Cheryl Mainland on Empowering the Next Generation

Stories

March 1, 2025

“Over time, I realized that speaking and understanding Chinese wasn’t just a ‘useful skill’—it is my superpower and key to belonging,” says Cheryl Mainland, Founder & CEO of Dragon Academy. Her fluency in Chinese has been a source of identity and has played a key role in her journey—from understanding her cultural heritage to excelling at Harvard in East Asia Studies and negotiating successful global business deals.

Recognizing the power of language to bridge cultures and connect with 1.3 billion native Chinese speakers, Cheryl is now committed to creating an engaging and interactive multi-media platform for children and adults worldwide to learn Chinese through Dragon Academy.

At its core, Dragon Academy is an epic tale of nine multicultural teens journeying through six mystical realms brimming with ancient legends, mythical beasts, and dragons – all united in a quest to bridge worlds. This story is told across multiple media formats and channels, including a book series, social media content, an AI animation series, and other cultural initiatives. Complementing their adventure is a highly gamified app that transforms Chinese language learning into an exciting, immersive, (and even addictive) experience.

A mother of three, serial entrepreneur, lifelong adventurer, and avid surfer, Cheryl has become an inspiration to many. She has been featured in top media outlets such as The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Vogue, Tatler, WWD, and numerous other prestigious publications.

Cheryl Mainland, Founder & CEO, Dragon Academy (Image Source: Samanta Katz)

The Struggle of Language and Identity

Cheryl embodies the essence of a third-culture kid. Born in Taiwan, she is half-Chinese, half-American, and raised across Asia, she navigated the complexities of identity, language, and belonging from an early age.

Cheryl with her maternal and paternal grandmothers Taipei, Taiwan, 1983 (Image Source: Cheryl Mainland)

“Like many of us, I grew up straddling two worlds. The ultimate translator of languages, cultures, generations. I carry with me the collective memory of (boring) Saturday Chinese school, the struggle of keeping up with my Chinese lessons, and the challenge of celebrating my heritage while forging my own path,” Cheryl says. “After having kids, I witnessed their similar struggles – nothing has changed.” She recognized that the traditional methods of learning Chinese – endless hours of copying hanzi characters on square grid paper (田字格) – have experienced minimal change over the centuries, relying on rote memorization rather than engagement.

Not wanting her children to face the same language learning struggles she faced (and hundreds of thousands of other Chinese learners), Cheryl is embracing this as an opportunity to spark a cultural movement that breathes new life into the Chinese language and culture. Dragon Academy’s strategy ignites a passion for learning through an epic narrative delivered via a highly gamified app, an AI mini-series, a book series, social media content, and a future film adaptation. Each of the multimedia platform components captures the story-based enthusiasm, teaching Chinese through nine proprietary building block methods that make learning Chinese fun, engaging, and truly relevant.

Dragon Academy Universe: the foundation of a highly gamified Chinese language learning app, book series, cartoons, feature films, documentaries, merchandise, and console games. (Image Source: Cheryl Mainland)

Cheryl’s Entrepreneurial Journey: Empowering the Masses

Throughout Cheryl’s entrepreneurial ventures, a constant theme has been empowering communities by identifying unmet needs and transforming the “uncool” into “cool” through innovative solutions. From dressing corporate women in clothes that boosted their self-confidence in the boardroom (The Fold London), to inspiring tweens and teens “to wear their invisible crown” on all special occasions (PromGirl.com), to reimagining sun-protective fashion—proving that staying safe in the sun doesn’t mean sacrificing style (Mott50)—her work consistently uplifts and inspires.

Most recently, to celebrate the launch of Dragon Academy Book 1 during Lunar New Year 2025, Cheryl partnered with artist Archie Geotina to honor the 46 million-strong Chinese diaspora through Pearls, an art series. Chinese Pearls features three generations of female surfers from diverse Chinese heritage – Indonesian Chinese, Singaporean Chinese, mixed-Chinese families, adoptees, and expats – riding Bali’s iconic waves in modern QiPao, empowering the community and highlighting its resilience, heritage, and unity.

A Future for the Community

“As an Asian American entrepreneur, Asian American mom, and a lifelong advocate for bridging cultures, I resonate deeply with AHN’s mission to uplift and empower the global Asian diaspora,” Cheryl affirms.

