Mr. Jason Maclin, owner of the Chopafellaz enterprise, attained entrepreneurial leadership by what some may consider, divine appointment. The story of Mr. Maclin’s business journey is filled with a pattern of brilliant timing that could have only been orchestrated by the Grand Conductor.

Before we illustrate his first remarkable rendezvous with a saving grace, here is a bit of background. In the early 90’s, the 20-something, Maclin made a choice to follow his passion for the barber trade and his love of people. So, Jason decided not to further pursue a career in computer technology, the study in which he received his college degree. Instead he drew upon the wealth-building lessons of his father and grandfather, who between them owned a cab company, delicatessen, cleaners, and an auto parts store. Jason’s grandfather instilled in him the importance of multiple streams of income. Business ownership, real estate and the stock market were the cornerstones of his grandfather’s lessons in financial success.

Now, onto that fateful day that saved and changed Jason’s life.

Paul and his wife Mandy Singh started City Fashion when disaster struck nearly 30 years ago. Ironically, the couple experienced the promise of a positive new start that was simultaneously met with an unexpected twist of fate. After an arduous interview process, Mandy received a job offer for a NYS government position. The family was elated by the opportunity. Mandy submitted her formal resignation to her employer at the time and prepared for her new career.

​Then, on the eve of her new dawn – the day before she was to start her new position… the worker’s union went on strike. This meant that Mandy was out of a job she never started and could no longer return to her former employer. The Singhs were devastated. Paul wasted no time finding a way to sustain his family. In true New York fashion, he hustled nonstop to make inroads with friends and family until an opportunity of value presented itself. Finally, he was advised to reach out to a far removed relative, who owned a successful clothing store in New York City. After several back and forth treks to the NYC, City Fashion was born.  Their start was meek and unassuming; setting up booths at open marketplaces and selling clothing from their home.

Friendly Nails was first welcomed into our beloved neighborhood 25 years ago. Owner, Tony Nguyen opened its doors after finding that the Bailey Business District was ripe with clientele and active with both vehicular and foot traffic. Prior to Friendly Nail ownership, Nguyen worked in the restaurant industry. While employed at the local Vietnamese dinery, Tony experienced numerous fires and other dangerous circumstances that made him rethink his initial plan of someday owning his own restaurant.

In his search for a new path, it was brought to Tony’s attention that the local cosmetology school was offering nail technician licensing for a significantly reduced rate. The discounted tuition just so happened to fit perfectly into Tony’s modest budget. As is the entrepreneurial spirit – Nguyen wasted no time in enrolling. Upon, his successful completion of the training and with license in-hand Tony set out to secure a commercial property. After an extensive citywide search, Tony decided irrefutably that Bailey Avenue was the ideal location. With confidence, Tony used the last of his savings to bet on himself and his dream of financial independence.

It paid off.

Andy Pham, owner of An Chau Asian Market is putting the Pham in “Family”. Coming from a large family of entrepreneurs including restauranteurs, accountants, and insurance agents – Andy continues his family’s entrepreneurial legacy with his extensive cultural food market located in the Ken-Bailey business district. In the late 90’s Andy inherited a convenient store from his sister. Naturally, Andy wanted to (in his words) fulfill the American Dream. Andy shares that he “wanted to be a bridge that connects different cultures together by providing products from around the world”. Shortly after stepping up to own and operate the small convenient store, Andy rented out a larger space next to the neighboring pizza shop.

Not long after the first expansion, Pham desired to expand the store even further. This second expansion would truly give him the space to bridge the culinary cultural and geographical divide. And so, in 2004 An Chau Asian Market underwent an extensive expansion into the current location. In this much larger space, Andy would not only be able to offer a wide variety of hard to find authentic Asian food and spices, but also various food items from a variety of countries that are represented in our local community.  Pham says, “Having a grocery store allows me to help the community find the products that reminds them of home”.