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Your Business, Your Money Conference
WEALTH BUILDING FOR ASIAN MINNESOTANS
Thanks for joining us! 2025 conference recap coming soon.
Thank You
Thank you for being part of the 2025 Wealth Building for Asian Minnesotans Conference
We are so grateful to everyone who joined us at the 2025 Wealth Building for Asian Minnesotans Conference! Together, we connected, learned, and built momentum for stronger communities and brighter futures. Stay tuned—photos, highlights, and resources from the day will be shared soon.
What It Feels Like to Be There
This is a glimpse of what it feels like to be part of our conference. We hope you were able to join us this year, and if not—stay tuned! We’ll be releasing highlights and recaps from the 2025 conference soon.
conference workshops topics
Workshop registration and full session details will be announced soon. We’ll email you with instructions to choose your sessions when it’s available.
Business Development
Explore growth opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs and expanding small businesses.
Wealth & Asset Development
Dive into strategic sessions exploring innovative approaches to wealth creation and asset management.
Arts & Culture and Creative Placemaking
Learn how cultural initiatives can drive economic development and foster a vibrant ecosystem that preserves heritage in neighborhoods.
Cooperative Development
Explore the benefits of cooperatives in how collective resources expands local ownership and create wealth.
thank you to our Event Speakers
Our event speakers are community leaders, creatives, and professionals who bring powerful stories, insights, and inspiration to this year’s conference.
Kou Vang
keynote speaker
President
JB Vang
Kou Vang is a successful entrepreneur and one of the most prominent Hmong business leaders in Minnesota. As President of JB Vang, a full-service real estate firm, Kou has developed and managed hundreds of millions in real estate projects. He brings deep knowledge in business development, real estate investment, and building wealth across generations.
Kou is a trailblazer, mentor, and champion for Asian entrepreneurs — and we are honored to welcome him as our keynote speaker for 2025.
Jeffrey k. yang
event speaker
Art Director
Allianz ASCENT Communications Lead
Jeffrey is an accomplished Art Director at Allianz Life, renowned for his extensive design expertise and successful collaborations with prestigious brands such as the Olympics/Paralympics and Minnesota United FC. His professional journey is marked by a deep passion for branding and a commitment to inspiring creatives to rediscover their curiosity.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Jeffrey is profoundly interested in cultural Asian anthropology and unconventional methodologies, dedicating his free time to crafting experiences that enrich life with enjoyment, purpose, and reward. His approach to life emphasizes perseverance, learning from minor setbacks, and appreciating life's simple pleasures, such as a hot matcha latte.
Jeffrey aspires to be a guiding light for designers, advocating for a holistic lifestyle that fosters personal and professional fulfillment. His vision is to empower the next generation of creatives to lead meaningful and impactful careers.
Workshop Presenters
Thank You to Our Incredible workshop Presenters
Your expertise, stories, and guidance empowered our community to learn, grow, and take action—we are truly grateful for the impact you made.
Get Involved at the 2025 Conference
Interested in leading a workshop or volunteering behind the scenes? We’d love to have you join us!
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Credit Scores & You!Workshop Category: Wealth & Asset Development Workshop Details: What is credit and what does that mean for your business? Learn how different types of credit can influence your business health and journey. We will review what Credit Reporting is, how credit scores are determined, strategies to raise credit scores, and steps of credit repair. Because…personal credit = business credit. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Linda White Organization: Model Cities of Saint Paul
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Introduction to Cooperative Models of BusinessWorkshop Category: Cooperative Development Workshop Details: Learn about cooperative enterprises and the variety of forms they can take. In particular, there will be focus on how governance and management are structured in co-ops. Then a few examples of different types of co-ops will be presented, including artist, worker, and real estate investment co-ops. A few funding opportunities unique to co-ops will also be highlighted. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Benjamin Tsai Organization: Shared Ownership Center at Nexus (SOC@N)
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SBA 101 - Overview of Programs and Services for your Small BusinessWorkshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Join SBA's Minnesota District office to learn about local programs and services that can support and accelerate your business at any stage. Our team will share an overview on capital programs including SBA loan guarantees, contracting certifications including 8a and Hubzone, and local counseling resources. Businesses that utilize such services have a higher rate of business success. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Natt Lee Organization: U.S. Small Business Administration, Minnesota District Office
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Food Products and Packaging: Turn Your Food Products into CashWorkshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Looking to turn your fruits, vegetables, or any agricultural crop into a product? Join us to learn how the Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI) will provide information on how to access resources for creating biobased products, renewable energy, coproducts, and food. Information will include business development, recipe scale-up, nutritional labeling, feasibility testing assessments, cooperative partnerships, and facilitating networking within the industry. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Michael Sparby Organization: Agricultural Utilization Research Institute (AURI)
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The Spirit of the EntrepreneurWorkshop Category: Small Business Development Workshop Details: Do you have what it takes to be an entrepreneur? This workshop covers personal characteristics that entrepreneurs rely on. Learn how to assess yourself – your traits, habits, motivations, aptitudes, and attitudes – and find your fit and readiness to successfully start and manage a small business. Time: 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM Presented by: Va-Megn Thoj Organization: Asian Economic Development Association
THANK YOU TO OUR CONFERENCE SPONSOR:
