In every sip of cider, there’s a story waiting to be told—a narrative of flavors, a journey of craftsmanship, and a celebration of culture.

For Saigon Cider, it all began when Hannah Jefferys left her job as an architect in 2011 and moved to Vietnam when she was just 25 years old. Hannah grew up in a little place in the British countryside called Somerset, where she witnessed how cider evolved from being a farmer-associated drink to a cosmopolitan summer beverage.

Upon reaching Saigon and basking in the daily dose of sunshine, Hannah delved into the rich Vietnamese ‘nhậu’ culture, centered around shared dishes and toasts on plastic chairs lining the pavements of Saigon.

“There’s nothing quite like it elsewhere in the world — certainly not in the UK,” Hannah shared.

Yet, amidst the rich cultural tapestry, there was something she missed… cider.

A STORY OF INSPIRATION

Hannah found inspiration in the everyday scenes of Vietnamese individuals setting up shop just about anywhere and having a go. “Us British tend to think about risk rather than how things might work, and tend not to take the leap,” she says. She was also inspired by some local F&B brands that started their hustle in home kitchens, gradually expanding to a national and global scale.

This is how Saigon Cider was brought to life. What started as a humble stall at Saigon Outcast became the first organic craft cider in Vietnam.

CELEBRATING VICTORIES

Saigon Cider has notched up some impressive achievements on its journey. With their lineup of three ciders, they have been able to win 15 international awards, beating brands from established cider-making countries like the UK, US and France in some of the competitions.

Even despite the hurdles during the global pandemic and the challenges of being a small yet growing company in a bustling market, Saigon Cider has stood tall, and built a strong brand and following.

This year, Saigon Cider is entering new international markets, and they are incredibly proud to be able to share a taste of Vietnam with the world.

A NARRATIVE OF FLAVORS

Saigon Cider currently has three delightful flavors to offer:

1. APPLE & GINGER: A blend featuring organic apples with a punch of Vietnamese ginger. This one is a revitalizing splash of a cider.
2. ORIGINAL APPLE: This cider is crafted from fuji, gala and other favorite organic apples, perfect for a well deserved chill break after chaos.
3. APPLE & CHILLI: A combination of organic apples with a Vietnamese chilli kick, delivering a dose of spice and sense of mischief.

Each flavor is thoughtfully crafted to bring a delightful and invigorating experience to everyone’s palate.

A GLOBAL TASTE WITH LOCAL ROOTS

Despite cider being an original British drink, Hannah is proud to present Saigon Cider as a Vietnamese brand.

“From the start, we have been a Vietnamese brand first and foremost, and proudly so. We were created here, grown here and inspired by here and I’m now personally rooted here with my Vietnamese family. 

Our Vietnamese-ness runs through everything we do, our choices of organically farmed ingredients, our labeling and of course, our name. In export markets we retain as much Vietnamese wording on our labels as we can and we hope that we are chosen with pride by Vietnamese and that wider Asian consumers will also feel some sense of ownership over our brand,” Hannah shared with Asian Hustle Network.

The brand currently has openings for exclusive distribution deals in various countries. They would love to grow with overseas Vietnamese distributors who know how to ‘nhậu’, so now is the time to hit them up and be a part of sharing Peace, Love & Apples globally.

CONNECT WITH SAIGON CIDER

Facebook: Saigon Cider

Instagram: @saigoncider

Linkedin: Saigon Cider

In a world where exercise is becoming increasingly important to maintain a healthy lifestyle, finding comfortable and stylish workout clothes is essential. Unfortunately, many brands in the athletic-wear space have similar designs and aesthetics, leaving little room for uniqueness. That’s where MOTN comes in.

Founded by Alice Kim, with the support of her husband, in Los Angeles, MOTN is an athleisure/streetwear brand that aims to provide clothing that encourages people to stay active or to be “always in motion,” as in their slogan.

With their unique approach to combining fitness and streetwear, MOTN has created a loyal community of individuals who are always in motion. As Alice said, “We need other people to encourage us and support us. This is what I hope people wearing MOTN would also feel – that there is a community of people who are always in motion.”

Inspired by Alice’s love for fitness and Josh’s passion for sneakers and fashion culture, one of the main goals of MOTN is to balance workout gear and streetwear. The couple noticed a gap in the market for brands that emphasized both aspects of fashion.

To make their pieces unique, every collection requires dedicated time and thought to execute the style and design they are going for. They aim to create pieces that differ from every collection and keep customers engaged. MOTN values versatility and flexibility, allowing customers the freedom to mix and match pieces or choose an entire outfit to rock.

Starting a new business came with its fair share of challenges, including moments of doubt and uncertainty. Alice often found herself questioning how their brand would stand out in a market that already had thousands of clothing brands. However, Alice shared, “Throughout the uncertainty, I’ve had an amazing group of friends and family, especially my mom, that pushed me and encouraged me to still give it my all and try to make it work!”

Maintaining quality is also a top priority for MOTN. The brand aims to never compromise on quality, even if it means sacrificing on their end, “ Whether it’s taking longer to sample fabrics/materials, sourcing different fabrics/materials, or even taking a hit financially. We know that when it comes to a brand, customers are always first and so we want to prioritize them,” Alice explained.

