San Jose food vendor finds novel way to raise money

A popular San Jose food vendor is trying to set up a brick-and-mortar restaurant, but has struggled to get a small business loan from a traditional lender.

The owner of Hết Sẩy has found an innovative solution to pay for a more permanent location: an online crowdfunding marketplace with a unique twist for small businesses known as SMBX. It comes at a time when San Jose restaurateurs have struggled as labor costs continue to rise and the threat of additional regulations and the ongoing effects of the COVID-19 pandemic persist.