Modesto, California: National ACE Met with Government Officials and Small Business Owners

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

May 9, 2022

ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS MEET WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN MODESTO TO DISCUSS THE STATE AND FUTURE OF AAPI BUSINESSES

[May 9, Modesto, California] – The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE), alongside affiliate partners, Bay Valley Tech, the Stanislaus Chinese Association, Modesto Chamber of Commerce, and the Central Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, hosted an AAPISTRONG Small Business Roundtable for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) small business owners to discuss the current state of business in Modesto. 

The AAPISTRONG Small Business Roundtable is an open forum for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander business owners in the United States to connect with policymakers, corporate partners, and community members to find solutions for the barriers facing minority-owned small businesses today. The Modesto event is National ACE’s ninth roundtable this year.  

With over 70 attendees, participants discussed the unique challenges facing Modesto’s residents and small business owners. As a commuter city with relatively lower education attainment rates, the conversation explored building opportunities in Modesto, drawing talent, improving business, combatting discrimination, and bettering quality of life. Trish Christiansen, Chief Executive Officer of the Modesto Chamber of Commerce, opened the meeting by discussing the impacts of commuter culture on individual health, family relationships, and community prosperity, concluding with a call to bring more resources and capital to Modesto. 

Mayor Sue Zwahlen addressed the vitality of Modesto’s small businesses in the city’s specific context: “I am truly in awe of Modesto’s small business community. Starting a small business is hard, I know because I did it with my husband in 1982. Despite the challenges of starting a small business, and many failing in the first year, we take a chance, we get to work, and pursue our Modesto dream. You are a critical piece in the economic story of Modesto, because you create jobs, breathe life into our communities, and generate city revenue.”

Minority business owners detailed how Covid transformed their operations in beneficial and harmful ways. Neon Howe, a photographer and small business owner, shared how uncertainty impacted his photography business, even leading to him stopping all business for a couple months. Amina and Jose Echeverria, who started their own flooring business during the pandemic, recounted how work from home benefitted their business as it led to more home renovations. Similarly, Tony Pastran, President of Powell and Pastran Pest Management, shared how his business expanded into twenty-three cities over the last year. To help him further grow, Pastran asked the attending officials from the U.S. Small Business Administration for educational resources on how to expand without risking further debt. 

We heard two inspirational stories of small businesses reopening after devastating losses. Both Trong Vuong, owner of Modesto’s Asian Market, and Chongyih Li, shared how their stores burned down in separate incidents. It took Vuong about one year, and Li four years, to reopen their respective businesses. Though both entrepreneurs face new challenges today, including finding workers and supply chain disruptions, they stressed the importance of community in their journey, and how they may not have survived their setbacks without local support. Li said, “I’m grateful for the local community that continued to support me, and made me feel like that's what being a small business is about.”

Joining AAPI entrepreneurs at the event were Mayor Sue Zwahlen, City of Modesto; Supervisor Terry Withrow, Stanislaus County; Sheriff Jeff Dirkse, Stanislaus County; Russell Fowler, Field Representative for Supervisor Channce Condit, Stanislaus County; Briana Gonzales, Representative for Congressman Josh Harder; Joe Lopez, City Manager, City of Modesto; Doug Ridenour, Former City Council, City of Modesto; Elmy Bermejo, Regional Administrator Region IX (Pacific), U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA); Ben Raju, District Director, Los Angeles District Office, SBA; German Zavalza, Chief Innovation Officer, Opportunity Stanislaus; Ellen Junn, President, California State University Stanislaus; Henry Yong, Chancellor, Modesto Junior College; Santanu Sandyopadhyay, President, Modesto Junior College; Lena Tran, President, Columbia Junior College; Rich Ogle, Provost, Stanislaus State; and Karen Nelson, Director of Supplier Diversity, CalAsian Chamber. 

“Our business community continues to face many challenges. Asian American and Pacific Islander small business owners have battled both COVID-19 and a sharp spike in discrimination and violence. Our policymakers play a significant role in protecting our community, allowing our small businesses to operate safely, and creating prosperity,” said National ACE President and CEO, Chiling Tong. “This conversation will help policymakers to understand the unmet needs of our community so we can find solutions.”

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About National ACE:

National ACE’s mission is to serve as a strong advocate of AAPI business interests and positive change on all issues that enhance and advance the goals and aspirations of AAPI business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders. National ACE strives to do this through supporting and promoting issues that impact the AAPI business community, improving the economic development and economic impact of the AAPI community, advancing coalitions and enhancing community building, and fostering the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs and executives. National ACE provides a unified voice for the business interests of AAPIs nationally. Learn more at www.nationalace.org or www.aapistrong.com.

About Bay Valley Tech:

Bay Valley Tech offers free and low-cost coding programs for students focused on web-based development languages ranging from HTML / CSS to javascript and more. Our Modesto-based school strives to help students acquire adequate knowledge and skills to enter the tech industry hassle-free and land rewarding careers in an industry with ever-growing demand.

About Stanislaus Chinese Association:

Stanislaus Chinese Association is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization. It was established in 1973, making this year our 47th anniversary. Membership is open to all.

About Modesto Chamber of Commerce:

For over 100 years, the Modesto Chamber of Commerce has been serving the Greater Modesto Area with quality programs and services designed to help businesses grow and thrive. With over 800 members, your Chamber of Commerce is the strongest voice advocating for the best possible business climate. The Chamber of Commerce is a local non profit corporation, funded entirely by our membership, governed by a Board of Directors and staffed by Chamber professionals who are dedicated to improving the business climate in the Greater Modesto Area by providing quality service to our membership. We help small businesses grow by providing exposure, assisting in start-ups and providing advocacy.

About Central Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce:

The Central Valley Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is a voluntary membership business organization working to further both Hispanic and non-Hispanic business and community interests in California’s Central Valley.  Our efforts focus on encouraging and promoting beneficial business activities and business development services and advocacy.

PRESS CONTACT:

Janet Alikpala

Jalikpala@nationalace.org

312-217-4369