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How we started

Identifying ​the gap
​

While almost all of NYC’s businesses have been affected by COVID-19, Asian businesses—especially those in Chinatown—have been hit the hardest. Businesses are surviving by being accessible by phone or app. However, the majority of Chinatown businesses are off-the-grid.

Scoping the need
​

Many great initiatives are helping tech-enabled businesses onboard onto existing technologies. However, most gift card, donation, and delivery solutions require an electronic POS (Point of Sale) and aren't built for cash-only, pen-and-paper businesses.

Meeting the merchants
​where they're at

We build each merchant a custom webpage to take donations and sell gift cards. We speak their language, we pay in cash, and we do all of the heavy lifting for them—including marketing. All of the money goes straight to the merchant, and they don’t need to adopt any new POS system.

​Finding the right people
​

We are a passionate group of engineers, designers, creators, and storytellers with a common goal to save our Chinatown. We’re finding the small, off-the-grid Chinatown businesses to make sure they are getting the attention that they need.

How we work

Step 1: Connect

​Our team of fluent Chinese speakers will reach out to merchants to understand each restaurant’s distinct needs.

Step 2: Build

We will work with each business to build them a website. This way they can take donations and sell vouchers, and we can teach each merchant how to honor the vouchers.

Step 3: Market

We will handle all social media marketing and SEO to make sure that their websites are discoverable and plugged into existing directories.

Step 4: Relief

100% of the money raised in donations and vouchers will be sent back to the merchant.

Since launching...​

$6,405


​Raised for merchants

6


Merchants helped

240


​Total voucher purchases and donations

​Work with us

I am a VOLUNTEER who
​wants to get involved

We are looking for all kinds of skill sets: software engineers, illustrators, product designers, and more. We’re also looking for speakers/translators who are fluent in Mandarin, Cantonese, Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, Thai, Tagalong, or another language spoken in East / Southeast Asia.
​

 I am or know a SMALL BUSINESS OWNER who is looking for help

We will help you raise additional funds by building you a free webpage that we will also be marketing. Alternatively, if you personally know any business owners whose businesses have been affected by the coronavirus, please connect us.
​

I am an INDIVIDUAL or ORGANIZATION
​that wants to partner with you

We are looking for connections that can help us spread awareness and increase publicity of our initiative in the hopes that it reaches more business owners. 
​


​If you think you fit into any of these categories, please reach out.

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