La is the Chief Hmong Food Innovator at La Vang Foods. Read our interview with La about her experiences with Xcelerate Business Advising.

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What sparked the idea for your business–and what vision or purpose drives the work you do today?

When I moved to Oregon, I found myself in a season of deep transition. I worked in Portland for almost a year, but the mission didn’t align with me, and I felt the weight of being 1,700 miles away from everyone I loved. After 18 years as a senior development professional raising funds for social justice organizations, I realized the life and career I had built no longer matched who I was becoming.

So I stepped away. I spent time on the farm, wandered Oregon’s trails, and allowed myself to breathe and reconnect with my purpose. In that quiet space, the idea for my business surfaced unexpectedly. We were out with friends at a restaurant in downtown Portland and saw a Hmong beef tartare on the menu. The dish meant well, but it missed the heart of what that food represents in our culture. My friends joked that I should make the “real” version for the world–and something clicked.

With their encouragement and my husband’s support, I decided to open a food cart that celebrates Hmong flavors and our way of life. My purpose today is to contribute to the broader narrative of the Hmong people–our food, our stories, and the sense of belonging that comes with sharing a meal. It’s my way of continuing to serve my community, but this time through culture, connection, and flavor.

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When you first connected with Xcelerate, where were you in your business journey? What challenges or aspirations brought you to us?

By the time I connected with Xcelerate, I was already several years into running my food cart, but the reality of being a solopreneur had caught up with me. I went from having full teams around me–operations, finance, administrative support–to doing everything on my own. I didn’t realize how tough that transition would be. The work was constant, and I started falling behind on the administrative side of the business: bookkeeping, financial oversight, and the day-to-day tasks that keep a small business running smoothly. I was learning as I went, and often felt like I was trying to catch up while still moving forward.

A friend told me about Xcelerate and how much I could benefit from the community, especially the network of women who understood this journey. I joined because I needed support–practically and emotionally. I didn’t expect to feel so lonely in entrepreneurship, and honestly, I’m glad I didn’t know how isolating it would be beforehand. I might have talked myself out of starting.

Xcelerate gave me a place where I could be honest about the challenges without judgment. Their coaches helped me get my financial systems in order and reminded me that I wasn’t alone. That support made all the difference.

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What goals did you focus on with Xcelerate this year, and what progress are you most proud of?

This year, my primary goals with Xcelerate were to organize my bookkeeping and finally get my financial house in order. It felt overwhelming at first–the financial side of the business has always been the most challenging for me–but with their support, I not only completed the work, I also built a system that truly makes sense for how I operate.

I’m especially proud that I now have a clear, sustainable structure for managing my finances. For the first time, I feel confident instead of stressed when I open my books. That sense of clarity and control has been one of the biggest wins of my business this year.

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Can you share a moment this year when something clicked for you as a business owner–something that changed the way you think or lead?

To be honest, this hasn’t been an easy year to stay optimistic as a business owner. The food and beverage industry has been hit hard –rising costs and inflation have cut my revenue nearly in half, and it’s been a challenging two years to navigate. But there was a moment that shifted something for me.

I realized that even when the numbers felt discouraging, I still showed up. I kept cooking, serving, and staying connected to my purpose. That clarity–remembering why I started–changed the way I lead. My business isn’t just about selling food; it’s about honoring my culture and contributing to the story of my people through the dishes we grew up with.

That reminder helped me shift from fear to focus. Even in a difficult season, I can lead with purpose, resilience, and a deeper sense of why this work matters.

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What were some of the biggest challenges you navigated this year, and how did Xcelerate’s support help you move through them?

One of my biggest challenges this year was simply needing someone to sit with me, look at my financials, and confirm that I was on the right track. Running a business alone can make even small decisions feel heavy, and having expert eyes on my numbers made a tremendous difference.

Xcelerate’s support helped me move through that uncertainty. They created a space where I could be honest about what I didn’t know and where I was struggling, without feeling judged. Their guidance was both practical and encouraging–they helped me understand my financial picture and offered sound advice while also holding space for my vulnerabilities. That combination of clarity, compassion, and expertise is exactly what I needed to keep moving forward with confidence.

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If you’ve been part of Xcelerate for multiple years, how would you describe the ongoing impact of that support over time? And if you’re newer to the community, what early changes or wins have you already noticed?

For me, entrepreneurship can be a lonely world at times. In my previous career, I had my own team and colleagues across departments to bounce ideas off of, or even just talk through goals and challenges. As a solopreneur, you don’t have that built-in support system. You’re the decision-maker, the problem-solver, the operator, and the emotional backbone–all at once.

That’s why Xcelerate has been so impactful. Even as a newer member of the community, I immediately felt the shift. Having a group of women who understand this path, who are willing to listen, offer guidance, and hold space without judgment, has been such a grounding force. Early on, I noticed how much lighter I felt simply knowing I wasn’t navigating all of this alone.

