podcast
Latest Episodes
Article
News
Growing up in Vietnam, Leila Jace cherished the simple joys of childhood, like the intoxicating aroma of smoky grilled corn wafting from street vendors as she walked home from school. She didn’t have much money, but she saved up her lunch money to buy a treat she loved – a slightly charred corn on the cob sprinkled with scallions for extra flavor.
Little did she know that this fond memory would become the star of her own restaurant in Fresno, California.
Just nine months ago, Leila’s dream came true as she opened the doors to Sizzle n’ Steam, a cozy spot at Maroa and Shields avenues in Fresno. This Vietnamese street food joint has quickly become a hit, boasting an impressive 4.5-star rating on Yelp.com and even snagging the third spot in The Bee’s poll for the most underrated restaurant in town.
Leila’s journey to becoming a food entrepreneur is quite a story. According to The Fresno Bee, Leila came to California at 14 without speaking much English. She pursued her studies and even built a successful career in retirement planning. But a longing for change and a desire to be close to her parents led her to Fresno, where she decided to give life a new flavor – by opening a restaurant.
What makes Sizzle n’ Steam so special? It’s all about fusing Leila’s unique style and travel adventures with the mouthwatering Vietnamese street food. Yes, the menu features well-known delicacies like pho, spring rolls, and bowls of vermicelli noodles. But the real magic lies in the lesser-known treats that Leila has added, like the Gilroy garlicky fries that pay homage to the place her family first settled when they came to the U.S. The restaurant also offers an array of vegan and vegetarian options, catering to a diverse clientele.
Aside from what her restaurant has to offer, Leila’s warm hospitality is outstanding, transforming her customers into friends, and turning Sizzle n’ Steam into a hub where diners feel right at home.
Featured Image Source: The Fresno Bee
- 2 min read
News
Dubai has long been known as a hub of opportunity, a place where dreams can flourish and aspirations come true. Frando Sarmiento’s journey from a regular worker to a successful entrepreneur is a great example of this. He now owns not one, not two, but three thriving businesses in the UAE. Let’s dive into his inspiring story and see how he made it happen.
Frando Sarmiento’s story began in a small fishing village in the Philippines. His parents worked hard to raise him and provide a good education. Even though life was simple, his parents’ efforts and support shaped his dreams of doing something big one day.
In 2005, Sarmiento came to Dubai to explore job options. He started with jobs like sales manager and gained experience in different companies. These experiences gave him insights into various industries and ignited his desire to run his own businesses someday.
The efficient process of setting up a company surprised him and made his entrepreneurial journey smoother. According to Gulf News, Sarmiento was amazed by how easy it was to start a business in the UAE, and this played a big role in his success.
“It is best to start while you’re young. Whatever happens, one is bound to learn something profound that will benefit him in many ways. When we are young, we are not afraid of making mistakes. There is a lot of time left to recover and learn. This is something I would have told myself during my younger years. But, as they say, it is never too late to start building what you want,” Sarmiento shared with Gulf News.
Featured Image Source: Gulf News
- 2 min read
Stories
Meet Dana Paran, a Filipino-American athlete who has broken down stereotypes and redefined what it means to be a CrossFit champion. Dana’s path, as one of the first people from her background to make her imprint on the global scene, is a powerful symbol of dedication and diversity.
Dana’s path to success is paved with sacrifices that reflect her unwavering commitment, including a daily routine that revolves around rigorous training, meticulous nutrition, and forsaking ordinary celebrations in pursuit of greatness.
Through an exclusive AHN interview with Dana, we witness not just a remarkable athlete, but a true advocate for change and a trailblazer for a more diverse and inclusive future in sports.
Join us as we discover more about her journey in the world of CrossFit.
HOW DOES IT FEEL TO REPRESENT THE PHILIPPINES AND ASIAN ATHLETES IN THE WORLD OF CROSSFIT?
Mixed emotions. I feel very privileged and extremely proud to represent the Philippines as one of the first Fil-American athletes – the fact that I am one of the first points out the lack of DEI (diversity – equity – inclusion) in the sport.
Representation matters. Seeing professional athletes that represent minorities is crucial for aspiring athletes. I hope that I can inspire Filipino/AAPI/Asian athletes to continue to break stereotypes.
COULD YOU SHARE A SPECIFIC INSTANCE WHERE YOU HAD TO MAKE A SIGNIFICANT SACRIFICE TO PURSUE YOUR GOALS?
Honestly, from the outside looking in, my entire career is one overarching ‘sacrifice.’ My daily activities are all dictated by the fact that I need to be able to train for 5-8 hours, fuel my body to sustain my training, and get enough rest and recovery to do it all again when I wake up.
