Speaker Series & Networking: $20K to $40M - An Asian CEO’s Journey to Financial & Personal Freedom
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**Featured Presentation**
From $20K to $40M - An Asian CEO’s Journey to Financial & Personal Freedom with Ian So, Former CEO of a Fast Growing U.S. Private Company
**RSVP**
RSVP on TixFox in link below is required to reserve your spot
https://tixfox.co/e/9l0EmHnxGS
**Event**
Join Ian So for an inspiring evening on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building financial freedom. In our speaker session “From $20K to $40M-An Asian CEO’s Journey to Financial & Personal Freedom”, Ian shares how he grew a single food truck bought on eBay into a multi-million-dollar business recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies.
Hear firsthand lessons on scaling a business, overcoming challenges, investing, and creating both personal and financial freedom as an Asian entrepreneur in the U.S. Whether you’re a founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or business professional, this session will offer practical insights and motivation for your own journey.
A networking hour will follow the session, with light refreshments served, providing attendees an opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders.
**Host**
This event is hosted by Asian Professionals Northwest, join our group for future event notifications:
https://www.meetup.com/asian-professionals-northwest
**Agenda**
6:30 PM – Doors Open, Guest Check-In, Grab a Light Meal
6:50 PM – Speaker Session Begins
7:40 PM – Host Closing Remarks & Group Photo
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM+ – Networking Hour & Refreshments
**Become a Volunteer and Attend for Free**
Volunteers can sign up at link below and receive free admission to the event.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11Abfnn2RqDSqoLshZxlec1uMxDlfVHV-RSZhevfBs9k/edit?gid=0#gid=0
If you experience any issues with the volunteer sign-up form, please contact us at:
[email protected]
**Speaker Bio**
Ian So is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and advisor best known for scaling Chicken & Rice Guys from a single $19,000 food truck into a multi-million-dollar business with six food trucks, four restaurants, a catering division, and over 50 employees. During his leadership, the company was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies and ranked among the fastest-growing businesses in Massachusetts.
Today, Ian remains an owner and advisor to the company while investing in and operating multiple ventures, including real estate, hospitality, and entrepreneurship consulting. He also co-founded ACE NextGen, a national network connecting over 1,000 entrepreneurs across eight cities. A Babson College alumnus, Ian is passionate about entrepreneurship, leadership, and community building.
**Awards & Recognition**
2013, 2014, 2016 – Boston A-List Best Food Truck (3× Winner)
2015 – Boston Eater Hottest Restaurants
2016 – Boston Business Journal Diversity in Leadership Award
2016 – Boston Business Journal 40 Under 40
2016 – Mayor Walsh Spark Impact Award
2017 – Boston Business Journal Fast 50
2017 – SmartCEO Future 50
2020 - Asian Hustle Network’s Top 50 Unsung Heroes
2023 - GetKonnected 25 Most Influential Men of Color
2023 – ACE NextGen Unicorn Award
**Special Thanks to Our Individual Sponsors**
Thanks to Lien Ngu, Vincent Lai, and Charles Chen for their generous support and contributions to this event. We sincerely appreciate your commitment to our community.
**Sponsor our Mentorship and/or Professional Development Event**
https://givebutter.com/JyIWIs
**Understanding Our Event Pricing**
We are committed to transparency about how event fees are used. View a detailed breakdown of event expenses and how proceeds support APNW's mission:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/15o5m6tO19YezbqSf6h-uHMkk8QNlNOc-1_-U5llx7pw/edit?tab=t.0
**Disclaimer**
By attending this event, you acknowledge and agree that photographs, video recordings, and other media may be captured during the event. These images and recordings may be used by the organizers for promotional, marketing, website, social media, and other event-related purposes without compensation or further notice. By participating in the event, you grant permission for your likeness to be used in such materials.
