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Hung Tu: Building a New Livelihood

By James Florence, Diamond Certified Resource Reporter

SAN JOSE — When Hung Tu agreed to help his sister build her new house, he didn’t realize he’d also be building a new livelihood for himself. “My sister hired a contractor to build a house, but after problems arose, she asked if I could help with getting it finished,” he remembers. “At the time, I was working as an electrician. Once I was on the job, I found I had a talent for construction—I was a fast learner and I really enjoyed the work. After my sister’s house was finished, I got a job with one of the contractors I’d been working with. A few year later, I attended trade school to get a more formal education, and soon after that I earned my contractor’s license and started my own business.”

Today, as president of An Ky Construction Inc. (which he named after his father), Hung says he enjoys all aspects of his construction career. “I have a lot of fun doing what I do. I like talking with my clients and employees, and sometimes I’ll put on my tool belt and get in on the work. After finishing a project, I like to sit there and enjoy the beauty of it.”

Originally from Vietnam, Hung came to the United States in 1983 and today resides in South San Jose. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with family. “All my family is here in South San Jose, including my wife and daughters, brothers, and cousins. We’re very close and do everything from birthday get-togethers to family camping trips.” Hung also likes to pursue aquatic hobbies like boating and fishing. “I love the water,” he affirms. “I like taking my boat out and going wakeboarding, water skiing, and fishing on the San Francisco Bay.”

When asked his secret to keeping customers satisfied, Hung says it’s all about relationships. “I make a point of getting to know my clients and learning about their expectations for their building projects. By asking plenty of questions and listening to their needs, I’m able to get a clear idea of what they want and perform the job accordingly. This leads to a high level of customer satisfaction as well as customer referrals, which make up a good portion of my business.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Hung says he’d travel. “I haven’t thought about retirement much because I love my job and don’t really want to retire. However, I do love to travel, so if I did retire, I’d buy an RV and drive all over the U.S. with my wife.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What kinds of movies do you like?
A: Action movies.

Q: Pancakes or waffles?
A: Pancakes.

Q: What’s your favorite holiday?
A: It’s a tie between Thanksgiving and Christmas, because both are opportunities for the whole family to get together.

Q: Would you rather live in the city or the country?
A: The city.