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July 1, 2024

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Benny Yap and Jae Tan are not just co-founders of TGFX Agency; they are a powerhouse duo transforming businesses through innovative branding and marketing.

Benny Yap, a seasoned entrepreneur, is renowned for his outstanding achievements in the marketing and advertising industry. His expertise encompasses advertising, branding, illustration, and ideation. Benny Yap’s leadership and artistic vision play a pivotal role in shaping TGFX’s distinctive approach to branding and marketing, driving its success.

Jae Tan is a dedicated and results-driven entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in branding, web development, and video production. Under his strategic guidance and leadership, Jae has propelled TGFX to unprecedented success.

Jae Tan (left) and Benny Yap in a meeting.
Jae Tan (left) and Benny Yap in a meeting.

In an exclusive interview with Asian Hustle Network, Benny and Jae share their journey, challenges, and insights, offering a glimpse into the dynamic partnership driving TGFX. Read on to discover how they are transforming brands and making a lasting impact on the marketing industry.

EARLY CAREER AND THE BIRTH OF TGFX

Benny Yap and Jae Tan both studied graphic design and advertising and initially met through a design project. This collaboration not only brought them together as best friends but also sparked the idea of starting a business together. They realized that by combining their forces—their creativity and design skills—they could tackle the business world more effectively as a team. This shared vision and partnership led them to start TGFX.

OVERCOMING INITIAL CHALLENGES

Benny and Jae faced significant challenges when starting TGFX, especially during the COVID period. One of the biggest hurdles was adapting their business model. Initially, they focused on one-off jobs, but they soon realized the need for stability and consistent cash flow.

They decided to pivot to a retainer basis, particularly in social media marketing. This shift not only helped them navigate through a difficult time but also allowed them to build stronger, long-term relationships with their clients.

DYNAMIC PARTNERSHIP

As co-founders, Benny and Jae complement each other perfectly in running TGFX. Benny, previously from BBDO Advertising agency, brings a wealth of creativity and innovative ideas, driving the creative direction and ensuring the campaigns are cutting-edge, Meanwhile, Jae excels in managing operations and strategic planning, providing a solid foundation for the business. This dynamic allows them to leverage their individual strengths, resulting in a well-balanced and effective partnership.

TGFX’S MISSION AND CORE VALUES

TGFX’s mission is to help businesses across Australia succeed and thrive. Their core values include providing world-class services and being recognized as one of the best and most innovative agencies in Australia. They emphasize treating clients like family and growing alongside them, fostering strong, long-term relationships built on trust and mutual success. 

INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC CHALLENGES

Having worked with numerous businesses across various industries, TGFX encounters several industry-specific challenges. Key issues include maintaining brand consistency, attracting the right customers, and building a loyal customer base.

TGFX addresses these challenges by tackling each core issue one day at a time and maintaining consistency in everything they do for the brand. This methodical and dedicated approach helps their clients overcome obstacles and achieve long-term success.

IMPACT ON THE ASIAN COMMUNITY

As entrepreneurs with roots in the Asian community, Benny and Jae see TGFX Agency as having a significant impact and contribution to this community. With 80% of their clientele being Asian-owned businesses, TGFX Agency is dedicated to helping the Asian business community in Australia thrive. By providing tailored branding and marketing strategies, they support these businesses in achieving success and growth.

Jae Tan (left) and Benny Yap
With TGFX, the duo aim to uplift Asian businesses in Australia.

ADVICE FOR ASPIRING ENTREPRENEURS

Benny and Jae emphasize the importance of adding value to the marketplace. Aspiring entrepreneurs should understand their consumers’ needs and preferences thoroughly, conduct extensive market research, and stay attuned to industry trends and client feedback.

“Persistence is key—never give up, even when faced with challenges. Building a successful agency requires resilience, continuous learning, and an unwavering commitment to delivering exceptional service and results. In addition to that, our team is the cornerstone of our success. Without their dedication and hard work, we wouldn’t have achieved our current position. Each member plays a crucial role in our accomplishments, bringing unique skills and perspectives that drive our progress forward. We are deeply grateful for their commitment and contribution to our shared goals. Together, we continue to grow and thrive, thanks to their invaluable efforts,” Benny and Jae shared.

Benny Yap (left) and Jae Tan
Benny (left) and Jae highlight persistence, market research, and a strong team as keys to success.

FUTURE VISION AND GOALS

TGFX Agency continually strives to expand into new areas across Australia and different industries, aiming to deliver data-driven results to businesses in need of growth. They are also committed to expanding their Malaysia agency, bringing on new businesses, and growing the team there.

Benny and Jae are excited about the future and look forward to furthering their impact on businesses both locally and internationally. Their advice to others is to stay focused, and consistent, and always strive to add value. Understand your customers’ needs and don’t shy away from innovation.

CONNECT WITH TGFX

Website: tgfx.com.au

Instagram: @tgfx.agency

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How Buddhist Values Helped Thai Lee Build a $16B Tech Empire and Become the U.S.’ 5th-Richest Self-Made Woman

Born in Thailand and raised in South Korea, Thai Lee was shaped by constant cultural shifts from a young age. Although her family practiced Christianity, her early education in a Buddhist primary school introduced her to ideas that would quietly guide her life and leadership.

There, she learned that life is marked by suffering, impermanence, and uncertainty. Rather than seeing these as obstacles, she absorbed them as realities to work with—an outlook that later became central to her approach to business and power.

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Embracing Suffering as a Path to Growth

A core Buddhist teaching Lee internalized early was that suffering is not a failure, but a condition of growth. This belief trained her to stay calm under pressure and to see difficulty as something to be managed, not avoided.