From $20K to $40M - An Asian CEO’s Journey to Financial & Personal Freedom with Ian So, Former CEO of a Fast Growing U.S. Private Company
**RSVP**
RSVP on TixFox in link below is required to reserve your spot
https://tixfox.co/e/9l0EmHnxGS
**Event**
Join Ian So for an inspiring evening on entrepreneurship, leadership, and building financial freedom. In our speaker session “From $20K to $40M-An Asian CEO’s Journey to Financial & Personal Freedom”, Ian shares how he grew a single food truck bought on eBay into a multi-million-dollar business recognized as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies.
Hear firsthand lessons on scaling a business, overcoming challenges, investing, and creating both personal and financial freedom as an Asian entrepreneur in the U.S. Whether you’re a founder, aspiring entrepreneur, or business professional, this session will offer practical insights and motivation for your own journey.
A networking hour will follow the session, with light refreshments served, providing attendees an opportunity to connect with fellow entrepreneurs, professionals, and community leaders.
**Host**
This event is hosted by Asian Professionals Northwest, join our group for future event notifications:
https://www.meetup.com/asian-professionals-northwest
**Agenda**
6:30 PM – Doors Open, Guest Check-In, Grab a Light Meal
6:50 PM – Speaker Session Begins
7:40 PM – Host Closing Remarks & Group Photo
8:00 PM – 9:00 PM+ – Networking Hour & Refreshments
**Become a Volunteer and Attend for Free**
Volunteers can sign up at link below and receive free admission to the event.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/11Abfnn2RqDSqoLshZxlec1uMxDlfVHV-RSZhevfBs9k/edit?gid=0#gid=0
If you experience any issues with the volunteer sign-up form, please contact us at:
[email protected]
**Speaker Bio**
Ian So is a serial entrepreneur, investor, and advisor best known for scaling Chicken & Rice Guys from a single $19,000 food truck into a multi-million-dollar business with six food trucks, four restaurants, a catering division, and over 50 employees. During his leadership, the company was recognized by Inc. Magazine as one of America’s fastest-growing private companies and ranked among the fastest-growing businesses in Massachusetts.
Today, Ian remains an owner and advisor to the company while investing in and operating multiple ventures, including real estate, hospitality, and entrepreneurship consulting. He also co-founded ACE NextGen, a national network connecting over 1,000 entrepreneurs across eight cities. A Babson College alumnus, Ian is passionate about entrepreneurship, leadership, and community building.
**Awards & Recognition**
2013, 2014, 2016 – Boston A-List Best Food Truck (3× Winner)
2015 – Boston Eater Hottest Restaurants
2016 – Boston Business Journal Diversity in Leadership Award
2016 – Boston Business Journal 40 Under 40
2016 – Mayor Walsh Spark Impact Award
2017 – Boston Business Journal Fast 50
2017 – SmartCEO Future 50
2020 - Asian Hustle Network’s Top 50 Unsung Heroes
2023 - GetKonnected 25 Most Influential Men of Color
2023 – ACE NextGen Unicorn Award
**Special Thanks to Our Individual Sponsors**
Thanks to Lien Ngu, Vincent Lai, and Charles Chen for their generous support and contributions to this event. We sincerely appreciate your commitment to our community.
**Sponsor our Mentorship and/or Professional Development Event**
https://givebutter.com/JyIWIs
**Understanding Our Event Pricing**
We are committed to transparency about how event fees are used. View a detailed breakdown of event expenses and how proceeds support APNW's mission:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/15o5m6tO19YezbqSf6h-uHMkk8QNlNOc-1_-U5llx7pw/edit?tab=t.0
**Disclaimer**
By attending this event, you acknowledge and agree that photographs, video recordings, and other media may be captured during the event. These images and recordings may be used by the organizers for promotional, marketing, website, social media, and other event-related purposes without compensation or further notice. By participating in the event, you grant permission for your likeness to be used in such materials.
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Where is it happening?
989 112th Ave NE, Bellevue, WA 98004-4516, United States
Event Location & Nearby Stays:
Know what’s Happening Next — before everyone else does.
Host or PublisherAsian Professionals Northwest
