Celebrating 8 AAPI LA Small Business Owners Local to Los Angeles

Key Takeaways

Representation fuels connection.

When you build your business around your culture and story, you create more than a brand—you create a meaningful connection with your customers.

Heritage is a strength.

Your background and traditions are not limitations—they’re the unique ingredients that make your AAPI LA small business unforgettable.

Creativity drives visibility.

From artful food to innovative retail spaces, creative expression is a powerful tool to share identity and shift perceptions.

Community builds success.

Businesses rooted in local culture and personal experience become trusted gathering places that support and uplift others.

Allyship matters.

You don’t have to be AAPI to support AAPI LA small business owners—your awareness, purchases, and advocacy make a real difference.

AAPI LA Small Business Matters

As a business coach, I’ve had the privilege of mentoring entrepreneurs from all walks of life. But I’ll tell you this—I’m always inspired when watching an AAPI LA small business thrive in my neck of the woods.

Representation matters. It fuels confidence, builds community, and helps you see what’s possible.

Whether you’re just starting out or years into your journey, the stories of these entrepreneurs might just be the spark you need.

Let’s take a moment to celebrate the power of heritage, perseverance, and purpose in the AAPI LA small business community.

Your Roots Are Your Superpower

HiFi Kitchen – www.hifi-kitchen.com

Justin Foronda, founder of HiFi Kitchen in Historic Filipinotown, brings Filipino-Angeleno flavors to life. His journey—from b-boy dancer to nurse to chef—is full of soul and creativity.

Your story matters. The blend of who you are is exactly what your AAPI LA small business needs to shine.

Be Bold About Your Background

Little Fatty – www.littlefattyla.com

David Kuo followed his passion and now runs Little Fatty, a Taiwanese-American restaurant in Mar Vista. The name comes from his childhood nickname, and the food is deeply personal and nostalgic.

Let your past inspire your present. Your AAPI LA small business can be a beautiful reflection of your roots.

You Can Blend Art and Business

Sandita’s – www.sanditasworld.com

Sandy Ho, a Vietnamese-Australian chef and artist, uses her brand Sandita’s to merge food and visual creativity. Her work shows that business and artistry don’t have to be separate—they can elevate each other.

Let your AAPI LA small business be a playground for both passion and purpose.

Let Nostalgia Guide You

Phoenix Bakery – www.phoenixbakeryinc.com

Phoenix Bakery, founded in 1938, has been part of countless celebrations for generations. Their famous strawberry whipped cream cake holds a special place in LA’s history.

Your AAPI LA small business can connect people to cherished memories—and create new ones.

Stay Rooted in Your Community

Manila Sunset – www.manilasunset.com

At Manila Sunset, traditional Filipino dishes serve up more than meals—they serve up home. Every bite brings back memories of holidays, family, and togetherness.

Your AAPI LA small business can be a space where people feel seen, understood, and welcome.

There’s Power in Simplicity

Endorffeine – www.endorffeine.coffee

Jack Le, founder of Endorffeine, handcrafts every cup of coffee with patience and purpose. He brings scientific precision and personal warmth into every step.

That’s a powerful lesson for any AAPI LA small business: don’t rush what matters. Slow, thoughtful service can build deep loyalty.

Tradition Can Evolve

Bunkado – www.bunkadoonline.com

Bunkado has been part of Little Tokyo since 1947. What began as a gift shop has become a beloved hub of Japanese American tradition and modern creativity.

Honor your roots while growing forward. Your AAPI LA small business can carry both history and hope.

Your Creativity is Culture

Giant Robot – www.giantrobot.com

Giant Robot started as a magazine and became a vibrant store and gallery. Eric Nakamura’s mission to uplift Asian pop culture helped shift perceptions and spotlight new voices.

When you bring your creativity into your AAPI LA small business, you tell a story the world needs to hear.

You Belong at the Table

Each of these entrepreneurs proves something important: your voice matters. Your presence matters. Your business matters.

Your AAPI LA small business is not just another storefront. It’s a part of something bigger—a movement of visibility, resilience, and pride.

How Everyone Can Support AAPI LA Small Business

You don’t have to be Asian to care about AAPI visibility. In fact, we all benefit when small businesses from every background are uplifted and celebrated.

Here’s how you can help:

• Seek them out. Take time to discover an AAPI LA small business near you. Whether it’s a family-run bakery, a fusion food truck, or a gift shop in Little Tokyo—your support makes a real impact.
  
• Share the story. Talk about these businesses with your friends. Post about them. Tag them on social media. Exposure helps more than you might realize.
  
• Shop with purpose. Choose to spend your dollars in places that represent community, culture, and care.
  
• Listen and learn. Every small business carries history. Take a moment to ask questions, read menus, and engage with the meaning behind what’s offered.
  

When you support an AAPI LA small business, you’re helping keep culture alive, dreams growing, and neighborhoods thriving.

Final Thoughts: AAPI LA Small Business

Whether you’re building your own business or standing in support of someone else’s, one thing is clear: representation matters.

Your AAPI LA small business is worthy of success. And your choice to support one can help shape a more inclusive, vibrant, and connected future.

Let’s keep lifting each other up. That’s how we all grow stronger—together.

And speaking of culture, make sure to check out my article about Cinco de Mayo—another important cultural holiday that also finds plenty of representation and significance in Los Angeles.

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