Today we’d like to introduce you to Jimmy Syamphone.
Hi Jimmy, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I’ve always seen myself as a builder at heart. Someone who creates things that bring people together, make life a little easier, and hopefully leave others better off.
I run a few different ventures that all connect back to that purpose. I’m the founder of LOLA Senior Living, a San Diego based placement agency that helps families find safe, compassionate assisted living and memory care homes for their loved ones. I’m also a licensed real estate agent and investor, and helping friends and family build wealth and stability through real estate has honestly been one of the greatest joys of my life.
On the creative side, my wife and I started Little Yellow Jeepney, a children’s book brand and publishing company that celebrates Filipino and Laotian American culture. It’s something close to our hearts as a multicultural family raising our kids here in San Diego.
I’ve also been using food as another way to connect with people and tell stories. Creating experiences that highlight the flavors and traditions I grew up with. Food has this amazing way of breaking barriers and building bridges, and it’s become another outlet for me to celebrate culture, collaboration, and belonging.
Beyond those, I’ve spent years consulting, investing, and collaborating with other independent business owners. Sometimes taking equity, sometimes simply connecting the right people to make something meaningful happen.
At this stage, I’m leaning more into visibility and service. Sharing what I’ve learned, amplifying the stories of others, and building things that help people grow, whether that’s through business, creativity, food, or community.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It definitely hasn’t been a smooth journey. Every chapter has had its own challenges and lessons. In real estate, it took time to learn how to find homes that truly made sense financially and to build a team we could trust for renovations. There were deals that fell apart and projects that didn’t go as planned, but each one taught me how to make better decisions and lead more effectively.
With writing and publishing, it was a completely different type of learning curve. We had to figure out how to find the right printers, illustrators, and retailers who understood our vision of preserving culture through our children’s books. It wasn’t easy, but it pushed us to grow creatively and to value collaboration even more.
What I’m most thankful for are the people who showed up along the way. My mentors, business partners, and friends who were generous with their time and guidance. The road hasn’t been easy, but it’s been meaningful. Every obstacle helped me grow, not just as an entrepreneur, but as someone who wants to use what I’ve learned to help others.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Honestly, everything I do comes back to helping people grow — whether that’s through business, creativity, or community.
With LOLA Senior Living, I help families find the right assisted living or memory-care homes for their loved ones. It’s such an emotional process, and what makes our work special is that we truly walk alongside each family. We don’t just hand them a list of options; we guide them with empathy and care.
In real estate, I focus on helping people build stability and generational wealth. Seeing friends and family move from renting to owning, or buying their first investment property, never gets old. I get to help people I care about build something that lasts. I’ll never take that privilege for granted.
Creatively, my wife and I built Little Yellow Jeepney to celebrate Filipino and Laotian culture through children’s books. It’s a passion project that reflects who we are as a multicultural family raising kids here in San Diego.
I’ve also been fortunate to invest in and collaborate with other ventures like Mana Pono, a lifestyle and apparel brand focused on balance, strength, and living with purpose, and GYG Dental Lab, which specializes in custom TMJ splints, professional mouthguards, and retainer-guards designed for comfort and performance.
What probably sets me apart is that I don’t see these as separate projects. They’re all connected by the same mission to build things that bring people together, make life better, and remind us to live with intention.
Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
My biggest piece of advice is to just start. Don’t wait until you have everything figured out, because you never will. Most of what I’ve learned came from doing, failing, adjusting, and trying again. Repetition leads to refinement. Every project I’ve worked on looked different at the beginning than it does now, and that’s okay.
I’d also say surround yourself with good people — mentors, partners, and friends who genuinely want to see you win, and make sure you’re doing the same for them. The best relationships in business and life are built on reciprocity. I’ve been blessed with people who shared their time, experience, and resources with me, and I try to show up for others in that same way. None of us get far alone.
Lastly, focus on building something that matters to you. The money and recognition will come, but they are not the goal. Money is just a tool — a resource that allows you to create, give back, and make a difference. The real reward is in the relationships you build, the lives you impact, and the purpose you serve along the way.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jimmysyamphone/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JimmySyamphone
Image Credits
Jocelyn Francisco
