Long Days and Lifelong Dreams

Hteet Powl was no stranger to long days in 2021.

Back then, Powl was working the night shift at the Hormel Foods Austin (Minnesota) Plant, and still does, clocking out five days a week around 7 a.m. For most third-shifters, such a nightly rhythm is typically followed by a full-day’s sleep, but not for Powl. At least not back then.

For a period of several months, each night shift for Powl was followed closely by a morning shift at Unity Asian Grocery, the local establishmenthe has co-owned and operated with his wife, Htwe Htwe Than, since March 2021. Powl’s days and nights were long and arduous in the early months of the store; yet it was rewarding, if you ask him. Through the long hours, he never lost his cheerful spirit as the joy of serving his family sustained him.

Hteet is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met, he always comes in with a great attitude, and his dedication to his team is unmatched.
Skyler Evenson, operations manager at Hormel Foods

“Hteet is one of the hardest workers I’ve ever met,” said Skyler Evenson, operations manager at Hormel Foods and Powl’s direct supervisor. “He always comes in with a great attitude, and his dedication to his team is unmatched. Whether it’s helping cover shifts or training new leaders, he’s always looking for ways to contribute.”

Evenson added, “Hteet’s energy for his team never dipped while pulling double duty at both jobs. He’s always had a smile on his face.”

From Adversity to Austin

Powl first came to work at Hormel Foods more than a decade ago, eventually rising to the rank of team leader, but long before his rise at the company, he had already experienced a challenging and transformative journey. Born in Myanmar, formerly Burma, Powl’s early life was marked by adversity as he and other members of his family eventually fled political unrest in their home country. Powl, Than and other members of their respective families later spent time in a refugee camp in Thailand before arriving in the United States, a road which eventually led Powl and his family to Austin, and to Hormel Foods.

I’ve always felt very supported here.
Hteet Powl, team leader at Hormel Foods

“It was a lot of hard work in the beginning, but I always looked for opportunities to learn when I started on the job,” said Powl, well known for years by his colleagues as a reliable team member and a hard worker. Powl eventually worked his way up from team member to team leader, a position he has now held for several years. “I’ve always felt very supported here,” he said.

That support was never more evident than in 2021, when Powl, grappling with the notion of starting his own small business, feared he might have to leave his role at Hormel Foods behind.

“I told my boss that I needed to quit because my wife really needed my help with the store,” Powl said. “But my supervisor, he said, ‘How can we help you? We don’t want to lose you.’ So, I asked if they could move me to third shift. They were really supportive.”

It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it.
Hteet Powl, team leader

“At Hormel Foods, we’ve always prioritized creating a culture that allows our team members to find a suitable work-life balance,” Evenson said. “We want to support our team leaders in achieving their personal goals, and that’s something we will continue to encourage.”

We want to support our team leaders in achieving their personal goals, and that’s something we will continue to encourage.
Skyler Evenson, operations manager

Serving the Community

The company’s flexibility allowed Powl to maintain his role at Hormel Foods while also assisting with the grocery store. For about six months, he managed both jobs, working nights at the company’s Austin Plant while also helping his wife in the morning.

“It wasn’t easy, but it was worth it,” Powl said with a smile. He saw his sacrifices as a necessary measure to ensure a better future for his family. “I didn’t want to let my wife down or my team at Hormel Foods. Both are very important to me.”

Hteet Powl and Htwe Htwe Than inside their Asian Grocery Store in Austin, Minnesota

After a period of sharing the workload with each other alone, Powl and Than saw their dream come to fruition. Powl’s friend from Iowa has also come on board to help with the store, lightening their load as the business continues to grow. “Now, our friend helps us, so we don’t need to work as many hours,” Powl said.

Today, their small business offers a wide range of products, from fresh vegetables and spices to canned goods and snacks. It’s a small business that serves not only Powl and his family, but also the city of Austin at large, providing a local connection to Asian culture and traditions for those seeking authentic ingredients and community.

“I wanted to bring the foods that remind us of home to Austin,” Than said. “It wasn’t just about business. It was about providing our community with the flavors and products, and the support they need. We are here to support our neighbors.”

Our store isn’t just a store. It’s a place for the community to come together.
Hteet Powl

“It’s a joy to see people come in and feel like they belong,” Powl said. “Our store isn’t just a store. It’s a place for the community to come together.”

Powl continues to dedicate himself to both Hormel Foods and the family business. At times, his schedule remains demanding, but his passion for his work and family never wanes.

“It’s clear how much his family means to him,” Evenson said. “He’s not just committed to his job at Hormel Foods, but also to his family and to the business they’ve built together. We’re here to continue supporting Hteet however we can.”

Long Days and Lifelong Dreams

From Adversity to Austin

Serving the Community

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