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In the world of comedy, they say that laughter is the best medicine, and for Dr. Jason Leong, this couldn’t be more true.
Up until 2010, Jason Leong’s life had followed the typical Asian narrative.
He had been a straight-laced kid, never earning anything less than an A in his exams. He secured a scholarship to pursue Medicine and eventually became a doctor in Malaysia.
Despite his initial success, the harsh reality of the workforce hit Jason hard. As a junior doctor, he endured grueling 36-hour shifts at least six times a month, with 100-hour workweeks becoming the norm. Sleep deprivation, constant hunger, overwhelming stress, and meager pay plunged him into the lowest point of his life. But things were about to change.
One day, he stumbled upon an opportunity for a monthly open mic show in Kuala Lumpur, the first of its kind in Malaysia. His wife encouraged him to try out. So he took 2 days off from work, drove 4 hours to the venue, and performed his first 5-minute standup. He left the stage saying to himself, “I want to do this forever.”
In 2011, Jason transferred to Kuala Lumpur and did regular gigs while being a full-time doctor. He loved being a doctor by day and a comedian by night, but it was still a lot of work for him. So in 2014, he made the big leap and did a not very Asian thing.
He quit being a doctor.
Having experience in the medical field not only informs Jason’s comedy, but it also makes his style a bit more unique. “The rigors of being a doctor made me all the more grateful to be able to tell jokes for a living,” he said.
At first, Jason didn’t tell his parents that he quit his job as a doctor. His parents now know of his career shift and support his journey wholeheartedly, with his mother saying, “If this comedy thing doesn’t work out, at least you have something to fall back on.”
Jason’s comedy has since blossomed with two successful Netflix specials, “Hashtag Blessed” and “Ride With Caution.”
He boasts a portfolio of five solo one-hour specials, having graced stages at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, featured on Comedy Central and Just For Laughs in Montreal, and won at the 7th Annual International Hong Kong Comedy Competition.
Jason is set to perform his solo show BRAIN DRAIN in Los Angeles on September 29 and San Francisco on October 4.
“Making a move to my passion and the arts is something that has allowed me to find real meaning in my work. I hope to inspire others within the Asian community to take the same risks and reach their real potential,” Jason shared with Asian Hustle Network.
CONNECT WITH JASON
Facebook: Dr. Jason Leong
Instagram: @drjasonleong
Tiktok: @drjasonleong
- 3 min read
News
Wang Xiaokun, a 40-year-old Chinese entrepreneur, has achieved a remarkable feat by becoming a billionaire through his milk tea venture. He is the visionary founder of Cha Panda, a Chinese tea chain.
Recent funding rounds have catapulted his tea business’s valuation to an impressive $2.1 billion. Forbes estimates Wang’s personal fortune at a staggering $1.1 billion, primarily due to his substantial 60% ownership stake in the Chengdu-based beverage chain.
Over the past three years, Cha Panda has experienced rapid expansion, now boasting an extensive network of over 7,000 stores. The chain is known for its signature beverages, including mango pomelo sago, taro bubble tea, and jasmine milk green tea, all offered at an affordable price point of $3.60 or less, as reported by Forbes.
Notably, Wang’s wife, Liu Weihong, has also enjoyed a substantial increase in her wealth, with an estimated fortune of $700 million, thanks to her 33% ownership stake in the company. She plays a pivotal role as the chair of the supervisory committee, responsible for overseeing Cha Panda’s daily operations, as indicated in a preliminary prospectus filed with the Hong Kong Stock Exchange.
According to MSN, the roots of Cha Panda trace back to 2008 when Wang began selling fruit and bubble tea from a modest shop near a school in Chengdu, known for its spicy cuisine and as the home of giant pandas. Over the subsequent decade, Wang diligently expanded Cha Panda’s network of stores to 531 by 2020. However, the pivotal moment occurred when he embraced a franchising model.
Today, Cha Panda focuses on crafting beverage recipes and supplying ingredients like fruit and tea leaves to Cha Panda-branded beverage shops. This innovative approach allows Wang to maintain lower operational costs compared to competitors like Hong Kong-listed Nayuki Holdings, which grapple with higher employee salaries and rental expenses for their directly operated stores.
Featured Image Source: India Times
- 2 min read
News
Back in 1999, Singapore was swept by the bubble tea craze. And while a lot of bubble tea shops have come and gone, Each-A-Cup kept thriving. This enduring success story is shown through the experiences of its founders: father and son, Michael and Ivan Chua.
