AAPI Business Advocacy

 

Leader in Business Advocacy:

Sean Kali-rai, with his wealth of knowledge of economics and public policy, engaged in various challenging issues including assisting family-owned and minority-operated fast-food franchisees. Additionally, his tenure as Finance Director for the BART to San José, Measure A campaign in 2000, underscores his ability to drive significant civic projects.

Sean is our 2024 AAPI Leader in Business Advocacy.

California Assemblymember Ash Kalra, District 25.

VIDEO: Assem. Ash Kalra Introduces Sean Kali-rai, AAPI Leader in Business Advocacy

VIDEO: Sean-Kali-rai Acceptance Speech, AAPI Leader in Business Advocacy.

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Purple Lotus Cannabis

 

A grand opening is always fun, but it is even better when it is legal cannabis. Purple Lotus Patient Center, a family owned cannabis dispensary since 2010 was proud to open its second retail location in downtown San Jose on Friday, May 3rd. This is the very first legal cannabis dispensary to be located in the heart of downtown in a former Peet's coffee shop. Purple Lotus' first location is also located in council district 3 on Commercial Street. There was much fanfare as approximately 100 eager shoppers gathered on the sidewalk at the dispensary front door on 66 W. Santa Clara Street to look on to the official presentation.

Enormous bright purple scissors cut the ceremonial ribbon.  An impressive guest list of Mayor Matt Mahan, District 3 Council member Omar Torres and Alex Stettinsky of the San Jose Downtown Association were all in attendance to celebrate the happy occasion.  Sean Kali-rai, Founder of the Silicon Valley Cannabis Alliance; a sister company to UNITE Strategies, who helped 7 of the original 16 citywide legal cannabis dispensaries open back in 2015 says this is a great day for the residents of downtown San Jose.  Statistically, when a legal cannabis dispensary opens a storefront business there is a palpable decline in crime due to high security measures taken by the business owner and giving citizens access to legal medical and adult use product.

Purple Lotus Patient center is open 7 days a week, they offer easy pick up service and delivery. Live. Love. Lotus.

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Student Industry Connections

 

It was a full day for San Jose high school students today.

Student Industry Connections, ('SIC') a sister company to UNITE Strategies, LLC held another one of their student education programs on Friday, April 26 inside San Jose City Hall Rotunda and Council Chambers. 'SIC' delivers industry experts to augment academic learning and career readiness for high school and community college students. 'SIC' is administered by UNITE Strategies' partner Eddie Truong, and Michael Quach.

'SIC' was thrilled to include  over a dozen industry professionals to open opportunities to approximately 225 eager young San Joseans. The topics covered were various facets of healthcare, biosciences, human resources and engineering. Students also participated in workshops that practiced job interview and communication skills.  Participating East Side Union High Schools were Andrew Hill, Independence, Oak Grove, Santa Teresa and Piedmont Hills.

This event was made possible by the following sponsors:

• Asian American Women's Alliance - AAWA
• East Side Union High School District
• Councilmember Bien Doan, District 7

Students were not the only beneficiaries of the day. Teachers were recognized and awarded for their excellence in education within the confines of their classrooms. You can't have an event without door prizes not to mention snacks and a nutritious lunch to top off the day. Investing time and talent with our youth, giving them a head start helps to guarantee a bright future for our city and our communities.

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L'Eggo My Eggo

 

SAN JOSE - Embark on a culinary journey back in time to the bustling streets of San Jose, California, where the air was infused with the tantalizing aroma of innovation. Meet the unsung hero of home-cooked delights, Frank Dorsa, a maverick inventor with an insatiable appetite for transforming the ordinary into the extraordinary. As a serial inventor, Frank's genius sparked a gastronomic revolution, starting with the convenience of jarred mayonnaise and the crunch of perfectly crafted potato chips.

But it was the dawn of a frozen breakfast era that truly set his legacy ablaze – the birth of the Fraffle, a Frozen Waffle that defied the breakfast norm. In 1966, the sizzling success of Frank's creation caught the attention of Fearn Foods, Inc., leading to a savory acquisition and, ultimately, a dance with destiny in the arms of The Kellogg Company in 1970. Thus, the Eggo Waffle emerged, a crispy sensation christened for its real-egg infusion. Unravel the layers of flavor and history as we delve into the delicious narrative of Frank Dorsa, the culinary visionary whose innovations left an indelible mark on the breakfast table.

