PREPARING FOR SUCCESS THIS FALL

As we enter the fall season, September is a crucial time for small business owners to prepare for the upcoming holiday rush. Now is the perfect opportunity to focus on key areas such as:

Holiday Marketing: Start planning for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and other seasonal promotions by refreshing email and social media strategies and ensuring your website is ready for increased traffic.

Inventory Management: Evaluate stock levels to meet higher demand during the holidays.

Community Engagement: Take advantage of local networking events and business expos to strengthen connections and explore collaborations.

Financial Check-In: With the third quarter closing, assess your financial health to ensure you're on track for year-end goals.

These proactive steps will help position your business for success in the busy months ahead.

As we publish this newsletter on September 11, we honor the memory of the nearly 3,000 innocent victims who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks of 2001. Each year, we pause to remember those who perished and the brave first responders who risked their lives to save others. Today, like every year since that fateful day, we come together as a nation to honor the fallen and reflect on the courage, resilience, and unity that continues to define us.

Finally, I encourage you to register for our Executive Business Program to gain essential tools and connections to elevate your business further. Let’s continue growing together!

Warm regards,

Sydney Dao

Board Chair

Asian Chamber of Commerce

Time is Running Out!

Enroll in the Asian Chamber

Executive Business Program!

Time is running out to secure your spot in the Asian Chamber’s highly anticipated 8th Annual Executive Business Program, which kicks off on September 28, 2024. This unique 8-week program is designed to provide an executive-level learning environment, offering classes in both English and Mandarin to cater to a diverse group of business professionals.

Participants will explore various business topics, including Finance, Accounting, Supply Chain, Sales & Marketing, Human Resources, Exit Strategies, and Certification.

The program runs every Saturday from

September 28 through November 16, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. Attendees will benefit from an in-depth curriculum tailored to fast-track their business knowledge and skills.

In addition to the invaluable learning experience, program participants will enjoy networking opportunities and a complimentary one-year membership to the Asian Chamber of Commerce (a $200 value).

The fee for the program is $1,288 per person. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your business acumen and build connections within the community.

ENROLL TODAY

2024 AAPISTRONG Annual Conference

The Asian Chamber team recently attended the 2024 AAPISTRONG Annual Conference in Santa Clara, California, hosted by the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (ACE). This event, one of the largest for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs, celebrated AAPI business growth across generations.

Keynote speakers included Elaine L. Chao, the first Asian American woman appointed to a U.S. Presidential cabinet, and her father, James Si-Cheng Chao, a philanthropist and businessman, both honored as luminaries.

Workshops covered AI empowerment for small businesses, capital-building strategies, supplier diversity, and personal branding. ACE continues to support AAPI businesses, having distributed 217 grants in 2022 and assisting over 30,000 small business owners with their programs.

Understanding Texas' Anti-Alien Land Laws

In Texas, the debate over "alien land laws" is not new. The state has previously passed similar laws in 1891, 1892, and 1921, with the last version repealed in 1965. However, a new version, S.B. 147, was introduced in November 2022 by State Senator Lois Kolkhorst, sparking concerns in the Asian American community.

Key Points:

S.B. 147 aimed to restrict land ownership for citizens of countries like China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia, citing national security concerns related to the U.S. electrical grid.

Community efforts successfully stalled the bill through vocal opposition, advocacy, and education, preventing it from advancing in the legislative session.

Despite changes to the bill, concerns remain about its impact on non-U.S. citizens, such as asylum seekers and those on work or student visas. While the bill's scope has narrowed, the potential for other countries to be added in the future remains, raising ongoing concerns about its implications.

For more updates on this and similar legislative issues, join State Representative Gene’s weekly Sunday night calls to learn more about the Alien Land Law. Calls occur every Sun at 8:00 p.m. (CST) until Jun 29, 2025. Submit any questions to APAJ2023@gmail.com

Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston's

Trade Mission to the Philippines

The Filipino American Chamber of Commerce of Greater Houston (FACCGH) is hosting a trade mission to the Philippines from October 13-19, 2024. Supported by the City of Houston and the Philippine Consulate General, this mission offers entrepreneurs, government, and industry leaders a unique opportunity to explore business opportunities in sectors like power generation, agriculture, manufacturing, healthcare, technology, and more.

Participants will visit economic zones, attend conferences with government agencies, and engage in B2B meetings with potential investors and partners.

Interested in joining? Learn More and Join the Mission

Understanding Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) Reporting Requirements

Assisting Small Businesses with New Federal Reporting Requirement

Congresswoman Lizzie Fletcher (TX-07) and FinCEN Deputy Director Jimmy Kirby recently hosted an event to help small business owners understand the new Beneficial Ownership Information (BOI) reporting requirement. This requirement, part of the Corporate Transparency Act, aims to increase transparency by requiring U.S. companies to disclose the individuals who own or control them.

This will assist regulators and law enforcement detect and prevent crimes like money laundering, fraud, and terrorism financing. Filing the BOI report is quick, secure, and free, with most businesses able to complete it without legal assistance.

Companies that existed before 2024 have until January 1, 2025, to file, while new companies must file within 90 days of their registration. For more information, click here.

Executive Business Program Reunion

Alumni from the Asian Chamber of Commerce's Executive Business Program recently reunited to share how the program has made a lasting impact on their careers and businesses.

Participants included corporate professionals and entrepreneurs from various industries, all eager to discuss the invaluable resources, knowledge, and connections they gained from the program. They spoke about how the program's comprehensive curriculum and networking opportunities helped them elevate their careers, expand their businesses, and build strong community ties.

This event also served as a preview for the upcoming cohort, which kicks off next month. Now in its 8th year, the Executive Business Program is an 8-week intensive course designed to provide essential business knowledge and growth strategies. The program is offered in both English and Mandarin, making it accessible to a wider audience in the community. Participants will benefit from expert-led workshops, networking events, and hands-on learning designed to enhance their leadership skills and professional development.

Whether you want to grow your business or advance your career, this program provides the tools and resources to help you succeed. Applications are now open, so don't miss your chance to be part of this dynamic learning experience. Apply today!