Hmong Entrepreneurs are Making an Impact in the US Culinary Cuisine
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July 27, 2023
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In recent times, Hmong cuisine and culture have been experiencing a remarkable surge in popularity and recognition within the United States, thanks to the efforts of Hmong restaurateurs and farmers.
One chef, Yia Vang, defied his parents’ wishes to have a traditional career and decided to follow his passion for cooking. Today, he takes immense pride in showcasing Hmong foodways to the world, weaving incredible stories through his culinary creations.
Different chefs are drawing in new customers by sharing dishes that remind them of home-cooked meals. The use of fresh Hmong-produced ingredients have been appealing to many.
Young Hmong entrepreneurs are also making a difference by starting businesses and helping older Hmong Americans enter larger markets. They have been instrumental in reshaping the economic landscape of the community.
Hmong farmers have also been pivotal in shaping the agricultural landscape of the United States. With over 50% of growers at the Twin Cities’ metro markets being Hmong, they have significantly contributed to the nation’s production of strawberries and poultry.
Initiatives like the Hmong American Farmers Association’s Food Hub have provided farmers with opportunities to grow and sell their produce, allowing the Hmong community to thrive in the agricultural sector.
The future looks promising for Hmong businesses and farmers as they continue to preserve their traditions while embracing new opportunities. Their dedication to their cultural heritage and entrepreneurial spirit are driving innovation and making a positive impact in the US.
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.
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.
Aaman Shah’s inspiring entrepreneurial journey started when he was just 16 years old. Aaman comes from India and started a company called DripUp – a global enterprise reaching the USA, India, and Canada, with a specific focus on engaging the youth.
Aaman Shah’s story started with his curiosity about sneakers, wondering why people are willing to spend lots of money on sneakers like Nike and Jordan. He went to other places outside his hometown and noticed lots of people loving sneakers. Collaborating with his friends Dhruv Seth and Mufi Dharani, Aaman delved into the latest sneaker trends, discovering their potential for substantial profit.
Aaman went from being a sneaker fan to someone who sells them. In 2020, he saw people spending $20,000 on sneakers that used to cost just $200. That’s when he got the idea to start DripUp.
DripUp has carved a niche in the sneaker market by leveraging online platforms such as Instagram, WhatsApp, and Facebook. Aaman’s ingenious approach to the business, centered around fostering a strong sneaker culture while ensuring customer satisfaction, has earned DripUp a reputation as a trusted source for premium sneakers and watches. Through the challenges of the ever-evolving market and the complexities of running a business as a student, DripUp has not only survived but thrived.
When people ask why customers spend a lot on sneakers, Aaman Shah says it’s because they’re special and not everyone can get them. He thinks people buy from him because they know he’s trustworthy, according to his interview with Startup Story Media.
Aside from just making money, Aaman aims to have good relationships with his customers. He sells special sneakers like Yeezy and Jordans, and he’s honest about how much he makes from it.
Even though the sneaker business has some tough parts, Aaman Shah’s dedication to the sneaker world and his ability to handle tough situations show that he’s a strong and determined young businessperson.
In a big event celebrating Asian American beauty and success, the Miss Asian Global and Miss Asian America Pageant, known for being the longest-running beauty contest for Asian Americans in the US, has picked its winners for this year: Kylie Chang and Erin Kwon. This event is really important as it shows how Asian Americans can be confident leaders.
According to NextShark, Kylie Chang, who is 18 years old, won the 38th Miss Asian Global title at a special place called the Herbst Theatre in San Francisco. She shared with KRON4 that she was really happy and said all her hard work paid off.
She loves dancing and shares that joy with kids who might not have the same chances. She volunteers as a dance teacher at Friends of Children with Special Needs, which helps them feel good about themselves. Kylie also does good things with fashion – she’s a part of an organization called Catwalk for Charitable Causes that uses fashion to help charities.
Erin Kwon is 24 years old and is studying to become a doctor in Irvine, California. She’s also this year’s Miss Asian America. Erin really cares about older Asian Americans and wants them to know more about staying healthy. She helps people in hospices, which are places where very sick people get special care, as an advocate for better healthcare education in the Asian American elderly community.
“I didn’t even expect to place. I just wanted to have an experience where I meet other women and just do something outside of my comfort zone, but I got way more than I ever expected so I’m very, very pleased,” Kwon told KRON4.
The contest has been around since 1985 when Rose Chung started it at an event called the Asian Arts Festival. It’s all about helping young Asian women grow and become strong leaders.
