Zero to Hero

Did you hear about Roger, the Labrador retriever who became an unexpected hero amidst Taiwan’s recent earthquake chaos?

Roger was part of the search-and-rescue team, tasked to locate victims and survivors. But what you don’t know about his backstory is that Roger was initially trained and failed as a drug detective dog before becoming a successful rescue dog. His story is a great reminder that even in the face of failure, there’s always a chance for something amazing to happen.

Read through to learn more about Roger's extraordinary journey.

UPLIFTING STORIES 📚

Eddie Kim revolutionized payroll for U.S. SMBs with Gusto!

Finding Asian near-decacorn founders like Edward Kim, co-founder and CTO of Gusto, is like finding a needle in a haystack. Being born into an Asian immigrant family deeply rooted in traditional values and a scarcity mentality, Edward experienced a constant tug-of-war between embracing his actual abilities and succumbing to a "frugality mindset”. Yet, Edward's journey is no exception to the rules of immigrant family norms. In this article, he touches on how the subtle stereotypes facing Asian immigrants can hinder one's abilities and how he overcame these obstacles on his own journey.

UPLIFTING LEGENDS 📺

Meet Andy Nguyen, the "mashup king" raving up the food scene with ventures like Afters Ice Cream and Trill Burgers, blending creativity and culinary excellence. 

Moreover, discover the incredible story of Jaclyn Fu, the co-founder of Pepper, a pioneering bra company on a mission to empower women with smaller busts to defy convention and revolutionize the lingerie industry.

Want to be highlighted in the AHN Legends series? Apply now!

Hong Kong is on its way to becoming Asia's pioneer in accepting cryptocurrencies as a mainstream investment tool 🔐

Hong Kong has conditionally approved its first spot bitcoin and ether exchange-traded funds (ETFs), marking a significant step towards mainstream acceptance of cryptocurrencies in Asia. 

This move follows the recent launch of similar ETFs in the U.S., which have already attracted significant investment. Hong Kong's promotion of itself as a global digital asset hub is driving this initiative, aiming to enhance its status as an international financial center. 

The introduction of these ETFs not only provides new investment opportunities but also enhances Hong Kong's position in the virtual asset market. The ETFs will introduce an "in-kind" subscription mechanism, allowing investors to buy ETF shares using bitcoin or ether directly. This development reflects the interest of Chinese financial institutions in crypto asset development amid challenges in Chinese equity markets.

Asia is leading the way in cryptocurrency adoption, driven by growing institutional acceptance and consumer interest. Globally, there are 516 million cryptocurrency users, with a significant portion from Asia.

Southeast Asia’s Tourism Renaissance ✨

In 2023, Southeast Asian countries saw a resurgence in tourism with over 100 million visitors, representing 70% of pre-COVID levels in 2019. This rebound was supported by the region's economic recovery post-pandemic and the development of new transportation infrastructure, largely funded by China. 

Notably, Laos and Cambodia benefited from this infrastructure investment, attracting a significant number of tourists. Despite the substantial increase from the previous year, overall visitor numbers remained 29.8% lower than in 2019.

However, China's outbound tourism remains slow, reaching only about 25% of pre-pandemic levels. China anticipates a full tourism recovery in 2024–2025, especially with the normalization of travel patterns and visa-free policies between China and certain ASEAN countries. 

An Unexpected Unsung Hero in Taiwan 🐾

In the aftermath of a devastating 7.4-magnitude earthquake in Taiwan, rescue efforts were reinforced by the participation of Roger, a Labrador retriever with a unique backstory. 

Despite initially failing to meet the strict standards of a drug-sniffing dog due to his high-spirited and playful demeanor, Roger found his calling as a search-and-rescue dog.

Tasked with locating both survivors and victims amid the earthquake, Roger and his handlers went into the rugged terrain of Taroko National Park, which lay in the eye of the disaster. Amidst collapsed buildings and landslides, Roger's keen sense of smell and enthusiasm led to the discovery of the body of a missing 21-year-old woman.

Roger's remarkable career pivot captured not only the hearts of the people of Taiwan but also widespread global admiration. Despite his initial setbacks, Roger's personality and determination proved that the most unlikely individuals can emerge as “unsung heroes”.

Last call to join the Uplifted Conference 2024!

We're only a few days away from the most awaited and highly anticipated Uplifted Conference 2024, happening on April 25-26, 2024, in Las Vegas.

This is your last chance to grab a ticket and secure your spot! Don't miss your chance to join Asian/Pacific Islander entrepreneurs, creatives, and professionals for two days of invaluable insights and networking.

Toronto #AsianHeritageWeek: CITY POP NIGHT

Join us as we kick off Asian Heritage Month on May 4th with a lively night market, featuring over 20 local, Asian-owned makers from across the city! The market will be bustling from 2 PM to 10 PM, with public access from 2 PM to 7 PM.

At 7 PM, we'll open the doors to ticket holders for our exclusive CITYPOP show, presented by the talented local band Diskarte (formerly known as JC3).

🗓️ Saturday, May 4: 2 PM to 10 PM
📍 STACKT Market. Bathurst Street. Toronto, ON, Canada
🛍️ 20+ local, Asian-owned makers

Event Schedule:

• 2 PM to 10 PM: Night Market

• 2 PM to 7 PM: Open to the Public

• 8 PM to 10 PM: Diskarte Band Performance

Tickets are available online and can also be purchased at the door. Don't miss this opportunity to show your support for small Asian-owned businesses!

Toronto #AsianHeritageWeek: The Welcome Market's Asian Owned Market

The Welcome Market is thrilled to announce the return of the Asian Owned Market, in response to popular demand, to launch Asian Heritage Month in Toronto! 

Spanning two floors, we'll be showcasing the finest offerings from API local small businesses and artists, representing Central Asian, East Asian, South Asian, and West Asian communities.

🗓️ Friday, May 3: 5-10 PM | May 4-5: 11 AM to 6 PM
📍 938 Queen St W, Toronto, Canada
✌️ Two floors of excitement!
🛍️ 35+ API-owned shops

Join us for an exciting event featuring over 35 local businesses, accompanied by an entertaining drag show on Friday night. This event is part of #AsianHeritageWeek by the Asian Hustle Network, celebrating the global Asian community.

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Discover the keys to business success with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready!

Enroll now for these FREE live events to learn about affiliate marketing, brand partnerships, influencers, creator funds, and selling on social media platforms.

Mark your calendar for our expert-led sessions:

• Monetizing Social Media: April 22 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM ET

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