Contact
  • HOME
  • / MEDIA /
  • They Met in AHN, Now They Started a Tech Venture to Revolutionize Publishing

Stories

April 30, 2024

SHARE:

In a world where AI is all the rage, two AHN members are using AI to champion authentic storytelling in the publishing industry.

As entrepreneurs and advocates for change, Yobe Qiu and Serena Li have made it their mission to champion diversity and inclusion in children’s literature, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background, sees themselves represented and celebrated. Now they are building a new platform together  – BookAnAuthor.com – which uses machine learning to make it easier for schools, organizations and corporations to book authors for events, and buy directly from authors.

A MATCH MADE IN AHN

We had the opportunity to have an exclusive interview with Yobe and Serena, whose journeys began with a chance encounter on the Asian Hustle Network community. Yobe is a serial entrepreneur in education and founder of By Yobe Qiu Multicultural Books and Toys, while Serena is the founder of Duck Duck Books and Eco Goods. It was here that Yobe and Serena found common ground:

Yobe: We were both members of the AHN group and I have posted a few times in the group to connect with other “hustlers.” One day I posted about looking for an editor in our community for our newest book, “I Am an Amazing Asian Girl”. I wanted to make sure my editor is someone who my book can speak to and Serena commented on my post that she could help. That was the start of our relationship, and AHN was our matchmaker! 

We started working together on that project and I was extremely impressed with her talent, dedication, and brilliance, we went on to do a few more projects together. What initially drew us to each other’s work was our experience in our fields, our respect for each other’s work ethics, and our support for each other to help one another grow. 

Serena: I am incredibly grateful that Yobe took a chance with me. During the pandemic, where in-person interaction was close to none, Yobe trusted me with her book – a stranger across the country. Our relationship is a testament to the power of community. 

ASIAN AMERICAN BOOKS EVERYWHERE ALL AT ONCE

Together, Yobe and Serena embarked on a mission to promote diversity and representation in children’s literature, culminating in the launch of the “Asian American Books Everywhere All At Once” campaign in April 2023. The campaign aimed to provide books featuring AAPI characters and stories to schools across the United States, championing authentic storytelling and cultural celebration:

Yobe: I was inspired by Michelle Yeoh when she said at the Oscars, “Every little girl who looks like [her] to know what’s possible. Dream big.” I wanted to provide books to schools that feature AAPI children, families, and cultures, to help our children feel represented and celebrated. That night, I called up Serena and two other author friends to join forces. We named the campaign, “Asian American Books Everywhere All at Once” as a spin-off from EEAAO’s huge win for the AAPI community in media! The name, despite being very long, received tremendous support among the community. It was very timely. Within a month, we exceeded our original goal and sent over 1500+ books to 20 schools across 5 states and donated books to them. 

Serena: All of the books we donated either featured AAPI characters or were written by an AAPI author. Our effort was a direct response to the book ban that was happening across the U.S. Instead of sitting still, we rallied our community at a grassroots level to support the schools around the country. 

DIFFERENT UPBRINGINGS, SAME GOALS

Yobe and Serena grew up from different backgrounds, but together, they draw upon their rich experiences to advocate for greater inclusivity and representation in children’s literature, ensuring that young readers from all walks of life feel empowered and inspired by the stories they encounter.

Yobe: Growing up surrounded by diversity and a very strong Chinese community in NYC’s Chinatown, I am proud of who I am and my culture because it was celebrated in the city. I wouldn’t be who I am today if it wasn’t because of the environment I grew up in. I’ve learned to be curious and make friends with people from all cultures growing up in the Big Apple. The hustling culture and welcoming spirit of New York Chinatown is ingrained in my DNA. 

My first job after graduate school was teaching. I wanted to discuss the Lunar New Year with my students, but there weren’t any materials that covered the diverse ways many Asian diasporas celebrate their New Year. I had students who were Korean, Vietnamese, Indian, and Thai in the classrooms, but most of the books were about the Chinese New Year. In my opinion, it was important not only to discuss the culture I was from but also to acknowledge the blended cultures my daughter’s generation would grow up in. So I took the initiative and wrote my very first book, “Our Lunar New Year: Celebrating the Lunar New Year in 5 Different Asian Communities.”

