Contact

Stories

June 9, 2024

SHARE:

In today’s digital age, the online world is filled with countless content creators and influencers, all trying to make their mark. Yet, only a few manage to create real impact, and Zoe is one of them.

With over 3 million YouTube subscribers under the name “zoeunlimited,” Zoe has built a dedicated community through her insightful content on fitness, fashion, dating, and navigating the complexities of girlhood. Her work has even caught the attention of celebrities like Olivia Rodrigo, who stated that she watches Zoe’s videos all the time. In just 14 days, Zoe doubled her subscribers from 1 million to 2 million, when she was creating videos as a hobby outside her 9-to-5 job.

Read through as we learn more about Zoe’s secrets to success as she shares it in detail with Asian Hustle Network.

ABOUT ZOE

I am a multiformat creator navigating girlhood with my Gen Z and Millennial community. My goal is to encourage women to tap into their unlimited potential by thinking critically via my pop culture video essays about beauty, fashion, and confidence.

I grew up in China and Canada and came to LA initially to study Business Economics at UCLA. The different cultural environments I grew up in gave me broader perspectives on the various pop culture topics I’m interested in and inspired me to share that vision with the unlimited community to learn and grow together.

ZOE’S JOURNEY AS A CONTENT CREATOR

Growing up, I’ve always been artistically driven and drawn to creative mediums like fashion, film, and fine arts. Scared of becoming a “starving artist,” I didn’t pursue fashion and studied Business Economics instead, but I always felt like something was missing.

I was very fortunate to discover YouTube as a creative outlet after college and began documenting my life in video format. I always make videos on what I’m interested in at the moment, which was a lot of fitness, college, and even CPA content at the very beginning. Throughout time, I discovered that the central theme of all my content revolves around growth – in becoming fitter, healthier, more confident, more reflective, and so on. My community of mostly women feels like a precious friend group to me and I realized through interacting with them, that many of us are going through similar challenges in our girlhood and there’s much more to share and discuss than just my personal journey.

With that, I began creating my video essay series that served as a discussion ground to think critically about topics many could relate to, including beauty standards, dating, and fashion. Girlhood is such an intriguing and confusing experience in the modern setting, and I just hope to create a community where women feel seen, heard, and not alone when encountering the ever-changing concept of how to be a modern woman. I don’t have the answers but I hope to create a safe space for all of us to explore and reflect!

RAPID GROWTH AND STRATEGIC SUCCESS

Although part of the growth (growing subscriber count from 1M to 2M in 14 days) was extremely rapid, the story before the lift-off was a consistent grind of weekly uploads for 3 years as a pure hobby. The tipping point always feels exciting and amazing, but what truly felt rewarding was 3 years of building something I love.

OVERCOMING CHALLENGES AND CELEBRATING MILESTONES

I’d say one of the biggest challenges was the lack of initial support and understanding from my family. It was painful for me to see something I love doing creating a chasm in my relationship with the people I love, but I’m grateful that we have cleared past misunderstandings and grown close again. I’m so grateful for the community that stuck with me as well as my closest friends who believed in me even when I had a lot of self-doubt, especially during the years I felt judged and not understood.

BALANCING AUTHENTICITY AND PRIVACY

I love and respect the people closest to me and want to protect their privacy as much as possible online. When it comes to my own journey, I believe my community comes with a good heart, and I see them as good friends I can confide in. So even when it comes to moments that aren’t the most glamorous and the failures I’m not extremely proud of, I do want to share that experience if I know someone can benefit from it by feeling less alone or could simply learn from the mistakes I’ve made.

That’s the goal with my Healing Diaries series, where I share some of my biggest struggles including my health, mental health, and dating. I hope to normalize talking about uncomfortable topics and reduce any shame or guilt for anyone going through a similar experience.

BUILDING “UNLIMITED THOUGHTS” AND A COMMUNITY

The most rewarding moments are the ones when I get to meet my followers in person and learn about their journeys and goals. I’m beyond grateful for a community of kind and driven women who have allowed me to tag along with them on their growth journeys. Some are in college, some just landed their third job, some are going through heartbreaks, and some are creating amazing art and inspiring many people including me.

