Celebrating AAPI heritage: Empowering businesses all year long

At BILL, we’re dedicated to creating a workplace where diversity is celebrated, and every individual’s story is valued. As we recognize Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage, it’s important to reflect on the lasting impact of the AAPI community’s contributions to society and business. 

For me, this time brings back memories of my family's journey from China to the United States, where they built a community centered around our family restaurant, Yee Wah. Now, as Vice President of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at BILL, I see echoes of my family’s entrepreneurial spirit in the work we do every day, empowering small businesses to thrive.

At BILL, we’re not just creating industry-leading fintech solutions—we’re supporting entrepreneurs in achieving their dreams, just like my family did. It’s a mission that I carry with me, rooted in my upbringing and my family’s determination to build something meaningful.

The family legacy of Yee Wah: AAPI entrepreneurship in action

Yee Wah wasn’t just a restaurant—it was a symbol of family resilience and the entrepreneurial drive that many AAPI business owners share. My immigrant mother and her siblings worked tirelessly to open Yee Wah, pooling their savings to bring their dream to life in the San Francisco Bay Area. It was the type of place where regulars were treated like family, and the same waiter served them for decades.

I grew up seeing firsthand the hustle needed to run a small business. Whether it was watching my uncles in the kitchen or helping my aunts in the dining room, I learned early on about the power of teamwork, perseverance, and community. I even played my part, helping with tasks like laundering napkins, balancing the cash register, and keeping the books—manually. 

Despite the warm community atmosphere, my family faced unique challenges, including language barriers and limited access to capital—obstacles that are still all too common for AAPI entrepreneurs today. But they persevered, and their success inspired some of my mother’s siblings to open their own restaurants in the Bay Area.

Empowering AAPI entrepreneurs with tools to thrive

Witnessing my family’s efforts to expand their businesses without modern tools was a lesson in the importance of accessible resources. Growing a small business isn’t easy, and I can’t help but wonder how things might have been different if tools like BILL had existed back then. A platform to streamline finances and support growth could have helped my family scale their efforts beyond small, independent operations.

At BILL, we understand the unique challenges that small business owners face, both  within the AAPI community and beyond. That’s why we’re committed to providing the resources and support needed to help them succeed all year long.

In honoring AAPI small business owners, like my family, we encourage everyone to celebrate and uplift the diverse, vibrant community of AAPI entrepreneurs who continue to enrich our lives and contribute to the strength of our economy. Whether through supporting local businesses, advocating for more inclusive resources, or simply sharing their stories, we can ensure that the legacy of AAPI entrepreneurship thrives for generations to come.

Continuing to honor AAPI heritage every day

The lessons I learned from my family’s experience as AAPI entrepreneurs stay with me, fueling my passion for fostering diversity and inclusion at BILL. We believe in empowering small business owners with the tools and support they need to succeed. By honoring the legacies of those who came before us and creating pathways for future generations, we can continue to uplift and celebrate the AAPI community in meaningful ways.

If you’re passionate about making a difference and helping entrepreneurs thrive, we’d love for you to join us on this journey. Learn more about working at BILL and how you can contribute to our mission of empowering SMBs around the world.