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Practicing Utility Over Ego in Business

When Lee purchased a failing IT reseller in 1989 for $1 million and renamed it Software House International, she rejected the idea of growth for growth’s sake. Guided by the Buddhist value of utility, she asked one simple question: does this technology truly help people?

Instead of chasing trends or flashy innovations, she prioritized practical solutions that made work more efficient and reliable. This steady, service-driven approach allowed SHI to earn trust over time, scaling quietly into a $16 billion global company serving major institutions like Boeing and AT&T.

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Right Livelihood as the Measure of Success

As her wealth grew, Lee leaned more deeply into the Buddhist principle of Right Livelihood—earning success through ethical means and responsibility to others. She believes leadership should reduce harm, not amplify ego or excess.

Despite being the fifth-richest self-made woman in the United States, she avoids executive privileges and symbolic power. By parking with employees, managing her own calendar, and staying close to daily operations, she reinforces her belief that real wealth is measured by trust, dignity, and the well-being of the 7,000+ people she leads.

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The Healing Power of the 27-Foot Buddha over New York City by Vietnamese Artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen

New York City is a place defined by constant noise and fast movement. Starting next spring, a 27-foot-tall Buddha statue will be installed on the High Line Plinth to change that atmosphere.

This 27-foot-tall sculpture is the latest installation on the High Line Plinth, towering over the city as a beacon of reflection. Created by Vietnamese artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen, it represents a profound intersection of ancient spirituality and modern history.

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Historical Acupuncture: Healing Global Wounds

Tuan Andrew Nguyen describes his creative process as “historical acupuncture,” a method of using art to target and release the pressure of buried traumas. 

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Weapons into Wisdom: The Alchemy of Brass

The most poignant detail of the sculpture lies in its hands, which are not merely carved but recast from a darker history. 

Nguyen utilized brass artillery shells recovered from war-torn landscapes, melting down the literal tools of death to forge sacred gestures of compassion. This transformation represents a literal and figurative alchemy, turning the debris of violence into a silent blessing for New York City. 

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A Global Refugee: Resilience in Sandstone

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The Fighter Mentality Driving Anthony Kwok, CEO and Co-Founder at ZILIO, to Fix Fashion’s Most Overlooked Problem

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Those experiences now shape how Anthony runs ZILIO, a fashion tech company building AI-powered sizing solutions for brands and uniform providers. What looks like a startup on the surface is really the result of years spent learning how pressure exposes real problems, and how frustration often points to what needs fixing most.

At ZILIO, Anthony brings that mindset to one of fashion’s most overlooked challenges: the perfect fit. Not just as a sizing issue, but as a confidence issue that affects how people show up, move through their day, and feel in their own skin.

The Lessons That Carried Him Through

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Walking away would have been understandable. Instead, Anthony leaned into the discipline he learned as a fighter. As he puts it, “Being a professional fighter taught me one non-negotiable principle: Never quit. No matter what. That philosophy carried me through recovery and continues to guide how I build today.”

Solving the “Booty Short” Problem

The idea for ZILIO was born from personal frustration. As an athlete with a specific build, Anthony found online shopping to be a constant gamble. He still remembers ordering gym shorts that arrived fitting like “booty shorts,” an experience that made him wonder why we can dress video game avatars perfectly but struggle to do the same in real life.

ZILIO solves this by replacing confusing size charts with accurate AI recommendations. The company started with corporate uniforms, where poor fit creates massive operational headaches for brands like Coles and Australian Unity. The impact was immediate. ZILIO has helped partners cut returns by 40% and significantly boosted customer engagement by giving them a fit they can trust.

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Helping People Stop Second-Guessing Their Bodies

For Anthony, this mission is personal. He knows that standard size charts often fail people with diverse backgrounds and body types, including many in the Asian community. His goal is to make sizing “invisible” so that people can focus on their style instead of their anxiety.

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From War Survivor to Literary Leader: The Remarkable Rise of Amy M. Le, CEO of Quill Hawk Publishing

Amy M. Le, CEO of Quill Hawk Publishing, has built her life around stories that matter. Not the polished kind that skip the hard parts, but the honest ones shaped by loss, survival, and growth. Her journey reflects how personal history can quietly become a source of strength.

Every stage of Amy’s life pushed her to adapt and redefine what success looked like. She learned early that resilience is not loud or dramatic, but steady and intentional. Over time, those lessons shaped the way she approaches both writing and leadership.

Today, Amy’s work centers on creating space for voices that are often overlooked. Through publishing and community-building, she helps others turn lived experience into stories that resonate far beyond the page.

 

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Born in War, Saved by Courage

Amy M. Le was born during the final months of the Vietnam War, a period defined by intense fear and systemic instability. As an infant, she faced a life-threatening heart condition that put her future in jeopardy before it had truly begun. Because medical resources were scarce in a war zone, her survival was never a guarantee.

Driven by a mother’s fierce love, her family made the harrowing choice to flee Vietnam in search of safety and essential medical care. This escape carried enormous risks, yet it was fueled by an unwavering hope for a life free from conflict. That courageous decision ultimately changed the trajectory of Amy’s life, setting her on a path toward a new world.

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A New Life and a Turning Point

Their journey eventually led them to Seattle, where Amy underwent the life-saving heart surgery she so desperately needed. This successful procedure gave her much more than physical health; it provided a second chance and a profound sense of purpose. With this renewed vitality, she grew up determined to make the most of every opportunity her new home provided.

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Turning Story into a Mission

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