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Welcome to the Uplifters Newsletter, a series by Asian Hustle Network to uncover inspiring stories about our community. Stay tuned for doses of engaging and uplifting content! Check our website at asianhustlenetwork.com.

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Greetings 👋 

Hi, how was your weekend?

Did you get some real downtime this weekend, or did you just spend forty-eight hours staring at your to-do list? Either way, we hope you managed to enjoy at least one decent snack and a little bit of peace.

A new month is here, which means a fresh start and another shot at that project that’s been sitting in your notes app. Let’s bring that energy into the week and try not to let our coffee go cold before the first meeting even ends.

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

THIS WEEK: STRATEGY & CONSULTING BRANDS

Sage Consulting Group

Image Source: Sage Consulting Group

Sage Consulting Group is an international recruitment and executive search firm helping companies find strong leaders across the US, APAC, Europe, and beyond. They work across multiple industries and practice areas, connecting organizations with talent that fits both the role and the culture.

Learn more about their services here.

Innoplaytion

Image Source: Workshops

Innoplaytion designs meaningful experiences that help leaders build stronger connections with their teams. Through workshops and interactive sessions, they create spaces where communication, trust, and collaboration can grow.


Discover how they support leaders here.

CKN Consulting Group

Image Source: HRDQ

CKN Consulting Group is a full-service consulting firm that supports brands from start to finish. They specialize in health and beauty, helping businesses with strategy, branding, operations, and growth.

Explore their services here.

Jenuine Heartfelt Design

Image Source: IndiaMART

Jenuine Heartfelt Design is a creative studio and consulting practice focused on instructional design, marketing, social media, and learning and development. They support small businesses and healthcare practices, and also run an Etsy shop.

View their work and shop here.

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.

Oakland Plans a Major Hometown Celebration for Olympic Champion Alysa Liu

Image Source: The Answer

The city of Oakland is planning a major hometown celebration to honor Olympic champion Alysa Liu, with Barbara Lee’s office reportedly in talks with her team to organize the event. The city’s official Instagram confirmed coordination efforts, praising Liu for representing Oakland’s heart, grit, and resilience on the global stage.

While a date has not yet been finalized, city officials say more details will be announced soon as they work to set a community-wide celebration. Fans can also catch Liu back on the ice during the Stars on Ice tour when it stops in San Jose this spring.

Read the full article here.

Indonesia Officially Bans Elephant Riding at Tourist Venues Nationwide

Image Source: Manila Standard

Indonesia has officially banned elephant riding nationwide, making it one of the biggest animal welfare moves in Southeast Asia. In late 2025, the Ministry of Forestry ordered tourism and conservation sites to switch to observation-only, ethical encounters or risk losing their permits. The decision followed years of investigations by PETA Asia that exposed abuse, including open wounds, bullhooks, and calves kept in chains.

The change is especially significant because Indonesia is home to the critically endangered Sumatran elephant and welcomes millions of tourists to Bali each year. Some parks, including Bali Zoo and Mason Elephant Park, have already ended ride programs. Still, advocates say a few venues continue harmful practices under the name of “sanctuary,” meaning real enforcement will be key.

Read the full article here.

The Academy Expands Archive with Landmark Chinese American Cinema Collection for Future Generations

Image Source: SCMP

China’s Xiaomi is stepping deeper into the premium smartphone race with the global launch of its Xiaomi 17 and Xiaomi 17 Ultra in Barcelona. The event, held just ahead of MWC Barcelona, signals a clear move to compete head-on with industry leaders like Apple and Samsung.

Both devices run on Qualcomm’s latest Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 processor, placing them firmly in the high-end category. With starting prices of €999 for the Xiaomi 17 and €1,499 for the Ultra model, Xiaomi is making it clear that it is no longer just competing on value, but on performance and prestige as well.

Read the full article here.

The Fighter Mentality Behind Anthony Kwok’s Mission to Fix Fashion’s Most Overlooked Problem Through Zilio

Anthony Kwok learned early on what it means to take a hit and keep standing. As a professional fighter competing on FoxSports, he trained his mind to stay steady when things got tough. That mindset became personal when he suffered two strokes the same year he launched ZILIO, forcing him to fight for his health while trying to build something new.

