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Greetings 👋 

Hi, how was your weekend? 

Are you finding it a bit easier to get moving now that the mornings are brighter? With spring in full swing, everything feels a little lighter and more in motion.

You might notice a boost in your energy as the days get longer. Let this be the week you settle into a rhythm that feels right and make the most of the extra daylight.

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

Award-winning author and human connection expert Simone Heng celebrates a new milestone. Her book, Let's Talk About Loneliness, first published in 2023, is now available in Chinese, retitled “Anyway, I Am Just as Lonely.”

Born from a deeply personal experience of disconnection, it has grown into something much bigger: a mission to make conversations about loneliness more open across cultures.

📖 Here’s what the book explores:

• Highlights how loneliness exists in collectivist cultures, where stigma and social expectations make it harder to express

• Explores filial loneliness and the emotional weight of family responsibility

• Examines how digital life shapes connection, especially for younger generations

• Blends lived experience with research to make loneliness more visible and understood

We invite you to join an exclusive educational webinar with Tricia Scarlata, Executive Director and Head of 529 Education Savings at J.P. Morgan Asset Management. 

In this session, she will provide a clear and structured approach to navigating rising tuition costs, understanding the realities of financial aid, and maximizing the benefits of 529 plans for long-term education planning.

Join us to: 

📈 Discover the tax advantages of flexible education investing 

🗓️ Build an actionable 45-minute plan for your family's future 

📚 Access J.P. Morgan's award-winning 2026 College Planning Essentials

THIS WEEK: INSURANCE PROVIDERS

Are you an AAPI founder ready to elevate your brand alongside trailblazers like these? Join the AHN Directory today to increase visibility, connect with partners and customers, and get featured in AHN spotlights and community events.

McDonald's has introduced a limited-time collaboration inspired by KPop Demon Hunters, giving fans themed meals tied to the film’s characters. The lineup includes the HUNTR/X Meal, featuring Chicken McNuggets, Ramyeon McShaker Fries, and two new sauces, alongside the Saja Boys Breakfast Meal with a spicy McMuffin and classic sides.

The release also includes a Derpy McFlurry made with vanilla soft serve, blackberry popping pearls, and wild berry sauce, inspired by a fan-favorite character. Each purchase comes with collectible photo cards and a special access card unlocking exclusive content on the McDonald’s app, set to launch on April 26.

Read the full article here.

Nintendo and Universal Pictures’ The Super Mario Galaxy Movie launched with a record-breaking $34 million opening day, the biggest so far in 2026. The sequel outperformed both Project Hail Mary and 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie, setting a new April benchmark before its first weekend.

Early projections estimate a $128.2 million three-day and $186 million five-day debut, putting it just behind the franchise’s 2023 record run. Despite mixed critical reviews, strong audience scores and a $110 million budget position the film to quickly turn a profit and potentially join top animated franchises like Shrek, Toy Story, and Minions with multiple $100 million openings.

Read the full article here.

Tiffany Young has entered a new chapter, signing a global “360 deal” with Pacific Music Group that includes both recording and full management representation. The partnership makes her the first artist on the company’s Korean roster and comes as PMG expands its global reach, backed by industry names like Ne-Yo, MC Jin, Sonu Nigam, and executive Jonathan Serbin.

As she approaches her 10th solo anniversary, Young is focusing on a more intentional creative direction ahead of her upcoming album set for May 2026. Known for her rise with Girls' Generation and a career spanning music, theater, and television, the new deal positions her to further expand her global presence and influence in the industry.

Read the full article here.

Riley O'Brien is quickly making a name as one of the top bullpen arms in Major League Baseball, building on his 2025 breakout with the St. Louis Cardinals. He has opened the 2026 season strong, allowing zero runs across four appearances with four strikeouts, no walks, one save, and a win on Opening Day.

In a recent outing against the New York Mets, O’Brien held a ninth-inning tie that helped lead to a 2–1 extra-innings victory. With a 2.06 ERA over 42 games last season and growing trust from the team, many expect him to step into a full-time closer role as the year progresses.

Read the full article here.

Brett Bolton and Kayden Beasley, both born in China and adopted into the United States, turned personal challenges into powerful success stories. At the 2026 Winter Paralympics, they helped lead Team USA to a gold medal, marking a full-circle moment in their journeys.

Bolton, born with a congenital limb difference, developed resilience early and carried it onto the ice as a rookie forward. His determination played a key role in securing gold, showing how adversity shaped his rise to the top.

Beasley also navigated identity and growth through sport, using discipline to build confidence and strength. His clutch goal in the final sealed Team USA’s victory, turning years of hard work into a defining moment.

Beyond the medal, their stories represent more than athletic success. They highlight the importance of visibility and redefine what strength and achievement look like for underrepresented communities.

Read the full article here.

🚀 Sameera Gunasinghe, Co-founder and CEO of Corzent, led his technology firm to win the Best ICT Start-Up Organisation award at the ninth South Asian Business Excellence Awards in Colombo. He is recognized for building a world-class engineering team and demonstrating disciplined execution in the regional tech sector.

🚀 Anil Sharma, CEO of 22nd Century Technologies, was honored with the Inspiring Businessman of the Year Award by the South Asian Business Council of Virginia on March 29, 2026. He is recognized for his significant contributions to the technology and federal contracting sectors, as well as his commitment to mentorship and community growth.

🚀 Anne Patricia Sutanto, Vice CEO of PT Pan Brothers Tbk, was named to the EY Asia-Pacific Entrepreneurial Winning Women™ Class of 2026 on March 30, 2026. Under her leadership, the company has become one of Indonesia's largest garment manufacturers, employing over 28,000 people and serving as a key supplier for global brands.

🚀 Nicole Lim Xui Jhi, CEO of Empire Sushi, was honored by the EY organization on March 30, 2026, for her role in driving the rapid expansion of the Malaysian quick-service restaurant chain. She is recognized for her strategic vision in scaling the business across multiple markets and contributing to the region's vibrant consumer products landscape.

Moving to paperless payroll can save you a lot of time and clutter, but it’s important to make sure you’re following the rules in your state to keep things running smoothly.

What You Need to Know

• Easy Access:  Most states require that employees can easily view and print their pay stubs for free.

• The Right to Choose: You often need an employee’s consent to go digital, and they usually have the right to opt back into paper at any time.

• State Rules: In places like California, Colorado, and Washington, you must provide physical copies if requested.

• Handling Opt-Outs: If an employee chooses paper, you must have a physical statement ready for them on payday.

Why It’s Worth It

1. Anytime Access: You and your team can check payroll info securely 24/7 from anywhere.

2. Fast Reporting: No more digging through files; you can pull up the data you need in seconds.

3. Better Security: Digital platforms are much safer than sensitive info sitting in a filing cabinet.

4. Flexible Options: There are even paperless ways to pay employees who don't have traditional bank accounts.

Rules vary depending on where your employees are located. To make sure you're covered, check your local laws or reach out to an ADP specialist to see which paperless options work best for your business.

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.

How Jennifer Aniston’s LolaVie brand grew sales 40% with CTV ads

The DTC beauty category is crowded. To break through, Jennifer Aniston’s brand LolaVie, worked with Roku Ads Manager to easily set up, test, and optimize CTV ad creatives. The campaign helped drive a big lift in sales and customer growth, helping LolaVie break through in the crowded beauty category.

Learn more

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