#UnidosWeGrow: Meet Chef Raymond Li

As part of our Hispanic Heritage Month Campaign, #UnidosWeGrow, we are excited to talk  about the power of community and diversity within the Latino culture, and how perseverance through barriers leads to prosperity, growth, and success. 

Meet our talented third TurboTax customer from the #UnidosWeGrow video series: Chef Raymond Li. He was born and raised in Miami, Florida, and is of Colombian, Cuban, and Chinese descent. His mixed cultural background is reflected in his passionate and avant-garde approach to Modern Asian Cuisine, he calls it “Chino- Latino”Cuisine. Like many people in the food industry, Raymond had to adapt his service strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown by launching his pop-up restaurant, Li’s Dim Sum & More, via social media. Raymond was able to provide his new service to multiple people on a single night thanks to the word of mouth fueled by local Miami foodies. 

Click on the video below to watch his inspirational story.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dO6vIxWKdwo

Meet Raymond Li

Innovation and adaptability go hand in hand when it comes to maintaining your presence in any business environment. As a chef, Raymond believes creativity can go a long way, but it’s consistency, the ability to adapt when challenges are thrown at you, and the impact you have in your community that ultimately affords success. 

The desire to interlace his heritage and family traditions within his passion for food inspired Raymond to launch Li’s Dim Sum & More. When he was a kid, Raymond used to keep his dad company in the kitchen while he prepared dumplings for the family on special occasions. Wanting to relive these moments and create something that the community would also appreciate, he asked his dad to join him in this new business venture. Fortunately, he jumped at the chance.

Taking a huge risk amidst the pandemic, Raymond and his dad began their journey with hopes of people liking their food. Everything started with a quick post on Instagram offering traditional and modern handmade dumplings/siumais, noodles, and more. Little did they know that the local Miami Latino community would show up in droves their first night, earning them close to $3,000. 

Raymond appreciates how the struggles of his past got him where he is today, but he also understands that his business stays afloat because of the people who believed in him and his craft. He knows that all communities have a place for food and he truly values the support he has received over the last couple years. By encouraging the diverse Latino community of Miami to continue exploring other cultures and experience new and unique flavors, Chef Raymond hopes to open more doors to fellow food enthusiasts and serve as an inspiration for those wanting to own their heritage, because in the end we #UnidosWeGrow!

TurboTax is proud to recognize these inspiring stories that demonstrate U.S. Hispanics’ determination and the power of community. By celebrating their amazing journeys, we want to uplift and inspire others to reach their financial goals and dreams. 

Intuit customers like Raymond rely on key tools to stay on track with his finances, and file their taxes. Don’t forget to check out our Intuit products that can help you achieve your financial freedom:

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