Before entering the F&B industry, Michael Chua enjoyed a successful career as a musician, touring with Taiwanese singer Teresa Teng. However, his entrepreneurial spirit led him to start an ice cream business in Taipei, which later became Gelare. Afterward, he co-founded Healthy 2000, a beverage business in Taiwan. Sensing the growing interest in bubble tea in Singapore, Michael rebranded Healthy 2000 as Each-A-Cup in 1999, marking the beginning of their journey.
During the early years, Each-A-Cup faced fierce competition from rivals like Quickly and Happy Cup. However, they stood out due to the novelty and quality of their offerings, gaining widespread recognition.
The bubble tea industry in Singapore took a downturn in 2001 as prices dropped dramatically, and the market became oversaturated with hundreds of bubble tea shops. Many struggled to maintain quality, and even reputable brands faced losses. However, Michael remained resilient, believing in the enduring appeal of bubble tea.
Recovery came in 2003, and Each-A-Cup began rebuilding the business. Ivan, Michael’s son, joined in 2007, bringing fresh energy and ideas to the brand. The second wave of the bubble tea craze saw new players entering the market, but Each-A-Cup’s commitment to authenticity and quality set them apart.
As the founders, Michael and Ivan Chua, continue to guide the brand, the future of Each-A-Cup looks as bright as ever in the dynamic world of bubble tea.
Featured Image Source: CNA Lifestyle
- 2 min read
Stories
In a world where the narrative of identity often falls into predefined categories, Mostly Me by Collin Hall emerges as a refreshing beacon of self-discovery.
Released on September 18 by Gloo Books, this picture book takes readers on a captivating journey, skillfully illustrating the complexities of biracial identity.
Author and Illustrator
Written by Collin Hall and beautifully illustrated by Crystal Dawn Chaffee, both of whom share a biracial heritage, Mostly Me is a heartfelt project born from personal experiences. Collin embarked on this creative journey shortly after the birth of his first daughter, driven by a powerful desire to equip her with the tools to embrace her multiracial identity.
Collin Hall is a proud biracial Korean/American based in Austin, TX, offering a voice that resonates deeply with those navigating the intricate terrain of identity.
Diverse Representation
According to the *Cooperative Children’s Book Center’s 2022 Diversity Statistics database, only 0.7% of children’s books published in 2022 were authored by multiracial individuals and focused on multiracial characters.
Collin’s Personal Journey
Collin Hall shares, “The biggest hurdle for this project was the internal identity-wrestling before words were even on paper. Having to re-engage with a part of myself I had avoided for a long time was hard, and typically paired with a good dose of uncertainty and guilt. Finding my own footing was, and is, a process, but one that put me in a much better spot to discuss multiracial identity with my own kids in the future.”
He also shared how re-learning Korean nursery rhymes was also a challenge and that it took longer than he expected.
Embracing In-Between Spaces
Mostly Me may be short and whimsical, but it carries a profound message—it’s entirely acceptable to exist within the fluid spaces of identity. It encourages individuals to wholeheartedly embrace all aspects of their heritage, irrespective of societal expectations.
I’ve got some green, I’ve got some blue.
Some have asked, “So what are you?”
Not quite blue, not fully green.
I’m something new. I’m in-between.
Affirmation and Unity
Mostly Me serves as an affirmation, resonating with Collin and Crystal’s own experiences and the experiences of every multiracial child navigating the intricate landscape of identity. It instills the confidence to boldly claim one’s space in the world, reminding us all that there is no universal guidebook for this journey. Instead, it offers the comfort of shared emotions, questions, and experiences.
Within the pages of Mostly Me, Collin Hall extends an invitation to readers to embark on a profound journey of self-discovery. This remarkable book celebrates the beauty of embracing multiracial identities, encourages us to revel in the uniqueness of our individual narratives, and, above all, empowers us to find the strength to assert our presence in a wonderfully diverse world.
As we eagerly anticipate its release, Mostly Me promises to inspire and resonate with readers of all backgrounds, young and old, seeking to understand the rich tapestry of identity that defines us all.
CONNECT WITH COLLIN HALL / MOSTLY ME
Instagram: @mistercollin
Order here: gloobooks.com/products/mostly-me
Gloo Books: @gloobooks
*Independent analysis of data accessed on 07/02/2023 by Gloo Books using the Cooperative Children’s Book Center (CCBC), School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison Diversity Statistics Book Search (https://ccbc.education.wisc.edu/diversity-statistics-book-search/). Permission to publish granted by the CCBC 07/13/2023.
- 3 min read