By Cameron Lee
August 4, 2024
When the Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1999 by Dr. Ki-Hyun Chun, who also founded the state’s first Asian newspaper (The Asian Herald), North Carolina’s Asian population was around 142,000. That number has more than tripled since then, according to a recent study by UNC-Chapel Hill’s Asian American Center and Carolina Demography. And, while the growth rate in the Charlotte-Metro area is even higher, documenting data from Asian business owners in the Carolinas has been a challenge for the CAACC since its inception.
“Our Asian community is missing out on a lot of wonderful resources and opportunities from programs that genuinely want to help us flourish,” said Ann Gonzales, President and CEO of the CAACC. “I’ve seen many reports on equity, diversity, and economic mobility, however, there’s a noticeable lack of information about Asian-owned businesses. Often, surveys and small business programs report participation from Asian-owned businesses as low as 0% to 7%.”
Tuan Nguyen, second-generation owner of Charlotte’s beloved Le’s Sandwiches & Cafe, says it’s a quandary all too familiar. His parents, Le and Minh, built the banh mi shop in the Asian Corner Mall in 2004 with very little resources.
“I think it is a language barrier. I don’t think there’s a lot of information out there to let people know that programs exist…there’s not a huge voice that, you know, communicates these opportunities to the [Asian] businesses,” said Nguyen.
The Survey
Gonzales says the CAACC is working to change that with accessibility, education, and more opportunities for open dialogue. In early 2024, they contracted independent consultant Maureen Carlomagno, to help develop the Business Outreach Project (survey). Carlomagno’s years of non-profit experience proved useful as she helped build the instructional design and strategy for the CAACC’s monthly education seminars that have spanned topics such as marketing and advertising to funding and financial planning.
“So the reason we’re doing the survey is to get a snapshot of what businesses are out there. You know, who owns them, what Asian nationality or cultural background they are, and what their business challenges are,” said Carlomagno.
The data from the survey will be used to identify the needs of Asian business owners in the Carolinas to find solutions to better communicate resources and funding opportunities. They’ll also look to help tackle issues like hiring, which is a growing concern for many small businesses.
Why data is so valuable for the Asian business community
The information gathered from the surveys will provide business owners with resources and potential funding, and it will also equip the CAACC with valuable data and metrics to create new opportunities.
Carlomagno says there has been a growing interest from the city, county, state, and numerous mid-size to corporate-level businesses that want to support Asian small business programs, and the data is vital in building reports and pitch decks.
“It’s an opportunity to be able to take this information we’re collecting and then really connect the businesses with resources and organizations that could help them,” said Carlomagno.
The data will also allow the CAACC to further develop their educational programming, which they are professionally recording, translating, and sharing as evergreen content for their members.
“The more informed we are, the better we can tailor our educational programs to meet the specific needs of our community,” said Gonzales.
Why all Asian businesses owners should fill out the survey
The brief 15-question survey is translated into seven languages based on communities of need, and offers the vast range of Asian factions in the region to be heard.
“A lot of people don’t ask what the Asian community needs or even what small businesses need. With the survey…it gives a little bit more of an opportunity to voice their concerns,” said Nguyen.
He hopes that the information will also help developers and property owners understand the true needs of all small business owners in a down economy with high costs of goods and services.
“A lot of businesses aren’t trying to get rich, they’re just trying to stay alive, trying to pay the bills, trying to stick around for the community…we’re losing a lot of well-known mom-and-pop restaurants, you know, that have been around Charlotte for a while,” said Nguyen.
The submissions will also help the CAACC identify businesses to promote through their social channels and media partnerships. Throughout the year, the organization hosts and organizes multiple events, like the Charlotte Dragon Boat and Asian Festival, and their flagship CAACC Gala & Awards, which will celebrate its 25th anniversary in October.
“Historically, our community tends to keep their heads down. Most of us left our home countries to find better opportunities, largely due to tumultuous experiences back home…we lose out on opportunities that can make a huge impact on our livelihoods,” said Gonzales. “This survey is vital because it addresses these issues head-on, helping us better understand and meet the needs of our diverse Asian communities in the Carolinas.”
The CAACC Business Outreach Project survey is open to all Asian nationalities in both North and South Carolina.
You can follow Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce on Facebook and Instagram for more updates on educational programs, business opportunities, and events. Fill out the survey here.
Sponsored by the Carolinas Asian American Chamber of Commerce
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