The spark for ZILIO came from a moment that felt small but familiar. After ordering gym shorts online that fit nothing as he expected, Anthony grew tired of the guessing game that comes with size charts. What started as frustration turned into a solution, an AI tool that helps brands like Coles and Australian Unity recommend sizes more accurately and reduce costly returns.

For Anthony, this work is about more than clothes. He knows how quickly a bad fit can make someone question their body instead of the system. Through ZILIO, he is trying to make sizing feel simple and reliable, so people can get dressed without second-guessing themselves and move through their day with more confidence.

Read the full article here.

🚀 Sharad Sanghi, CEO and Founder of Neysa, secured a massive $1.2 billion investment to grow his AI cloud infrastructure company. This landmark deal helps position his firm as a major player in the sovereign AI space as he begins planning for a future public listing.

🚀 Raymond Wong, Managing Director of Asia Business Centre (AsiaBC), received the "Outstanding Company Formation Services" award for his work helping founders scale across borders. He is currently expanding his company's reach by opening a new advisory hub in Dubai to serve global entrepreneurs better.

🚀 Ashok Hariharan, Co-founder and CEO of IDfy, raised $52.5 million to expand his digital trust and verification platform. He plans to use the new funds to build better digital infrastructure and help more people around the world conduct safe and trusted business.

🚀 Vineet Khanna, Co-founder of Supertails, raised $30 million in a new funding round to strengthen his company’s end-to-end pet care ecosystem. He is using the capital to expand the platform's services and enter new geographic markets to reach more pet owners.

A Smarter Way to Optimize Taxes, Cash Flow, and Growth with Unity Tax

Image Source: Pexels

Unity Tax is the tax advisory arm of Unity Investments, built for founders and business owners navigating complex, real-world decisions.

They align tax planning with how you actually run your business by integrating cash flow planning and capital decisions to optimize after-tax outcomes, not just compliance. Designed for founders and growth-stage companies, they bring institutional-grade tax expertise with the high-touch judgment of a trusted operator.

Backed by capital partners and experienced tax professionals, they provide hands-on guidance, proactive planning, and strategic advisory services. They help you reduce friction during the U.S. tax season while positioning your business for smarter growth, liquidity events, and long-term wealth creation.

Tax season is coming. Work with a team that thinks like an owner.

Fund Your Next Business Move with ADP’s Payroll & Tax Solutions

Many entrepreneurs unknowingly leave thousands of dollars on the table by missing out on government incentives designed to support business growth. That’s why AHN is partnering with ADP to help you uncover these hidden savings and reinvest that capital back into your vision.

ADP is a global leader in human capital management, offering simple software and expert support to manage payroll, HR, and taxes without the stress. Here’s why ADP stands out in the industry:

  • Tailored Payroll & HR: Simple, intuitive tools that scale with your team at any size.

  • Expert Tax Credit Recovery: 300+ specialists who uncover R&D credits you may already qualify for.

  • Proven Reliability: 45+ years of experience and over $1B in tax credits claimed annually.

  • Guaranteed Compliance Support: Unlimited IRS audit support with a fee refund guarantee.

  • Exceptional Retention: A 98% client retention rate built on long-term trust.

Don’t let your hard-earned capital go unclaimed when it could be fueling your next big breakthrough. Fill out our form to connect with an ADP specialist and get a personalized review of your payroll and potential tax credits.

Become An AI Expert In Just 5 Minutes

If you’re a decision maker at your company, you need to be on the bleeding edge of, well, everything. But before you go signing up for seminars, conferences, lunch ‘n learns, and all that jazz, just know there’s a far better (and simpler) way: Subscribing to The Deep View.

This daily newsletter condenses everything you need to know about the latest and greatest AI developments into a 5-minute read. Squeeze it into your morning coffee break and before you know it, you’ll be an expert too.

Subscribe right here. It’s totally free, wildly informative, and trusted by 600,000+ readers at Google, Meta, Microsoft, and beyond.

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