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December 19, 2025

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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

 

Image Source: Pexels

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.

The gap: Most creators enter the industry without access to professional guidance that supports long-term career growth. Knowledge around contracts, licensing, and negotiation is often gatekept or learned through costly mistakes. As a result, many creators stay stuck in short-term cycles instead of building sustainable paths forward.

The Meraki solution: Meraki focuses on training ethical, creator-first managers who act as true career partners. Through negotiation support and education around contract red flags, creators are equipped to think beyond the next deal and toward sustainable, multi-year growth.

 

3. Standards in Negotiation and Contracts

 

Image Source: Pexels

A significant number of creators still undercharge for their work, and 26% report needing help navigating contracts. Without standardized deal benchmarks, creators are often left guessing their worth—leading to pay gaps, rights misuse, and legal risk.

The gap: Negotiation norms vary widely, with no clear benchmarks for fair compensation or usage terms. Many contracts are written in dense legal language that creators are expected to sign without full understanding. This imbalance leaves creators vulnerable to losing control of their work and long-term earning potential.

The Meraki solution: Meraki empowers creators with defined negotiation standards and the confidence to secure fair, market-value deals. By demystifying contracts and usage terms, creators can focus on their craft knowing their income and intellectual property are protected.

 

4. Work Models That Protect Wellbeing

 

Image Source: Pexels

Burnout has become one of the industry’s most pressing issues, affecting more than half of full-time creators. The always-on model—driven by algorithm shifts and last-minute deadlines—is no longer sustainable.

Creativity cannot thrive under constant urgency.

The gap: Many campaigns are built around speed and volume rather than realistic creative timelines. Creators are expected to be constantly available, adapt instantly, and produce under pressure without recovery time. Over time, this erodes both creative quality and mental health.

The Meraki solution: Meraki advocates for structured planning and sustainable workflows. Campaign timelines are built to protect both creative quality and mental health, proving that high-level output does not require constant exhaustion.

 

5. Representation Rooted in Voice, Not Trends

 

Image Source: Pexels

Creators are increasingly resistant to being reduced to labels or treated as trend-driven checkboxes. True representation starts with understanding a creator’s voice—not forcing them into a predefined brand narrative.

The gap: Many partnerships remain transactional, prioritizing short-term relevance over genuine alignment. Creators are often selected to fill a category rather than for their perspective or long-term vision. This leads to inauthentic work that disconnects creators from their communities.

The Meraki solution: Meraki begins every partnership by listening. By understanding each creator’s goals and vision, Meraki aligns them with brands that share their values—fostering long-term relationships that feel authentic to both the creator and their community.

 

Photo courtesy of Vivian Kwan (second from left), Founder of Meraki Group

 

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

Learn more about Meraki Group:

📍Website

📍Instagram 

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Stories

Chinese American Writer Celebrates Family Bonds and Cultural Heritage in New Book About Dim Sum

In a time when the world seemed to close its doors, Los Angeles native and talented writer Kesia Eng found her inspiration for her  delightful children’s book titled “Baby Bao at Dim Sum.”

Kesia shares with Asian Hustle Network her motivation and experiences behind this captivating story that captures the essence of family bonds and the rich cultural heritage of East Asian cuisine.

Growing up, Kesia cherished her visits to dim sum restaurants with her family. The savory aroma, the clinking of chopsticks, and the joy of feasting on delicious food became the backdrop of countless treasured memories.

Dim sum not only brought her family together but also offered a window into her Chinese heritage, teaching her the values of respect, care, and love for others. Ultimately, these shaped her identity and inspired her to write this book.

The pandemic threatened to rob younger generations of the invaluable experiences Kesia cherished, making her determined to pass on the cultural significance of dim sum to kids and share it with others.

In her debut children’s book, “Baby Bao at Dim Sum,” Kesia beautifully weaves a tale that explores the importance of family, selflessness, and the joy of bonding over a delicious meal. This book serves as a tool for parents and children to read together, sparking meaningful conversations about the values embedded in East Asian culture.

Join us as we delve into the story behind “Baby Bao at Dim Sum” through an exclusive interview with Kesia Eng.

Dim sum helped me better understand and appreciate my parents and our Chinese culture. I think I can speak for many American kids who have immigrant parents: There aren’t a lot of things in common between our upbringing and theirs. But food is our shared connection.

Kesia Eng

KESIA’S INSPIRATION FOR WRITING “BABY BAO AT DIM SUM”

As with most recent creative endeavors, the idea for the book sprouted during the pandemic. Everything was closed. Schools were shut down. Sports games were canceled. Even my favorite Target store started closing at 8 p.m. The world truly was ending. But the most devastating thing? My beloved dim sum restaurants have stopped indoor dining.

