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With years of experience under his belt, few CEOs match the dedication of Sunil Wadhwani. McAllen, Texas may be home to his thriving business, but his influence can be felt much further. Like many self-made entrepreneurs, nothing was handed to him. Instead, his unique path has been built on consistent moments of resilience and deeply held family values.
Wadhwani moved from Asia to Dallas, Texas when he was just six years old, and although he wasn’t very into academics, he had a love for sports and a noticeable drive to succeed. He’s gone from a kid with big dreams to an entrepreneur who has built a successful hospitality business—someone his younger self would be proud of.
Now a well-respected figure in McAllen, Texas, Wadhwani oversees hundreds of rooms across several popular hotel brands. Along the way, he’s faced challenges and taken risks, but he’s never forgotten the values he learned from his parents and the reason for his success. Through hard work and persistence, he’s built a long-lasting empire that isn’t done growing.
Learning the Ropes of Retail in Brownsville
Sunil Wadhwani didn’t start his career in a big office or after getting a business degree. He got his first job after high school, which involved working side by side with his parents in their retail and wholesale store in Brownsville, Texas. His parents had moved to the U.S. with just $100 to their name and built that store from scratch.
For years, Wadhwani worked with his parents, learning everything he needed to know about running a business—like how to manage inventory, interact with customers, and take care of the store’s operations. These formative years may have been consumed by business knowledge, but that’s not all that he learned about. His parents also taught him the value of perseverance, and he saw all that it would take for him to be successful.
By the time he was 25, Wadhwani was ready to step out on his own. He opened his first business in McAllen, specializing in electronics and branded watches. It was a big step, but one that set him on a path toward even greater things.
Switching Gears to the Hotel Industry
Even though Wadhwani’s store was doing well, he wasn’t the type to get comfortable, always thinking about what he could do next for his business. So, when the chance came to expand into online retail, he jumped on it. This move allowed him to reach a much larger customer base and pushed his business to the next level. His success in online retail opened the door to new opportunities, the most prominent being real estate.
In 2000, a major opportunity came along when Wadhwani was offered the chance to work with La Qunita as one of their first new franchisees. For Wadhwani, this was a game-changer. It marked his entrance into the hospitality industry and his initial move into the hotel business. He didn’t just take the opportunity; he ran with it.
Growing From the Ground Up
What started as a single 65-room hotel is now a hospitality empire. Wadhwani’s portfolio spans eight hotel locations, with a ninth one in the works. His collection of hotels includes top brands like La Quinta, Motel 6, Wyndham, and, most recently, Marriott. The empire now covers much of South Texas, with plans for continued expansion.
Joining the prestigious Marriott family was one of his greatest accomplishments. It took years of steady commitment and was a testament to the strength of his business and his ability to build strong partnerships. His goal is to keep expanding and eventually reach 1,000 hotel rooms across all of his hotel brands.
Balancing Involvement and Independence
When it comes to managing his business, Wadhwani is hands-on in every sense of the word. Every day, he visits each of his hotel locations, meeting with his general managers to ensure everything is running smoothly. He’s involved in every part of his business but also believes in giving his team the freedom to make their own decisions. He trusts his managers to handle the day-to-day operations, but he’s always there to offer support when needed.
Mentorship is a big part of his leadership style as well. Wadhwani knows that building a strong team is key to long-term success. He’s found the perfect balance between being actively involved and empowering his team, which has helped him build a loyal, capable management group.
Resilience In Rough Markets and a Tough Pandemic
Like any business, running a chain of hotels in South Texas hasn’t been without its challenges. Early on, Wadhwani’s hotels depended a lot on Mexican travelers crossing the border. But when that traffic slowed, it became tough to fill the rooms, and he had to find new ways to bring in guests. On top of that, the market became crowded—too many hotels competing for the same guests.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought additional challenges, as travel restrictions and decreased demand severely impacted the hospitality industry. Yet, Wadhwani’s ability to adapt and find alternative clientele helped his business stay afloat. His tenacity during these tough times was a key part of his success.
There were also a couple of personal setbacks early in his career. His first real estate venture, a 20-acre housing development project, didn’t work out because the housing market crashed. Then, his online watch retail business was overtaken by Amazon, which used his company’s proprietary information to dominate the market.
These obstacles were difficult, but Wadhwani learned from them, becoming a better entrepreneur because of them.
Sunil Wadhwani’s Biggest Wins Involve Family
Sunil Wadhwani, McAllen’s winner of Franchise of the Year several times for La Quinta and Motel 6, among other merits, isn’t what matters most. His proudest accomplishments are personal—all about family. He’s been married for 35 years and has four children and three grandchildren. His family has always been his motivation to work hard and build something meaningful.
His parents’ story of coming to the United States with just $100 and building a successful life inspires him to do the same. The values they instilled in him—effort, perseverance, and commitment—are the foundation of the life he’s built, and he’s passing those same values on to his own children and grandchildren. Just as his parents showed him that anything is possible with hard work and the right mindset, he now strives daily to create the same kind of life for his family.
From One Hotel to One Thousand
Reaching his goal of 1,000 hotel rooms across is well within sight, but Wadhwani is thinking about the future a little differently now. He’s focused on building a strong management team that can handle the daily operations, so he can step back and spend more time with his family. He knows the business will keep growing, and he wants to be sure it thrives while supporting those closest to him.
For those looking to follow in his footsteps, Wadhwani’s advice is straightforward: start from the ground up, get real-world experience, and be prepared for change because things won’t always go as planned. He stresses that success doesn’t happen overnight and setbacks are part of the journey. With effort, persistence, and a willingness to keep growing, he believes that anyone can find success.
Looking ahead, one thing is certain: Wadhwani’s commitment to family and the values that have shaped his life will continue to guide him. His story isn’t just about building a successful business—it’s a real-world example of resilience, dedication, and the lasting impact and power of family.