It was really sweet when a subscriber told me how one of my videos in the “Unlimited Thoughts” series inspired her to write a final paper that got her an A. That brought me way more joy than hitting my personal milestones. The love and passion for turning ideas into something that others can enjoy watching and perhaps benefit from, make all the blocks and times of doubt worth it.

WINNING A SIX-FIGURE INVESTMENT FROM CREATORDAO

I had a major imposter syndrome moment because I entered the contest without expecting to win.

It was a huge encouragement to be more confident in myself as a creator and a wake-up call to think bigger. An advice I’d share with other creators is to trust that you are way more capable than you think. Do not limit yourself.

LOOKING AHEAD

I wish to continue improving my storytelling and critical thinking as a creator to bring hope and joy that people can feel and pass on.  

Whether it comes to future content projects or a brand that I launch, I wish to uplift my community and support them in building their self-confidence and identity. I’m excited to explore many more unfamiliar areas in content I haven’t tapped into yet, including podcasting, to challenge and expand my own limits.

A MESSAGE OF REPRESENTATION AND EMPOWERMENT

When I first began making videos about pop culture, I felt a little out of place given the limited AAPI representation in beauty, fashion, and entertainment. It is exactly for this reason that I must show up more in this space to bring my unique narrative shaped by my multicultural experience of growing up in China and Canada. 

Authentic self-expression cannot occur without bringing forward the full self, and that includes our beautiful heritage, no matter what that is for each individual. As Lucy Liu said at the Gold Gala “You never know how far just a little bit of support can carry you.”

It resonated with me so much because I cannot imagine how far I’d come without that initial bit of support. I hope to be that supporter for my community and help them break out of their previous limiting beliefs.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It warms my heart to see more and more women and members of the AAPI community daring to dream big, not just in content creation, but in all facets of entrepreneurship. I hope to use my platforms to further support these creators and entrepreneurs, who are sharing the spirit of breaking limits and redefining what’s possible.

CONNECT WITH ZOE

YouTube: zoeunlimited

Instagram: @zoeunlimited

TikTok: @zoeunlimited

LinkedIn: @zoeunlimited

Related Articles

jennfinalimages-197-jpg

Stories

This Couple Created a Mahjong Inspired Game That Celebrates Diverse Cultures

Meet Jennifer Guo and Adam Szakacs, a couple with a creative vision. They wanted their child to cherish both her Chinese and Jewish roots, despite living far from family. So, they invented something extraordinary.

Inspired by their grandmothers’ unexpected friendship over mahjong, they reimagined the game as “Not Your Ma’s Jong.” This isn’t just any game; it’s a lively card version of mahjong that celebrates their backgrounds. It carries a powerful message – embracing your heritage and sharing it with others is something to be proud of.

Through Not Your Ma’s Jong, Jennifer and Adam hope to bring people closer. By sharing traditions, they aim to show that understanding each other’s cultures can create harmony.

In an exclusive interview with Asian Hustle Network, Jennifer and Adam share their journey in creating “Not Your Ma’s Jong.” Read through as we get a glimpse of how this game could help forge connections and celebrate diverse cultures.

Whether celebrating certain holidays, traveling together to meaningful places, or simply making a memorable recipe together, spending quality time together is the most important thing – and playing a game like Not Your Ma’s Jong is one way to spend time together.

Jennifer Guo

Can you tell us about the inspiration behind creating Not Your Ma’s Jong and how it connects to your Chinese and Jewish heritage?

Jenn: I learned how to play mahjong as a kid by watching my grandma play in China. Mahjong was a part of our daily lives and at the center of every family occasion. For me, mahjong is a way to connect with those memories.

My grandma used to split her time between her home in Xi’an, China, and Toronto where she stayed with my parents. In 2014, we brought my grandma to visit Adam’s granny who was healing from a hip injury. My grandma speaks only Mandarin, so we started by translating some simple hellos and small talk. It was so special to have them meet and communicate with each other.

Adam: At one point, we were talking about their respective cultures and the things they enjoy. My granny plays a lot of card games and also mentioned mahjong. Jenn’s grandma’s eyes lit up, and she told us about playing throughout her life. Jenn’s grandma is certainly the more avid player, but once my granny’s hip recovered and she was back home, they were able to play together.

