The story of US Alliance Group CEO Fadi Cheikha exemplifies a powerful truth about American entrepreneurship: immigrants are not just participants in the economy; they are driving forces behind its growth and innovation. Cheikha's journey from surviving the Lebanese Civil War with just $2,000 in his pocket to building a fintech company generating over a $100 million in annual revenue demonstrates the extraordinary impact immigrant entrepreneurs continue to have on the American economy.
Recent research shows that 46% of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants or their children, and immigrants account for nearly one in four business owners in the United States despite representing only about 14% of the population. Cheikha's success story adds to this legacy of immigrant entrepreneurship that has been fundamental to America's economic strength.
Survival, Education, and the Decision to Leave
Born to a Lebanese father and Greek mother, Fadi Cheikha's early years were defined by violence and instability. From age seven to twenty, he lived through the Lebanese Civil War, constantly moving between shelters and safe houses to escape bombings, sniper fire, kidnapping attempts, and explosions.
Despite the chaos surrounding him, Cheikha pursued his education with determination, studying Business Management and Economics at Beirut University College. By age 20, he had completed dual degrees, but Lebanon's path to recovery remained uncertain. Recognizing that stability and opportunity lay elsewhere, he applied for immigration to Australia, the United States, and Canada.
When both the U.S. and Canada accepted his application while Australia declined, Cheikha made the life-changing decision to choose America. He left against his parents' initial wishes, though they gave him their blessing along with a promise that has guided his life and business philosophy ever since: to always respect the ground that feeds him and protect the flag that hovers over his head, wherever he lives.
With just $2,000 and a one-way ticket, the 20-year-old immigrant arrived in the United States in 1987, ready to transform hardship into opportunity.
Building From the Ground Up
Immigrant entrepreneurs exemplify the courage inherent in moving to another country, and research consistently shows they are more entrepreneurial than the native-born population. Cheikha's early years in America embodied this entrepreneurial spirit. He started as a gas station attendant, moved into furniture sales where he quickly advanced to store manager, then transitioned to the financial services sector where he became a top-performing bank salesperson.
It was during this period that Cheikha identified an emerging opportunity in the payments industry. In the late 1990s, he and his wife, Kim, began selling ATMs, a nascent market at the time. Kim founded Electronic Cash Systems (ECS), which Fadi later took over as CEO. But his vision extended far beyond automated teller machines.
Recognizing the need for comprehensive payment solutions in an evolving digital landscape, Cheikha established US Alliance Group, Inc. in 2007 as the parent company to ECS. What began as a small ATM operation has evolved into a diversified fintech powerhouse offering credit and debit card processing, ACH payments, merchant cash advances, lending, point-of-sale technology, and secure digital commerce tools.
Exceptional Growth in a Competitive Industry
Under Cheikha's leadership, US Alliance Group achieved remarkable 68.5% revenue growth over two years. This performance has earned the company 11 appearances on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies and eight recognitions as one of Orange County's fastest-growing companies.
Research shows that immigrant-owned firms generate more patents per worker and are more likely to produce and bring to market innovations or new technologies. Cheikha's company reflects this innovative spirit through its integrated approach to payment processing, creating a true one-stop-shop solution for businesses across multiple industries.
Beyond US Alliance Group, Fadi and Kim Cheikha founded Aiden Capital, overseeing a diversified portfolio spanning banking integrations, technology development, real estate, agriculture, and other ventures.
The Lebanese Entrepreneurial Legacy
Lebanese Americans have demonstrated particularly strong entrepreneurial tendencies, with research showing that Lebanese culture emphasizes independence and creating services where needs exist. Cheikha joins a distinguished group of Lebanese-American business leaders who have made significant contributions to the U.S. economy, including Shark Tank investor Kevin O'Leary, who has said that "Lebanese culture is one of the most successful entrepreneurial cultures on earth."
Like many immigrant entrepreneurs from Lebanon and other countries, Cheikha's success extends beyond personal achievement. Companies less than five years old create an average of 1.5 million new jobs for Americans each year, and immigrants play an instrumental role in this job creation as they are more likely to start new businesses than the native-born population.
Building a Culture of Longevity and Values
What distinguishes Cheikha's approach to business is his commitment to building something lasting. This extraordinary workplace culture has earned the company recognition as one of Inc.'s Best Workplaces three times and one of Orange County's Best Places to Work for seven consecutive years.
"At the end of the day, a company's success comes from its people," Cheikha emphasized. "Leaders set direction, but it's truly the people and the whole team that turns ideas into products and services that clients trust."
This philosophy extends to the Cheikhas' philanthropic work through the Aiden Whisper Foundation. "Aiden Whisper literally means 'God Whispers,'" Cheikha explains. "That small voice in your gut is God nudging you to notice the ways in which you can serve. We believe generosity is simply seeing a need and doing something about it."
A Testament to American Opportunity
The more than $8.6 trillion in revenue generated by Fortune 500 companies founded by immigrants or children of immigrants is greater than the GDP of every country in the world outside the United States, except China. While US Alliance Group operates on a different scale, Cheikha's journey from a war-torn childhood to building a $100+ million Fintech company represents the same fundamental story: America's strength lies in its ability to attract, welcome, and empower individuals willing to work hard and contribute to the economy.
"Being on the Inc. 5000 list again is something I never could have imagined when I first came to the U.S. from Lebanon at 20 years old, chasing the American dream," said Cheikha. "To now be one of the fastest-growing companies in America feels incredible. We started as a small team with big dreams and a lot of faith, and every bit of this success comes from people who never gave up."
Cheikha's story serves as a powerful reminder that immigrant entrepreneurs bring not just their labor and ideas to America, but also their determination, resilience, and commitment to building something meaningful that extends beyond themselves. From surviving war as a child to creating a company that now supports hundreds of employees and thousands of merchant clients, Fadi Cheikha embodies the transformative power of the American dream.
About US Alliance Group, Inc.
US Alliance Group, Inc. is a diversified fintech company headquartered in Rancho Santa Margarita, California, specializing in comprehensive payment solutions including credit and debit card processing, ACH payments, merchant cash advances, lending, and point-of-sale technology. Operating through brands including ECS Payments (Electronic Cash Systems) and Aiden Capital, the company serves businesses across multiple industries with innovative financial services and technology solutions. Founded on principles of faith, generosity, and ethical leadership, US Alliance Group has earned more than 30 industry awards and workplace recognitions, including 11 appearances on the Inc. 5000 list of America's fastest-growing private companies.
For more information, visit www.usag-inc.com or www.ecspayments.com
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