Celebrating Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month!

In celebration of Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month, we are showcasing a few Asian & Pacific Islander-owned businesses within our Disability-Owned Business Enterprise (#DOBE) community. These businesses - and entrepreneurs - are making crucial contributions to create a more inclusive global economy. Take a look at the names that are championing #DisabilityInclusion in business!

Asian- & Pacific Islander-Owned Businesses are #ProudToBeDOBE

Dr. Ann Nguyen-Chung?is a dentist by day and an entrepreneur by night. She is a supervising dentist at a Native American dental clinic in Northern California and received her Doctor of Dental Medicine degree in 2014. Before her dental career, she obtained an MBA in 2008, fueled by a passion for business and a desire to start her venture.

Facing multiple chronic inflammatory health conditions, Dr. Ann transitioned to a plant-based lifestyle six years ago, witnessing significant health improvements that prompted her to educate others on healthy lifestyle choices. In 2020, she founded?Hippotanicals, an eco-friendly, vegan body care company, reflecting her holistic approach and dedication to promoting well-being through her dentist and entrepreneur expertise.

Being DOBE certified has opened doors to opportunities that may not have been accessible otherwise.?The certification has helped grow my business,?providing me with the chance?to meet one-on-one with corporate?businesses, which would have been much more challenging to do on my own.?Moreover, the DOBE certification has allowed me to participate in valuable learning sessions, such as a recent pitch training class, where I gained?valuable?information; I even got to practice my pitch and receive helpful feedback. The Disability:IN team has been incredibly supportive, encouraging, and responsive. In summary, being DOBE certified has been a significant asset to my business and has opened up new avenues for growth. - Dr. Ann Nguyen-Chung

Hetal Parikh is the President and Co-founder of Rangam . She has built Rangam’s credo around the simple maxim that people are the greatest assets to any organization. Rangam champions a human-centric and technology-driven approach to recruiting diverse talent through all possible sourcing channels and delivery models. Parikh's leadership continues to instill resilience and confidence in the Rangam team, inspiring everyone to adapt and pivot quickly amid uncertainties and change.?

Parikh spearheads the development of holistic talent solutions that are inclusive, innovative, and scalable. Rangam has made significant progress in the DE&I space over the past five years, thanks to her unwavering commitment to engaging with talent of all abilities where they are and for who they are, thereby disrupting the status quo of traditional recruiting. One of Rangam's prime objectives is to attract and engage with Gen-Zers and Zoomers, who are often more purpose-driven in their careers than previous generations.?

"Partnering as a certified DOBE has been a game-changer for Rangam, offering us incredible opportunities to enhance our brand awareness across various platforms. Presenting our innovative solutions to over 300 corporate suppliers annually at their conferences has elevated our recognition and enabled us to forge meaningful connections with stakeholders. This collaboration is pivotal in our mission to impact underrepresented communities by fostering inclusive workplaces. Our unique position allows us to collaborate with large enterprises, utilizing expertise in workforce solutions and close ties with the disability community. Together,?we're promoting and accelerating?meaningful employment through accessibility, accommodation, and inclusion. This partnership has?been instrumental in driving?our vision of creating diverse and inclusive cultures where everyone, including people with disabilities, feels valued and included." - Hetal Parikh

Disability:IN is proud to certify disability-owned business enterprises, including service-disabled and veteran disability-owned businesses, linking them to organizations that are seeking to diversify their supply chains. If you are interested in becoming a certified DOBE, please visit https://disabilityin.org/what-we-do/supplier-diversity/ #ProudToBeDOBE