From an Idea to an Actual Business....

Well, I had this idea last December of after hearing about Harold Johnson; a beloved security guard that was assaulted last summer in Chinatown. He had been patrolling the Chinatown streets for two decades (20+ years) and how all the merchants and people in the community knew who he was. 

This event made me think of how I could give back to the community in any which way I could. 

You see, when I was a child to my teenage years, I spent a lot of time in Chinatown. I used to take the bus from Richmond to Chinatown with my Grandma (ma ma) to go grocery shopping. Being from Richmond this was before the mass immigration in the late 80's, there was no T & T or any other Chinese grocery stores in Richmond. 

Part of my upbringing was in Chinatown and it is still part of me today. It brings a smile to my face of all the memories that I had when growing up, which is probably why I have such an affinity to the community and that I feel so comfortable when I go there. 

Now as an adult, I don't live anywhere near Chinatown. I live in Langley, BC. When I first moved out to Langley, I swear, I was the Chinese community 20+ years ago. Like I mentioned before, I feel like I'm an outsider considering I live outside of Chinatown but I still feel connected to the area itself. It couldn't get any farther to there from where I live, yet I find myself making trips to Chinatown just because I have a yearning to be there. 

The news of Goldstone Bakery closing, then Daisy Gardens closing and now Kent's Kitchen closing, saddened me but emboldened me to continue on. 

So what started as an idea, to then the process of licensing, registering, creating a website (through Shopify; which isn't as easy as people make it to be), and the logistics of such, it took me almost 4 months to get things in order to launch.

So here it is... Sai Bao. 

A business to bring remembrance, nostalgia, and funny products that represent today's current styles and memories gone by with an Asian flair.

For every product we sell, a portion of that sale will go towards the many non-profit organizations that help to support the Chinese Communities in their Chinatown's. 

This is how I thought I could contribute to Vancouver's Chinatown and any other Chinatown's; because they are all experiencing the same issues and challenges that are redefining what their Chinatown's are to be. 

I look forward to meeting anyone who wants to join this journey with me. If you have an idea that you think can help; let me know and perhaps we can collaborate together. If you are already one of those awesome leaders in the Chinatown Community, reach out and I would love to meet or have a conversation with you on how I can help. 

This project is considered a "side hustle" for myself, but I thought it would be the best way I could contribute given where I live and considering I also have a full time job.  

Until then, enjoy the website.