Push Admin

Entrepreneur couple empowers Fil-Am businesses in SF

A couple in San Francisco helps empower businesses owned by their fellow Fil-Ams through mentorship and guidance.

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

<div><iframe width="640" height="360" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5a3O0pBcHNs?&amp;wmode=opaque&amp;rel=0" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" class="fr-draggable"></iframe> </div>Like the elevated streetwear that they carry, Ron and Tricia Benitez’s San Francisco store Asmblyhall represents their community’s voice, their history, what they’ve come and what they aspire to be.&quot;The original intent was to have a place where people can come shop, congregate, and assemble,&quot; said Ron. &quot;But we also wanted to do something with fashion, art, and music.&quot;Ron and Tricia both come from the corporate retail world. But their Filipino-American upbringing encouraged them to develop their entrepreneurial spirit.Tricia&#x27;s grandmother operated one of the first Asian-American grocery stores in the San Francisco Bay Area in the 70s. Ron&#x27;s father was in the U.S. Navy and his mother was a nurse.&quot;Growing up, that’s what you thought you would do,&quot; Ron said. &quot;[But] it&#x27;s great to break out of that mold and inspire other Filipinos that are younger than us and that you can follow passions and your dreams.&quot;They opened their lifestyle apparel and accessory boutique in 2011 with a focus on supporting local products.Through the years, they also met with other Fil-Am entrepreneurs where the couple found a deeper purpose.For Ron and Tricia, the goal is also to empower other Fil-m business owners by providing mentorship and guidance, especially to those who are just starting.Through events like Undiscovered, the Filipino night market in San Francisco, the couple helped establish the Filipino Cultural District south of the market neighborhood.They are also working on building a permanent space for Filipino retailers and entrepreneurs in the city, which they hope to call &quot;Republika.&quot;As reputable business owners, the Benitez couple was invited to a roundtable discussion with U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to talk about issues Asian American and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs are facing.They were also invited to the White House, where Tricia was honored with other women business owners by U.S. President Joe Biden.All these years and all that we&#x27;ve been doing is trying to have a business, do something that we love, work with the Filipino community,&quot; said Tricia. &quot;To be acknowledged in that way felt almost surreal for us.&quot;Ron and Tricia Benitez&#x27;s pride in Filipino culture and their belief in their community&#x27;s strengths drives them to represent  through their space, their products, and their vision to make a difference.

A couple in San Francisco helps empower businesses owned by their fellow Fil-Ams through mentorship and guidance.

Entrepreneur couple empowers Fil-Am businesses in SF

News

Entertainment

Lifestyle

Sports

Metro.Style

More

Traffic

Manila

Horoscope

Business

Entrepreneur couple empowers Fil-Am businesses in SF

ABS-CBN News,

Henni Espinosa | TFC News San Francisco

Published Jul 18, 2024 01:05 PM PHT

Read More:

Business

Entrepreneur

United States

California

Filipino American

TFC News

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

AI Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

AI Policy

Advertise with Us

© 2025 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.