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Dia Boutique
Dia Boutique
Lisa Lai, Philadelphia, PA
Basa Seafood
Basa Seafood
San Francisco, CA
Tita's of Manila
Tita's of Manila
Charina Vergara,
West Covina CA
On any given day you can hear Cantonese pop songs and the run of sewing machines at Dia Boutique in Philadelphia's Chinatown. Lisa Lai sells silky cheongsams and runs alteration services in this boutique that has been in business over 20 years. The pandemic resulted in a sharp decline in customers, making her anxious on how she was going to cover monthly utilities and rent. Through her local community she found out about PCDC, who reached out to Lai and encouraged her to apply for the Comcast RISE program. PCDC provided technical and language services, translating instructions and application responses for Lai. Together, their work resulted in $10,000 from the Comcast RISE program, allowing her to keep her clothing store open which is still open to this day.
On any given day you can hear Cantonese pop songs and the run of sewing machines at Dia Boutique in Philadelphia's Chinatown. Lisa Lai sells silky cheongsams and runs alteration services in this boutique that has been in business over 20 years. The pandemic resulted in a sharp decline in customers, making her anxious on how she was going to cover monthly utilities and rent. Through her local community she found out about PCDC, who reached out to Lai and encouraged her to apply for the Comcast RISE program. PCDC provided technical and language services, translating instructions and application responses for Lai. Together, their work resulted in $10,000 from the Comcast RISE program, allowing her to keep her clothing store open which is still open to this day.
The owner of Basa Seafood Express in San Francisco doesn't consider it just another fish business, but a community amenity where neighbors can meet and interact with each other. The pandemic resulted in slower sales and reduced staff. But due to the in-language services rendered to the client by ASIAN, Inc., the client was able to bring back its staff and even hire new employees to expand Basa's business hours. Also, Basa was able to stay at its Mission Street location with a newly renegotiated lease and renovated refrigeration equipment. The reenergizing of Basa has motivated the business owner to create additional opportunities to give back to his neighborhood, as well as refocus on reopening his shuttered Chinatown business, Golden Saba Seafood.
The owner of Basa Seafood Express in San Francisco doesn't consider it just another fish business, but a community amenity where neighbors can meet and interact with each other. The pandemic resulted in slower sales and reduced staff. But due to the in-language services rendered to the client by ASIAN, Inc., the client was able to bring back its staff and even hire new employees to expand Basa's business hours. Also, Basa was able to stay at its Mission Street location with a newly renegotiated lease and renovated refrigeration equipment. The reenergizing of Basa has motivated the business owner to create additional opportunities to give back to his neighborhood, as well as refocus on reopening his shuttered Chinatown business, Golden Saba Seafood.
Charina Vergara began her culinary career as a food vendor at local night markets where she offered original Filipino cuisine. In 2019, she was offered a business opportunity to take over an existing Filipino restaurant. Ms. Vergara and her business partner jumped on the chance and became the new owners of Titas of Manila in West Covina, CA. Like many other small business owners needing capital, Ms. Vergara initially used her personal savings to launch and operate the restaurant. However, the funds were soon exhausted. Fortunately, she was connected to CAMEO member, PACE, where she worked with Loan Officer Redy Babasa-Thompson to obtain a $100,000 SBA Community Advantage Loan. When the pandemic struck in 2020, Titas of Manila was forced to temporarily close (Read the full story here)
Charina Vergara began her culinary career as a food vendor at local night markets where she offered original Filipino cuisine. In 2019, she was offered a business opportunity to take over an existing Filipino restaurant. Ms. Vergara and her business partner jumped on the chance and became the new owners of Titas of Manila in West Covina, CA. Like many other small business owners needing capital, Ms. Vergara initially used her personal savings to launch and operate the restaurant. However, the funds were soon exhausted. Fortunately, she was connected to CAMEO member, PACE, where she worked with Loan Officer Redy Babasa-Thompson to obtain a $100,000 SBA Community Advantage Loan. When the pandemic struck in 2020, Titas of Manila was forced to temporarily close (Read the full story here)
The Carter's Blanket
The Carter's Blanket
Deven & Marquita Carter, Charlotte, NC
Russell's Pharmacy & Shoppe
Russell's Pharmacy & Shoppe
Darius & Terensia Russell, East Durham, NC
El Centro, Inc.
El Centro, Inc.
New Orleans, LA
A deep personal connection to food and cooking runs in Deven and Marquita Carter’s families. The children of a caterer and a chef, respectively, the Carters grew up knowing the importance of good quality, healthy ingredients and food made with love, but didn’t expect it would become their legacy. (Read the full story here.)
A deep personal connection to food and cooking runs in Deven and Marquita Carter’s families. The children of a caterer and a chef, respectively, the Carters grew up knowing the importance of good quality, healthy ingredients and food made with love, but didn’t expect it would become their legacy. (Read the full story here.)
Looking in at their spacious and bustling pharmacy, it’s hard to tell that Darius and Terensia Russell’s careers began in a very different place. After Darius graduated from UNC school of pharmacy in 2006 and spent a decade working in the field, the Russells made the decision to go into the pharmacy business themselves. “We said we'd do it now or never.” (Read the full story here)
Looking in at their spacious and bustling pharmacy, it’s hard to tell that Darius and Terensia Russell’s careers began in a very different place. After Darius graduated from UNC school of pharmacy in 2006 and spent a decade working in the field, the Russells made the decision to go into the pharmacy business themselves. “We said we'd do it now or never.” (Read the full story here)
El Centro specializes in providing culturally competent financial wellness programming, business coaching and entrepreneurial training to Latinx individuals and entrepreneurs in south Louisiana. Their customers' businesses were greatly affected by Covid-19, we know over nearly 30% had to close their business, many were forced to move to limited hours and suffered very low sales. (Read the full story here)
El Centro specializes in providing culturally competent financial wellness programming, business coaching and entrepreneurial training to Latinx individuals and entrepreneurs in south Louisiana. Their customers' businesses were greatly affected by Covid-19, we know over nearly 30% had to close their business, many were forced to move to limited hours and suffered very low sales. (Read the full story here)
Entrepreneurs of color: places & experiences
Entrepreneurs of color: places & experiences
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