She draws a parallel between Dragon Academy’s goal to reignite the next generation’s connection to their heritage and AHN’s commitment to rewriting narratives and celebrating Asian excellence. When asked about her future plans, Cheryl confidently states, “We are on an ambitious mission to increase the percentage of the world that speaks Chinese by 5% over the next five years.”

An estimated 5 million people started learning Japanese because of Manga, 15 million took up Korean because of K-pop, Dragon Academy is set to start a Chinese language movement. By juxtaposing storytelling and technology, Dragon Academy is approaching Chinese language learning from an “obsess, learn, master” order.

“Imagine a world where kids want to learn Chinese because they see it as their ultimate superpower and key to belonging. That’s the future we’re building,” exclaims Cheryl.

And the journey is just beginning. Dragon Academy Book 1 launched at the beginning of this year. The highly gamified learning app, immersive AI mini-series, and a host of exciting cultural initiatives are currently in development. The first round of external investment has commenced – seeking visionary, like-minded investors to join this transformative movement. Dragon Academy is poised to redefine the landscape of Chinese language learning and cultural exploration.

DRAGON ACADEMY “Traditional Scene.” The OG Dragon Keepers, ancestors of the 9 multicultural teenage protagonists of the Dragon Academy Universe. (Artist: Andrew Archer)

Learn More about Dragon Academy

Website: https://dragonacademy.com/

Instagram: @dragonacademy_official

Book 1: www.amazon.com/dp/B0DM4YDLL3

Connect With Cheryl Mainland

Instagram: @cherylmainland

LinkedIn: Cheryl Mainland

Email: Cheryl@dragonacademy.com

News

The Price of Perception: What You’re Paying for in Luxury Goods

What makes a luxury product cost so much? The short answer is perceived value. But perception is a fragile thing: it shifts, it evolves, and when it does, things begin to get complicated.

Take a luxury handbag, for example. Whether it’s Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, or Hérmes, many of us are willing to spend thousands for that one beautifully crafted accessory. Why? Because we associate these brands with European sophistication, centuries of artisanal craftsmanship, and impeccable quality. We buy more than a bag; we buy into a story.

Now, imagine buying a bag labeled Made in China. If it’s affordable, you might not care. But if it has a luxury price tag? You might pause. The label alone could influence how you value the item.

The kicker is: Remember the bag you treasure from your favorite luxury brand? Based on the claims of factory workers and viral TikTokers, many high-end luxury products are manufactured in China, then shipped to Europe, to be relabeled and sold as European-made.

This controversial debate has sent the internet into a tailspin, asking: Are we paying for craftsmanship or the illusion of origin?

This is where soft power comes into play. It shapes how we see the world. We look at Hollywood movies and see the U.S. as a place filled with great dreams. We see the beautiful K-pop stars and K-drama idols, and we want Korean beauty products to fulfill our desire to be pretty like them. Customers don’t crave an expensive handbag because it’s objectively better; they buy it because of what luxury products emotionally and symbolically mean to them.

But in the wake of trade wars and rising consumer awareness, people are beginning to question the true value behind the price tag. Is it about where the product is made, or where we believe it’s made?

Whether this TikTok trend is a fleeting controversy or a wake-up call, one thing is certain: when perception changes, so do buying habits. And that could reshape the entire future of an industry.

https://www.tiktok.com/@sen.bags_/video/7494196205917097262?q=made%20in%20china&t=1745296877126

Apr 18, 2025
2 min read

Stories

How Deena Kong Is Rewriting Representation in Children’s Literature

Growing up Cambodian in North America, Deena Kong often felt invisible—a feeling that followed her from Canada to the U.S. and ultimately inspired her to write Grateful Being Me, a book to help children understand representation matters.

Deena Kong with her book Grateful Being Me (Photographed By: Jamie Sutera) — Deena Kong with her book Grateful Being Me *(Photographed By: Jamie Sutera)*

Seeing Herself in Stories

Growing up Cambodian in North America, Deena often felt invisible.

“I truly believed as a child that no one else could relate to these feelings I was experiencing,” she shares. “That’s why I wanted to share my story with others.”

Raised by supportive parents, Deena became a passionate reader, ultimately leading her to create a book that would help children from similar backgrounds see themselves represented.

