business owners," Elebash said.
"When I came to this country, I never worried about being a success," Wood said. "I just worked hard. I thought, if I lose my business, I would just start over, because I still have my $275. Now, I have so many people who would help me. I am blessed."
