Houston Asian Chamber of Commerce President Elsie Huang speaks candidly about her organization.
Feb. 21, 2006 by Shaun Yeu - Houston Asian businesses is
growing tremendously. According to US Census figures, over 25,000 Asian-owned
businesses are operating in Houston with total revenues of $8.7 billion. Behind
this driving force is Elsie Huang, the president of Houston Asian Chamber of
Commerce. She is a retired principal and an active civic leader. Her present
duties besides running the Asian Chamber of Commerce includes sitting on the
Better Business Bureau Board, Gulf Coast Workforce Board, Houston Mayor's
International Affairs and Development
Council, Chinese Community Center board member, and other community boards and
councils. This might seem much for an ordinary person's life, but Elsie Huang is
much more than ordinary.
Born in Tuscon, Arizona, Elsie moved to Houston when she was three. After receiving her Bachelors of Science Degree and Master of Education Administration Degree from UH, she began her career teaching. For the next 26 years, she was a teacher and finally a principal for Katy ISD. She accumulated numerous accolades throughout her teaching career. Her hobbies include watching TV shows, playing the keyboard, watching movies, and playing Mahjong.
After retiring, she received a phone call one day from the president of Houston Asian Chamber of Commerce to come in and lead this organization and so she did. She is presently the President of the Asian Chamber of Commerce in Houston and has brought the membership up to 625 members; the largest membership since it was incorporated on June, 1990. Elsie Huang's goal is to not only help the businesses but to serve the community at large thus expanding the role of chamber from a business organization to a viable force in the community. Below is an excerpt of our interview:
Shaun: Where do you see the organization five years down the road?
Elsie: I envision the chamber own its own office; take a trip China and do goodwill work; work on US-China business relations; work more with TxDot, Port of Houston, City of Houston, and HISD and help small Asian businesses bid contracts with these entities; and to increase chamber membership over 1,000 strong.
Shaun: With China becoming a global economic powerhouse, how will your organization bridge the gap between East and West.
Elsie: In 2007, we plan to take a delegation to China to discuss trade talks. Issues to be discussed is how to develop that business relationship and improve Chinese products quality. On a side note, India is also becoming a big part in global economics.
Shaun: What do you foresee as the biggest barrier for Asian-owned businesses?
Elsie: Culture differences and language barrier. People just have to learn about the different cultures and customs. Language has always been the biggest issue and both sides have to work on this problem. Also, ethical problems like copying and copyright infringement needs to be addressed and resolved.
Shaun: Are there success stories that you can share with everyone?
Elsie: Sure, the NBA All-Star game in Houston recently was a major success for the chamber and some of its members. The NBA vendor resource guide was heavily lobbied by the Asian Chamber of Commerce to include a few Asian businesses in Houston, and a few Asian businesses members from the chamber was included into the guide. This was a very big accomplishment.
Shaun: What do you attribute to success?
Elsie: Success requires involvement in civic activities and speaking up. You have to reach out to the people or businesses at-large and not in your own circle. One must be social like participating in our Breakfast or Luncheon Networking Sessions and also build a strong business-business relationship. Most deals are not done during business hours, but on the golf course, or having a drink at a restaurant. That is the key to success.
Elsie Huang is a leader and a civic servant who helps Asian businesses achieve the American dream. Her candidness reflects her goodwill towards the Asian community in Houston.