PACIFIC ISLANDER SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS MEET WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN SALT LAKE CITY TO DISCUSS THE STATE AND FUTURE OF AAPI BUSINESSES
[August 9, 2022 Salt Lake City, Utah] – The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE), alongside affiliate partner, Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR) hosted an AAPISTRONG Small Business Roundtable for Pacific Islander (PI) entrepreneurs to discuss the current state of business in Utah.
The AAPISTRONG Small Business Roundtable is an open forum for Asian American and Pacific Islander small business owners in the United States to connect with policymakers, corporate partners, and community members to find solutions for the barriers facing diverse-owned small businesses today. The Salt Lake City event is National ACE’s thirteenth roundtable this year and focused on PI entrepreneurs during Utah’s PI Heritage Month.
Hosted at Zions Bank, participants discussed the unique challenges facing Utah residents and small business owners. The conversation highlighted the adaptiveness and resilience of Polynesian small business owners in the face of uncertainty and Covid-19, as well as what the PI small business community needs to move forward.
“The goal of the Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce and PIK2AR is to connect our community members to the resources that exist so that we can learn how to work the market,” said Oreta Tupola, owner of Tupola Consulting.
Alyn Toalepai, owner of Koko Creations and Operations Director for the Polynesian Pickleball Club, shared their innovative strategy for gathering community: “We can gather our people because they go where they are comfortable, and they are comfortable with us. We use pickleball to reach Polynesians and give health resources.”
As the pandemic continues, small business owners share what they need to activate the PI community in Utah. “Can we get funding for learnerships?” asked Bella Johnson, owner of Kalo Research Medical Trials. “We need workforce development to train our people while they work. They can keep their jobs while also getting new skills to grow.”
Joining AAPI entrepreneurs at the event were the Small Business Administration’s Marla Trollan, Salt Lake City’s Director Of Business Development, Roberta Richgelt, Salt Lake County’s Economic Development Manager, Antonella Packard, and Robert Rendon of Zions Bank.
“Our business community continues to face many challenges. The Pacific Islander small business owners in Utah have been hit hard by Covid-19. This is a community that gathers. When they learned they could not gather inside, they moved outside to stay in community. Alyn used pickleball to address health concerns! This is a creative and brilliant community,” said National ACE President and CEO, Chiling Tong. “Our policymakers play a significant role in protecting our community, allowing our small businesses to operate safely, and creating prosperity. This conversation will help policymakers to understand the unmet needs of the Pacific Islander 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 PIK2AR
PIK2AR is a strength-based ecosystem of programs and events that eliminate violence, empowers, improves health, gives dignity and hope by increasing personal and financial growth into ethnic and underserved households, promote and perpetuates all Pacific Island cultures creating alliances and bridging across all communities sharing resources, education, and support. The Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce is one of PIK2AR's programs and is comprised of socially responsible, socially conscious individuals and organizations who, while business oriented, hold the belief that people and profits are of equal importance.