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Greetings 👋 

Hi, how was your weekend?

Hi, how was your weekend?

Quick question: What can $50 get you these days? For two founders, it was enough to test an idea that would eventually become a real business. And sometimes, that first small test is all it takes to see if an idea is worth pursuing.

More on that below, plus the stories, opportunities, and insights we’re bringing you this week. 👀

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THIS WEEK: JEWELRY BRANDS

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The Founders Who Tested Their Business Idea With Just a $50 Facebook Ad

When Jenn Qiao was looking for a modern cheongsam for her wedding, she struggled to find one that matched what she had in mind. She and her maid of honor, Vivian Chan, started wondering if other Asian American brides were looking for the same thing.

Before building East Meets Dress, they decided to test the idea. They made a free landing page, spent $50 on a Facebook ad, and waited to see if people were interested.

More than 40 people signed up that weekend, even though there wasn’t a product to buy yet. That response gave them the confidence to move forward, starting with just one dress design.

The takeaway: You don’t always need a big launch to know if an idea has potential. Start small, test it, and pay attention to the signals people give you.

Interested in supporting founders building impactful brands?

Join our private investor network and stay connected to future opportunities across the AHN ecosystem.

Vietnam Grants Citizenship to Nigerian and British Footballers as Country Welcomes Foreign Talent

Nigerian-born Michael Olaha and British-born Williams Lee have officially become Vietnamese citizens, adopting the names Olaha Manh Duc and Williams Minh Hoang. Both play for Cong An Ho Chi Minh City FC, and their new citizenship allows them to be registered as domestic players.

The move could also make them eligible to represent Vietnam internationally, with Lee already receiving his first national team call-up. Their naturalisation comes as Vietnam broadens pathways for skilled foreigners and investors, reflecting the country’s wider push to attract global talent.

Read the full article here.

Legendary Japanese Director Kore-eda Hirokazu to Receive Singapore Film Festival’s Highest Honor

Acclaimed Japanese filmmaker Kore-eda Hirokazu will receive the Cinema Honorary Award at the 37th Singapore International Film Festival, running from October 21 to November 1, 2026. The award is the festival’s highest individual recognition, honoring filmmakers who have made a lasting impact on Asian cinema.

Kore-eda will accept the award on October 24, the same night his latest film, Look Back, makes its Southeast Asian premiere. The Palme d’Or-winning director behind Shoplifters, Monster, and Nobody Knows has built a decades-long career known for deeply human stories about family, relationships, and society.

Read the full article here.

Japan’s Centenarian Population Tops 100,000 for the First Time in History

Japan is now home to 107,677 people aged 100 or older, marking the first time the country’s centenarian population has crossed 100,000. The number has risen dramatically from just 153 in 1963, with women now accounting for nearly 88% of the total.

Japan remains one of the world’s longest-living countries, with life expectancy reaching 81.35 years for men and 87.33 years for women. Experts point to factors such as diet, low obesity rates and universal healthcare, while the government is also working to extend the number of years people can live in good health.

Read the full article here.

What Wong Fu Productions Can Teach Brands About Video Storytelling

Wong Fu Productions built an audience of millions without relying on Hollywood-sized budgets. Through relatable stories about love, family, identity, and Asian American life, their videos have reached more than 600 million views.

Their approach shows that strong video content doesn’t always need flashy production. By combining simple YouTube-style production with thoughtful filmmaking, Wong Fu made the story and emotional connection the focus.

For brands, the lesson is simple: bigger production doesn’t always mean bigger impact. A clear story, intentional editing, and an understanding of your audience can make a video more memorable than expensive visuals alone.

The takeaway: Before spending more on production, make sure the story is worth watching.

A $10,000 Grant Opportunity for Eligible Small Businesses

AHN and National ACE are proud to share a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to invest in the growth of their businesses. 

Through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, eligible small business owners can apply for a $10,000 grant after completing two Digital Ready learning resources and submitting an application.

The program is designed to help businesses strengthen their digital capabilities while providing access to funding that can support future growth. If your business meets the eligibility requirements, we encourage you to explore this opportunity and apply.

Unlock Payroll Tax Benefits and Savings With ADP’s SMB Solutions

Managing payroll, HR, and tax compliance requires time, accuracy, and constant attention to changing regulations. For many small and mid-sized businesses, these responsibilities can take focus away from strategic growth.

Through our partnership with ADP, SMB leaders gain access to reliable, cloud-based payroll and human capital management solutions designed to simplify operations while maximizing cash flow. 

How ADP supports your growth:

• AI-Enhanced Payroll: Reduce errors and late penalties with automated filings and AI-powered error detection that flags discrepancies before you pay.

• Maximum Tax Credit Recovery: ADP’s specialists use your payroll data to uncover valuable incentives—including R&D credits (now with expanded eligibility) and Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC).

• Built-In Compliance: Stay ahead of 2026 regulatory shifts, including new retirement plan mandates and updated wage bases, with automated system updates.

• Scalable HR Infrastructure: From your first hire to your 500th, access integrated tools for recruitment, benefits administration, and 24/7 HR advisory support.

Strategic payroll management is a reinvestment in your business. Fill out our form to connect with an ADP specialist for a personalized review of your current payroll process or review of potential payroll tax savings.

Elon's new company is private. These 3 tickers aren't.

The next Apple may already exist. Insider sources say Elon has spent two years building a secret device inside Tesla's facilities — one he claims will be "10x bigger than the largest product in history."

There's just one problem: the company is private, and unless you know Elon personally, you can't buy a single share. That was true until Guardian's research team found three public ticker symbols sitting in the launch supply chain.

Click here to see all 3 tickers, free of charge.

You won't hear these names on CNBC — Wall Street hasn't published a word on the connection. But when the launch hits September 21, that quiet ends.

Some are already calling this the biggest opportunity since AI. For anyone who missed Apple before the iPhone, this may be a second look at that kind of setup.

Get the 3 ticker symbols here.

Unlock the free briefing now.

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