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August 26, 2023

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Marlin Chan is a remarkable individual whose journey embodies determination and triumph in the face of adversity. Born to Cambodian immigrants, Marlin’s family overcame hardships that spanned continents, shaping the very essence of his character.

His parents faced the harsh realities of the 1970’s Cambodian Genocide that forced their separation for nearly 2 decades. After being apart for 18 years, a fortunate stroke of serendipity allowed them to miraculously reunite and lead to the birth of the miracle baby Marlin.

Inspired by his grandmother’s beef crisps, Marlin started a business venture called “Yay’s” to pay homage to his culture. Through Yay’s, Marlin continues his family’s legacy of hard work and determination, sharing a unique taste of Cambodia to the world.

Asian Hustle Network had the privilege to sit down with Marlin Chan and delve into his inspiring journey. Join us as we explore his remarkable story of strength, dreams, and resilience.

CHALLENGES THAT MARLIN’S PARENTS FACED AS CAMBODIAN IMMIGRANTS

During the Cambodian Genocide, my parents faced the challenge of survival, as those of higher status, like artists, government officials, and intellectuals were among the first to be targeted and eliminated. 

Because there were countless horror stories of Khmer U.S. Air Force members being killed upon arrival at the Phnom Penh’s air station, it prevented my dad from returning home after serving the U.S. Air Force to save his family. This marked the onset of my parents 18-year separation.

Amid their time in the work camps, my mom tragically lost my sister to chickenpox and malnutrition due to the mistreatment by the Khmer Rouge. This tragic event left her devastated. To escape the work camps, my mom and her family had to navigate minefields at night to be unseen.

Like many immigrants, my dad faced the challenge of not knowing the English language upon his arrival in America so he turned to television to learn how to speak the language. Meanwhile, my mother successfully made her way to America to start a new life and began selling noodles on the streets of Stockton, California to support our family.

THE REMARKABLE REUNION OF LONG-LOST LOVE AFTER 18 YEARS

One day, my father visited a local donut shop for the first time to meet with an old friend, and the donut shop owner recognized him from their days in Cambodia. 

As the owner was inquiring about my mother, he revealed that the last he heard about her and her family’s whereabouts was in Stockton, California. My father’s face drained of color, and he froze upon hearing this shocking revelation. Immediately, he asked if the owner had their contact information and without skipping a beat, he got in touch and embarked on a road trip to Northern California the very next morning.

Upon arriving in Stockton, California, my dad found my mom, still hopeful and strong-willed as she had always been, but her health wasn’t in the best condition. She was living in a one-bedroom shared apartment with multiple other families. They promptly went for health check-ups and discussed restarting a life together again. In that same year, I was born on October 7, 1993. The Stockton Newspaper published an article of Marlin Chan as the miracle baby that beat the odds of survival with my parents’ long-lost reunion and my mother’s ability to bear children at forty.

LESSONS THAT SHAPE MARLIN’S JOURNEY

As a child of Cambodian immigrants, here are some of the things I learned:

  • Stay curious, for knowledge is a treasure that never diminishes and our curiosity fuels our drive to innovate. 
  • Having a positive outlook can transform our perception of life, particularly during trials.
  • Material wealth is temporary. The value in developing your knowledge and skills is what truly holds the key to unlocking your infinite potential for abundance, which created a drive for me to continually invest in myself.

Relentlessness and grit are values I learned from my parents’ stories at a young age. I come from a determined, resilient family that fights for love. Hearing stories of my mom walking from Cambodia to the border of Thailand in search of refuge taught me the power of determination. Based on these principles, I have always believed in my potential and fostering a strong work ethic. While I may not always be the most attractive or intelligent person in the room, I strive to outwork everyone to the best of my abilities.

FACING FAILURE, FINDING STRENGTH

When I was eighteen years old, I was selected as one of the top 10 finalists to compete on ‘Internet Icon,’ a show created by Ryan Higa, my content creator idol. Unfortunately, I ended up placing 8th on the show, and as a young eighteen-year-old, I was devastated. I doubted whether I could become a full-time content creator if I couldn’t win this competition.

In the following year, I took a service industry job at Chipotle and completely stopped making videos. By the end of that year, I felt a renewed sense of fervor and determination to pursue my career in content creation. The skills I learned from my job at Chipotle, such as executing with excellence to avoid repetition, transferred to my work ethic for content creation.

By doing something that wasn’t creative, it shifted my perspective with content creation and allowed me to pursue my passions with more fervor and focus. I realized that I would only be a failure if I gave up since you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. This experience resonated with the Japanese proverb, “Fall seven times, stand up eight.”

