FACING UNCERTAINTY

Greetings 👋 

Hi, how was your weekend? 

With economic issues on the rise, job markets being unstable, and everything seems to be a bit…off, we totally get it if you’re feeling a bit uncertain about your future right now.

Fret not! We’re in this together, and hey, hopefully this week’s newsletter can give you a bit of help in terms of navigating this period of uncertainty.

PS: Missed our last edition? Catch up here!

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

UPLIFTING STORY 📖

An Tran Turned a Receptionist Job Into a 25-Year Journey to Executive Leadership in Banking

Banking wasn’t part of her plan at the start of her career. In fact, her first job was as a receptionist at a bank in San Francisco. But she didn’t let that humble beginning define her. Fueled by passion, relentless effort, and the sense of responsibility that came from being the eldest of eight children, she turned what she lacked in experience into unstoppable drive.

“My professional life has always revolved around service and sales, with a natural inclination to care for others, perhaps stemming from my role as the eldest of eight,” she says. 

Over the years, she took every opportunity whenever she could to learn, grow, and serve her clients better. Her work ethic and trust-building skills propelled her forward, step by step, until she eventually became the Market Executive for Banc of California—a role she holds today with pride and purpose.

LAST WEEK, ASIAN LEADERS DID 🎉

🚀 Lily Lin, Vice President of Global Communications at Google, was named #5 on PRWeek’s 2025 US Power List of 50.

🚀 Rudi Anggono joined the Lego Group as Head of Creative Innovation

🚀 Michael Lai joined Anthropic as Head to lead efforts in using Claude to modernize and improve public services.

🚀 Eric Feng, founder of Cymbal, joined Yahoo along with his team to build within its newly formed Research Group.

🚀 Pavan Reddy joined Strava as Product Partnerships lead to help expand its impact through strategic product partnerships.

Your Favorite New K-Pop Groups Are From a Netflix Animated Movie

Saja Boys and HUNTR/X, fictional groups from the animated film “KPop Demon Hunters,” were brought to life by animators and filmmakers with help from a slew of people within the K-pop world. Now, they’ve become global superstars.

Billboard said this week that the film’s score is now the highest-charting soundtrack of 2025 and that it has surpassed Disney’s “Encanto” to become the highest-charting soundtrack to an animated film. Hits from the film, such as “Your Idol” and “Golden,” have also topped the U.S. Spotify charts in the K-pop categories in recent weeks.

Read the full article here.

Disney+ K-Drama Low Life: Crime Caper Superbly Brings 1970s Korea to Life

This summer, Disney+ invites viewers to dive into its splashy new crime series Low Life, featuring Ryu Seung-ryong and Yang Se-jong as an uncle and nephew team trying to get into the illicit business of excavating national artefacts off the Korean coast.

The first thing that jumps out while watching this jaunty caper is its sterling production value, which brings 1970s Korea to life through evocative period detail in a story that flits between the cluttered streets of Seoul and the sun-drenched harbour of Mokpo on Korea’s southern coast.

Read the full article here.

JOIN AHN AND COOLEY FOR HAPPY HOUR DURING SEATTLE TECH WEEK

This event brings together AAPI founders, investors, and tech professionals for an evening of connection, conversation, and community. In this welcoming atmosphere, you’ll get to meet like-minded individuals to share ideas and build meaningful connections. 

Save the Date:

📅 July 31, 2025

🕗 4:00–6:00 PM PT

📍 Seattle, WA (precise location shared with approved guests)

THE ECONOMIC SUMMIT IS COMING TO LAS VEGAS

To continue the legacy of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI), we’re honored to bring back the Economic Summit—starting with our first stop in Las Vegas.

Join us for a powerful day of connection and insight as industry experts and community leaders dive into the challenges and opportunities shaping the economic future of our communities. Meet like-minded changemakers and expand your network in a space built for impact.

Use coupon code AHNCOMMUNITY at checkout to get $5 off!

Save the date:

📅 August 21, 2025

🕗 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM (PT)

📍 Las Vegas, NV (precise location shared with approved guests)

UNCERTAINLY HIGH 📈

Discover quirky, inspiring, and little-known facts about the entrepreneurs driving Asia’s booming business scene.

Got deals to share with the community?

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COMPANIES DISCOVERED ✅

Zen Coast
Zen Coast University (ZCU) and Asian Hustle Network (AHN) have partnered to empower Asian entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals. The collaboration aims to provide actionable insights, mentorship, and growth opportunities. 

To join, complete the form on our website.

Paired
Paired helps businesses find the top overseas talent for as low as $5/hour. Our intensive search and outreach processes help us find amazing rockstars in places like Indonesia, LATAM, and South Africa within two to three weeks.

🌈 Let’s unwind and navigate this period of chaos together.

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Winning the Race by Understanding Customer Journey

Before becoming a loyal customer, a lead has to interact with your product/service at various stages. This entire process is summarized in the customer journey, divided into 5 main stages:

• Awareness: The customer becomes aware of your brand and your product, usually through search engines when searching for a solution to their problem.

• Consideration: The customer is aware of your brand but also your competitors’; they start wondering which of the options they should choose from.

• Purchase: The customer makes a buying decision, either from your brand or your competitors’.

• Retention: After the purchase, you need to consider how to get them to repurchase many more times, since retaining is cheaper than recruiting.

• Advocacy: At this stage, the customer is basically your brand ambassador. They love your product; they tell their acquaintances about your product.

Understanding the journey and what stage the audience is at can help you understand their needs and adjust accordingly. Each stage has a different touchpoint as well, so adjusting to said touchpoint makes it more effective and less costly. Understanding the journey can help you win the race.

If you want to explore our services more, visit the Asian Hustle Solutions website at AHS.