In the heart of San Francisco’s Japantown, culture and fashion converge at Chameleon Vintage, a store specializing in Japanese vintage and designer clothing. Founder Kenny Okagaki represents not only the modern face of entrepreneurship but also the resilient spirit of a fourth-generation Japanese American.
Okagaki fondly recalls the deep-rooted history of his family’s immigrant experience. For generations, they’ve made the Bay Area their home, witnessing the challenges faced by Japanese Americans, but excited by the pursuit of the American dream. The hardships faced by previous generations instilled a sense of tightly knit belonging, and Okagaki’s business reflects this kinship.
“I’d always kind of had a dream of opening a business one day,” reflects Okagaki. “I thought it’d be really cool to contribute to this to this community.”
In April 2020, Okagaki debuted his first shop in San Francisco’s Japantown Mall, leading to a second location on Haight Street, a mecca for vintage aficionados. Today, Chameleon Vintage stands out in San Francisco’s flashy vintage scene for its collection half of which is sourced directly from Japan. Still, Okagaki’s vision for Chameleon Vintage goes beyond its curated wares. More than just a clothing empire, his two locations boast a team of part-time employees ranging from aspiring fashionists to DJs, musicians, and visual artists – a free-form, spontaneous collective of passionate individuals.
Still, hitting the ground running required focus and meticulous planning, and for Okagaki, clarity in finances was paramount. “It’s been crucial to separate the business from the personal,” he emphasizes, “to get a clear picture of both and make smarter decisions.” Yet while he understood the importance of streamlined financial tools, finding the right business bank account wasn’t always so straightforward.
“I had first tried to go into the branch of a local bank,” Okagaki explains. “But I found it hard to schedule a consultation and get someone real on the phone. It wasn’t an easy experience.”
Finding banking built for business
The real game-changer occurred when he stumbled upon American Express® Business Checking. “I went with the Amex Business Checking account and just really love it. American Express has really become the centerpiece of our back office through our Business Gold Card and Business Platinum Card® and our Business Checking Account. It's seamless and up-to-date, and I’ve never had a problem.”
So, what made the American Express Business Checking account enticing? It is branchless, so business owners can manage their bank account on their own time. By simply using the app, you can easily oversee your accounts, make mobile deposits, pay vendors and bills with one click, and access specialist support – anytime, anywhere.
A need for ease and integration
Moreover, Okagaki’s experience with the American Express Business Blueprint™2 cash flow management platform epitomizes seamlessness. His financial activities, from his Business Gold Card and Business Platinum Cards4 to his Business Checking account balances, converge in one place, granting him the convenience he so deeply values.
These features are tangible benefits that entrepreneurs like Okagaki can incorporate into their operational strategies. “I’ve redeemed Membership Rewards® points for travel,”3 the store owner explains. “Which has really come in handy for my business trips to Japan to source for our collection. The Membership Rewards® program has been an awesome part of our business story.”
With American Express by his side, Okagaki has been able to keep his customers fashion-forward and create a legacy for his broader community – whether in Japantown, Haight-Ashbury, or Japan itself.
1Deposit products are offered by American Express National Bank. Member FDIC. We are currently accepting applications from eligible U.S. businesses. Not all applicants will be approved for a Business Checking account. To learn more about Business Checking, including eligibility, visit https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/business/checking/
2American Express Business Blueprint™ is the small business digital experience that allows a customer to view on one digital dashboard summary account information for the following American Express small business products: American Express® Business Cards, American Express® Business Line of Credit, and American Express® Business Checking. The customer can also choose to link their third-party issued business bank accounts and business credit cards to Business Blueprint. Not all third-party accounts or cards can be connected to Business Blueprint. Business Blueprint allows the customer to view data insights and track their business cash flow and expenses by viewing reports that American Express prepares using the customer’s linked account information. Business Blueprint provides a 30-day bank account balance projection, using the daily balances from the customer’s linked bank accounts from the last 90 days. To be used in the account balance projection, the customer’s bank account must have at least 90 days of data available. While the cash flow management service from Business Blueprint is currently free, each of the business products from American Express that are visible in Business Blueprint has its own fees, eligibility criteria, application process and approval requirements. The Business Blueprint service (including any data insights provided to the customer) does not constitute legal, tax, financial or accounting advice, and is not a substitute for obtaining competent personalized advice from a licensed professional. You should seek professional advice before making any decision that could affect the financial health of your business. American Express makes no representations as to the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the reports, projections, data or account information that are available to the customer from Business Blueprint.
3Membership Rewards(R) program terms and conditions apply. Reward partners are subject to change without notice. Please visit MR url here to Learn more.
4Application and approval for all Card products apply. Fees vary by Card product
