vic lee

a ring pop was presented after @tinypizzakitchen pizza and martinis with andy in the catskills ❤️ 📷: @didjessgetaniphone

☁️🗽Vic’s big idea for New York: Making Chinatown it’s own self-determinant ecosystem. 📌 Chinatown, Manhattan Vic is the co-founder of Welcome to Chinatown.

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#welcomeToChinatown #supportSmallBusiness #shopSmallNYC #smallBusinessLove #keepSmallStrong #chinatownNYC #madeInNYC #changemakers

@alwayschinatownfilm is an emerging documentary that follows @welcome.to.chinatown 's work and explores the complex stories of legacy, belonging, and future-forward hopes for Manhattan’s Chinatown. WtC has grown into a life of its own since our little love letter to Chinatown started five years ago; the constant being an unwavering commitment to keep Chinatown open for generations to come. From @veeeeleeee : @dave_yim and @kittyxhu reached out in 2023 & little did I know what I signed up for. What started as a scrappy mutual aid effort in a moment of crisis has become a permanent part of my life—and hopefully Chinatown’s future. Having Dave and Kitty capture that journey, with all its messiness, momentum, and meaning, feels like a full-circle moment I never expected but deeply value. From @jenniferzhenyu : Returning to Houston, becoming a mother, changing jobs and even careers—each of these milestones could’ve been a reason to step back. But instead, they’ve become even more reason to stay committed to the mission. It feels deeply reflective to have @dave_yim @kittyxhu follow WtC's work, including a journey that I've yet to fully understand for myself. The film is currently raising funds on @seedandspark , and we're just a few days away from hoping to reaching their fundraising goal! Whether it’s with a donation of any amount or simply by sharing the campaign with your network, your support goes a long way in telling a story of a community that has given so much but asks for little in return. One of the greatest joys is just having a small part in reminding Chinatown that it has always been golden.

What makes a neighborhood feel like home? It’s the small moments—like a Chinatown shopkeeper guiding you to the ripest fruit or a barista who remembers your order and your pup’s treat 🥹 Small businesses are the heart of our communities, and in Chinatown, they represent 98% of businesses to create those moments. Every dollar spent locally makes a difference too—67 cents stays in the community compared to 43 cents at national chains (@americanexpress study). At @welcome.to.chinatown , we invest in small businesses through actionable programming, lasting connections, confidence-building, and storytelling that highlights their realities 💪 These efforts don’t just sustain businesses—they empower a thriving ecosystem that keeps our community resilient and adaptive to change. Imagine a Chinatown that’s self-sustaining, uplifting its residents, and preserving its character for generations. This #GivingTuesday, help us make that vision a reality. Your donation—big or small—supports the future of Chinatown 🫶 Donate through IG or at /WtCGT

i’m a @davidprizenyc finalist 🥹 so honored & blown away that i’m in the final round with fellow new yorkers (shoutout to fellow finalist @gothamparknyc !) that want to make new york city a better, brighter city. i applied in 2020 when @welcome.to.chinatown was just starting. i used that application as a starting point when thinking about whether or not to apply this year, and although the app was written in a very embarrassing & brash manner (lol…it was me already thinking about how to get out of corporate speak) im so proud that our teams ideas have come into fruition. onwards 🚀 Helping Chinatown institutions succession plan and live on for generations to come Vic started Welcome to Chinatown as a love letter to the neighborhood and NYC. What started as a project to celebrate the neighborhood evolved into an essential hub and support model for small businesses across Chinatown. Recently, Vic quit her corporate job to pursue Welcome to Chinatown full-time.  Vic’s vision is about expanding and improving support for small businesses that are largely run by aging owners, lack access to technology, and are at-risk of losing their foothold after decades of operation. She already has started to support business owners by thinking through what the next chapter could look like by gaining the deep trust of their teams. She helps digitize and archive inventory, market offerings on social and other channels, streamline accounting, and plan succession. From her work with businesses, Vic now wants to build a fund that can provide flexible capital to help businesses successfully pass their legacy down to new owners that aspire to maintain and grow the institutions.

welp…what a ride it’s been. after 11ish years, my last day with estee lauder companies was nov 17 because ive FINALLY made the leap to run @welcome.to.chinatown full time 😳😅🫶 it was never a question of if, but when, and well, its now!! the true blessing along my career journey, whether at estee or WtC, is that i have met incredible people along the way. its hard to say goodbye to a team like @your.nyc.auntie @astisya.s @laidbackduke @ericatedd , but i believe wholeheartedly in the work WtC is doing. onwards 🚀 & a special shoutout to @airkumar . ive never experienced so much unconditional love & support to achieve my passion 💕

i have social anxiety that gets especially intense around groups. it’s been overwhelming the past half year so ive been relearning how to take care of myself. this includes saying no and figuring out what’s important to put my energy into. along the way, here are little moments that have made me smile ☺️

andy AKA anderson AKA andrew’s first road trip 🥹

hub loading… my mom reminded me today was the five year passing of my ah por. feels serendipitous that we opened @welcome.to.chinatown home to those that have been with us 3+ years & counting on the same day ❤️

i had the incredible honor of being recognized at @thechinaproj supchina women’s gala as one of their 2023 rising stars for my work in philanthropy with @welcome.to.chinatown . the judging panel included amy chua (author & professor), janet yang (president of academy of motion picture arts & sciences), and merit janow (chairperson of mastercard). what a journey it’s been, and an even bigger journey to keep it all going. congrats to my fellow honorees who are such inspirational power houses 💫

earlier this year, @wovenking introduced me to @jxu.photo who filmed @oneouncegold & i at @unclelouny . and this little web of connections is just one of my blessed experiences with AAPI power. i often question if im on the right path, if ive isolated self interest, and if im operating with enough empathy. taking in all of that and more into consideration, @welcome.to.chinatown exists because i am constantly surrounded by storied, talented, and inspirational entrepreneurs, small business owners, and advocates that push us to keep our eyes on the mission of seeing chinatown thrive for generations to come. & this feels a bit weird to also post this in the same post but @corybng words of “lets continue this but do it 100x over” hit home. unfortunately i will not be on the ballot for district leader in june. despite getting 1200 signatures, i was impacted by redistricting and my petitions were challenged. i simply did not have enough resources to contest in a short period of time. though i am extremely disappointed that the fight against old school machine politics stopped here, it’s only temporary. i will continue to organize and find other ways to build AAPI power & do it 100x over ❤️

toy film camera recap of seoul, taiwan, and hong kong. more than half the photos were trash because of the lighting but it just means those moments are for the mind palace only. #kodakektarh35