“Representation matters,” Deena explains. “When a child wanders through a library or bookstore, they should be able to find themselves in the stories and pictures. I hope Grateful Being Me encourages self-acceptance, celebrates diversity, and promotes inclusion by empowering children to connect with one another.”

*Grateful Being Me (Photographed By: Jamie Sutera)*

The Making of Grateful Being Me

Finding time to write proved challenging while working full-time as a Government Contractor in Ethics & Compliance and raising a family. Yet Deena’s determination to promote diversity and inclusion kept her going until her book was ready for publication.

“Modeled after my real-life experiences, this book follows a young girl named Rosila on her adventure in an unfamiliar place,” Deena says proudly.

The story chronicles Rosila’s first day at a new school in a new country, where she discovers what makes her unique and learns the power of self-love.

“Rosila’s first language isn’t English, so her vocabulary stands out,” Deena notes. “She brings ethnic foods that seem unusual compared to typical American cafeteria lunches. The story captures her nervousness about how classmates will react as she navigates this new environment and makes friends.”

Through Grateful Being Me, Deena offers a powerful tool to help children understand they belong anywhere. The book thoughtfully explores the complex emotions children face when encountering unfamiliar situations, ultimately showing them that their uniqueness is something to be celebrated.

Connect

Instagram: @bydeenakong

Website: Deena Kong

Purchase your copy of Grateful Being Me on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, or Books-A-Million.

Apr 18, 2025
2 min read

News

‘This Moment Doesn’t Happen for Vietnamese American Girls Like Me’: Thuy’s Words Hit Home for Generations of Asians

Thuy has always been a proud Vietnamese at heart. In April 2024, Vietnamese American R&B artist Thuy made history at Coachella as the first official solo Vietnamese American artist to grace the well-known music festival. This year, a video clip of her Coachella speech has become widespread, sending out a powerful message to young Asian girls out there.

Thuy, a Vietnamese American R&B artist, shares empowering words for Vietnamese American girls. (Image source: PAPER Magazine)

Originally from the Bay Area, Thuy revealed that she grew up in a traditional family, hence, shaping her as a former optometric technician. However, weekend karaoke sessions with her family have brought her musicianship to life, sparking an interest that soon flourished. Taking a leap of faith and moving to Los Angeles (LA) for a music career, Thuy has proven to herself that the leap was a must, especially with the well-liked hit “girls like me don’t cry.”

Beyond her musical talent and captivating stage presence, Thuy’s performance at Coachella stands for something way greater—the well-deserved representation of Vietnamese Americans and Asian Americans in general. Her success challenges traditional expectations within Asian American households, where creative careers are discouraged due to the fear of instability associated with the jobs. Moreover, this is also a significant step forward in diversifying the music industry and amplifying underrepresented voices.

‘This moment doesn’t happen for Vietnamese American girls like me,” Thuy reflected during her Coachella performance. “I am so honored to be here today to be the first official solo Vietnamese American.”

https://www.tiktok.com/@thuyuniverse/video/7492153731891399978

Apr 17, 2025
2 min read

Blogs, Development

Is Your Homepage Welcoming or Driving Visitors Away?

Your homepage is like a party host—it either welcomes guests with open arms or sends them running for the exit. So, how can you ensure your homepage draws in visitors? Here are some tips:

Prioritize Essential Information

Modern users have short attention spans, so your homepage must prioritize essential information. Clearly state what you do, why visitors should care, and how you solve their pain points. The more straightforward this is, the less likely users will leave confused or frustrated.

Keep It Simple

Simplicity is key in navigation, layout, and messaging. While visitors may not convert immediately, an intuitive and engaging experience encourages them to explore further and return later. Avoid clutter, streamline choices, and guide users effortlessly to what matters most.

Build Confidence

Most importantly, your homepage must build confidence. People dislike feeling lost or unsure, so eliminate complexity. Use clear descriptions, trusted testimonials, and logical organization to make visitors feel comfortable and informed from the first click. A confident user is far more likely to stay, engage, and eventually convert.

Create Your Irresistible Homepage!

Why AHN Solutions?

A homepage carries a lot of significance and can make or break your website. Let AHN Solutions be your ultimate wingman, transforming your digital front door into an experience visitors will love to stay for.

Book a FREE call with us

If you want to learn more about our services, visit the AHN Solutions website at asianhustlenetwork.com/services/

Apr 17, 2025
2 min read