Benefit Corporation Blog Series – TAN 2000
Ojala Naeem • March 7, 2014
Next in our series of Social Enterprise Stories we feature Alan Tan. Alan is the Founder, Chairman, President and CEO of the Connecticut based TAN2000 International Holdings Corporation.
Why are you operating in Connecticut?
I grew up in Rocky Hill, Connecticut and decided to take this as an opportunity to help others who had to confront cultural, financial, and other obstacles to entrepreneurship. Our partners have connections to Connecticut, with most of us growing up here in Central Connecticut, primarily the Rocky Hill-Berlin-New Britain-West Hartford areas, and the rest of our partners having connections to Connecticut such as going to college in Connecticut, or sending their kid to college in Connecticut.
Why did you decide to start a Social Enterprise?
I have always believed strongly in helping others, and over the years, eventually built a like minded team. As such, a socially minded pre-accelerator program was only natural for us to create, since we had the necessary experience, and saw the need of many entrepreneurs, for that helping hand which would lead more businesses to succeed. Given our experience and our firm belief in helping others, it made sense for us to start the world’s first pre-accelerator program versus just simply, “launching… another series of startups, incubator or accelerator”.
What is the community you’re trying to have an impact in?
We are trying to expand entrepreneurship to the masses, particularly underprivileged entrepreneurs who face barriers to entrepreneurship such as cultural barriers, financial barriers, etc. We really believe that entrepreneurship is a right, not a privilege, and access to the knowledge and resources should be available to help bring entrepreneurship to all.
How do you/will you achieve that impact?
We hope to achieve this impact by building partnerships within the entrepreneurial ecosystem. Our flagship program, the RevUp program, reaches out to potential entrepreneurs early through our Outreach Ambassador program and through initiatives such as helping mentor at Startup Weekend events, operating programs to expand entrepreneurship to non-traditional avenues such as student organizations, conferences, and generally injecting innovative thought into activities that ordinarily wouldn’t get people to think about entrepreneurship. We help entrepreneurs who have a dream but don’t necessarily know how to make it happen. Simultaneously, we hope help entrepreneurs who’ve “done it before”, but need a guiding hand to help avoid mistakes that led to issues that the entrepreneur does not want to see again. We want to empower entrepreneurs to follow their dreams, have more options to achieve their lifetime goals, than “just finding a job after college”.
How do you balance purpose and profit?
We balance purpose and profit by utilizing a budgeting process that assures that our mission aligns with our entrepreneurs’ intentions. We ensure that our entrepreneurs are given the best services possible at a price point that is affordable by them based on their individual budget. This ensures that TANHC has enough to pay its personnel and maintain our one on one approach to mentorship while our entrepreneurs are paying the lowest cost possible to achieve their dreams.
What have been your biggest challenges thus far?
One of our largest challenges has been to gain acceptance within the entrepreneurial community, most notably, investors and community-based entrepreneurial initiatives. Somewhat surprisingly, we have experienced significantly more difficulty in Connecticut, when compared to other areas such as New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston.
What is the most rewarding thing to you about operating a social enterprise?
The most rewarding thing about operating our enterprise, is the fact that we know that with every client we work with, we are helping them achieve their dream and build their own home within the entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Why do you want to incorporate as a benefit corporation?
Our corporation is already structured in a manner where converting to a benefit corporation would be a natural move for us. Since our mission is to help our community access entrepreneurship, converting to a benefit corporation is only natural for our organization to do.
