Asian Americans in business work to break through ‘bamboo ceiling’

OKLAHOMA CITY Metro businessman

has seen “a huge wave” of Asian Americans migrating from the coasts to Oklahoma post-pandemic whether they come as corporate employees or entrepreneurs.

Le a board member at the Greater Oklahoma City Asian Chamber of Commerce has been both.

After nine years in information technology as a network administrator with Cisco Systems and Cox Communications, he opened a nail care salon in 2019 with his wife, Phoebe, and began pursuing his dream of being a real estate investor.

“I tried IT and didn’t see a fit for myself. I had a different calling,” Le said.

Many Asian children pursue their parents’ dream of becoming an engineer, doctor or pharmacist some career with great benefits instead of pursuing their own dream in dozens of other industries, he said.

To launch Le Realty Group LLC, Le started by learning the construction trades and remodeling houses. His father was baffled that he left a good-paying job to be a laborer.

“My philosophy is to start something we have to be good at it, and then we can train other people,” Le said.

Now he has 25 properties in his rental portfolio, which he grows by buying and flipping 10 to 15 houses per year. His rentals are affordable three-bed, two-bath houses in the metro area, he said.

His wife continues to manage Allure Nails Spa of Norman and will manage a second location opening this month in Moore. Le also owns a third nail salon in Mustang with a different partner/manager.

Cultural barriers

Asian Americans make up 6.2% of the U.S. population, according to the 2020 U.S. Census, and account for 12% of professional workers. Yet only 4.4% of directors at Fortune 1000 companies are Asian.

In Oklahoma County, 3.7% of the population identified as Asian or Pacific Islander.

A Harvard Business Review analysis of national Equal Employment Opportunity Commission workforce datafoundthat Asian American white-collar professionals are the least likely group to be promoted from individual contributor roles into management less likely than any other race, including blacks and Hispanics.

Two decades ago, Asian American career coach Jane Hyun coined the term “bamboo ceiling” to describes the cultural and professional barriers that hinder Asian Americans’ progression up the corporate ladder.

“Personally, I haven’t experienced it, but I absolutely have seen a lot more of my peers who are shy to try out for positions,” said Le, who was born in Vietnam and migrated to the United States with his family in 2000 when he was 11 years old.

Many first-generation immigrants like his parents were shop owners or worked two or three low-wage jobs that left little time to spend outside of work, Le said.

When parents are “busy putting meals on the table,” they can’t attend and support their children’s sports activities, spelling bees and musical programs, he said.

Le sees it as a soccer coach. Parents who were born and raised here are the most involved. “That triggers the kids’ development,” he said. When parents aren’t involved their children “may not have the same intensity and commitment.”

“That affects the kids’ confidence,” Le said. “Good people skills come for confidence.”

That lack of confidence plus not speaking English as a first language are reasons Asian workers can be shy about seeking promotions, he said.

Leadership ability how to lead and motivate people also is learned or not learned, he said. “Parents who demonstrate that, their children may excel.”

Asian parents provide a good example to their children to not take things for granted at work and in relationships and to make a positive impact, Le said.

“I believe in giving back and sharing our resources with our community,” he said.

Having been an entrepreneur with very little starting capital, he understands the struggle of cash flow and business hardship. He said his mission at the Asian Chamber is to help current and future business owners develop strategic plans to stabilize their business goals.

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