I know it didn’t seem significant. There’s plenty of other food. Plus, we can still get takeout. But I grew up coming to these restaurants with my family. Going there was a real treat as a kid – taking in the savory aroma that fills the air, hearing the excited chatter and clinking of chopsticks all around you, and of course, feasting on all the varieties of delicious food. Every time I came back from college for the weekend, my parents would take me to eat dim sum – it was a huge part of our everyday life.

Most importantly, dim sum helped me better understand and appreciate my parents and our Chinese culture. I think I can speak for many American kids who have immigrant parents: There aren’t a lot of things in common between our upbringing and theirs. But food is our shared connection. Food isn’t just something you eat. When you look closely, the experience of dim sum is filled with the values of East Asian culture:

  • pouring tea for the oldest person at the table first, and your own cup last
  • serving food to others before yourself
  • keeping an eye on everyone’s cup so you can refill it for them
  • fighting to pay for the check (and never backing down, even if you have to chase down the waiter and force your Visa card into their hands) 
  • and so on

All of the above embody community-oriented respect, care, and love for others. It’s how my parents showed how deeply they loved our family, even through the mundane act of eating at a restaurant. When my mom saves the biggest and best dumpling for me, or when my dad reaches across the table to fill my teacup first, I know it’s because they love me. And it’s a way for me to show my love in return – pouring their tea first, giving the best dim sum piece to them, (and yes, now that I’m a post-grad adult, literally fighting to pay that check). It’s not just nostalgia – dim sum is an essential part of my heritage, shaping how I’ve grown up, who I am, and who I want to become.

With COVID, it seemed like the pandemic would take these valuable moments away from younger generations. To be honest, it made me sad because I didn’t want them to grow up without having that experience, and thus a practical understanding of their cultural background. It’s a learning moment I want to pass on to kids and share with other people too.

“BABY BAO IS ME”

Part of the reason why I chose to focus on the theme of family and selflessness is in reaction to a lot of Asian American stories today that center on the difficult relationships that kids have with their immigrant parents.

I think the current popular narrative sometimes pushes this idea of hyperindividualism; that it’s all about the self and what the self wants. I totally understand the heart behind where that narrative/story comes from but sometimes it can demonize our parents for being hateful because they don’t agree with everything we say or do what we expect. Granted, nobody is perfect. But I think it’s important to have empathy towards our parents who grew up in a different environment than we did. We can try to put ourselves in their shoes, imagine the upbringing they had, the hardships they went through, etc.

And to be honest, I wrote it because of my own revelation. Baby Bao is me. I wrote Baby Bao as myself because I definitely was not a self-sacrificial loving kid growing up. It wasn’t until college that I realized I had taken their love and care for granted. I think it’s easy for us to be selfish and maybe not consider what our parents would appreciate or how they care for us. They do love us, but maybe it isn’t expressed in the exact fashion we expect it to be. 

FULL CREATIVE CONTROL AS A SELF-PUBLISHER

I knew the route of traditional publishing was long and a bit arduous. I felt like there were many gatekeepers and I didn’t want the flow/speed of my project to be hindered because of it.

It kinda goes like this: after you do your due diligence on finding the appropriate literary agent, you have to keep cold-emailing them about your manuscript, hoping they’d want to support you and your book. And finally landing a literary agent could range from a few months to a few years. They’re the best resource to connect you to a traditional publisher who would get your book published. 

But why wait for someone to give me the green light when I could just get my book out directly to the audience? I like to think I have an entrepreneurial spirit , because when I really believe in something, I don’t want to wait for someone to give me approval to do it. I just want to go for it. So I decided to self-publish my idea.

I think what’s truly unique about this book is that the illustrations are not 2D animated artwork that’s common in picture books. I can’t draw to save my life and I didn’t have enough funds to hire an illustrator, so I brainstormed ways to figure out how I was going to make the visual part of the story come to life.

While rummaging through my bookshelf, I found an old book my parents bought when I was young, that taught simple Chinese words. The front cover looked so interesting to me – it was a claymation of a girl. That basically spawned the idea of using claymation/”stop-motion” as the illustrations of the book.

I made all the sets, characters, and mini items by hand with lots of construction paper, cardboard, and other materials. I then taught myself product lighting, photography, and photo editing. I also run all the social media accounts. And this is in addition to writing the story myself, so it was truly a one-woman production.

