AUGUST, ALREADY? 👀

In partnership with

Greetings 👋 

Hi, how was your weekend?

If you've ever watched a K-drama, you've probably heard someone shout "Hwaiting!" (화이팅) before a big moment. It's a simple way of saying, "You've got this."

So, as we kick off August, here's a little Hwaiting from us. We hope this month brings fresh ideas, exciting opportunities, and plenty of reasons to keep going.

If you find this newsletter interesting, refer it to your friends by sharing this link and receive amazing gifts from AHN!

🚀 Your biggest opportunity this year starts at Access Conference 2026!

Where will your next "yes" come from? Join us for two days of bold ideas, meaningful connections, and opportunities that could spark your next big breakthrough.

Event Details:

🗓️ September 3–4, 2026
⏰ 9:00 AM–6:00 PM PT
📍 Las Vegas, NV

Why You Should Attend:

🤝 Meet founders, investors, and Fortune 500 executives
💡 Hear from world-class speakers and industry experts
🚀 Discover funding, partnerships, and business opportunities
🌏 Expand your network across Asia and North America

🎉 Celebrate leadership, connection, and community at HER Legacy: A Women's Leadership Luncheon!

Join women entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals in Las Vegas for an afternoon of meaningful conversations, inspiring stories, and valuable connections. Hear from accomplished women leaders as they share their journeys, the lessons they've learned, and how they're building legacies that last.

Event Details:

🗓️ Tuesday, August 11, 2026
⏰ 11:30 AM – 2:30 PM PT
📍 Ichiza Original, Las Vegas, NV

Why You Should Attend:

✨ Hear inspiring stories from accomplished women leaders
🤝 Connect with entrepreneurs, executives, and emerging leaders
💼 Grow your network through meaningful conversations
🌸 Learn how women are building businesses and creating lasting impact

Hosting something for the community?

Add AHN as a co-host on Luma so we can help amplify it.

THIS WEEK: COLLECTIBLE AND TOY BRANDS

Building a brand or business?

Join the AHN Directory and get discovered by the community.

The Founder Who Turned Scrap Fabric Into a Global Social Enterprise

While working with communities in the Philippines, Reese Fernandez-Ruiz met skilled artisans who were creating products from leftover fabric but had limited opportunities to earn a stable income. Together with her co-founders, she launched Rags2Riches to connect their craftsmanship with a larger market, turning handmade bags and home goods into a source of sustainable livelihood.

Today, Rags2Riches has partnered with thousands of artisans and grown into one of the Philippines' leading social enterprises. The company shows that businesses can succeed by creating value not just for customers, but also for the communities they serve.

The takeaway is simple: some of the best businesses don't just solve a problem. They help create better opportunities for the people around them.

Interested in supporting founders building impactful brands?

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

Jollibee Returns to San Francisco After a Nearly Six-Year Wait

Jollibee is officially back in San Francisco. Hundreds of fans gathered on Friday to celebrate the grand reopening of its new Market and Powell Street location, with some lining up as early as 7:45 p.m. the night before for a chance to win a year of free Chickenjoy.

The first 100 customers received free Chickenjoy for a year, while the first official customers also took home exclusive Jollibee merchandise. The reopening marks Jollibee's long-awaited return after years of delays caused by the pandemic and permitting issues, bringing one of the city's most anticipated restaurant comebacks to life.

Read the full article here.

Wong Fu Productions to Make First Film in 10 Years With a Mission to Revive Asian American Stories in Hollywood

Wong Fu Productions is returning to feature filmmaking for the first time in over a decade with Sung, a romantic dramedy created by co-founder Phillip Wang. Alongside the announcement, Wang said Asian Americans have lost much of the momentum gained after Crazy Rich Asians and argued that Hollywood has stopped investing in their stories.

Instead of relying on the traditional studio system, Wang plans to produce the film on a $500,000 budget while opening casting and community involvement to the public. He says Sung is the first step toward building a sustainable future for independent Asian American films, with the long-term goal of creating more stories made by and for the community.

Read the full article here.

Alex Eala Stuns Naomi Osaka to Reach Her First WTA 500 Final

Alex Eala is headed to her first WTA 500 final after defeating former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka 6-4, 6-2 at the Mubadala DC Open. The 21-year-old Filipina delivered a composed performance from start to finish, securing the biggest semifinal win of her career in straight sets.

The victory guarantees Eala a new career-high world ranking of No. 24 and marks her sixth Top 10 win of the 2026 season. She will now face world No. 3 Jessica Pegula in the championship match, with the biggest title of her career on the line.

Read the full article here.

A Website Can Be a Business's Best Employee or Biggest Weakness

Your website is often your hardest-working employee. It's available 24/7, introduces your brand to new visitors, answers questions, and influences whether someone chooses to do business with you. In many cases, it's the first impression your company makes.

That first impression happens fast. Research shows people form an opinion about a website in as little as 50 milliseconds, while Google found that a one-second delay in mobile page load can reduce conversions by up to 20%. A slow or outdated website doesn't just affect user experience. It can cost your business leads, sales, and credibility.

The takeaway is simple: A high-performing website should do more than look good. It should communicate your value clearly, load quickly, and guide visitors toward taking action, making it one of your most valuable business assets.

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.

Thinking about hiring globally? Start with an EOR.

The best person for your next role might not live near your office—or even in the same country.

More companies are realizing they don't need to open entities everywhere just to access global talent. Instead, they're using EOR to hire internationally faster, stay compliant, and avoid building local infrastructure before they're ready.

Oyster's EOR helps companies hire, pay, and support employees in 180+ countries while Oyster handles payroll, compliance, taxes, and local employment requirements.

See how it works

Share the Access Newsletter with your friends and coworkers and get exclusive perks from AHN.