
Welcome back to The Sunstone Way.
We’re in a bit of a party mood here as we begin to celebrate our 10th anniversary in business. I remember that when I turned 10, I felt like I was stepping out in the world to begin my “real” life, and it feels much the same for Sunstone.
More of that in a bit. But first, let me briefly tell our origin story.
Launching Sunstone
Our founder John Shen had already established American Lending Center (ALC) as a growing business in Long Beach in 2009. By 2014, he knew his clients needed a place to talk about new investments here in the United States.
The solution was Sunstone Management Inc. Shen opened the Sunstone doors in January 2015 with a Long Beach office next to ALC. Sunstone offered – and offers – diversified investment opportunities including both early-stage technology entrepreneurs and fixed income alternatives.
ALC is a mission-based non-bank lending institution focusing on job-creation lending. Shen has emphasized public-private partnerships in his quest to make a difference in his communities.
Relying on Partnerships
He brought those same priorities to Sunstone, with a special emphasis on partnering with institutions of higher education. Starting with a partnership with Long Beach State University, Sunstone’s involvement quickly grew to the California State University system as a whole, the University of Southern California, University of California, Irvine and more.
Shen’s commitment to these partnerships was so long that he and his wife Stella Zhang founded the Sunstone Community Fund as part of Sunstone, primarily to help university-level entrepreneurs start and grow their own businesses.
In the past decade, Sunstone has grown and evolved. A separate business called Sunstone Cities now focuses on economic development by working with municipalities as a consultant and a new public infrastructure financing solutions service.
Year of the Snake
This type of evolution is particularly fitting for this coming year, since this will be the Year of the Snake in the Chinese calendar.
Despite some Western cultural misconceptions, the Snake in Asian culture is honored as a symbol of wisdom and intelligence. Those born under this sign are particularly known for their capacity for strategic thinking, thereby navigating complex situations effectively.
Snakes are renowned for their ability to shed their skin, a powerful metaphor for transformation and renewal. That’s why it is so fitting that the Year of the Snake is Sunstone’s 10th anniversary. Watch this year as we embrace new opportunities, foster a spirit of adaptability and display our resilience in changing times.
One thing that will not change at Sunstone is our loyalty and depth in our partnerships. Like those born in the Year of the Snake, we form strong bonds, providing support and protection to those we care about.
Did I mention that Snakes are tied to creativity, a requirement for innovative approaches? We highly value innovation – it leads to new ideas and solutions benefiting personal endeavors and collective efforts.
Why Does It Matter?
Milestones like a 10th anniversary or the Year of the Snake help us remember where we came from and inspire us with where we are going. Embracing wisdom, transformation and introspection – traits embodied in the Year of the Snake – we can navigate challenges with perception and grace. We can create deeper connections with partners in business and in our personal lives.
I fully believe that 2025 is going to be a transformative year. To be the best that we can be, let’s use the energy of the Snake to inspire positive change – within ourselves and our communities.
That’s the Sunstone Way.
And remember, always be a Sunstone!
John Keisler
CEO & Managing Partner
Sunstone Management, Inc.
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©Sunstone Management, Inc. 2025