Wail Alshuaibi poses infront of his shop. Alshuaibi is now a successful local business owner but it was not always that way for the Alshuaibis.
Wail talks with a customer outside of his shop. He has many regular customers that come by to chat and say hi to him.
Wail offers his friend a light for his cigarette. Wail's sharing nature comes from his time growing up in Yemen and Malayisa.
Sharing his lighter, the customer thanks him. Wail and his family grew up in Yemen, sharing one house with over 15 family members.
Wail steps out for a cigarette a couple times every hour, holding it in his hand as it smolders. Alshuaibi runs 4 businesses in the South Georgia and South Carolina regions.
He tells me stories from his life outside of America. "People here can be so ungrateful for what America has to offer.", he says.
He pauses a moment to think. "In my country, there are no food banks, government assistance. We have nothing like that. I really want to create the first food bank in Yemen."
Wail walks away with his friend, pausing his story. He tells me how how he once saw a woman digging through piles of trash in Yemen around Christmas to find some meat, her children had never had meat before and she wanted to give them some to eat for a present.
Wail listens intently to his friend. Wail tells me how America has more opportutunities than other countries to make it out of poverty.
Coming back inside, Wail starts to set up a hookah. He tells me how during the war in Yemen, his father saw all of the American citizens being evacuated and asked why they could leave while they had to stay in the turmoil.
Wail sets up the hookah with expertise. "When my dad saw what America does for its people, he knew he had to immigrate to America for all of us."
He adjusts the bowl piece, rocking it into place. "Life is so hard in Yemen," he tells me, "I still can't believe how America is so different, I am always... like "wow"."
Wail stares as he tells me more about his life pre-Statesboro. "It is so hard to immigrate over here with your whole family. The amount of money and time it takes is worth it."
Wail speaks passionately as I snap a picture of his shirt. After his family moved to Statesboro, his father opened a suit shop downtown that had become successful and Wail worked for him at the shop.
Wail tells me more about his work expierence. "I did not like working at the suit shop, It was not for me. I knew I needed something different, that was more my vibe."
He tells me about his partnership with his brother infront of his favorite game, Connect 4. "Me and Mo (his brother) opened this shop after the one in Aiken was successful. I decorating, picking out products to sell and seeing my customers. They have become my friends."
He adjusts some coals in the glass cabinet. "I love this store and coming into work, I love having the freedom to do this now."
The Connect 4 game is Wail's favorite. He thinks that having games in the store makes it more friendly.
Wail takes a moment to talk with an employee. He always takes a second to talk to people, even when he is busy.
Wail takes a moment to think of his closing words. "Always be greatful for what you have because there are people with much less than you who think they have the world. It's all about up here," pointing to his head.
