Happy Birthday to the Coptic Chamber today -- officially we're 7 years old!
Despite being relative "babies" in the world of business, by the grace of God, we OWN the field of Coptic business and entrepreneurship.
Never in such a short period of time has a Coptic business organization so dominated such an
important category.
For YEARS (decades actually) people kept saying the Copts need a unifying organization that will help them exchange ideas and leads, networking opportunities and bring them together as one.
ENTER THE COPTIC CHAMBER...
Earlier I said we "officially" launched seven years ago today because, in late 2018, we had a soft launch that assured me the path we started was solid and in demand.
The first week of the soft launch we had something like 30 members sign up... and... PAY (a concept previously unheard of in the Coptic community -- where Copts were paying to belong to a professional business organization.)
From the Coptic Chamber we launched COPTIC-CON the very same year (pretty gutsy move, wouldn't you say?)... and... we all know how much of a force COPTIC-CON has been. Thanks be to God.
WHY DID WE OFFICIALLY LAUNCH TODAY?
At 7:45 am ET, March 26th,
2019, I pressed SEND to go live... and... the rest is history.
I selected this day in particular because it is the date of repose for a holy, modern-day Coptic saint (above), Fr. Mikhail Ibrahim.
I had learned all about him growing up and loved him dearly. I felt the day would be blessed to share the feast day of Fr. Mikhail, who was known for being
long-suffering and wise, and a man of prayer and sacrifice.
Fr. Mikhail Ibrahim was the father confessor of St. Fr. Bishoy Kamel, Pope Shenouda III and many other priests and bishops.
May Fr. Mikhail Ibrahim's prayers be with us and always bless us.
THE OTHER PHOTO...
Is a picture of my father, Fouad Anis. As my dear friend, Dr. George Abdelsayed (son of the famous late founder of St. Mark's Church in Jersey City, Fr. Gabriel Abdelsayed) said about my father...'
"HE WAS AN ICON!"
Indeed my
father was one of the early founders of the Coptic Church in the United States... and he personally founded the St. Mina Holmdel church.
He was instrumental in the founding, growth, support of many other Coptic churches, causes, charities and the like.
I can go on and on about him
THE REASON I MENTION MY FATHER...
I've talked about my father many times before. The reason I always mention him in relation to the Coptic Chamber is because he was the inspiration behind why I started this wonderful organization.
Before the Coptic Chamber was, in fact before even I
was, my father was helping Coptic business owners -- connecting them, advising them, lifting them up and cheering them on.
HE IS THE REASON THERE IS A COPTIC CHAMBER.
In addition, we would be no where without all our cream of the crop PLATINIUM, Gold, Silver and Bronze members. THANK YOU FOR
TRUSTING US way back when, when we were just another ambitious idea that had assured you of success when so many others had failed.
Also, a very big thank you to all our sponsors over the years. You really pulled through for us! We rely on you year after year and you never disappoint.
In short, I am indebted to so many who have made the Coptic American Chamber
of Commerce what it is today. Without you we would only be a dream.
Happy Birthday to all of us!
Until next time...
Remember to K.I.C. (Keep It Coptic).
