Opening Up the Baghdad Office

So what do you wear?

Jeans and khakis and button-down shirts. I did let my beard grow out a bit because it makes me look more Arabic.

How did you secure your first contract?

During my second trip, I stopped by the offices of the U.S. Agency for International Development. The person there said, "It's funny you are here. We need furniture." That order was for about $96,000.

Did you send someone from Texas to run your Iraq office?

No. While I feel safe in Iraq, I didn't want to send one of my employees there. I hired a local furniture guy who handles all of the hiring and personnel issues in Baghdad, where I have about 15 local employees.

What are your Iraqi workers like?

They are industrious, and they want to get on with their lives, to re-build their country for their children and grandchildren.

Do you worry that U.S. policy will change and that that will hurt your business?

I don't know any entrepreneur that waits for clarity from the government before embarking on a course of action. Besides which, I subscribe to the theory that in Iraq, any business plan you develop will be adjusted a number of times anyway. Only those who can respond well -- and respond quickly -- to a fluid situation will succeed.