Jenn: When I was pregnant with our first daughter in 2018, we started thinking about how we could connect our children with their cultures and heritage. I realized that living in Canada, they would not have the same exposure to Chinese traditions like mahjong as I did growing up. We started thinking about ways to honor the memories we had of growing up with our parents and grandparents and decided to create a simplified version of mahjong, which became Not Your Ma’s Jong.

Jenn and Adam with their grandmas

As an international card game played around the world, what do you believe makes Not Your Ma’s Jong unique and appealing to a diverse audience?

Adam: We realized that even though our grandparents played mahjong and we played with them, we never played with our friends. We started asking around and kept hearing the same thing–most of our friends had heard of mahjong or seen their families play, but few knew how to play themselves.

Jenn: Not Your Ma’s Jong is a simplified version of mahjong, using 75 cards as opposed to 144 tiles in the traditional game. The rules are also simplified to create a fast-paced and fierce game that anyone can pick up quickly. When we started playing test versions with our friends, the excitement showed us we were on to something!

Could you share some examples of how you incorporated Chinese and Jewish emblems into Not Your Ma’s Jong? How do these cultural elements enhance the gameplay experience and foster cultural understanding?

Jenn: We wanted to dedicate the game to our grandmas. Many of the cards are symbols from growing up with them – some with Adam’s Jewish granny, and some with my Chinese grandma. Some center around memories of family feasts we’d eat together, gifts they’d give us, or how they made us feel – and while the symbols are specific to our cultures, those memories and feelings are universal.

Other cards are a bit whimsical – we imagined what their friendship could have been if they had lived near each other earlier in their lives. Things like doing tai chi together in a park, or building a muscular snowman together! We wanted to make them relatable for people who grew up in any culture, with special winks for people who grew up Chinese or Jewish.

What are some of the challenges you faced while developing and popularizing Not Your Ma’s Jong? How did you overcome those challenges, and what lessons did you learn along the way?

We had a lot of fun creating Not Your Ma’s Jong – but turning it into a product and making people aware of it was hard! After the initial Kickstarter campaign, the remaining games sat in our home for over a year until we started to get some media attention. We were fortunate that a blog article turned into a newspaper feature which then got our story and the game featured on TV twice! Hasbro took an interest at that point, licensed the game and it’s now being sold around the world. This showed us that people love it once they hear about it! That initial exposure was the hard part.

Can you share any heartwarming stories or feedback you have received from players of Not Your Ma’s Jong?

Adam: The initial Kickstarter campaign was a very personal experience for us. We received stories and repeat orders from some of the earliest recipients of the game, sharing how they played with their parents, children, or nieces and nephews, and how it caused them to reminisce about their own family stories when they saw the illustrations on the cards. We still love getting emails and seeing reviews from people who feel a connection to the game.

What advice would you give to individuals or families who are seeking to explore and celebrate their own cultural heritage? How can games like Not Your Ma’s Jong play a role in this process?

Jenn: It was important to us to not let our families’ cultures and memories fade away for our daughters, and creating this game was one of our ideas to do that. I know it’s hard – especially with young kids – but I think it’s important for parents to think back on their childhoods and choose some of the traditions that they want to continue with their children. Whether celebrating certain holidays, traveling together to meaningful places, or simply making a memorable recipe together, spending quality time together is the most important thing – and playing a game like Not Your Ma’s Jong is one way to spend time together.

In conclusion, what message or lasting impact do you hope Not Your Ma’s Jong will leave on players and society as a whole?

Jenn: The world can sometimes feel so divided – we hope people see this game, and the story behind it, as a small example of how people with different cultural backgrounds and languages can find common ground and develop a friendship. We hope they get a glimpse into Chinese and Jewish cultural experiences and relate with their own experiences too!

CONNECT WITH NOT YOUR MA’S JONG

Instagram: @notyourmasjong

Threads: @notyourmasjong

Website: notyourmasjong.com

  • 7 min read
People Daily-png

News

Meet The Chinese Pancake Shop Owner with Exceptional Calligraphy Skills

Mastering the art of calligraphy has transformed Kang Jinming, a humble 50-year-old proprietor of a cozy pancake roll shop, into a local sensation known as “the calligrapher at a pancake shop.” Situated in the heart of Hefei city, the capital of China’s Anhui Province, Kang’s unassuming establishment is renowned for its delectable stuffed pancake rolls, a favorite among the locals.

