PACE Recognizes Asian Pacific Islander Small Business

The Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE) hosted its 5th annual Lunar New Year Asian Entrepreneurial Spirit Celebration & Awards Luncheon on January 27, 2010 at the New Seafood Capitol Restaurant. The event honored five Asian small business owners, recognized their accomplishments and acknowledged the importance of Asian small, micro and SOHO (small office/home office) business owners to the Los Angeles economy. Namoch Sokhom, Director of the Business Development Center, presented the awardees and Assemblymember Mike Eng made an inspiring key note address.

PACE’s Passionate Spirit Award was given to Mr. Ya Feng Tie. Mr. Tie is an asylee from China who started his own copy machine repair shop after working many years in a restaurant. He was enrolled in the PACE ORR Individual Account program called “Saving for American Dream” and given a matched grant of $4,000. With more than 20 years experience, Mr. Tie looks to open his store front and continue to expand his business.

Mr. Bing Guo was awarded the Determined Spirit Award, which exemplified his determination to keep his Super Gift business alive despite the difficult economic recession. After speaking to a PACE representative, Mr. Guo and his wife were enrolled into the PACE Microenterprise Individual Development Account program which offered a 1:1½ match to their savings. The program resulted in a whopping $10,000 in capital for their small business!

The Enthusiastic Spirit Award was presented to Mrs. Xiao Ling Mo. She arrived with her husband and two children from China in the fall of 2008. She had over ten years of experience and skills in human resources and started an immigration service with her sister. She came to PACE’s BDC and was also enrolled in the “Savings for American Dream” program. She received a $2,000 matched grant. Starting in October, she will commit full time to her business, The New California Immigration Service.

Ms. Linda Wong took home the Innovative Spirit Award. Her dreams as a fashion designer came alive through PACE’s Women Business Development Center program. Through the SBA Micro-loan fund, Ms. Wong’s fashion design & marketing company was able to remain financially stable during the economic downturn. Her brand is now selling from coast to coast in the U.S. as well as receiving orders internationally.

Finally, Mr. Xiao Wu Xu received the Confident Spirit Award. Along with his wife, Mr. Xu owns a women’s wear wholesale and factory outlet in El Monte. They were enrolled in the Individual Development Account Program and received $4,000 in a matched grant. The couple also learned small business fundamentals such as marketing, financial management and business plan creation. The couple’s business is now receiving orders from Ross Department Stores and makes a monthly revenue of over $10,000.

PACE is extremely proud of all its small business owners and aims to continue helping all its clients achieve the dreams they came to America to find.