For now, I miss out on celebrating weddings, date nights, vacations, and holidays all in the pursuit of greatness. On the days that my motivation battery is at 0, I am able to lean on the fact that all of the elements of my training are not actually a ‘sacrifice,’ but a temporary expenditure for tomorrow’s success.
AS AN ATHLETE WHO HAS COMPETED IN VARIOUS INTERNATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS, HOW DO YOU APPROACH THE MENTAL AND EMOTIONAL ASPECTS OF COMPETITION?
“Have courage” is a mantra I repeat to myself in moments of doubt – whether I am training or before the 3-2-1 countdown in competition. To me, having courage means having strength in the face of something that frightens me, hardships, or adversity.
It’s an affirmation to myself that “I belong here & I believe in myself.”
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE CHALLENGES YOU HAVE FACED IN FINDING SUPPORT IN A SPORT WITH LIMITED SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES FOR ATHLETES LIKE YOU?
CrossFit is a niche sport and Asian brands actively marketing in the CrossFit space seem close to non-existent. I have tried to branch out to brands that market to the general ‘fitness’ industry but have been met with little interest on their end for partnerships.
While it is discouraging to be rejected, I am hopeful that a “no” today will become a “yes” tomorrow. The reality is every competition I go to I have Asian spectators approach me to say how special it is to see themselves in an Elite athlete. I am hopeful that, as we show that we belong in CrossFit, Asian athletes will have many opportunities to align with brands that mirror who they are.
AS YOU AIM TO ELEVATE YOUR ATHLETIC CAREER TO NEW HEIGHTS, WHAT ARE SOME OF THE GOALS YOU HAVE SET FOR YOURSELF?
The CrossFit Games is the biggest and final stage in our sport.
Only the fittest of the fittest in the world qualify and it is an amazing opportunity to showcase what got you there in the first place. As I work towards that opportunity, I have been sure to ‘stay in my lane,’ recognizing the aspects of my training that are conducive to success and tailoring my training, recovery, and the people around me to ensure that I’m moving forward.
While competing at the Games (and other Elite level competitions, such as the Rogue Invitational) is an athletic goal, another of my goals will always be encouraging diversity in the sport & making fitness inclusive to those who have historically felt unwelcome. I am actively networking with individuals and brands that align with my purpose to amplify that message.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WOULD GIVE TO ANYONE PURSUING THEIR PASSIONS, WHETHER IT BE IN SPORTS OR ANY OTHER FIELD?
Being successful doesn’t have to come at the expense of your well-being. As a society, we have accepted that drops in physical health should be attended to, but mental health is overlooked or ignored.
I’ve realized that protecting your peace & knowing when to take a step back to “refill your own cup” is incredibly important. You cannot push through with an empty cup & it’s okay to acknowledge that you need to rest and recover in order to keep moving forward.
CONNECT WITH DANA
Instagram: @dvnveverest
Facebook: Dana Paran
- 5 min read
Stories
Pianpian’s own experience struggling with leadership and relationships in her professional life inspired her to create a solution that would help others facing similar challenges.
Amotions, founded by Pianpian Xu Guthrie, is a platform that aims to improve managers and hybrid teams’ productivity and connection by upskilling their soft skills such as emotional intelligence with AI-powered coaching.
Recognizing that not everyone can afford an executive coach or passively consume content to learn skills like emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and leadership skills, she set out to create an accessible and affordable platform that could provide people across various social-economic circumstances with the tools and support network they need to reach their potential.
At Amotions, they believe that each person has unlimited potential and can grow with the right support and encouragement, and with the right tools and support, anyone can achieve greatness.
COMING UP WITH THE IDEA OF AN AI VIRTUAL COACH
Growing up in a rural village house in Taishan, China, Pianpian’s parents worked tirelessly to provide her with education and opportunities. When she discovered the internet in high school, it opened up a world of possibilities for her, allowing her to connect with mentors and educators from around the world.
Pianpian received her master’s degrees in sociology from Yale University with a thesis on social mobility and psychological well-being. She was a teaching and research fellow in social science at Yale and Hong Kong University of Science and Technology. She then led product management and growth at multiple tech companies in hybrid and remote settings before founding Amotions, Inc.
Inspired by her own struggles with managing teams and relationships in the tech industry, Pianpian came up with the idea of building an AI virtual coach that could help people regulate their emotions in high-pressure situations, build better connection with their colleagues and people around them, and reach their full potential.
“I had the idea of building an AI virtual coach which can listen to me and give me tips when I am raising my voice and say “Seems like you are getting upset, take a deep breath, calm down first, so you are not getting into an argument with your coworkers and destroy your relationships.” Then as I discussed the idea with the team members and potential users and customers, I realized that we can also utilize the power of a human support system,” Pianpian shares.