As an Asian-owned business, the brand has fortunately not faced any large difficulties in the fashion industry. Alice acknowledges the support from the Asian community and is thankful to have individuals who already support MOTN. However, she wants to make it clear that their brand is all-inclusive and not focused solely on the Asian community.

When asked about her biggest piece of advice for someone starting a business, Alice emphasizes the importance of being passionate about what you do and not comparing yourself to others. Growing up, Alice looked up to her single mom, who worked diligently to get to where she is today. Because of that, she acknowledges that building a successful brand takes a lot of hard work and time, but if you work hard and stay committed, people will see your efforts. Alice also stresses the importance of patience and not getting discouraged by slow progress.

Lastly, Alice highlights the value of community support. “Through launching our brand, I realized how important it is to lean into your community,” she says. “The MOTN team may just be two people but the MOTN family is so much bigger, and we cannot thank our community enough for their love and support.”

Gong Grocer by Thai Kee is a family-owned and operated Asian grocery business with a legacy spanning over 30 years. In this article, Brian Nguyen, one of the co-founders and a Director of Gong Grocer, shares insights with Asian Hustle Network.

Brian’s family is well-known in the Sydney community for their Thai Kee roots. Their journey originated with their grandfather, Thai Trinh, the esteemed namesake of the family’s original supermarket, Thai Kee. Gong Grocer represents the family’s evolutionary step, a mission to revitalize and modernize the Asian grocery shopping experience.

Brian acknowledges the shifting expectations of customers in physical in-store retail settings, and it’s their goal to meet these expectations in their new stores. As the Co-Founder and Director, Brian brings a unique blend of family tradition, personal journey, and a commitment to delivering an exceptional Asian grocery shopping experience.

A FAMILY OF IMMIGRANTS

Brian’s parents, uncles, and aunties were immigrants who fled Vietnam during wartime. Striving for a new life, they left behind everything in pursuit of opportunities in Australia.

Australia’s policy of multiculturalism provided a unique chance for Brian’s family and immigrants alike. The open embrace of diversity allowed families like theirs to openly celebrate their culture, thrive, and share their rich heritage with the broader community.

The origin of the name Thai Kee comes from their grandfather Thai Trinh, who they lovingly referred to as their “Ah Gong” (阿公), meaning grandfather in their dialect. He was the patriarch, and the original entrepreneur of the family. He sold Chinese donuts to supermarkets, waking up at 2 am each morning to bake them, then walking and hand delivering these donuts to supermarkets by 9 am each and every day.

THE FIRST THAI KEE SUPERMARKET

Despite limited means, Thai Trinh invested $5,000 in the first Thai Kee Supermarket in Cabramatta, providing a foundation for his children. But aside from money and most importantly, he passed onto his children a profound sense of hard work, dedication, and a deep commitment to one another, in their culture, and their community.

These values, instilled by their Ah Gong, form the cornerstone of their family’s identity. Known as “Thai” from Thai Kee to customers, to the family, he’s always been Ah Gong. 

To honor the spirit of their beloved Ah Gong, Brian and his family launched Gong Grocer by Thai Kee, or 阿公超市, paying homage to the heritage and principles instilled by their grandfather. 

FULL-TIME LAWYER TURNED ENTREPRENEUR

As Brian got older and heard more about his family’s stories, he felt a strong desire to carry on their traditions. He saw it as his mission to come up with new and interesting ways to share their culture with the diverse Chinese, Asian, and Australian communities.

Formerly a full-time lawyer, Brian Nguyen took the leap into entrepreneurship, co-founding Gong Grocer alongside his wife Wendy Lin, who herself manages her own successful business, Lioness Fashion.

Brian draws inspiration from his family’s entrepreneurial legacy, rooted in hard work, service, and dedication. The values instilled by his grandfather, Thai Trinh, continue to guide Brian in his pursuit of business excellence and cultural celebration.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES

In his career and business journey, Brian Nguyen faced significant challenges, notably in time management. Gong Grocer started as a passion project for him. The transition from law to full-time business, alongside his wife Wendy Lin in Lioness Fashion, posed a wild adjustment.

Shifting from a lawyer to a business owner brought its own set of challenges. Balancing the demands of Lioness Fashion, an internationally recognized brand with immediate growth needs, and Gong Grocer, a venture built from scratch, proved to be extremely difficult. The latter involved design, planning, construction, and eventual launch and operations.

To overcome these challenges and achieve success, Brian drew inspiration from his family’s values. He doubled down on hard work and commitment, using them as guiding principles. Recognizing the need for a strong team, he leaned on his family and those around him to build a purpose-driven team that shared his vision. Together, they navigated the complexities, turning Gong Grocer into a thriving reality.

CELEBRATING GONG GROCER’S FLAGSHIP STORE

One of Brian Nguyen’s proudest achievements in this journey is the flagship supermarket store.

“Seeing the tangible transformation coming to life and physical form, from cutting out a giant hole in a concrete floor to creating a whole new level in a shopping centre, and doing this with my family no less, was incredibly rewarding,” Brian shared.

The grand opening events further highlighted the significance of the brand and its story. Brian was genuinely pleased by the support received from the community and the broader public. This positive response reflects the hard work of Brian and his family as entrepreneurs, their active role in the community, and the strong connections they have forged within the industry.

CONNECT WITH GONG GROCER / BRIAN 

Website: www.gonggrocer.com.au

Instagram: @gonggrocer

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/brian-nguyen-09a067125/