Michael Amin
ENTREPRENEUR, INVESTOR, PHILANTHROPIST
Michael Amin is a veteran entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist whose base of operations is located in Los Angeles, California. Originally from Iran, Michael moved to the United States in 1976 at the age of 17 to pursue a better life. Realizing that bettering himself through higher education was key to achieving this goal, he enrolled at Pepperdine University, later transferring to California State University, Northridge, where he eventually graduated with a degree in business. While still in college, he managed his family’s apartment complex and transformed it into condominiums, which were then sold for a profit—his first major venture in real estate.
Following graduation, Michael Amin founded several businesses, including Primex Talking Yellow Pages and Top Attorneys Directory. In 1988, he followed in his family’s well-established footsteps, developing his first pistachio orchard and becoming a fourth-generation pistachio grower. Over time, he transitioned from hands-on farming to investing, expanding his portfolio to include real estate, additional pistachio orchards, as well as some private equities and stocks. As time went on, Michael founded the management firm Primex World Inc. to oversee his assets. As the CEO of Primex, he continues to own and operate multiple orchards to this day, specializing in the cultivation of profitable permanent crops such as pistachios.
In 2001, Michael implemented one of his most cherished and long-held ideas, establishing the Maximum Difference Foundation (MDF), a nonprofit organization meant to help better both humanity and the world in many different ways. Drawing from his business training, Michael approaches MDF with the idea of maximizing positive outcomes for every dollar spent, much like what in business terms might be called a return on investment. That is why the Maximum Difference Foundation focuses on helping parents raise happy and well-developed children—as, according to Michael’s calculations, doing so will make the largest and most beneficial impact on the future. The foundation motivates parents to learn the art and science of good parenting through reading books, attending seminars, watching helpful videos, and, if necessary, referring families to therapists. MDF’s primary goal in this respect is to prioritize children’s happiness, personal growth and spirituality, ultimately empowering them to make a positive impact on the world. The Maximum Difference Foundation also partners with a variety of other nonprofits and charities to enhance its overall impact, focusing on several areas of need, such as healthcare, education, and human rights. For instance, MDF collaborates with Doctors Without Borders and UMMA Relief to provide free medical services for underprivileged families. It also supports initiatives like the Toy Foundation, which aims to provide children in need with toys, and the Omid Foundation, dedicated to helping homeless teenage youth. Further, MDF also works with Amnesty International and the Innocence Project to advocate for human rights and criminal reform. Through these partnerships, as well as many others, MDF amplifies its efforts to create a better world for families and communities across the world.
Following graduation, Michael Amin founded several businesses, including Primex Talking Yellow Pages and Top Attorneys Directory. In 1988, he followed in his family’s well-established footsteps, developing his first pistachio orchard and becoming a fourth-generation pistachio grower. Over time, he transitioned from hands-on farming to investing, expanding his portfolio to include real estate, additional pistachio orchards, as well as some private equities and stocks. As time went on, Michael founded the management firm Primex World Inc. to oversee his assets. As the CEO of Primex, he continues to own and operate multiple orchards to this day, specializing in the cultivation of profitable permanent crops such as pistachios.
In 2001, Michael implemented one of his most cherished and long-held ideas, establishing the Maximum Difference Foundation (MDF), a nonprofit organization meant to help better both humanity and the world in many different ways. Drawing from his business training, Michael approaches MDF with the idea of maximizing positive outcomes for every dollar spent, much like what in business terms might be called a return on investment. That is why the Maximum Difference Foundation focuses on helping parents raise happy and well-developed children—as, according to Michael’s calculations, doing so will make the largest and most beneficial impact on the future. The foundation motivates parents to learn the art and science of good parenting through reading books, attending seminars, watching helpful videos, and, if necessary, referring families to therapists. MDF’s primary goal in this respect is to prioritize children’s happiness, personal growth and spirituality, ultimately empowering them to make a positive impact on the world. The Maximum Difference Foundation also partners with a variety of other nonprofits and charities to enhance its overall impact, focusing on several areas of need, such as healthcare, education, and human rights. For instance, MDF collaborates with Doctors Without Borders and UMMA Relief to provide free medical services for underprivileged families. It also supports initiatives like the Toy Foundation, which aims to provide children in need with toys, and the Omid Foundation, dedicated to helping homeless teenage youth. Further, MDF also works with Amnesty International and the Innocence Project to advocate for human rights and criminal reform. Through these partnerships, as well as many others, MDF amplifies its efforts to create a better world for families and communities across the world.