Over the next three years, I moved to Los Angeles, California, and gained over 1 million subscribers, turning content creation into a full-time job. I learned that if I could visualize my goals, they could become my reality, or even exceed beyond my imagination.

LOOKING AHEAD

My greatest accomplishment would be giving my parents a better life and inspiring kids to foster their talents and pursue their passions.

Looking ahead, my goals for the future are centered around bringing joy and delight to the world with my food and creations. I aspire to represent Asian Americans, who are under-represented in American media and encourage my Asian community to share a piece of their culture with others.

My dream is to become the first Cambodian American to bring a taste of Cambodia to every home with Snack Yay’s on a global scale. Bringing exposure to the Cambodian community would be a true fulfillment of my mission in life.

ABOUT HIS BRAND YAY’S

My Grandma, known as ‘Yay’ in Khmer, has been crafting beef crisps since the early 90’s to cover her apartment rent in Stockton, California. Beef crisps consist of thinly sliced marinated beef air-dried to a delightful crunch with flavor profiles that offer a symphony of umami, sweetness, and spiciness. Consumer goods expert Kathryn Tuttle described them as a fusion of ‘Beef Carpaccio meets potato chips meets bright Asian flavors.’ What sets these apart from traditional American beef jerky is their light and crispy texture. While regular beef jerky takes about 3 hours to dehydrate, beef crisps demand up to 20 hours for that perfect crispiness.

Growing up, I thought beef crisps was a snack that was readily available in stores. My earliest memories involved enjoying this delectable treat outdoors, helping my grandma sell them to our community. The concept of making Yay’s as a brand first came to me in December 2017. Though the idea took root then, I didn’t start the business until June 2023. Pioneering and expanding something unprecedented like this has not been an easy feat. It was very discouraging at first to reach out to over 57 different manufacturers and be told numerous times that it couldn’t be done because of the technical hurdles in producing beef jerky with this level of crispiness.

Yay’s is currently self-manufactured to ensure we use the highest quality ingredients. Every bag we send out meets our standards because we take the time to slow-dry the meat for over 20 hours, while typical beef jerky takes 3 hours to produce.

We initially started out in a small commercial kitchen in Camarillo, California, and transferred to a medium-sized commercial kitchen in New Jersey this year to increase production. We are sourcing USDA Prime meat from the same suppliers that many Michelin-starred restaurants in New York City use. Every bag of Yay’s is handcrafted because we value quality. For me, the possibility of sharing a taste of Cambodia to the world is a dream come true.

MARLIN CHAN’S INSPIRATIONAL MESSAGE TO YOUNG AAPI INDIVIDUALS

Never give up. Remember to focus on your own journey because you are uniquely you, and your authenticity is your ultimate gift to share with the world. Being referred to as a miracle baby since birth has shaped my perspective to preserve through the seasons of life and be grateful of the blessings in my life. Maintaining a positive attitude is a powerful tool to develop unwavering confidence in your potential to achieve anything you set your mind to.

CONNECT WITH MARLIN CHAN

Instagram: @marlinramseychan

Youtube: @snackmarlin

Yay’s Instagram: @snackyays

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4 Creative Ways Trysen Kaneshige Uses Art to Keep Aloha Alive

Some artists create for attention or fleeting trends, but Trysen creates with intention, guided by a deep sense of responsibility to the culture that shaped him. Growing up in Hawaiʻi, he learned that Aloha is not just a feeling, but a way of living rooted in care, respect, and connection.

That belief now guides both his art and his creative studio, Inspire to Create Media. Through murals, design work, and storytelling projects, Trysen uses his business as a platform to protect culture while helping others share their stories with intention.

1. Reviving Local Stories Through Murals

 

Photo courtesy of Trysen Kaneshige, Founder of Inspire to Create Media

At the core of Trysen’s work is listening. On Kauaʻi, he spends time learning from residents about their histories, struggles, and sources of pride before creating any artwork. This approach reflects the values he also brings into Inspire to Create Media, where storytelling always begins with people.

The murals that follow are rooted in real voices. They transform blank walls into visual records that help locals feel represented and allow visitors to understand the island through the community’s lived experience.

 

2. Designing With Aloha in Mind

 

Photo courtesy of Trysen Kaneshige, Founder of Inspire to Create Media

Aloha influences how Trysen collaborates, how carefully he considers each element, and how much intention goes into every decision. Design, for him, is about respect as much as aesthetics. That same mindset shapes the design work produced through Inspire to Create Media. 

Whether creating branding, apparel, or custom visuals, his goal is to make work that feels warm and grounded. Each piece is designed to reflect care, balance, and a sense of home rather than fleeting trends.

 

3. Empowering Youth and Community Spaces

 

Photo courtesy of Trysen Kaneshige (fourth from left), Founder of Inspire to Create Media

Beyond client work, Trysen uses both his art and his studio to invest in the next generation. Through partnerships with schools and wellness programs, Inspire to Create Media supports projects that turn shared spaces into places for expression and growth.

By involving young people in the creative process, he helps build confidence and identity. These initiatives focus less on the final product and more on giving youth a voice and a stronger connection to their roots.

 

4. Building a Global Bridge From Island Roots

 

Photo courtesy of Trysen Kaneshige, Founder of Inspire to Create Media

While his work is deeply rooted in Hawaiʻi, its reach continues to grow beyond the islands. Through collaborations with global brands like Volcom and OluKai, Trysen shares an authentic island perspective with a wider audience.

These partnerships amplify his message without compromising its foundation. By staying grounded in culture, he shows that it is possible to connect with the world while remaining true to where you come from.

 

Photo courtesy of Trysen Kaneshige, Founder of Inspire to Create Media

 

Carrying Aloha Forward

At its core, Trysen’s work—through his art and his studio, Inspire to Create Media—is an ongoing act of care. Through each project, he honors his home, uplifts his community, and uses creativity as a way to carry Aloha forward with intention, respect, and lasting impact.

More than anything, his work reflects a belief that culture is something you actively protect and pass on. By choosing collaboration over ego and meaning over trends, Trysen ensures that Aloha is not only preserved, but lived, felt, and shared with future generations.

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From Jackie Chan’s Assistant to Building Paire: How Nathan Yun’s Vision for Better Essentials Became a $15M a Year Brand

Nathan Yun did not start his career thinking he would one day build a consumer brand. His early years were spent on film sets and in editing rooms, learning how stories are shaped and how audiences respond to them. Working as an assistant to Jackie Chan gave him a front-row view of storytelling at its highest level. He watched how a single film could reach millions of people and create a shared emotional moment across cultures.

Yet over time, he noticed something that stayed with him. The inspiration was real, but it faded quickly. Once the credits rolled, people returned to their usual routines. That contrast made him question what lasting influence really looked like. Was it found in big, unforgettable moments, or in the small things people interacted with every day?

Paire grew out of that question, built not around trends or marketing tactics, but around everyday essentials, starting with socks. If stories could move people for a moment, Nathan believed products could shape how they lived every day.

From Film Sets to Daily Habits

Nathan came to understand that while stories stay with people selectively, habits are formed through repetition. Clothing, especially everyday essentials, plays a quiet but constant role in daily life. When something feels uncomfortable or wears out too quickly, people notice it immediately, even if they never say it out loud.

This insight marked a turning point. Nathan no longer wanted to create something people felt for a moment. He wanted to build something they could rely on every day. From the beginning, Paire was shaped around that idea.

Instead of chasing trends, the brand focused on fit, fabric, and longevity. The goal was simple: to make essentials people would reach for again without thinking.

Nathan Yun (right), Founder of Paire

Learning How to Build Before Building His Own

Before launching Paire, Nathan spent five years at furniture startup Brosa, where he learned what it takes to grow a business beyond an idea. As the company expanded from a ten-person team to more than one hundred employees, his role evolved from content creation to leading brand and marketing.

During that time, he saw how forecasting affected inventory, how data guided growth, and how pressure increased as operations scaled. He also witnessed what happened when demand moved faster than systems, and how costly it could be to build those systems too late.

Those experiences shaped how Nathan approached entrepreneurship. He did not want to build Paire on instinct alone. He wanted a clear understanding of supply chains, margins, logistics, and customer behavior before committing to his own brand.

Nathan Yun (far right), Founder of Paire

The Trip That Made the Mission Personal

The purpose behind Paire became clear during a trip to India. Away from polished storefronts and online campaigns, Nathan saw the fashion industry in a very different light. He witnessed environmental damage near production sites and spoke with workers whose livelihoods depended on high-volume manufacturing.

“That experience made it clear something needed to change,” Nathan explains. What stayed with him most was how disconnected these realities were from everyday shopping habits.

Much of the damage he saw came from clothing treated as disposable. When he returned home, Nathan reached out to his longtime friend Rex, a textile expert. Instead of launching a wide range of products, they chose to start small. The focus was on improving a single item and making it last.

Nathan Yun (left), Founder of Paire

Earning Trust Through the Product Itself

Nathan understood that values alone would not earn loyalty. The product had to prove itself in everyday life. The team spent months refining fabric blends, improving breathability, and testing durability through repeated wear and wash cycles.

Pricing a pair of socks at twenty-four dollars came with risk. Most consumers were used to buying socks cheaply and replacing them often. But once people tried Paire, many returned. Nearly seventy percent became repeat customers, not because of marketing, but because the product became part of their routine.