Serena: My experience was a bit different than Yobe’s. I moved to a suburb in Houston, TX at the age of 14 with my family. I didn’t speak any English. At that time, Houston wasn’t nearly as diverse. I remember my neighbors and classmates genuinely asking me, “Do Asians speak Asian?”. The road to immigration was hard, but I survived it. Being a 1.5-generation Chinese American, I identified equally as a Chinese person and as an American. 

Fast forward, now that I have children of my own, I look at them daily and ponder how they would identify themselves. I want them to grow up being proud of exactly who they are, their family history, and their blended cultures. I want to write books that hone in on the social emotional themes that are cross-cultural, so children can be kind to themselves and kind to others. I want to write books that are bilingual, so children of different cultures can learn to be open-minded. 

BOOKANAUTHOR.COM: YOUR GATEWAY TO LITERARY CONNECTIONS

Building upon the success of their campaign, they set their sights on a new endeavor: BookAnAuthor.com. This innovative platform, set to launch on April 15, 2024, aims to connect authors with schools, organizations, and independent bookstores, making literary engagements more accessible and fostering a love for reading among students nationwide:

Yobe: For the same reasons why literature should feature more diverse characters and stories, coming out of the pandemic, we see an increasing need for in-person literary engagements. There’s nothing that inspires students more than meeting their favorite authors. Currently, there isn’t a platform available that helps schools and organizations discover and book authors for events based on their requirements and constraints. The diverse authors, especially those who don’t have traditional agents representing them, are having a hard time finding which institutions are seeking authors for events at the moment. We want to build an ecosystem that offers literary services in a comprehensive way, from discovery to booking, from bulk orders to fundraising. Our tagline is “Your Gateway to Literary Connections”. 

Serena: Both Yobe and I are passionate about helping other authors. We each have consulting businesses helping authors realize their publishing dreams. Book An Author naturally becomes our next step. It allows us to take the learning from our very successful Asian American Books Everywhere All At Once campaign last year and scale it to support not only our immediate network but also the entire publishing community. We are here to use technology to disrupt the publishing industry! 

With BookAnAuthor.com, authors can showcase their profiles, books, and expertise, organized by zip code, rates, and availability. This allows for efficient management of bookings, event scheduling, and receipt of valuable feedback from schools, ultimately improving services and expanding audiences.

For schools, the platform simplifies the process of finding and booking diverse, vetted authors for visits, workshops, and other activities. It offers flexible discovery and booking options based on location, rates, and genres, as well as the ability to release RFPs and review customized bids systematically.

Additionally, the platform provides access to educational resources, enables educators to share feedback and ratings, and includes money-back guarantees and security features for easy booking processes.

CONNECT WITH YOBE AND SERENA / BOOK AN AUTHOR

“We are so grateful to have this community and if anyone has any insight for us, we are all ears. We are also happy to help anyone else in the community if they need help with publishing!” – Yobe Qiu

Book An Author: @BookAnAuthor (Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok) 

Website: bookanauthor.com 

Yobe Qiu, Co-founder and CEO, CFO: https://www.linkedin.com/in/yobe-qiu/

Serena Li, Co-founder and COO, CMO: https://www.linkedin.com/in/serenayli/

By Yobe Qiu – Multicultural Children’s Books and Toys: @ByYobeQiu (Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Amazon) 

Duck Duck Books + Eco Goods – Multilingual, SEL Kids Books and Eco-conscious Gifts: @duckduckbooks (Facebook, Instagram, Threads, TikTok, Pinterest, Google, YouTube)

Related Articles

250612 (1)-jpg

Blogs, Development

The Secret Behind Every “Why”: Climbing the Ladder

Have you ever asked someone why they bought something, and then asked again? You’d be surprised to find out that the answer now extends beyond the functional—we’re getting emotional. That’s what “laddering” is about. 

Laddering is a simple but effective tool to dive deeper into the decision-making thought process. Instead of just asking what people like, we explore the whys. Each answer helps us climb the ladder from surface-level to more profound insights.

1. ATTRIBUTE

A specific feature or characteristic of a product or choice.

Example: “These shoes have extra cushioning.”

attribute

2. FUNCTIONAL BENEFIT

The practical or performance-related advantage that the attribute provides.

Example: “They make running more comfortable.”

functional_benefit

3. EMOTIONAL BENEFIT

How the person feels because of the functional benefit.