Program Supports Early-Stage Retail Businesses with $7,000 in Grants Hartford, CT – Tuesday, September 29, 2026 – Reset, the Connecticut-based entrepreneurial support organization committed to advancing impact-driven businesses, is proud to introduce the ten businesses participating in the sixth cohort of the Floor–Plan Retail Incubator this fall. The program equips local founders with the tools to launch, grow, and thrive in today's retail landscape. Thanks to support from the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, each business completing the program will receive a $700 grant to support their business. Save the date: Focus @ Reset: Retail in Real Time The Incubator will culminate in the Focus @ Reset: Retail in Real Time graduation and pop-up market event on Wednesday, November 18 from 5:30-8:00pm at Southern Connecticut State University in New Haven, where the community can meet these entrepreneurs and experience their products firsthand. Get tickets at https://bit.ly/retail26 with the early bird discount of $5 off tickets purchased before November 1. "This cohort is building businesses that infuse care, heritage, and artistry into every product they make, and we’re excited to develop strong local businesses that invest right back into our communities," said Sarah Blecher, Executive Director of Reset. "This group brings the total number of retail businesses supported through the Retail Incubator to 73 since its launch in 2021." "From Puerto Rican pastries to block prints about collective liberation, this cohort shows how many different paths lead to a meaningful retail business," said Ndubisi Okeke, Reset Program Manager. "Our Retail Incubator gets them ready for holiday sales and sustainable operations well beyond this season, building businesses with impact." Comprehensive Support for Connecticut Entrepreneurs The Retail Incubator reflects Reset's commitment to supporting entrepreneurs who are building businesses that create positive community impact. During the 12-week program, participants access experienced mentors, legal and financial support, peer networks, and real-world opportunities to test and refine their business models. The $700 small business grant at the conclusion of the incubator provides additional support to grow their businesses. The Ten Businesses in This Year's Floor–Plan Retail Incubator: Assiah Tea & Wellness , founded by Margo Jones, offers premium loose-leaf teas, handcrafted herbal blends, and curated tea services, combining hospitality, education, and wellness to encourage connection and intentional self-care. Asabodi, created by Melissa Carrasco, is a growing small business offering vegan and plant based skincare products like turmeric sugar scrub, body butters, lotions, African black liquid soap, and scalp stimulator. Dream Fleurs , founded by accessory and web designer Maureen Connelly, is a lifestyle accessory brand inspired by flowers, travel, and historic gardens around the world. Granny's Doggie Treats , is a growing small business created by Claudia Cupe, specializing in quality, homemade dog and cat treats crafted to provide pet parents with wholesome, flavorful options while promoting responsible pet care and supporting the special bond between pets and their families. L&M Desserts , led by owner and head baker Anaïs Esther Nuñez, is a family-operated business bringing authentic Puerto Rican desserts to families, events, and catering clients across Connecticut. NUR the Label , founded by Yasmin Laila, is a contemporary fashion brand reimagining the kaftan through a modern lens, honoring African and Middle Eastern dress traditions with pieces designed for celebrations and everyday expression. Pajareando Press , created by artist, educator, and community organizer Elida Paiz Pineda, creates one-of-a-kind block prints, illustrations, and craft works exploring social justice, collective liberation, and radical joy. Ruby Sampson , founded by Ashley Powdar in 2016 in honor of her grandmother, is an artisan-powered brand based in the U.S. and Guyana that creates silk-lined hair accessories, head wraps, and apparel on a mission to close the grooming gap for natural hair textures. Trinkky Trinkks , founded by performer and choreographer Cristal Coleman, is a specialty gift boutique offering handcrafted jewelry alongside curated handbags, accessories, and unexpected finds, built as a pathway toward generational wealth. Wábi Arts , founded by photographer and arts advocate Kim Weston, is a developing gallery and teaching space in downtown New Haven featuring Connecticut-based and emerging artists and home to the FOCUS Fellowship, a teen photography mentorship program. About the Floor–Plan Retail Incubator Now in its sixth year, it is part of a suite of retail opportunities from Reset and Hartford-based Breakfast Lunch & Dinner, a community activation studio. Reset’s three-month incubator provides entrepreneurial technical support to early-stage retail businesses, helping participants understand customer needs, define pricing strategies, address key legal and financial topics, and prepare for new market opportunities. Entrepreneurs gain insights from industry experts, access a supportive community, and receive practical tools to enhance their business acumen. Through the Floor–Plan partnership, entrepreneurs can access additional market outlets and retail opportunities through Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner. About Reset Founded in 2007, Reset is a nonprofit organization headquartered in Hartford, CT, whose mission is advancing the social enterprise sector and providing inclusive entrepreneurial support across Connecticut. In February 2025, Reset acquired New Haven-based Collab, combining complementary strengths to create a more robust ecosystem for impact-driven entrepreneurs throughout the region. Reset specializes in social enterprise, meaning impact-driven businesses with double or triple bottom lines, and provides coworking space, accelerator programs, and mentoring services that inspire innovation and community collaboration. To date, Reset and Collab have assisted over 700 small businesses to start and grow with impact, and reached thousands more through low-touch supports. Visit resetco.org to learn more. # # #
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