0:00 - Victor expresses his gratitude for the luck and fortune that has been present throughout his life. His philosophy of ‘Be grateful with that you get and go forward’. Victor explains his approach to building relationships with his customers and places their happiness over maximising profits.
Direct segment link:
2:21 - Coming to America when he was 13 years old and starting 6th grade without knowing the ABCs. Learning English through playing basketball with the kids and graduating from an all-boys high school. Was accepted by University of Illinois in Chicago despite having terrible grades, studied engineering then computer science. Things coming full circle, Victor Kan gave a scholarship to the University of Illinois, Chicago in 2005/2006.
Direct segment link:
5:14 - Mom returned from the US after a long separation from family, tried opening a restaurant in Oak Park, Illinois but failed miserably. His 6th grade at 13, one year older than others. A total emersion into American culture and very fond memories of his teacher, Mrs. Phillips and the kindness of the children in his class. The racial divides in his neighborhood and how Whites and Blacks don’t mix or cross certain streets. Only one other Chinese family in the neighborhood, they own laundry together.
Direct segment link:
9:03 - As a child, Victor read a lot and many of them were Kung Fu stories that featured characters that taught him righteousness and fairness. It was very clear in them the good and the bad. He also read American stories that were translated into Chinese. He recalls his poor performance in school back in Hong Kong and questioned why he is what he is.
Direct segment link:
10:44 - He remembers that his mother left China when he was 5 years old for the United States, leaving behind his three older sisters and him. He was primarily taken care of by his three older sister, whom he feels really close to and his step-grandmother.
Direct segment link:
11:24 - He still lives in Washington [D.C] but comes up to New York City very often as his sons works here. He recalls memories on New York City back in the 1970s and how much the city has changed since then. He recounts a memory back in college when he was a fencer and a sword fighter. He felt New York city was very innovative back then.
Direct segment link:
12:20 - Explains the significance of ZhongShan, in the village of ZhongShan where his grandfather had a house and grew up there. In America, in Great Falls where his family was established and have lived for the past 25 years or so. Is now comfortable enough to be part of a lot of different places. ZhongShan is where he is from, and Great Falls is where he is now.
Direct segment link:
13:36 - His grandfather came to the United States, made enough money to buy land a build a house in China but the Communist came and took the land. The house still stands and is still in possession of the family. He will always remember the front of the house and the big stairwell and climbing up and down it.
Direct segment link:
14:32 - The main reason why he bought a tile at MOCA is to give back to the next generation. It is to tell people 100 years from now, all the little Kans in the world how they got their last name and where they came from.
Direct segment link:
15:35 - His children grew up in suburban Virginia, they did not go to go Chinese school or Chinese church, so they grew up feeling a bit alien being Asian. They have more of a relationship with their American culture and the choice was for them to be more like people of the world.
Direct segment link:
16:47 - Reflecting on how when he was growing up 30 years ago and how closed off China was to the rest of the world. In the United States there are more opportunity and has the best of the everything. So, the conscious decision was made to be more American than Chinese.
Direct segment link:
17:53 - Victor explains his philosophy on how to be a man of the world instead of identifying yourself simply by your ethnicity. Look around and pick out what is the best for you. Give yourself the chance to look at everything and then decide on who you want to be.
Direct segment link:
19:32 - How he met Lucy, he was introduced to her by his sister who was living in Chicago, Lucy had just come over from Peru and staying with her cousin. The date was arranged, and they went out for pizza.
Direct segment link:
20:46 - His most important message that he tells his children is to be a man of the world and don’t pigeonhole yourself.
Direct segment link: