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Greetings 👋 

Hi, how was your weekend? 

If April were a person, she’d definitely be that friend who decided to make "main character energy" her entire personality over the weekend. Suddenly, everyone is deep-cleaning their lives, romanticizing their morning routines, and acting like they’ve been waking up at 5 AM since birth.

Everything online is moving way too fast and it’s hard to keep up without forgetting why you even checked your phone. If your week feels like a bit of a blur, you’re not alone because that is just the collective mood right now.

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

🎓 A 45-minute plan today can shape your child’s future.

We’re just one day away from our exclusive webinar with J.P. Morgan Asset Management, featuring Tricia Scarlata, Executive Director and Head of 529 Education Savings, so now’s the time to save your spot and get ahead on your family’s planning.

In this 45-minute session, she’ll walk through a clear, practical approach to navigating rising tuition costs, understanding financial aid, and making the most 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: MEDIA/ENTERTAINMENT BRANDS

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.

HYBE, SM Entertainment, JYP Entertainment, and YG Entertainment are finally working together to launch Fanomenon, a new festival that brings K-pop together on one stage. The idea comes from J. Y. Park, with support from the Korean government to help turn it into a major event for fans worldwide.

The first show is set for December 2027 in South Korea, with artists from all four companies in one lineup. If all goes as planned, it will expand into a global touring festival in 2028, potentially changing how K-pop connects with fans around the world.

Read the full article here.

Alysa Liu and Chloe Kim have been named to the TIME100, highlighting their impact both in sports and beyond. The two Olympians were recognized under the “Icons” category, showing how their influence extends far beyond medals and competition.

Liu led the women’s sports names on the list, with her recent performances bringing her back into the global spotlight, while Kim remains one of snowboarding’s most recognizable stars. Hilary Knight also made the list, showing the growing visibility and influence of women in sports today.

Read the full article here.

At Coachella 2026, South Asian fashion stood out across the festival, both on stage and in the crowd. What used to be taken out of context is now being worn with purpose, as artists and creators bring more meaning and awareness to what they wear.

Artists like Diljit Dosanjh and Lara Raj helped bring that visibility to the stage. Off stage, creators like Sheel Yerneni, Aditya Madiraju, and Seerat Saini gained attention online for looks rooted in South Asian design, pointing to a wider shift toward proper credit, representation, and cultural pride.

Read the full article here.

Andre Koo Jr. is stepping into his family’s powerful financial legacy while reshaping it for a new era of investing. With the launch of K8 Capital in New York, he is bringing a traditional banking background into one of Wall Street’s fastest-growing sectors.

Raised in one of Taiwan’s most influential banking families, Koo now helps oversee around $480 billion in assets tied to a $16 billion fortune. Instead of following the same path, he is building a more flexible firm focused on U.S. companies, with early investments in AI and enterprise software through a debut fund of at least $50 million.

K8 Capital stands out with its hybrid model, combining private credit for steady, short-term returns with venture capital for long-term growth. As private credit grows into a $1.5 trillion market, Koo is positioning the firm to deliver both income and upside while continuing a legacy that dates back nearly 200 years.

Read the full article here.

🚀 Hamza Naqvi, Co-Founder of Amplify, teamed up with Growvana to help more founders grow their brands this year. He is building a helpful network that gives small business owners the tools they need to move from selling online to hitting big store shelves.

🚀 Ikkjin Ahn, CEO of Moloco, hit a big win this week as his company continues to lead the way in smart advertising tech. His goal is to make sure everyday businesses can use the same powerful tools as tech giants to reach more customers and grow their sales.

🚀 Christine Lau Quigley started a new program in Kansas City to help seven Asian-owned small businesses get their products ready for the shop floor. She is working closely with local makers to turn their creative hobbies into real brands that are ready to sell in a busy marketplace.

🚀 The Philippine Franchise Association launched a new push to help local neighborhood shops grow into big names across the region. By offering better mentorship and a clear plan, they are helping small business owners dream bigger and reach new neighborhoods and countries.

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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