Milo Dubak’s life story reads like a page-turner. Born in Berane, Montenegro, Milo was plunged into a life-threatening situation at a very young age. The infected scissors used to cut his umbilical cord caused a blood infection that landed him in a hospital in the capital city of Podgorica. Milo Dubak’s condition was so grave that his grandpa’s cousin was informed that the newborn wouldn’t survive. But miraculously, Dubak pulled through after receiving a blood transfusion from his grandpa’s cousin, who had the same blood type as him.

He survived, but the young boy’s troubles were far from over. Milo’s knees were filled with fluid, and although the doctors drained his right knee, they neglected to do the same for his left, which caused his left leg to be 2 ½ inches shorter once he reached puberty.

Milo Dubak didn’t let this setback deter him. As a teenager growing up in Chicago, Illinois, he underwent an unconventional medical procedure called the Ilizarov apparatus that corrected the irregularity of his leg. He emerged from this experience with a valuable lesson: the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity.

“This experience has taught me the value of persisting and not giving up in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, a philosophy that I hold dear and often remind myself of when faced with difficult situations, whether in business or other aspects of life,” he said.

I am always ready to go above and beyond to assist my loved ones and my broader community in the Balkans.

Milo Dubak, Co-founder of PURE Companies

Milo Dubak also learned the importance of familial and communal support during challenging periods.

“I appreciate the willingness of loved ones to offer assistance in times of need. I prioritize it as a crucial aspect of life, and I endeavor to maintain strong bonds with family and friends. I am always ready to go above and beyond to assist my loved ones and my broader community in the Balkans,” he shared.

As an immigrant growing up in Chicago, Dubak was apprehensive about what to anticipate and how he would fit in. However, he found solace in his younger brother and family members who embraced them and helped them assimilate.

“Our cousins, who were around our age, taught us English, introduced us to their friends, and took us everywhere they went,” he said.

Family, perseverance, and community: How Milo Dubak built PURE Companies

Milo Dubak’s entrepreneurial spirit was sparked by his family members who were already successful entrepreneurs. Working with his uncle and cousins during summers, he saw firsthand the rewards of owning your own business.

“I was inspired by their work ethic and saw firsthand the rewards of owning a business. Seeing my ideas come to fruition and watching my business grow is immensely rewarding,” said Milo Dubak. “Although it can be challenging to balance my work and family time, I persist in my efforts for both my family and myself. I understand that success cannot be achieved overnight, but I enjoy the process of building, innovating, and creating,” he said.

In 2012, Milo Dubak, along with his partners Acy Marsenic and Dragan Dubak, founded PURE Companies, a group of logistics and transportation firms that has earned multiple accolades for its outstanding work.

Based in the heart of Chicago, Illinois, this family-run business boasts a wealth of experience, offering a wide range of services, including trucks, third-party logistics, intermodal, truckload, dedicated fleet management, equipment sales, financing, and state-of-the-art technology. Over the years, PURE Companies has also expanded its scope to include music event production with PURE live music.

Milo Dubak’s advocacy for Balkan-American Community in Chicago

As an active member of the Balkan-American community in Chicago, Dubak firmly believes that the local government must take a deeper interest in understanding and engaging with their community to address their needs effectively.

He emphasizes the importance of taking the lead and organizing themselves on a larger scale to ensure that their concerns are being met. Waiting for assistance to arrive on its own is not a feasible option.

Milo Dubak, Co-Founder of PURE Companies.

“It’s important for our local government to have a deeper understanding of who we are and to engage with us to meet our needs and the needs of our neighborhoods. Waiting for others to help is not a viable option,” asserts Milo Dubak.

To preserve their Serbian-American culture for their family, Milo and his wife make it a point to speak to their children in Serbian, take them to church, and involve them in various church activities. They also ensure that their children are enrolled in schools run by their churches to maintain their cultural heritage.

“Our church communities have played a vital role in preserving our communities in the US. We also make sure to take our children back to our homeland yearly to ensure that they understand their roots and where they come from,” shared Milo Dubak.

Milo Dubak: You can achieve anything if you strive for it with hard work

For those who aspire to start their own business, Milo Dubak imparts some valuable advice.”Make sure you have a clear understanding of what you’re committing to. Conduct thorough research before initiating any endeavor. Persevere through setbacks, as they are a natural part of the process and can help you grow. Be truthful and open, continuously educate yourself, and strive to evolve.”

In the world of business, tough decisions come knocking on one’s door at every turn, and Milo Dubak is no stranger to such dilemmas. However, for him, the most crucial decision he faces every day is finding a balance between his business’s stability and the well-being of his family.

Be truthful and open, continuously educate yourself, and strive to evolve.

Milo Dubak

“They are the foundation of everything that I do,” Milo declared, “and without their support, nothing else would have any significance or possibility of success.” He strives each day to create a harmonious balance between his professional and personal life, leaving any workplace frustrations or negative occurrences behind to prevent any undue stress at home.

To Milo Dubak, the American Dream is not just a myth but an attainable reality.

“The American dream is exactly what they say it is,” he beamed. “Anyone, regardless of their background or social status, can achieve success and prosperity through hard work, determination, and initiative.” Milo believes that this dream is often associated with the pursuit of upward mobility, financial stability, and homeownership.

“There is no such thing as a ceiling here to keep you down,” he asserted. “You can achieve anything if you strive for it with hard work.” Milo’s tenacity and sanguine approach to life have undoubtedly played a pivotal role in his ascent.

THE BALKAN VOICE

Ksenija Pavlovic is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of the Pavlovic Today, The Chief White House Correspondent. Pavlovic was a Teaching Fellow and Doctoral Fellow in the Political Science department at...

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