Example: “I feel more confident and energized when I run.”

emotional_benefit

4. PERSONAL VALUE

A deeper belief, life goal, or principle that the emotional benefit supports.

Example: “Being healthy helps me feel free and in control of my life.”

personal_value
Win Your Leads Now!

Why Asian Hustle Solutions?

At Asian Hustle Solutions, we help Asian-owned brands grow by understanding what truly drives their audience—beyond features, into feelings and values.

Book a FREE call with us

If you want to learn more about our services, visit the Asian Hustle Solutions website at asianhustlenetwork.com/services/

  • 2 min read
250605 (1)-jpg

Blogs, Development

Fishing for Success: Using the STP Model to Grow Your Brand

Marketing is like fishing—there are plenty of fish in the sea, but each type requires a different approach. Knowing your audience is not an open-and-shut case. It is the process of researching, analyzing, and evaluating your audience base. 

The following framework, STP, serves as your fishing rod—helping you cast with purpose and reel in the right catch.

S – Segmentation

The world isn’t a monolith. People have diverse needs and preferences—but some will share common demands that align with what your business offers. 

That’s why audience segmentation matters. By understanding the unique traits of each group, you can identify which ones are the best fit for your brand. 

audience-segmentation

T – Targeting

Now, after you have an overall picture of the market, it’s time to focus your efforts. Targeting means selecting the specific segment—or segments—that your brand is best positioned to serve. 

This is where you shift from broad insights to strategy, adapting your message, products, and services to meet their needs.

target-audience

P – Positioning

Now, it’s not just about who you are—but it’s also about who they think you are. 

Positioning answers the question: Why should they choose you? Whether it’s your values, pricing, design, or experience, positioning helps you own a unique space in the market.

brand-positioning
Win Your Leads Now!

Why Asian Hustle Solutions?

To grow your brand, the goal isn’t just to reach a large audience—it’s to build a loyal segment that will stay with you over time. Getting to know this audience takes patience and insight. That’s where Asian Hustle Solutions comes in to support you every step of the way.

Book a FREE call with us

If you want to learn more about our services, visit the Asian Hustle Solutions website at asianhustlenetwork.com/services/

  • 2 min read
chester-yow-png

Stories

From Singapore to New York: How Chester Yow Turned Doubt Into Drive

Breaking New Ground in a Foreign Land

For Chester Yow, the decision to leave Singapore, his hometown, wasn’t an excursion but rather a mission. After two years in the military, Chester aimed to challenge his own comfort zone, venturing far away from the familiar into the unknown of a new country on the other side of the world. “I wanted to prove that I can be successful in another country, in another city,” he shares. While it is common that many Asians would like to take the stable route to be near their community, Chester wanted to flip the script and rewrite his story.

Drawn to the fast pace and competitive spirit of New York City (NYC), Chester quickly realized that real estate was made for him—because for a person who doesn’t enjoy 9-to-5 office jobs like Chester, real estate allows the flexibility while maintaining the discipline needed to survive in NY. It is this combination of freedom and responsibility that has become the driving force for him to start building a network from scratch in this city that never sleeps.

Chester Yow, a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker and Founder of the Chester Yow Team at SERHANT, smiling confidently in professional attire.
Chester Yow | Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker and Founder of Chester Yow Team at SERHANT

Shattering Stereotypes in the Heart of New York

“If you can make it there, you’ll make it anywhere.” It’s a common, inspirational pipeline when speaking of New York. It’s inspiring enough to imply that challenges will always remain—not to bring you down, but to toughen you up. Chester’s no exception. With a heart filled with unrelenting passion and determination, it was still not enough—especially when dealing with racial discrimination and prejudice.

As a fresh-off-the-boat Asian in the U.S., he soon faced the harsh realities here—that discrimination can be both subtle and publicized at the same time. “You do get looked down on as a ‘minority’ at times, and people tend to judge or doubt you faster. I sometimes get, ‘Wow, your English is so good’ (English is the spoken language of Singapore), or ‘Why aren’t you a doctor, lawyer, or accountant?’” he recalls.

Chester Yow, a Licensed Associate Real Estate Broker and Founder of the Chester Yow Team at SERHANT, who overcame early challenges in the U.S. such as racial discrimination and cultural differences, smiling confidently in professional attire.
Chester faced many challenges during his early days in the States, including racial discrimination and cultural differences. 