Over weekends, as customers savor their pancake rolls, Kang surprises them with a small yet significant gift—a carefully composed note featuring a line of poetry, a fragment of prose, an age-old adage, or a beautifully scribed Chinese character. Most commonly, the characters for “Le” (joy) and “Qu” (fun) are included in these tokens.

For 30 years, while taking care of his shop, he practiced calligraphy. When there are no customers around, Kang quietly sits at a small table and practices his writing with a brush. After closing his shop, he continues on bigger pieces of paper. His love for calligraphy makes him use anything he can find to write on – old books, newspapers, and even cardboard.

Kang’s establishment has become a local attraction, drawing both online attention and physical visits from locals and tourists alike. Looking to the future, Kang aims to create a few calligraphy pieces and have them framed as a legacy for the next generation.

“That’s what lies in the innermost part of my heart—knowing that I’ve left something in the world and society and that I’ve been happy doing what I love. I will be content with my life,” he shared with People Daily.

Featured Image Source: People Daily

  • 2 min read
Asian journal-jpg

News

How Plants Became a Source of Hope During the Pandemic for Peter Dario

When tough times hit during the pandemic, people everywhere turned to plants for comfort. Lockdowns and worries made people feel alone, but planting things brought them joy and hope. Terrace Plant Shop is an example of this.

The proud Filipino-American owner, Peter Dario, faced a big tragedy two years ago, when he lost his dad and grandpa to COVID-19. This was really tough for his family. To help heal, they started getting into plants, even though Peter wasn’t into them before.

Peter wasn’t sure if it would work at the beginning. But despite the uncertainty, he took the leap.

Terrace Plant Shop goes beyond being a store – it stands as a symbol of resilience. People who also navigated pandemic struggles found hope in its story. It proved that even when things are tough, positivity can grow.

Beyond plants, the shop offers an array of treasures like soil, pots, and even candles. Among the diverse plant offerings, the Monstera Adansonia, with its striking heart-shaped leaves, steals the spotlight. The “Friendship Plant,” or Pilea Peperomioides, is another crowd favorite. Its low-maintenance nature and cheerful appearance are a hit.

Terrace Plant Shop also offers workshops that teach people how to craft terrariums, miniature plant havens. These interactive sessions cater to groups and teams, fostering creativity and connection.

Featured Image Source: Asian Journal

  • 2 min read

News

Marquis Blends Asian Roots and Modern Flair with Innovative Energy Drinks

The energy drink industry is on an exciting upswing, having expanded by a remarkable $7 billion over the past half-decade. Stepping into this dynamic field is Marquis, a family-founded beverage brand rooted in AAPI heritage. Their approach involves crafting a sparkling drink featuring a unique caffeine blend, setting them apart in the market.

Unlike most energy drinks and functional beverages that cram 200 to 300 milligrams of caffeine into each serving, Marquis opts for a milder 100 milligrams. Interested buyers can find Marquis beverages both on the official website, drinkmarquis.com, and select Target stores, including the Downtown branch located at 735 S. Figueroa Street, as well as local Erewhon Markets.

LA natives Christopher Lai and Danny Huang, co-founders of Marquis, are leading the charge for a healthier caffeine experience. Lai shared with LA Downtown News that around 90% of American adults consume caffeine daily, but Marquis’ caffeine drink comes with added benefits.

Marquis crafts its beverages with organic ingredients, sidestepping added sugars and excess calories. Their concoction combines green tea, green coffee, and yerba mate to offer a balanced, natural energy lift throughout the day. Huang emphasized their ability to provide sustained, natural energy with a fraction of the usual caffeine content.

Marquis beverages boast antioxidants, vitamins B and C, setting them apart in promoting health-conscious choices. Lai’s focus on differentiation from other energy drink companies reflects in Marquis’ careful crafting and dedication to responsible caffeine consumption.

The brand’s flavors, including citrus yuzu, lychee peach, mango ginger, super berry, and pineapple passion, carry a unique touch shaped by their “Asian-ness,” as described by Huang. Their latest flavor, lemon lavender, adds a botanical dimension. Huang revealed that these flavors are a testament to their history, culture, and personal experiences, a way to share nostalgia and love with the world.

Featured Image Source: LA Magazine

  • 2 min read