economic landscape Archives - Viet Bao Louisville KY

Louisville Business First hosted its 3rd annual CEO Roundtable, offering valuable insights on the economic landscape from local business leaders. Di Tran, a multi-business owner, was among the attendees, captivated by the diverse perspectives on pressing challenges faced by businesses today. The event included panelists Cindy Collier, President and CEO of Mister P Express; Stacy Griggs, CEO of El Toro; Chris Ratterman, CEO of Shady Rays; and Thad Solomon, President and CEO of Steel Technologies LLC.

Key Discussion Points

1. Workforce Shortages and Vocational Education:
Panelists unanimously highlighted the difficulty in finding skilled workers—a challenge exacerbated by a national focus on college degrees at the expense of vocational training. Cindy Collier illustrated the potential in vocational paths, noting that truck drivers at her company can earn up to $150,000 annually without needing a college degree.

2. Inflation and Rising Costs:
All leaders expressed concern about inflation, especially its impact on fuel prices, which significantly affects operational costs in transportation. Collier emphasized that rising gas prices add considerable strain on her company’s financials.

3. Resilient Business Models and Financial Stability:
Di Tran was particularly impressed by Cindy Collier’s story of her father founding Mister P Express over 30 years ago. She shared how the company has thrived by operating with minimal debt, buying property and equipment outright, and maintaining lean operations. This debt-free model proved crucial for survival during the pandemic, offering financial flexibility amidst widespread economic uncertainty.

4. New Administration and Inflation Measures:
While the panel remained cautiously optimistic about the incoming administration’s approach to managing inflation, the CEOs collectively acknowledged the need for policy measures to control costs and support business growth.

5. The Role of AI and Innovation:
While AI is anticipated to impact many sectors, the panelists noted that human-to-human interactions remain essential in their industries, where personal relationships drive business. Innovation, they affirmed, should be embedded in company culture rather than isolated to a department.

This event underscored the challenges and resilience of local businesses as they adapt to economic shifts, maintain essential workforce relationships, and explore innovative yet grounded approaches for sustainable growth.

On July 14, 2023, Louisville, Kentucky came alive with a rich display of multicultural unity, artistry, and entrepreneurial spirit during the Welcome Academy Alumni reunion. The event, hosted by Crane House of Louisville and sponsored by Louisville Metro Office of Immigrant Affairs, gathered immigrants from across the globe, including India, Cuba, Mexico, the Philippines, Somalia, and other nations.

Di Tran, an influential figure in the community and an advocate for entrepreneurship among immigrants, attended the event. Tran, though not an artist himself, holds a deep appreciation for art and the artists who create it. This appreciation was especially palpable in his interaction with Humberto Lahera, a Cuban artist renowned for his meticulous, photorealistic work.

Humberto Lahera is an artist specialized in photorealism and portraiture. A graduate of the Art Academy of Holguin and Universidad de las Artes de Cuba, Lahera brings his meticulous, intimate interpretations of nature and beauty to every piece he creates. His artwork and murals have not only brightened the walls and lives of people in Cuba, but they’ve also crossed borders to enrich public and private spaces across the United States.

Though Lahera’s artistry and Tran’s entrepreneurial pursuits seem worlds apart, they found common ground during the reunion. Tran, who is no stranger to the challenges and rewards of small business ownership, expressed his desire to help artists like Lahera thrive in their craft and make a living from it.

As the leader of the New American Business Association, Tran helps individuals leverage their unique talents and values to build successful small businesses. He believes that art, like Lahera’s, shouldn’t merely be admired but should also serve as a foundation for sustainable entrepreneurship. He champions the idea of artists packaging their works into deals that cater to a range of potential customers and their varying budgets.

In the spirit of fostering more vibrant connections between art and entrepreneurship, Tran encourages anyone interested in Lahera’s work to reach out to him directly on LinkedIn here.

This collaboration between Tran and Lahera, between business and art, is a vivid example of how the rich diversity of Louisville, KY can flourish. It stands as a testament to the unity and collaborative spirit that thrives in this vibrant city, a place where art and business walk hand in hand, and where the immigrant population plays a crucial role in shaping its cultural and economic landscape.