But instead of surrendering to the stereotypes, Chester leveraged them as inspiration. “I work harder than the next person, I study harder, I make sure I’m more prepared, I do everything necessary in my power so that there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind to question my capabilities.”

And his effort paid off. By exceeding expectations and proving himself with actual results, Chester is, step by step, changing common misconceptions—not only for himself but also for an Asian working in real estate in New York. Then, even those who doubted him reached out to him for work.

What grounds me is knowing why I work so hard and who I’m working for—my family, my loved ones, my future self 30 years down the road, and my own future family. I’m working hard for them. Having that quiet confidence to keep my head down and keep going is crucial, too.

The Life-Changing $450 Million Development Project

“Tough times don’t last, tough men do”—a quote from my military days that has stuck with me. Ryan Serhant also says, “You are allowed to quit—just make sure it’s on your best day.” You control your own destiny, and building mental toughness is essential to success. Mentorship is crucial for any entrepreneur, and one of Chester’s mentors can be traced back to his military days.

That advice led to a breakthrough in his career. One of the biggest turning points came in 2017, when Chester helped launch a $450 million luxury real estate project in Manhattan. As part of the SERHANT. team, he had the opportunity to bring the project to Ryan Serhant—one of the industry’s most prominent figures—and collaborate directly with his top-tier team.

Ryan Serhant (left) and Chester Yow (right) standing together, both in professional attire, smiling confidently.
Ryan Serhant (left) and Chester (right)

“That project didn’t just help me close more deals (and earn more), it grew my network with consumers and other top agents, to learn the ropes of new development, and to work and learn closely with Ryan, thus growing my career exponentially,” Chester shared. It was an experience that catapulted his career and opened doors that might’ve otherwise taken years to access.

Staying Rooted on Unfamiliar Ground

As someone who grew up in Asia, Chester was raised with a mindset rooted in caution and logic. “We’re often taught to think of the worst-case scenario, to lead with reason, and to stay guarded and conservative. But that can sometimes come off as negative or dismissive,” he said. Living and working in the U.S. challenged those values and pushed him to adopt a more balanced approach. “I’ve learned not just to be prepared for the worst, but also to lead with optimism, follow my heart, and be vulnerable. Embracing failure and change has been key to my growth.”

That flexibility in mindset has helped Chester adapt and thrive in a fast-paced environment like New York. Even after many years away from Singapore, he’s maintained a strong connection to its culture and community. He regularly attends events and is active in organizations that support Asians in NYC. “There are so many ways to stay connected to being Singaporean and Asian here,” he shared. “I have a great group of friends and partners—we collaborate, support each other’s businesses, and stay rooted in our culture. In fact, 70% of my clients are Asian, and working with them helps me stay connected as well.”

Connect With Chester Yow

“Work hard, work smart, stay persistent, and block out the noise around you. Find a purpose that gets you out of bed every day and use it as your daily motivation. Hold on to the people who believe in you—and forget the ones who don’t.”

Website: Chester Yow

Instagram: @chester.yow

  • 5 min read
250529_AHS-EMAIL-MKT-jpg

Blogs, Development

Winning with Keywords: How AHS Boosts Your Search Results

Words are not just a compilation of letters—there’s power and impact beneath them that can alter your brand’s SEO performance. Here are three tips to choose keywords with the right strategy and the right timing.

Look for Problem-Based Words

Instead of targeting what people want, focus on the audience’s problems. Before they want to buy, they have to be seen first. Scout public forums to find how users address their problems.

problem-based-words

Analyze SERP Intent, Not Just Search Volume 

Not every high-volume word should be used if the top results associated with that word are irrelevant to your content type.  Always check the SERP (search engine results page) to see Google’s current favorites—blogs, products, videos, etc.

focus-on-serp-intent

Track Keyword Trends by Season or Event

Utilize tools like Google Trends to identify rising keywords linked to seasons, holidays, or industry events. With the right timing, these short-term spikes will help drive quick traffic.

track-keywords
Win Your Leads Now!

Why Asian Hustle Solutions?

At AHS, we help brands grow smarter with SEO that starts with strategic keyword analysis. By understanding search intent, trends, and real user problems, we find the terms that actually drive traffic and conversions—not just clicks.

Book a FREE call with us

If you want to learn more about our services, visit the Asian Hustle Solutions website at asianhustlenetwork.com/services/

  • 2 min read