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September 19, 2023

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At Hmong Legacy Market, located on Madison’s South Side, you’ll discover a treasure trove of homemade Asian cuisine. From steaming bowls of beef pho to whole roasted tilapia seasoned with herbs and chili, and delightful sesame rice balls filled with mung beans and coconut, this independent Asian grocery store offers a culinary journey.

Ze Yang, one of the owners, can often be found expertly preparing dishes like squash curry. To her, food is more than sustenance; it’s a connector, a storyteller, and a unifying force that brings people together.

As a young child in the 1980s, Ze Yang lived in a refugee camp in Thailand with her family, having fled Laos during the aftermath of the Vietnam War. In 1991, Ze Yang’s family received the opportunity to immigrate to the United States, sponsored by a distant uncle who had settled in California. Their early days in the U.S. were marked by challenges—language barriers, cultural shock, and financial difficulties. However, their farming skills from Laos allowed them to grow crops like green beans, tomatoes, and peppers, which they sold to support their family.

After six years in California, Ze Yang’s family decided to move to Wisconsin, drawn by the promise of better public schools and economic opportunities. Ze Yang’s parents worked tirelessly, holding multiple jobs to make ends meet. This experience inspired Ze Yang to become a teacher, focusing on helping immigrant children adapt to the American education system.

Ze Yang’s family thrived. They bought a house, built a family, the kids went to school, but they also wanted to pursue their entrepreneurial dream. They longed to create a space where people from diverse backgrounds could gather, savor homemade dishes, and access pantry staples from across Asia. This is why they opened Hmong Legacy Market, offering an extensive array of products, from giant spring roll skins to bamboo shoot chili oil, and from mango mochi to traditional Hmong celebratory clothing.

More than just a grocery store, Hmong Legacy Market is committed to the well-being of the community. In 2021, it partnered with Public Health Madison and Dane County to serve as a mobile COVID vaccination clinic. Looking ahead, Ze Yang envisions the store’s legacy continuing to thrive, driven by the spirit of family and the desire to improve and grow.

Featured Image Source: Madison

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For Nan Lin, entrepreneurship isn’t just business; it’s freedom. A freedom earned through sacrifice, relentless execution, and a refusal to accept the limits of a broken system. As the founder of Kaizen Capital and 4DIFY, Lin is reimagining the housing industry, tackling its inefficiencies with cutting-edge technology and a bold vision. His mission? To build stronger homes faster, at lower costs, empowering communities and challenging the status quo.

From Immigrant Roots to Visionary Leadership 

Lin’s journey began at age 10, when he immigrated to America with his mother. While adapting to a new country, he was inspired by his loving parents’ sacrifices, which shaped his relentless drive. “I saw the lengths they went to give me a better life,” Lin says. “Their love and dedication became my compass.” Years later, that resolve led to the creation of Kaizen Capital, where he transforms underutilized properties into vibrant housing solutions: ADUs, subdivisions, condo conversions, and luxury short-term rentals. By unlocking hidden value in land, he delivers market-rate and affordable housing that strengthens neighborhoods.

But Lin saw a deeper problem: traditional construction is slow, costly, and vulnerable to fire, pests, and natural disasters. Frustrated by an industry stuck in the past, he founded 4DIFY to lead a new era of construction through 3D-printed concrete homes.

Nan Lin | Founder and Principal of Kaizen Capital and 4DIFY

3D Printing: The Future of Housing, Today

Lin’s vision for 4DIFY was sparked by a frustrating reality: “Wildfires destroy neighborhoods every year, yet we keep building stick-frame homes that burn like kindling,” he says.

After visiting several 3D printer manufacturers, Lin partnered with New York–based SQ4D. It took nearly a year to secure exclusive licensing rights, navigate regulatory hurdles, and obtain building permits, but he got it done.

Now, 4DIFY is building California’s first community of 3D-printed concrete homes. As this article goes live, their first printed home is nearing completion, despite heavy regulations and a steep learning curve. The team is already outperforming traditional timelines and cost benchmarks. The second and third homes will soon print simultaneously, targeting completion in two months, effectively one home per month at under $200 per square foot.

Despite challenges as an Asian immigrant, Lin managed to transform them into motivation and success. 

“We’re aiming to build at half the cost and in a quarter of the time,” Lin says. “That’s not a dream. It’s the direction we’re heading.”

Built with concrete, reinforced with rebar, and topped with metal roofs, these homes are resilient against fire, wind, earthquakes, mold, and pests. They’re also designed for long-term savings, with lower maintenance, less waste, and reduced energy and insurance costs.

“Critics doubted it would work,” Lin reflects. “But seeing is believing. This is the future.”

A Philosophy of Purpose and Resilience

Lin’s journey has been marked by relentless challenges, some seemingly insurmountable. “Obstacles never stop,” he admits. Yet he transforms adversity into opportunity, fueled by a positive mindset, solution-driven focus, and disciplined execution. His trusted team is his backbone. “No one succeeds alone,” he says. “My team turns the impossible into reality.” This resilience shapes his leadership, blending bold vision with purposeful action to create opportunities, particularly for communities long excluded from wealth-building. “Housing isn’t just a product,” Lin says. “It’s a platform for empowerment.”

Recognition and Inspiration

Lin’s impact is gaining notice. The Sacramento Bee named him one of the Top 20 AAPI Change Makers, and he was honored in the Business Elite Awards’ 40 Under 40. But for Lin, the real reward is inspiring others. “I want to show the next generation of Asian entrepreneurs what’s possible when we claim our seat at the table,” he says.

Lin wants to create opportunities for those marginalized by elevating the future of construction, making it more accessible for his community.

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Nan Lin isn’t just building homes, he’s redefining what’s possible. Through Kaizen Capital and 4DIFY, he’s creating a future where housing is affordable, resilient, and sustainable. Follow his journey and see the revolution unfold.

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