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TIME’S UP ⏰
Welcome to the Access Newsletter by AHN, your go-to source for stories, opportunities, and insights from our community. Stay tuned for fresh, engaging content delivered to you every week!
Asian Hustle Network
August 24, 2026
In partnership with
Greetings 👋
Hi, how’s your weekend?
We’re officially in the last week of August. Yes, already. 😅
This is usually the part of the month where your calendar says “almost September,” but your to-do list says “absolutely not.”
So whether you’re wrapping things up, catching up, or pretending September is still far away, we’ve got a few stories and finds worth adding to your week.
Let’s get into it. 👀
If you find this newsletter interesting, refer it to your friends by sharing this link and receive amazing gifts from AHN!
🤝 Come together for meaningful dialogue, community, and recognition at the Common Ground Conference & Bad Ass Asian Awards Dinner!
Join Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders, advocates, professionals, and community members in San Francisco for thoughtful and respectful conversations on some of today’s most important issues.
Event Details:
🗓️ Saturday, October 3, 2026
⏰ Conference: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
📍 Chinatown/North Beach Community College Annex, San Francisco
🏆 Awards Reception & Dinner: 5:00 PM
📍 Far East Restaurant, 631 Grant Avenue, San Francisco, CA 94108
Why You Should Attend:
💬 Discuss issues shaping the AAPI community
🤝 Connect with diverse voices from across the AAPI community
🏆 Celebrate honorees Helen Zia, Emil De Guzman, Barnali Ghosh & Anirvan Chatterjee, and Andrew Chau
THIS WEEK: AAPI BRANDS TO SHOP ON CULTR
Sonia Hou  Founded in Los Angeles by Chinese American designer Sonia Hou, SONIA HOU Jewelry creates demi-fine pieces made with materials like 18K and 24K gold and sterling silver. Blending modern design with cultural storytelling, the brand has been worn everywhere from the Olympic stage to network television. Shop SONIA HOU Jewelry on CULTR. | Piko Provisions  Piko Provisions works with local farmers and communities across Hawaiʻi to strengthen local food systems through regenerative agriculture. Inspired by the piko, a symbol of life and connection, the brand creates nourishing foods while supporting the land, local producers, and future generations. Discover Piko Provisions on CULTR. |
Kasama  Kasama is a Filipino-founded lifestyle brand inspired by the spirit of the Philippines and the joy of shared moments. Working with women-owned businesses and artisan communities across the country, the brand creates small-batch home goods, accessories, and gifts using local materials and traditional craftsmanship. See more from Kasama on CULTR. | Ary + Maan  Founded by a mom inspired by the blending of South Asian and Western traditions, Ary + Maan creates apparel that celebrates both heritage and modern family life. Each piece reflects the everyday moments, traditions, and connections that come with growing up between cultures. Shop Ary + Maan on CULTR. |
Building a brand or business?
Join the AHN Directory and get discovered by the community.
The Founder Who Built Rotten Tomatoes Because He Couldn't Find Jackie Chan Movie Reviews
Patrick Y. Lee | Image Source: Tech in Asia
In 1998, Senh Duong struggled to find Jackie Chan movie reviews in one place. Instead of searching across different websites, he decided to build his own solution.
Duong designed and coded Rotten Tomatoes as a side project, creating a single place that gathered critics’ reviews. With co-founders Patrick Y. Lee and Stephen Wang, the site grew into one of the internet’s best-known movie review platforms.
The takeaway: A small personal frustration can reveal a much bigger opportunity. Sometimes the best business ideas start by solving a problem you have yourself.
Interested in supporting founders building impactful brands?
Join our private investor network and stay connected to future opportunities across the AHN ecosystem.
13-Year-Old Keirsten Fernandez Wins Philippines’ First Asian Open Speed Skating Gold
Image Source: PGMN
At just 13 years old, Keirsten Layne Fernandez made Philippine sports history after winning the country’s first-ever gold medal at the 2026 Asian Open Short Track Speed Skating Trophy in India. She topped the Junior C Girls 1,000-meter event on August 18 with a time of 1:44.307.
Fernandez followed it up with another gold in the Junior C Girls 777-meter event on August 20, finishing in 1:19.989. Her two victories led a four-medal campaign for the Philippines, with Xsandrie Guimba earning silver and 8-year-old Kurt Zymone Zurbito taking bronze.
Read the full article here.
Simu Liu and Jeremy Lin Team Up for a Huge Asian Culture Festival This September
Image Source: KVUE
Simu Liu is bringing ARC World back to Markham on September 12 for a celebration of Asian culture and community. The Asian Roots Collective festival will feature live music, food, speakers, and a celebrity basketball game featuring Liu and former NBA star Jeremy Lin.
After holding recent editions in downtown Toronto, Liu is bringing the festival back to the community where Asian Roots Collective was founded. The event aims to create a space for Asian Canadians to celebrate their culture, identity, and shared experiences.
Read the full article here.
Vietnam Moves Closer to Back-to-Back ASEAN Titles After 2-0 Win Over Thailand
Image Source: Vietnam.vn
Vietnam defeated Thailand 2-0 in Bangkok on Saturday to take a strong lead in the first leg of the ASEAN Hyundai Cup final. Second-half goals from Nguyen Hai Long and Nguyen Quang Hai put the defending champions in control ahead of the return leg in Hanoi.
The victory also extended Vietnam’s unbeaten streak in official internationals to 25 matches, with 22 wins and three draws. Vietnam will look to defend its Southeast Asian title in Wednesday’s second leg, with coach Kim Sang-sik chasing back-to-back championships.
Read the full article here.
The Brand Strategy That Made Omsom Stand Out
Image Source: Inc. Magazine
When Vanessa and Kim Pham launched Omsom in 2020, they saw Asian flavors often being adapted for mainstream American consumers. Their approach was different: bold, culturally rooted, and distinctly Asian American.
Omsom partnered with Asian American chefs to create sauces and noodles inspired by familiar dishes, supported by vibrant packaging that made the brand instantly recognizable.
The strategy helped Omsom expand into thousands of stores before its acquisition by DayDayCook in 2024.
The takeaway: Strong positioning comes from knowing what makes your brand different and owning it.
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.
FOR FOUNDERS | FOR INVESTORS | FOR THE COMMUNITY |
|---|---|---|
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