July 7, 2009 -- The San Diego City Council approved the appointment of David Tam to serve on the City’s Fund Commission.  Mr. Tam, who is a financial advisor for Edward Jones Investments, was nominated to this position by Councilmember Carl DeMaio.  He is a member of the Asian Business Association (ABA) board of directors, which he has served on since 2005.  Mr. Tam received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics from the University of California, San Diego.

CLICK HERE to view SBA May 2009 Newsletter, which contains information on the Recovery Act Loan Program (ARC) to assist struggling small businesses

DeMaio Proposes Tax and Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses

City Councilman Carl DeMaio unveiled a four-point proposal to support San Diego's small businesses and self-employed.  The proposal includes: 1) Tax Relief; 2) Compliance Education and Outreach; 3) Public-Private Partnerships; and 4) Regulatory Relief.  For details on this proposal, CLICK HERE.

By Jonathan Sidener
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITER
July 29, 2008

A state appellate court has ruled that the owner of Chili's restaurants is not responsible for ensuring employees take mandatory meal breaks. As a result, Dallas-based Brinker Restaurant Corp. will not face a class-action lawsuit from employees who say they were denied paid and unpaid breaks.
 
The court did not rule on the merits of the case filed in San Diego against Brinker, which operates more than 175 restaurants in California, including Chili's, On the Border, Maggiano's Little Italy and Romano's Macaroni Grill.

The cases, which had been certified as a class action in 2006, can continue individually.

“This decision is a disaster for employees,” said San Diego attorney L. Tracee Lorens, who represents the employees. 

The ruling means that employees can be required to clock out for a break as soon as they arrive at work, and then after that break work for 12 hours without a further break, Lorens said.

She said the employees will “absolutely” appeal to the state Supreme Court.  Unless the Supreme Court reverses last week's decision, the dispute will result in individual cases in every California court district where Brinker operates restaurants, Lorens said. “It will mean 100,000 cases in courts throughout the state,” she said.
In a statement issued by its general counsel, Roger Thomson, Brinker said it is pleased with the decision.

“We look forward to the case's return to the trial court for action on the remaining individual issues,” Thomson wrote. The ruling also was applauded by the California Restaurant Association.

The court ruled that because the company is not responsible for ensuring employee breaks, individual cases of employees missing breaks could have varying causes and should be heard individually, not as a class.

The 2004 suit came two years after Brinker agreed to pay $10 million to settle a suit by the state Division of Labor Standards over similar allegations.
In that suit, Brinker was accused of failing to provide adequate meal and break periods, requiring employees to pay for company uniforms and failing to pay employees premiums when they worked split shifts. That suit covered workers who were employed by Brinker from Oct. 1, 1999, through Dec. 31, 2001.
Brinker agreed to the settlement without admitting fault.

Jonathan Sidener: (619) 293-1239; jonathan.sidener@uniontrib.com

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ASIAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO PARTNERS WITH CITIBANK TO OFFER COMMERCIAL CONTRACTING OPPORTUNITIES
SAN DIEGO, CA – July 27, 2007 – The Asian Business Association of San Diego (ABASD) today announced it is partnering with Citibank, The Council For Supplier Diversity (“The Council,” formerly, the Greater San Diego Business Development Council), and the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) to offer its members the opportunity to participate in The Bridge To New Business Opportunities program.

The Bridge to New Business Opportunities program provides small business owners with the knowledge and certification needed to bridge the gap and create exciting commercial contracting opportunities. Sponsored by Citibank, which will provide 20 eligible businesses with a $1,000 scholarship, eligible businesses must be a member of the Asian Business Association, American Indian Chamber of Commerce, Black Business Association of San Diego County, Mabuhay Alliance or San Diego County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

Additionally, participants will have access to MBE Certification services provided by The Council and specialized training and professional consulting provided by the SBDC. The deadline for applicants is August 17, 2007.
For more information or to apply for The Bridge to New Business Opportunities program, contact Joni Low at 858-277-2822 or e-mail her at joni@abasd.org.

On July 11, 2007, ABA Executive Director Joni Low and Bennett Peji of Bennett Peji Design were interviewed by Caz Taylor, Producer of the show "Money and You Radio" on wsRadio.biz. This weekly program, which is sponsored by ABA member USA Federal Credit Union, focuses on the subject of money and takes an in depth looks at how wise financial management in vital areas will improve every individual or company that is entrepreneurial at heart.

"Money and You Radio" is co-hosted by USA Federal Credit Union President/CEO Mary Cunningham, VP of Marketing and PR Nicole Anderson and VP of Member Business Services, Jennifer Ventimiglia. Together with the extensive financial experience of San Diego, California-based USA Federal Credit Union, timely money- related topics will be featured in this award-winning broadcast. Guests include industry leaders, company chiefs and others with unique and insightful financial perspectives. This program explores the things you need to know as an everyday consumer or a rapidly growing business.

During the July 11 interview, Joni provided an overview of ABA, while Bennett discussed how the Asian business community works together to bolster innovative success. You can listen to this live interview at www.wsradio.com/find/?search=Bennett+Peji

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SBA FORMS STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH ASIAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION
SAN DIEGO, CA - June 29, 2007 - Ruben Garcia, San Diego District Director of the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA), met Friday, June 29 , 2007, at the SBA office to sign a strategic alliance with Joni Low, Executive Director of the Asian Business Association of San Diego (ABA). The signed agreement is expected to allow SBA and the ABA to work together to improve business access to technological information through educational opportunities and SBA resources; providing maximum financial opportunities and training to entrepreneurs. “I am extremely pleased with the work that is being accomplished by the ABA and their excellent leadership through Ms. Joni Low” said District Director Garcia. “Joni has a rich history of helping entrepreneurs take their place as business owners and I know that she will continue doing a great job of assisting potential owners to fulfill their dreams of small business ownership.” This collaboration between the SBA and the ABA is building a strong foundation for the future. Small business is the golden thread that ties the American dream into reality for many. Consumers are spending millions each year and business leaders are rushing to meet that demand. Joni Low said “Having the SBA of San Diego as a Strategic Alliance partner extends the existing partnership between the ABA and the SBA, and allows ABA to enhance the services that we provide to our members”. To learn more about the SBA call 619-557-7250 or visit the web at www.sba.gov/ca/sandiego. To find out more about the Asian Business Association of San Diego call Joni Low at 619- 277-2822, or visit the web at www.abasd.org.

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ASIAN BUSINESS ASSOCIATION OF SAN DIEGO'S EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JONI LOW, SELECTED AS ASIAN PACIFIC LEADER
SAN DIEGO, CA – May 17, 2007 – The Asian Business Association of San Diego (ABA) is proud to announce that its Executive Director Joni T. Low has been named one of this year’s Asian Pacific American leaders in the community. Low was presented this prestigious designation by Cox Communications in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, taking place each May. Cox annually recognizes local Asian Pacific American leaders who have made a significant contribution to the community. The company will feature Low and the other honorees on a :30 public service announcement to run throughout the month of May. “We are honored that Joni has been selected by Cox Communications,” said Joe Chou, president of ABA San Diego. “Joni has been instrumental in helping the organization grow and bringing positive attention to San Diego’s Asian Pacific Americans.” The Asian Business Association is dedicated to uniting and empowering the Asian Pacific American business community by providing leadership and promoting economic growth in San Diego.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Joni T. Low, Executive Director
Phone: (858) 277-2822
E-mail: joni@abasd.org