{"id":6583,"date":"2021-12-13T18:40:07","date_gmt":"2021-12-14T02:40:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/intuitblog.com\/?p=6583"},"modified":"2023-05-22T12:31:19","modified_gmt":"2023-05-22T19:31:19","slug":"a-desire-to-share-his-heritage-opens-doors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.intuit.com\/blog\/social-responsibility\/a-desire-to-share-his-heritage-opens-doors\/","title":{"rendered":"For one entrepreneur, a desire to share his heritage opens doors"},"content":{"rendered":"

When entrepreneur Eric Ong immigrated to the United States from Southeast Asia, he was a driven 17-year-old with a passion for pursuing freedom \u2014 freedom to pursue his goals, which included achieving financial freedom.<\/p>\n

\"EricComing from humble roots, Eric believes in the importance of grit and hard work. He gained experience working as a senior engineering manager at a fitness and media company in Santa Monica, but the long hours made it hard to have a balanced life. So after 11 years, with a baby on the way, Eric launched his first restaurant, Humble Potato<\/a>, which celebrates his love for American comfort food with a Japanese twist. The restaurant was also an homage to his parents, who met while attending university in Tokyo. Growing up, Eric was heavily influenced by Japanese culture and tradition.<\/p>\n

On the success of his first venture, Eric opened two more eateries in LA \u2014 Mee and Greet<\/a> and The Most Valuable Playa<\/a>. The financial freedom he sought for himself and his family was almost within reach. But for Eric, something was missing. \u201cBeing truly successful is more than just personal financial freedom or time,\u201d he says. \u201cIt’s being able to contribute to your community.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"EricAs a global technology platform, Intuit <\/a>helps customers like Eric overcome their most important financial challenges. Our innovative products and services improve our customers\u2019 lives, opening up expanded possibilities. We\u2019re there for our customers in their important life moments \u2014 whether you\u2019re getting into restaurant business, bringing the band back together, celebrating a quincea\u00f1era, paying down your college loan, or getting the invoices out on time so that you get paid.<\/p>\n

When the pandemic hit and those eating out stayed home, Eric faced a period of uncertainty and careful budgeting. Throughout it all, he relied on Intuit tools like QuickBooks<\/a> and TurboTax<\/a> to help him better manage his restaurants.<\/p>\n

\"ChefFor Eric, financial success is only part of the goal. He also wants to change the culture of leadership in business \u2014 to create a culture where leaders treat their staff with respect and integrity, are always accountable, and are there for their staff when times are tough. His motto of \u201cabove and beyond\u201d extends to customer service, but also to his staff members \u2014 which once numbered over 60 \u2014 as well as to their families and to his own family. After all, what\u2019s the value of working so hard if it doesn\u2019t leave you time to enjoy life?<\/p>\n

Running a small business on top of personal commitments is a high-stakes journey that carries meaning far beyond the bottom line. There are financial stakes but there are also the livelihoods of employees and the well-being of employees\u2019 families. Some businesses represent deeply personal dreams and, in some cases, family legacies will have the opportunity to live on.<\/p>\n

Intuit works for what you work for.<\/b><\/p>\n

To learn more about how Intuit\u2019s products can help you, visit our website at\u00a0https:\/\/www.intuit.com\/possibilities\/<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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