Fun fact: I gave my book to Netflix Bling Empire’s Christine Chiu!

WHAT KESIA HOPES THAT READERS WILL TAKE AWAY

If I can narrow it down to just 3 takeaways I hope parents and children get out of this book, it’s that (1) family is important (2) loving others often requires self-sacrifice but is definitely worth it and (3) dim sum is an avenue we can use to love and cherish our families more!

I wanted parents and their children to think deeply about the message together. And that desire played a huge part in why I decided to deliver that through the form of a children’s book. I think the nature of children’s books often necessitates parent-child bonding because parents often read to their kids who aren’t strong independent readers yet.

So the book, “Baby Bao at Dim Sum” is a great opportunity for parents to bond with their cute kiddos just by reading it together. It also leads parents to talk through the story more with their children by mentioning the cultural values of it, going over the universal value of family, and asking them insightful questions about what they learned or what they noticed. 

DIVERSITY AND REPRESENTATION IN CHILDREN’S LITERATURE

I’m seeing a lot of great Asian American children’s books recently and I envision “Baby Bao at Dim Sum” adding depth to the representation of the Asian American experience in children’s literature.

The book shows that parents and/or family relatives ought to be given importance as well.

Additionally, the book does a great job showing and not just telling how the cultural values common in East Asian culture (community-oriented respect, care, and love for others) are embedded into the subtle actions (pouring tea for the oldest person at the table first and your own cup last, serving food to others before yourself, and keeping an eye on everyone’s cup so you can refill it for them) during a traditional Chinese meal.

Representation is showing the authentic experience of something, and I think showing chicken feet, regardless of people’s initial reaction to it, is an important unfiltered experience of dim sum. So I made it a mission for myself to include the chicken feet dish in my children’s book (right on the first page) because it’s an iconic Chinese cultural food. I think just because it’s different from what most people outside of the culture may see, it doesn’t make it weird or gross. Walk into a dim sum restaurant and you see it on the tables of so many diners.

I hope the story is an easy and welcoming way for people unfamiliar with East Asian culture, to learn about it and get a glimpse of what really goes on during an authentic Chinese meal of dim sum. Additionally, I think it’s a perfect book for East Asian families to personally connect with those experiences and pass them down to younger generations. 

It really warms my heart to see so many parents message me that their little ones love the book, want to read it every night with them, or want to eat dim sum because of it. Seeing those comments and messages never gets old!

UPCOMING PROJECTS

I drafted several storylines for the next potential “Baby Bao” adventure, and have whittled it down to two options. I can’t reveal when this project is going to be done just yet, but it’s in the works! Many of my readers have expressed that they’d love to see more of Baby Bao, so I’m happy to continue working on more stories with him as the protagonist.

In terms of other work, I’m actually in the process of finalizing a manuscript for my next writing project: a satirical poetry book about early adulthood! I enjoy comedy and I enjoy satire, so of course, I had to try writing with that flair. The book is a witty take on young adult life and pokes fun at relatable moments we experience in careers, friendships, and love. Final touches are being added. Release date TBA but aiming for before this fall season. 

Readers can expect that I’ll be pursuing different writing projects because I want to build upon my writing skills and flex my creative muscle. I think I have a knack for knowing my audience well and crafting stories that are relatable to all of us on a human level. So I’m really excited to continue exploring various story ideas and styles of writing to see what I’m the best at and produce work that my readers would love.

CONNECT WITH KESIA / BABY BAO AT DIM SUM

Instagram: @babybaoatdimsum

Tiktok: @babybaoatdimsum

Amazon: BUY HERE

Email: babybaoatdimsum@gmail.com

Website: kesiaeng.com

  • 11 min read
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News

21-Year Old Who Had Motor Skill Challenges Breaks Record as World’s Fastest Rubik’s Cube Solver

Max Park, a 21-year-old Korean-American from Cerritos, California who lacked fine motor skills, as a symptom of his autism, emerged as the world’s fastest Rubik’s cube solver, setting a new world record of solving the cube in just 3.13 seconds.

According to NPR, Max faced motor skill difficulties during his preteen years as a result of autism, making even simple tasks like unscrewing a water bottle cap a challenge for him. Now, Max can solve a Rubik’s cube faster than most people can read a sentence.

During a recent competition in Southern California on June 11th, Max astounded the speedcubing community by setting a new world record for the fastest 3x3x3 Rubik’s cube time, clocking in at a mind-boggling 3.13 seconds. Matthew Dickman, the senior delegate for the United States and Canada at the World Cube Association, described Max’s achievement as the “holy grail of records.”