By focusing on quality and longevity, Nathan Yun built a $15M-a-year brand that shows meaningful change does not always arrive loudly. Sometimes, it begins quietly, through the simplest things we rely on every day.

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What the Creator Economy Really Needs in 2026

The creator economy is no longer a niche corner of the internet. It is a $250 billion industry, powering modern marketing, culture, and commerce. Yet for the creators at its core, the experience often remains unstable and fragmented. Inconsistent rates, shifting platform demands, and “gifting” budgets paired with outsized expectations have left many navigating an ecosystem that hasn’t caught up to their value.

As we look toward 2026, the industry is approaching a tipping point. Growth alone is no longer enough. What creators need now are standards, systems, and support that allow them to build sustainable careers—not just viral moments.

Below are five critical shifts shaping the future of creator work, and the standards Meraki is building to support a stronger, more intentional industry.

1. Stronger Structure for a Growing Industry

 

Photo courtesy of Vivian Kwan (center), Founder of Meraki Group

While creator content has never been more polished, the backend of the industry remains disorganized. Uneven pay scales, scope creep mid-campaign, and unclear paths to professional growth are still common. Creators are often met with constant brief changes or “gifting” requests that require high-level deliverables without fair compensation.

The gap: There is no shared structure defining fair rates, clear deliverables, or realistic timelines across the industry. Expectations are often implied rather than stated, leaving creators to absorb last-minute changes, unpaid revisions, and expanded usage. Over time, this places most of the financial and emotional risk on creators instead of being shared evenly with brand partners.

The Meraki solution: Meraki builds every partnership on clarity. Terms and rates are established upfront, expectations are clearly defined, and communication stays transparent throughout the process. By setting strong boundaries early, creators are protected from underpayment, and brands begin each project with a shared roadmap for success.

 

2. Education That Powers Careers, Not Just Content

 

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The biggest challenges creators face are rarely creative. They are structural. Pricing work correctly, understanding usage rights, and identifying harmful contract clauses remain major pain points—even for experienced creators.

Too often, creators are expected to learn these lessons the hard way.

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3. Standards in Negotiation and Contracts

 

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5. Representation Rooted in Voice, Not Trends

 

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The Next Era: Purpose Over Pressure

As we look toward 2026, the transition from a “Wild West” to a professionalized industry requires more than just better tools—it requires a fundamental shift in how we value the humans behind the content. 

Meraki sits at the center of this new era, bridging creative passion with real professional growth. By pushing for fair standards, ethical representation, and sustainable careers, Meraki does more than manage creators; they help protect the future of creative work.wi

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Where Identity Begins

Growing up in Australia as part of a small minority shaped Samantha’s early understanding of identity. It taught her what it feels like to search for belonging, to look for pieces of yourself in the world and not always find them. Those early lessons sat quietly in the background as she moved into adulthood.

Her career began in finance, a path she chose for its stability and predictability. But creativity eventually led her in a different direction. She built a thriving wedding photography studio—one that grew from passion, long nights, and the joy of capturing love stories. It was a life she couldn’t have imagined at the start.

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That led her on a simple search: dolls that reflected her daughters’ culture. But what she found were options that were limited, stereotypical, and often too expensive. It was a moment that crystallized something important. Realizing how quickly children learn about who they are, the idea for Joeydolls began to take shape—quietly, but powerfully.

Turning an Idea Into a Brand

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The timing made it even harder. Pandemic rules slowed communication. Shipping delays stretched out timelines from weeks to months. With very little funding, every decision mattered. Every misstep cost time she couldn’t afford to lose.

Then tariffs on goods from China jumped to 145%, and suddenly even the future of the business came into question. There were moments when it all seemed impossible—too expensive, too complex, too overwhelming for one person to navigate.

But Samantha kept going. She kept refining the vision, pushing through setbacks, and holding onto the mission that started it all. And she didn’t do it alone. Throughout the long nights and the uncertainty, she was supported by a husband working multiple jobs so she could stay focused on building the brand their daughters—and so many other children—deserved.

A Brand With a Bigger Purpose

Today, Joeydolls has sold over 15,000 dolls and earned major recognition. But those numbers only tell part of the story. At its heart, the brand is Samantha’s answer to a question that began during one of the hardest moments of her life: How do we help children grow up seeing their cultures celebrated, not erased?

Joeydolls stands as that answer—a way for children to see their cultures reflected with pride, dignity, and everyday joy. What started as a search for her own daughters became a mission to help thousands of children feel seen, valued, and connected to where they come from.

A single doll can seem small. But for many families, it’s a beginning. And for Samantha, it’s proof that representation—when created with care—can grow into something far bigger than one person’s story.

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