U.S. Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Tulsa, rose from humble beginnings to become a very successful businessman. Now he’s founding an institute to ensure future generations can enjoy the same opportunities and success.

“I know what it’s like to come from absolutely nothing, but I also know what it’s like to wake up one day and decide that you want more for your life and for your family, only to find yourself looking back decades later, realizing that you’ve lived the American dream,” Hern said in a video announcement. “It’s pretty humbling. It’s also incredibly motivating to want to make sure that the same economic opportunities are available for future Americans to enjoy.”

Born on an Air Force Base, Hern earned an Architectural Drafting Certificate at a career technology school, which he used to work and pay for his engineering degree. He then became an aerospace engineer for Rockwell International, but when the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster rocked the aerospace industry, Hern found himself unemployed.

He then began saving to purchase his first McDonald’s restaurant by starting and operating small business ventures, such as writing computer programs to automate tasks for businesses, real estate, and even hog farming. He also worked in various management roles for a franchisee for 10 years before buying his first restaurant.

Hern bought his first McDonald’s restaurant in North Little Rock, Arkansas, in 1997. In 1999, he purchased two McDonald’s restaurants in Muskogee. He eventually owned 24 McDonald’s restaurants before running for Congress.

Now, Hern is launching the Hern Policy Institute to promote policies that stop economic hardship before it begins. In the institute’s announcement video, Hern and members of his family said the organization will fund and conduct research on policies that unleash economic prosperity and strengthen families.