Amotions uses technology to connect users with knowledgeable peers, coaches, advisors, and mentors, providing a powerful network of support for those looking to advance their careers and personal development. Amotions is poised to transform the way people learn and grow, empowering individuals to reach their full potential with the help of technology and human kindness.
WHERE AMOTIONS COMES IN
Millions of people struggle with emotion management and relationship issues in their personal and professional lives, but there are no accessible and affordable solutions. Executive coaches are expensive, and passive learning methods like books and videos are often ineffective in learning important skills like emotional intelligence and leadership.
As teamwork and collaboration become increasingly important in the modern workplace, there is a growing need for individuals to improve their interpersonal skills and develop emotional intelligence. This is where Amotions comes in.
Amotions aims to provide a platform and support network for everyone to continue to grow themselves both professionally and personally. Their solutions are designed to be accessible and affordable for people of all social-economic circumstances around the world.
“As a mother, I want my children to have the self-motivation and support network to grow themselves, and have great relationships in their professional and personal lives. I hope to create the kind of environment needed for them and many others. The world will be a better place when a lot of people are happy with their lives and care about each other,” Pianpian said.
IMPROVING THE PERFORMANCE OF MANAGERS AND HYBRID TEAMS
Amotions leverages AI-powered coaching to enhance the connection and performance of managers and hybrid teams.
Through daily practices, real-time insights, communities, and AI-powered coaching conversations, Amotions helps upskill people-facing roles, leading to improved employee efficiency and engagement.
With sentiment analysis and recommendations, powered by AI, and integration with calendars, Slack, and Zoom for context, Amotions provides a platform approach that allows companies, experts, and coaches to upload content. Users can also converse with an AI coach and participate in peer communities for support and practice.
AMOTION-AL CHALLENGES
One of the biggest challenges that Pianpian faced in building Amotions was determining the best products and experience to address these challenges and acquire customers and users.
“We have been reaching out to people in our network, as well as reaching out to potential users and customers, and having lots of conversations with them. Support from people like the Asian Hustle Network founder Bryan Pham and members like Jenny He, Kerry Wei, Jane Lee and others helps too, as well from other founders, mentors, friends, alumni from Yale, Sun Yat-sen University, and other universities I attended, former colleagues, and kind people I encountered,” Pianpian shared.
THE FOUNDING TEAM
The founding team of Amotions is comprised of Pianpian Xu Guthrie, Jerry Hong, and a few other engineers and designers.
Pianpian has over ten years of experience as a product lead at various companies, including GoDaddy, Ticketmaster, Priceline, and several startups. She also earned a Master’s degree in Sociology from Yale University, providing her with a deep understanding of social science.
Jerry, on the other hand, has over 20 years of experience as a senior software engineer and manager, working for companies such as Ticketmaster and several startups.
With their extensive backgrounds in software product development and social science, the founding team brings a unique perspective to creating effective solutions for emotion management and relationship issues in professional and personal lives.
NOT YOUR ORDINARY WORKPLACE TRAINING SOLUTIONS
Amotions differentiates itself from other workplace training solutions in the market by offering an AI-powered coaching platform that provides quick solutions for users’ problems, available 24/7.
Unlike traditional corporate trainings, which are not effective for long-term learning, Amotions’ platform allows users to learn by doing, reflecting, interacting with others, and getting real-time feedback. Additionally, the platform is affordable and accessible for people from various socio-economic backgrounds, offering daily practices, peer communities, sentiment analysis, and recommendations powered by AI.
Amotions’ approach focuses on developing soft skills, such as emotional intelligence, interpersonal skills, and leadership skills, that are essential for success in the modern workplace, providing a comprehensive solution that goes beyond one-off training sessions.
THE FUTURE FOR AMOTIONS
Pianpian envisions the company as a tool to empower millions of individuals worldwide to reach their full potential and transform organizations through high-performing teams and next-generation leaders.
“We start with helping managers and teams develop soft skills and solve problems they face, and I can see that we expand to help employees upskills and reskills also technical skills and functional skills, and to be the biggest player in the professional development and personal development space,” she said.
As the company grows, it plans to continue leveraging technology to personalize the experience and provide real-time insights and recommendations to users.
We are looking to connect with founders and company leaders and angel/pre-seed/seed investors interested in innovation and building high-performing teams to get feedback on what we are building and learn more about their needs. Please let me know if you are interested in connecting with me for a 15-minute conversation, or if you know if anyone I should connect with.
What can you offer to this community?
Happy to help with manager training and leadership development, soft skills development, product management, emotional wellness, Chinese and Japanese cultures and markets, or any way I can. We also offer free trials and discounted access to our product.
CONNECT WITH PIANPIAN
Website: amotionsinc.com
Linkedin: Pianpian Xu Guthrie
Twitter: @PianpianCarolyn
- 7 min read