Max’s journey began at the age of 9 when he developed an interest in the Rubik’s cube. His mother, Miki, took the initiative to learn how to solve it herself through YouTube tutorials. Within a mere couple of days, Max solved the puzzle effortlessly. This newfound passion for cubing led him to participate in his first speedcube competition in downtown Los Angeles at the age of 10.

Image Source: Guinness World Record

The popularity of speedcubing has surged in recent years, with over a dozen competitions held worldwide each weekend and a registered base of over 140,000 cubers from 140 countries. These events encompass various challenges, ranging from blindfolded solves to one-handed techniques.

However, the original 3x3x3 cube remains the centerpiece of the sport, attracting the most skilled competitors who have mastered hundreds of algorithms to conquer the puzzle. The speedcubing scene has become increasingly competitive, with participants continually pushing the limits, often beating their rivals by mere fractions of a second.

Schwan, Max’s father, said that his success gives a sense of hope for the parents too, that their child can find something they’re passionate about and it will help give them a sense of purpose.

As Max continues to break barriers, his impact extends far beyond solving a puzzle. His achievements serve as a symbol of determination, resilience, and the boundless potential that lies within each of us.

Featured Image Source: NPR

  • 2 min read
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News

Indian Immigrant Uncovers South Asian Stories Through Media Platform

Founded by Snigdha Sur in 2019, the Juggernaut is a subscription-based website that breathes life into forgotten histories and brings depth to current topics.

Sur was born in India and immigrated to the United States with her parents in 1990. Growing up in the Bronx and Queens, she experienced firsthand the lack of media outlets catering to South Asians of her generation. This led her to create a platform that would bridge the gap and provide authentic representation.

Sur’s journey towards launching the Juggernaut was marked by exceptional academic achievements and valuable professional experiences. After completing her undergraduate studies at Yale University, she embarked on a career in management consulting, working at prestigious firms like McKinsey & Company. She then pursued an MBA at Harvard Business School, where she honed her strategic acumen and entrepreneurial spirit.

Juggernaut’s mission is to uncover compelling stories that frequently go overlooked. The platform quickly gained traction, capturing the attention of a diverse audience eager for meaningful storytelling. 

Sur faced her fair share of challenges along the way. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Sur adeptly adapted the platform’s focus, demonstrating resilience and a commitment to delivering the content that resonates most with the Juggernaut’s audience.

Looking ahead, Sur envisions a future where the Juggernaut becomes a household name, synonymous with South Asian storytelling and expertise. Drawing inspiration from successful media ventures like the New York Times and the Athletic, Sur envisions a platform that collaborates with major productions, offers narrative consultation, and produces compelling content across various mediums. 

Featured Image Source: The Guardian

  • 2 min read
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News

TikTok Invests Billions to Drive E-Commerce Success in Southeast Asia

TikTok, the popular short video app owned by ByteDance, has announced plans to invest billions of dollars in Southeast Asia in a bid to boost its e-commerce business.

The move comes as TikTok aims to capitalize on its large user base in the region and address concerns over data security. With a collective population of 630 million, half of whom are under 30 years old, Southeast Asia represents a key market for TikTok, attracting over 325 million monthly visitors to the app.

Despite its impressive user numbers, TikTok has struggled to convert its popularity into significant e-commerce revenue in Southeast Asia, facing tough competition from established players such as Shopee, Lazada, and Tokopedia.

To address this challenge, TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew revealed the company’s plans to invest billions of dollars in Indonesia and the broader Southeast Asian region over the next few years. While a detailed breakdown of the investment plan was not provided, TikTok intends to focus on training, advertising, and supporting small vendors interested in joining its e-commerce platform, TikTok Shop.

Chew emphasized that TikTok’s content is becoming more diverse as the platform expands beyond advertising into e-commerce. This evolution enables consumers to make purchases directly through the app during live streams. In Indonesia, TikTok’s largest market in Southeast Asia, the platform already hosts 2 million small vendors selling their products. The region’s e-commerce transactions reached nearly $100 billion in 2022, with Indonesia alone accounting for $52 billion of that figure, according to Reuters.

While Southeast Asian governments have not imposed major bans on government devices, TikTok has faced scrutiny regarding its content. In 2018, Indonesia briefly banned the app due to concerns over inappropriate content, while Vietnam has expressed concerns about the platform’s impact on local culture and tradition.

Despite the challenges posed by established competitors and data security concerns, TikTok remains committed to expanding its presence in Southeast Asia and tapping into the region’s vibrant e-commerce market.

Featured Image Source: CNN

  • 2 min read