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Stories

August 4, 2023

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Erik Sun is a lot of things. More than a businessman, he is a spearfisher, hunter, chef, and now farmer of the finest meats.

Erik is part of restaurants Bestia and Bavel located in Los Angeles, head chef of Intercrew in Koreatown, and 2 more restaurants in San Francisco. The focuses of the restaurants are fun, vibrant vibes with original recipes and unique takes on food.

He is also the founder of Pursuit Farms, perhaps the most interesting of his ventures yet. What started off originally as direct purchasing at the Japanese Auctions to import Wagyu Beef has transformed into a full farm that will support his most anticipated Asian BBQ with Mangalitsa Pork (think Iberico, but even bigger and more dynamic), and fat-tail sheep (so legendary, the first three US Presidents had flocks of these sheep).  

When it comes to ingredients, Erik only chooses or raises the best. 

And to make his pursuit of food even more delicious, he recently launched his new business, XXHEAT – a high-quality seasoning powder to take your food to the next level.

He learned some of the ingredients of this powder from a master chef from Sichuan and decided to blend 5 different chilies and 2 of the highest quality Sichuan peppercorns available in all of Asia.

ERIK AND HIS LOVE FOR SPEARFISHING

Erik Sun grew up in Orange County, California, where he discovered his deep passion for spearfishing and the ocean’s treasures.

What started as a personal hobby soon became a business venture, as he began making spearguns in South Africa and connecting with fellow underwater hunters worldwide. Erik’s love for spearfishing allowed him to experience the physical and mental aspects of diving in a single breath, with each day on the water offering new adventures.

His inspiring story showcases how pursuing one’s passion can lead to remarkable achievements and a lasting impact on a global community.

CONNECTIONS MADE OVER FOOD

Erik Sun’s journey into the food business began with a memorable encounter at a renowned Los Angeles restaurant helmed by the esteemed Italian chef, Gino Angelini. Captivated by the exceptional dining experience and the sommelier’s generous pouring of wine, Erik felt compelled to reciprocate the hospitality in his own unique way.

Determined to express his gratitude, Erik made a bold promise to the sommelier: “I’m going to bring you some fish.” With that, he embarked on a mission to deliver an assortment of seafood delicacies, including lobster, scallops, scorpionfish, and octopus.

When he presented the bountiful catch to the sommelier, the sommelier said, “Show up for dinner tomorrow.” Erik told him that those were for him but the sommelier insisted on inviting him over saying, “If you don’t show up for dinner, you’re never allowed back here.” He prepared an extraordinary feast using the ingredients Erik had brought and they have been friends ever since.

The sommelier turned out to be Ori Menashe. And when Ori expressed his desire to open his own restaurant, Erik was the first to pledge his support, eventually becoming a partner of Bestia Restaurant, and occasionally cooking there.

CHALLENGES THAT ERIK FACED

Erik encountered a lot of challenges while establishing his businesses, particularly in the demanding landscape of San Francisco. The process of obtaining permits and navigating the intricacies of building regulations proved to be a daunting task. The estimates provided by architects and project managers fell significantly short of the actual time required to transform a small coffee shop into a larger restaurant.

To compound matters, the unexpected arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic brought construction to a grinding halt, and Erik dealt with some fraudulent contractors. Shifting his focus away from construction woes, he channeled his energy into enhancing the customer’s journey and creating memorable dining moments.

ABOUT XXHEAT SEASONING

XXHEAT is Erik’s latest venture, introducing a distinctive blend of seasonings that promises to elevate the flavor profiles of various dishes, particularly when used on the grill. The inspiration for this unique blend came from Erik’s desire to infuse meats, including Sichuan fried chicken, with boldness and aromatic richness. The reception of XXHEAT has been overwhelmingly positive, with its captivating fragrance and exceptional taste capturing the attention of culinary enthusiasts.

Erik uses XXHEAT on 烧烤, the Chinese term for barbecue skewers. Unlike many alternatives that offer one-dimensional flavors, XXHEAT boasts a blend of the top two peppercorns and a harmonious combination of five blended chilies.

ERIK’S ADVICE TO FELLOW HUSTLERS WHO WANT TO START A BUSINESS

  1. Start and figure it out – There’s always going to be naysayers but if you believe in it, give it a shot and live with no regrets. Problems will come? Figure them out. Not starting is a worse problem. It’d be like playing poker and never playing a hand, just losing your ante every round.
  1. Research and Development – For me, eating is my “research” and then getting back to the kitchen is the “development.” Try all the top that’s available in your sector and figure out how to make it better.
  1. Customer Service – Focus on your customers and when you get negative feedback, do your best to fix it. At one point, we had a lot of shipping issues and UPS / Covid-related delays. Turning a bad situation into good is powerful and having people who rave about your company/service will keep you in business.

CONNECT WITH ERIK

Pursuit Farms Website: pursuitfarms.com

Pursuit of Food Website: thepursuitoffood.com

XXHEAT Website: xxheat.com

Instagram: @pursuitoffood @pursuitfarms @xxheatofficial

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Building Tomorrow: How Nan Lin Redefines Homebuilding with 3D Printing 

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.

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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.

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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.”

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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.

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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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