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8 Resources To Help AAPI Entrepreneurs & Small Businesses
by Brett Farmiloe
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January 26, 2023
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Smiling AAPI woman writing in a notebook

What is one resource to help AAPI entrepreneurs succeed?

From joining the Asian Professional Exchange to finding a mentor, there are several resources for AAPI small businesses to help boost the path to success.  

Asian Professional Exchange

In the United States, several governmental agencies run programs that work to support AAPI business owners. However, many other resources work to provide help to Asian-American businesses. Some examples are the Asian Professional Exchange, Asian Women in Business, and Asian American Business Development Center, which work specifically to support these businesses. There are also conferences that unite different Asian business owners to discuss important issues in the community and meet and network with others.

Saneem Ahearn, Colorescience

Small Business Administration

One resource to help AAPI entrepreneurs succeed is the United States Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA offers several resources for small businesses, including counseling, training, and financing. The SBA also has several programs specifically for AAPI entrepreneurs, including the Emerging Leaders program and the 8(a) Business Development program.

Matthew Ramirez, Paraphrasing Tool

ACE NextGen

The Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship, which is related to ACE NextGen, is an excellent opportunity for younger generations to connect with industry experts in a mentorship setting. Programs such as Inner Circles, which provides development from leaders, are an effective way to build business skills and network with others. They also offer a six-month program known as Level Up, which provides webinar experiences to new entrepreneurs. For those looking for support from AAPI leaders, ACE NextGen helps young business owners follow in their footsteps to success.

Dino Ha, Kaja Cosmetics

Asian American Business Development Center

One of the best resources for AAPI entrepreneurs is the Asian American Business Development Center, AABDC. The AABDC non-profit supports Asian-American-owned businesses by connecting owners and highlighting our achievements with a sense of strong community. They also provide a load of support for AAPI businesses, offering everything from technical assistance to COVID-recovery programs. Their annual Asian American Business Roundtable is a favorite - it's always full of helpful information aimed at the unique issues that AAPI face in the business world.

John Li, Fig Loans

AAPI Whitepapers

Whitepapers focus on how AAPI entrepreneurs should implement sales and marketing strategies. This vital resource is published on reputable media sites, providing data-driven and informative insights. Whitepapers are backed by careful scientific analysis and case studies from respectable business professionals, agencies, and organizations.

Tim Hill, Social Status

Find Your Local Asian Chamber of Commerce

Asian Chambers of Commerce have become more common in recent years. They're a great way to find support and resources within your local community. Networking helps you connect to others to build on the positive effect of being part of something greater.

Nate Tsang, WallStreetZen

AAPAC & AESN

AAPI entrepreneurs can find tools to help them succeed by participating in American Association of Asian Pacific American (AAPAC) endorsed conferences, webinars, and events. The AAPAC also provides access to mentors who are familiar with the challenges faced by AAPI entrepreneurs. Also, the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Entrepreneurship Success Network (AESN) is an organization that provides resources to AAPI entrepreneurs. The AESN strives to create economic vitality for the AAPI community by providing networking opportunities, mentorship, coaching, and other resources to help entrepreneurs succeed in their business endeavors.

Jane Kallinger, Sewing From Home

The Power of Mentors

Having mentors has been one of the most impactful things in my career. Learning from the experiences of people who have built successful companies helped me avoid many mistakes. They helped me narrow my focus to what was important and opened up many opportunities that wouldn't have been otherwise available. Aside from the tactical knowledge/connections, what I found helpful was learning to navigate the world of fundraising/business. You often don't look like or share the same culture as the people sitting across the table.

My biggest suggestions for finding mentors are through venture accelerators/incubators and asking smart/interesting/specific questions. I found that if I wanted to stand out when reaching out, getting the person to genuinely think, "That's a really good question!" increased my chances of getting a response and sparking conversations.

Joe Alim, Compt

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About the author
Brett Farmiloe
Brett Farmiloe is the Founder & CEO of Terkel, a Q&A site that converts insights from small business owners into high-quality articles for brands. Brett Farmiloe Founder & CEO, Terkel.io
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