Asian American businesses celebrate their community

Asian Business Association members at a gathering. ABA WEBSITE

LOS ANGELES – Asian American business owners and professionals celebrated togetherness on October 15 at the Asian Business Association’s 38^th Annual Awards Banquet at the popular Globe Theater in Universal Studios in Hollywood.

The affair, emceed by Hetty Chang, Emmy-nominated news reporter at NBC4, has the same family-friendly vibe of many Filipino American celebrations.

Dinner was catered by Wolfgang Puck and entertainment was by Filipino American singing group The Filharmonic.

“I grew up in Cerritos and witnessed the power of the Asian business community, and we are here to honor that and recognize those who support the Asian community,” said Chang. Cerritos has its first Fil-Am mayor in Mark Pulido.

“It is important and see the Asian and business community come together and support each other. We are happy to be here and be the entertainment for the night,” said Fil-Am VJ Rosales of The Filharmonic.

Currently the ABA represents more than 600 Asian Pacific American small business owners and professionals in the greater Los Angeles area.

“The reason we’re still here is because of our commitment to the community,” said Richard Chacon of Union Bank and an ABA 2014 Advisory Council member.

ABA sign in front of the Globe Theater in Universal Studios, Hollywood. PHOTO BY HIYASMIN QUIJANO

“Business of the Year” went to Huy Fong Foods, Inc. makers of the popular Sriracha hot sauce. Toni Ko was named “Entrepreneur of the Year,” VIZIO “Consumer Brand of the Year,” Southern California Gas Company for “Corporation of the Year” and Monetta Stephens as “Advocate of the Year.”

“Love your job and work hard. How hard you work today is tomorrow’s success. Nothing happens suddenly, take each day as a step-by-step process,” advised David Tran, CEO of Huy Fong Food, Inc., which provides more than 200 jobs in the Los Angeles region.

“We inform, motivate, educate and connect our members. We advocate on issues that are affecting businesses,” said Asian Business Association Co-Chairman, Sidney S. Sohn of Venerable Counselors at Law, PC.

The Filharmonic, the banquet’s entertainers. PHOTO BY HIYASMIN QUIJANO

“We have a lot of first generation of Korean American. So we help out those who have a language barrier most of all and help out immigrants who come out here and need help, especially with the banking,” said Mimi Lee, senior vice president and chief of operations of Pacific City Bank.

The Asian Business Association currently supports AEG’s efforts to gain an NFL team for the City of Los Angeles. Last week the Los Angeles City Council approved AEG’s efforts and extended their deal with AEG to snag an NFL team.

“The way for businesses, especially small Asian businesses, is to always understand who are you trying to sell to. Make sure you are competitive and know the landscape of the business before pitching or selling,” encouraged Kathlina Lai, the Southern California Gas Company Supplier Diversity manager for diverse business enterprises.

Some CEOs like William Wang of VIZIO explained the secret to their success: “We’re smaller, we’re flexible. We like to take advantage of a fast but efficient process. Delivery is fast, decision is fast and our products come out faster. We change and adjust our prices fast. Because we’re small, we’re nimble.”