Sushi Maki Founder Abe Ng Shares His Journey of Faith, Business, and Perseverance at CMBC Luncheon
At a recent luncheon hosted by the Christian Marketplace Business Connection (CMBC) at the iconic 94th Aero Squadron Restaurant on May 26, 2026, attendees experienced more than a business keynote. They witnessed a heartfelt conversation centered around faith, family, entrepreneurship, sacrifice, and the immigrant spirit that helped shape Miami’s business community.
Led by Steven Solomon, the keynote featured Abe Ng, founder and CEO of Sushi Maki, who openly shared the deeply personal story behind his family’s journey from Hong Kong to Miami and the lessons learned through decades of entrepreneurship.
From Hong Kong to New York With Eight Dollars
Abe Ng shared that his father arrived in Canada from Hong Kong at just 18 years old carrying only $8 in his pocket. An orphan who never completed high school, he eventually settled in New York City, working long hours in the laundry business during the day while bussing tables and waiting on customers at Chinese restaurants at night.
During those difficult years, Abe’s mother remained in Hong Kong, encouraging him through handwritten letters to seek God, find a church, and remain grounded spiritually. Her Christian faith developed through a playground crusade in Hong Kong, and that spiritual foundation would eventually shape generations of their family.
Their story later brought them to Miami.
After honeymooning at the legendary Fontainebleau Miami Beach in 1969, a pastor they knew suggested South Florida offered tremendous opportunity. With little certainty but tremendous faith, the family eventually relocated to Miami to pursue a better future.
Failure Became the Greatest Teacher
One of the most impactful moments during the luncheon came when Abe explained how failure shaped him more than success ever could.
His father’s first business failed.
Years later, Abe’s own first restaurant venture — a Mexican burrito concept — also collapsed due to poor partnerships and business misalignment.
Instead of hiding those moments, Abe embraced them as defining chapters of growth.
He shared that he often learns more from hearing entrepreneurs discuss their failures than their victories because adversity reveals character, endurance, and leadership.
That message strongly resonated with the audience.
The Immigrant Mentality
Abe described the “immigrant mentality” that many Miami business owners deeply understand.
When your family sacrifices everything for opportunity, quitting is not viewed as an option.
He recalled moments where he seriously considered walking away from the business world entirely. Yet his father continuously reminded him that perseverance was part of survival itself.
That work ethic became part of the foundation of Sushi Maki and remains embedded in the company’s culture today.
Building Sushi Maki Into a Miami Institution
What began as a neighborhood sushi restaurant evolved into one of South Florida’s most recognized restaurant brands.
Today, Sushi Maki operates roughly 30 locations throughout South Florida, including partnerships with universities, airports, hospitals, and Whole Foods Market stores throughout the region.
Abe explained that securing the Whole Foods partnership required years of persistence, relationship building, and relentless follow-up. At one point, he even traveled internationally simply for the opportunity to connect with a key decision-maker.
The lesson was simple:
Persistence matters.
Faith, Stewardship, and Leadership
Throughout the keynote, Abe repeatedly referenced the influence of church, prayer, discipline, and Christian values in both his personal and professional life.
While Sushi Maki does not openly market itself as a Christian company, Abe explained that the business attempts to operate according to biblical principles through integrity, excellence, stewardship, and service.
One quote stood out to many in attendance:
“We think it’s God’s business anyway.”
He also credited his wife for helping sustain the business during difficult seasons, emphasizing how critical alignment at home becomes for entrepreneurs navigating uncertainty and delayed gratification.
A Special Moment of Prayer and Remembrance
As the luncheon concluded, Omar Aleman took a moment to recognize the recent passing of Ralph Geronimo.
The room became noticeably emotional as a heartfelt prayer was shared in Ralph’s honor.
For many attendees, including Wilson Alvarez, the moment carried deep personal meaning. Wilson had worked with Ralph for more than 20 years, helping manage and support his computer systems and technology needs throughout the years.
The prayer served as a reminder that business communities are often much more than professional networks. Over time, they become friendships, relationships, and extended families built through decades of trust, loyalty, and shared experiences.
It was a powerful closing moment that reflected the true spirit of the CMBC gathering — faith, business, community, and people supporting one another through every season of life.