Fun Fact Shared By UNITE Strategies

Astiva Health

 

Unite Strategies, LLC is thrilled to announce a new Government Affairs relationship with Astiva Health, Inc., a beacon of innovation in Southern California's healthcare landscape. Astiva Health, with its commitment to personalized care and diverse networks, exemplifies excellence in serving its members' specialized needs.

At Astiva Health, individuality is paramount. Their dedication to tailoring benefits and services underscores their unwavering focus on member satisfaction. Unite Strategies recognizes the importance of this ethos and is honored to support Astiva Health in amplifying its voice and influence in government affairs.

Through this union, we aim to navigate the intricate regulatory terrain, ensuring Astiva Health's unique approach to healthcare delivery is both protected and advanced. Our collective efforts will pave the way for even greater inclusivity and accessibility within the healthcare sector.

To fellow healthcare providers: consider this collaboration a testament to the power of strategic collaboration in driving positive change. Join us in our mission to revolutionize healthcare advocacy, one tailored solution at a time with UNITE Strategies.

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Cannabis Retail San Jose

 

Sean Kali-rai, Managing Partner of Unite Strategies and Founder of the Silicon Valley Cannabis Alliance, together with Attorney Sharmi Shah and sponsors of the Silicon Valley Cannabis Alliance, extend heartfelt gratitude to the 10 members of the San Jose City Council. Their collaborative efforts tirelessly aimed at slashing annual business fees for legal cannabis retailers from $139,000.00 to $30,000.00. Council votes in favor 10 - 0.  PSFSS April meeting will seek to clarify the details on this fee reduction. Watch complete 3/19/2024 City Council meeting below.

Leveraging decades of experience in Government Affairs and fortified relationships with elected officials and city staff, Unite Strategies consistently delivers results for our clients.

VIDEO: City Council Meeting link 49 minutes  <click here>

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Clorox Bleach

OAKLAND - In the early 20th century, the Electro-Alkaline Company, now known to us as Clorox, teetered on the brink of failure. Its inception in 1913 by a diverse group of five investors who plunked down $100 each was marked by innovation, yet public unfamiliarity with liquid bleach nearly led to its demise. Enter Annie Murray, whose vision and determination played a pivotal role in the company's turnaround.

In 1916, with the company struggling, her husband, investor William Murray, took charge and Annie stepped into an informal but crucial role. She recognized the potential of liquid bleach not just as an industrial product but as a household necessity. Annie ingeniously proposed a less concentrated version suitable for home use, a move that not only revolutionized the product line but also directly engaged potential customers. Her strategy of distributing free 15-ounce sample bottles at the family's grocery store in Oakland was nothing short of marketing genius. This grassroots approach built customer demand from the ground up, transforming Clorox into a household name and today boasting $7 billion annual gross revenue. Annie Murray's intuition and entrepreneurial spirit essentially saved the company.

Fun Fact Shared By UNITE Strategies

Responsible Building Ordinance - San Jose

 

On January 23, 2024, the San Jose City Council convened to discuss the Responsible Building Ordinance. Eddie Truong, Partner at UNITE Strategies, eloquently represented the interests of NAIOP-Silicon Valley as he addressed the Mayor and City Council. Notably, Council member Dev Davis of District 6 demonstrated leadership by crafting a thoughtful compromise memo for inclusion in the final policy deliberations, see below:

Council voted in favor 11-0

    Limit the basis for violation to an unpaid wage theft judgment to employees and contractors who are working on the San Jose permitted project that is the subject of the certificate of occupancy.

    Limit the unpaid final wage theft judgements to final judgements that can be confirmed by the contractor through the California Labor Commissioner's portal.

    Exempt from the regulation projects that are subject to prevailing wage and under state law and projects that are under 10,000 sq. ft.

VIDEO: City Staff Presentation and Eddie Truong - 4min. 56 sec.

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