Min Tun accepts 2021 Outstanding Immigrant Business Award

From left: Abigail Sui (Burma Family Focus director, EMBARC), Lum Naw (with Lum and Min’s daughter, Omega), Min Tun (2021 Outstanding Immigrant Business Award honoree), Lucy Hnemi, Polk County Supervisor Robert Brownell (2021 Karen L Evans Immigrant Champion Award honoree), and Henny Ohr (executive director, EMBARC) at the 2021 Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit. Photo provided by Immigrant Entrepreneurship Summit

After years of hard work, Iowa business owner Min Tun and his family can celebrate two major accomplishments.

Min received the 2021 Outstanding Immigrant Business Award at the Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit, held in Ankeny on Nov. 20. The honor recognizes Min’s determination, charisma and leadership as a local business owner. Min launched Golden Land Food Market in 2010 with his wife, Lum Naw, who opened the adjacent storefront Amazing Beauty Salon in 2011.

2021 Outstanding Immigrant Business Award honoree Min Tun, with his wife Lum Naw and children Bless, age 11, Hosanna, age 9 and Omega, age 5. Photo provided by the Immigrant Entrepreneurs Summit.

It has been a busy year for Min and Lum. The two, along with Lucy Hnemi, accepted the 2021 CelebrAsian Judges’ Choice Spirit Award in October for their work operating the Myanmar Village food stand during the downtown festival. It was only their first year operating a booth at the three-day festival, which attracts thousands of visitors each year to Des Moines’ Western Gateway Park.

Myanmar Village was one of 12 villages standing along Locust and 12th Streets in Des Moines. Min, Lum, and Lucy turned in their application to CelebrAsian staff on the final day applications were accepted and had only three days to develop a menu and build a display to represent the ethnic communities of Burma, also known as Myanmar. The three donated all funds from the booth to support COVID-19 medical relief efforts in Burma.

Min Tun, Lum Naw and Lucy Hnemi after receiving the 2021 CelebrAsian Spirit Award for the Myanmar Village. Photo provided by Lucy Hnemi.

Min and Lum are deeply entwined with their immigrant community. They support local community initiatives, such as youth recreational teams, through EMBARC and other organizations. And at Golden Land Food Market, Min employs refugees from Burma.

Join us as we congratulate Min Tun on his exceptional achievements this year!