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Greetings 👋 

Hi, how’s your weekend?

The internet moves fast. We’re trying to keep up too.

So we pulled together a few things that made us stop scrolling this week, plus some opportunities you’ll probably want on your radar.

Consider yourself caught up. Almost. 👀

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

🚀 Connect, learn, and scale your business at the Alibaba.com CoCreate LA Conference!

Spend two days in Los Angeles discovering new ideas, meeting potential collaborators, and learning from people building and growing businesses around the world.

Event Details:

🗓️ September 9–10, 2026
📍 Los Angeles Convention Center, South Hall

Why You Should Attend:

🤝 Connect with business owners, creators, industry leaders, and global suppliers
💰 Watch entrepreneurs pitch their products in just 90 seconds for a chance to win $200K
🎤 Gain practical insights from experienced founders, executives, and industry leaders

AHN Community Perk: Use a special discount code AHN26 when you register.

🤝 Build connections, grow your business, and meet fellow Asian American founders at the ACE NextGen Unity Conference 2026!

Join 200+ founders, entrepreneurs, and community leaders from across the country in Houston for a weekend of learning, networking, and building meaningful relationships. 

Event Details:

🗓️ September 19–20, 2026
📍 Houston City College – West Loop Campus
📌 5601 West Loop South, Houston, TX 77081
🍹 Cocktail Party: September 19, 6:00–9:00 PM at Skylab Social

Why You Should Attend:

💡 Learn from experienced founders and business leaders through panels, workshops, and breakout sessions
🤝 Connect with 200+ founders, entrepreneurs, and community leaders
🛍️ Discover AAPI-founded businesses at the Biz Showroom

AHN Community Exclusive: Get 25% off General Admission with promo code AHN25, valid for up to 5 additional registrations.

THIS WEEK: COLLECTIBLE AND TOY BRAND

Building a brand or business?

Join the AHN Directory and get discovered by the community.

The Founder Who Livestreamed His Life and Helped Create Twitch

In 2007, Justin Kan and his co-founders launched Justin.tv with an unusual idea: Kan would livestream his life online 24/7 with a camera attached to his head.

The lifecasting experiment eventually ended, but Justin.tv evolved into a platform where anyone could broadcast. As gaming became its most popular category, the team saw an opportunity to build something specifically for that audience.

That led to the launch of Twitch in 2011. By 2014, the platform had grown enough to catch Amazon’s attention, which acquired Twitch for about $970 million.

The takeaway: Your first idea doesn’t always have to be the one that succeeds. Sometimes the bigger opportunity comes from noticing what your audience is already telling you.

Interested in supporting founders building impactful brands?

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

12 Eggs a Day and Hours of Training: ‘Street Fighter’ Star Callina Liang Grew Her Thighs 2.5 Inches to Become Chun-Li

Callina Liang went through an intense physical transformation to play Chun-Li in the upcoming live-action Street Fighter movie. The 26-year-old actor said she ate 12 eggs a day, had a meal every two hours, and grew each thigh by about 6.5 centimeters (2.5 inches) by the end of filming.

Liang also trained for two hours a day in taekwondo, Muay Thai, and wushu to master Chun-Li’s signature kicks. She even recorded the character’s moves from the Street Fighter games in slow motion to study them, ahead of the film’s theatrical release on October 16, 2026.

Read the full article here.

Fighting Spirit Film Festival Returns to London for Three Days of Martial Arts and Action Cinema

London’s Fighting Spirit Film Festival returns to the Rio Cinema in Dalston from September 4–6, bringing three days of martial arts films, documentaries, shorts, and industry talks. The lineup spans independent productions from around the world alongside action classics, with screenings including Mexicali, Valkyries, Princess Khulan, and Bloodsport.

The weekend also spotlights the culture and craft behind action cinema, from stunt training and MMA to Hong Kong kung fu’s influence on London moviegoing. A free panel will revisit the Rio Cinema’s history as a hub for martial arts films during the 1970s and 1980s, before the festival closes with its annual Short Films Award Ceremony.

Read the full article here.

LISA’s ‘Always Lalisa’ Documentary Lands Worldwide IMAX Release This October

BLACKPINK’s LISA is heading to cinemas worldwide with her feature documentary Always Lalisa, opening for a limited theatrical and IMAX run beginning October 12. Directed by Sue Kim, the film follows LISA during a pivotal year away from BLACKPINK as she navigates her solo career, acting projects, growing global brand, and life outside the spotlight.

The documentary arrives as LISA continues expanding beyond K-pop, following milestones across music, television, fashion, and film. After its theatrical run, Always Lalisa will stream exclusively on YouTube Premium later in 2026, with tickets going on sale September 9.

Read the full article here.

The Branding Mistake That Makes You Memorable to No One

Trying to appeal to everyone can make your message too broad. When your brand sounds like everyone else, people have little reason to remember it.

The strongest brands are clear about who they’re speaking to and what makes them the right choice. That clarity makes it easier for the right customers to understand why your brand is for them.

You don’t need to connect with everyone. You need to be relevant and memorable to the people you actually want to reach.

The takeaway: Know who your brand is for, and make that clear in everything you say.

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.

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