Frank Chan was honored as a nominee at the 2019 Barry M. Portnoy Immigrant Entrepreneur Awards Benefit on October 29, 2019. This year, the Immigrant Learning Center honored 38 nominees from 26 countries who founded businesses in Massachusetts, create jobs, serve our neighborhoods, and fuel the innovation economy. An immigrant from Hong Kong, Frank is now the owner and operator of the successful business, Chan Insurance Agency. However, his path to success was not straightforward.

“After I graduated college, I couldn’t find a job, so I was waiting tables,” Frank says. One of his regular customers, an insurance salesman, saw Frank’s potential and offered him a position at his company. Two years later, Frank opened Chan Insurance Agency in Boston Chinatown.

Chan Insurance has supported the economic and social health of the community by sponsoring local nonprofits including BCNC. In addition, Chan Insurance Agency has provided jobs for English Language Learner immigrants, including BCNC Adult Education students. Frank was nominated by BCNC as an excellent immigrant entrepreneur in the category of neighborhood business.