A Hero for Small Businesses

In the middle of the COVID-19 storm, one person stood out. Saint Hung, the head of a financial tech company in New York City, did something amazing. He and his team helped over 35, 000 Asian American-owned businesses stay afloat. They did this by giving out protective gear, financial advice, digital tools, and resources in many languages. At a recent event, around 200 important people gathered to thank Hung. They recognized his efforts in supporting small businesses during the toughest times of the pandemic. Katrina Liu, a 35-year-old restaurant owner, shared her story. She said Hung's help allowed her to open not one, but two more restaurants after the outbreak. She talked about how Hung hosted Zoom meetings. He taught business owners how to apply for loans and grants. He even gave them free point-of-sale systems. Michael Min, who owns a rice noodle restaurant, agreed. He said Hung's help was huge. He explained that restaurant owners often don't know how to navigate government applications. They need professionals to guide them through the process. During the pandemic, Asian-owned businesses saw sales drop by up to 60%. Many struggled to get government aid. Hung's company, however, thrived. They opened a new office in Manhattan. Hung said this was only possible because of the support they received. He also said it allowed them to help even more businesses in the future. Hung admitted that running a small business is full of uncertainties. He said his company provided a lifeline for many. He hopes to continue supporting small businesses in the future.