The support has helped me regain clarity, build confidence in my decisions, and reconnect with the purpose behind my work. Those early wins have already made a meaningful difference in how I lead my business and myself.

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What milestones or wins have felt especially meaningful along the way–whether in growth, confidence, or community impact? Please be as specific as possible. 

A major milestone for me was finally getting the operational and financial support I had been missing as a solopreneur. With Xcelerate’s help, I moved through critical tasks I had been avoiding and built systems that strengthened my business.

But what made that progress possible was the emotional safety they created. As a woman of color in business, having a trusted place to ask questions, seek clarity, and receive nonjudgmental guidance gave me the confidence to make better decisions. That combination of practical and emotional support has been one of the most impactful wins of my year.

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What about Xcelerate’s approach feels uniquely impactful or aligned with the way you do business?

What feels uniquely impactful about Xcelerate is that it truly is for women, by women. Their women-centered approach aligns deeply with how I work and lead. As a woman of color and a solopreneur, I don’t just need technical support–I need a space where the realities of my lived experience are understood without explanation.

Xcelerate offers exactly that. Their coaches bring not only expertise, but empathy. They meet you where you are, honor the complexities of balancing life and business, and create an environment where vulnerability is treated as a strength, not a flaw. Their cultural awareness and sensitivity woven into their coaching make an especially meaningful difference.

What stands out most is their ability to blend emotional support with practical, high-level business guidance. They help with the hard skills–financial systems, operations, strategy–while also holding space for the mental load that comes with entrepreneurship. That combination is rare, and it’s exactly the kind of support I need to grow with confidence.

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How has your identity–as a woman and through your intersecting experiences–shaped the way you lead, make decisions, or build community through your business?

My identity as a woman–and specifically as a woman of color–shapes the way I lead every single day. I’ve always known how to make decisions and how to lead, especially after building a long career before becoming a business owner. But entrepreneurship can be isolating, and many of the challenges we face as women often go unspoken.

That’s why having a space like Xcelerate has been invaluable. They create a container where women can show up honestly, without having to justify or minimize our lived experiences. I can talk through my struggles, name the things I’ve been carrying quietly, and be met with understanding instead of judgment. That support helps me lead with more clarity, confidence, and compassion–both for myself and for my community.

My intersecting experiences have taught me resilience, adaptability, and the importance of representation. And through Xcelerate, I’ve learned that I don’t have to hold everything inside. I’m not the only one navigating the complexities of running a business. Feeling seen and supported has strengthened the way I show up for my customers, my culture, and my community.

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How do you personally define success–for yourself and your business? Has that definition evolved since joining Xcelerate?

For me, success means continuing to show up and doing what I love. Running a business isn’t linear–there are highs, lows, and everything in between. On the good days, success looks like customers enjoying my food, especially my artisanal Hmong sausages, and knowing I’m sharing a piece of my culture with my community. Those moments remind me of why I started.

On the hard days, when rising costs, inflation, and lower sales feel out of my control, success takes on a different meaning. It becomes about having the courage to keep going and the willingness to seek support when I need it. Since working with Xcelerate, my definition of success has expanded. It’s no longer just about outcomes or numbers–it’s also about having a place where I don’t have to carry the weight of this journey alone. Knowing there’s a community that understands these struggles has helped me see success as both resilience and connection.

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Looking ahead, what are you most excited to create or grow next–and how has Xcelerate helped prepare you for that next chapter?

Looking ahead, I’m holding space for both possibility and honesty. The food and beverage industry has been challenging, and I’m still discerning what the next chapter will look like–both personally and professionally. I have many ideas I’m exploring, and I’m giving myself the time to evaluate what aligns with my purpose, my capacity, and the shifting market.

What gives me confidence is knowing I don’t have to navigate that process alone. Xcelerate has helped me build a stronger foundation–financially, operationally, and emotionally. Their support will be there when I’m ready to pivot, helping me approach future decisions with clarity and stability.

Most of all, I know that when it’s time to take the next step, Xcelerate will be just an email away. Having a team of women who genuinely want to see me succeed makes the unknown feel far less daunting. That sense of community and grounded support is something I’ll carry with me into whatever comes next.

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Is there anything else you'd like to share about your Xcelerate experience?

If you’re a woman–especially a woman of color–I would encourage you to reach out. Xcelerate has been more than a business resource for me; it has been a place where I feel genuinely seen and supported. Entrepreneurship can be incredibly isolating, even when you’re doing well, and having a community that understands the unique challenges we face makes a profound difference.

Their blend of practical guidance and emotional support is something I haven’t found anywhere else. Whether it was getting my financial systems in order or simply having a space to talk honestly about the hard days, Xcelerate showed up with empathy, expertise, and zero judgment. I’m deeply grateful for that.

For any woman navigating this path, know that you don’t have to do it alone. Xcelerate creates a community that lifts you, grounds you, and helps you move forward with more clarity and confidence.