This is a two-part episode. Donna Fujimoto Cole was 27 and recently divorced with a young daughter when she started Cole Chemical in 1980 with $5,000. Over the coming decades, Cole grew her company into one of Houston’s leading woman- and minority-owned chemical distributors, supplying gasoline, jet fuel, antifreeze and other chemicals for clients such as Exxon Mobil, Phillips 66, Toyota and Colgate.

In this episode Donna shares her journey of building a business, her experience as a third generation Japanese American, the challenges she faced and how she continues to advocate for diversity and inclusivity in business and beyond.