Zoe Unlimited: Redefining What It Means to Be an Influencer - AHN Media Group
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

image (3)-png

Stories

How Buddhist Values Helped Thai Lee Build a $16B Tech Empire and Become the U.S.’ 5th-Richest Self-Made Woman

Born in Thailand and raised in South Korea, Thai Lee was shaped by constant cultural shifts from a young age. Although her family practiced Christianity, her early education in a Buddhist primary school introduced her to ideas that would quietly guide her life and leadership.

There, she learned that life is marked by suffering, impermanence, and uncertainty. Rather than seeing these as obstacles, she absorbed them as realities to work with—an outlook that later became central to her approach to business and power.

Image Source: Asia Society

Embracing Suffering as a Path to Growth

A core Buddhist teaching Lee internalized early was that suffering is not a failure, but a condition of growth. This belief trained her to stay calm under pressure and to see difficulty as something to be managed, not avoided.

That mental discipline carried her through an intense academic path, including a double major in biology and economics. It also shaped her resilience at Harvard Business School, where she became the first Korean woman to graduate by staying focused on long-term purpose rather than short-term comfort.

Image Source: Freepik

Practicing Utility Over Ego in Business

When Lee purchased a failing IT reseller in 1989 for $1 million and renamed it Software House International, she rejected the idea of growth for growth’s sake. Guided by the Buddhist value of utility, she asked one simple question: does this technology truly help people?

Instead of chasing trends or flashy innovations, she prioritized practical solutions that made work more efficient and reliable. This steady, service-driven approach allowed SHI to earn trust over time, scaling quietly into a $16 billion global company serving major institutions like Boeing and AT&T.

Image Source: Expansión

Right Livelihood as the Measure of Success

As her wealth grew, Lee leaned more deeply into the Buddhist principle of Right Livelihood—earning success through ethical means and responsibility to others. She believes leadership should reduce harm, not amplify ego or excess.

Despite being the fifth-richest self-made woman in the United States, she avoids executive privileges and symbolic power. By parking with employees, managing her own calendar, and staying close to daily operations, she reinforces her belief that real wealth is measured by trust, dignity, and the well-being of the 7,000+ people she leads.

Learn more about Thai Lee here:

📍LinkedIn

  • 2 min read
14a43197-8fdf-4db7-bc59-5931ce26eb91

Stories

The Healing Power of the 27-Foot Buddha over New York City by Vietnamese Artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen

New York City is a place defined by constant noise and fast movement. Starting next spring, a 27-foot-tall Buddha statue will be installed on the High Line Plinth to change that atmosphere.

This 27-foot-tall sculpture is the latest installation on the High Line Plinth, towering over the city as a beacon of reflection. Created by Vietnamese artist Tuan Andrew Nguyen, it represents a profound intersection of ancient spirituality and modern history.

Titled ‘The Light That Shines Through the Universe’, the piece acts as a medium for healing and ancestral memory. More than just a statue, it represents an architectural prayer offered to a city that never stops moving.

Image Source: Art Asia Pacific

Historical Acupuncture: Healing Global Wounds

Tuan Andrew Nguyen describes his creative process as “historical acupuncture,” a method of using art to target and release the pressure of buried traumas. 

By placing this massive Buddha in one of the most active public spaces in the world, Nguyen addresses the deep-seated wounds of war, displacement, and erased histories. 

The sculpture serves as a physical needle intended to stimulate the collective memory of the public, forcing a confrontation with the ghosts of the past. In a city built on constant reinvention, this work insists on the importance of looking back to move forward.

Image Source: The High Line

Weapons into Wisdom: The Alchemy of Brass

The most poignant detail of the sculpture lies in its hands, which are not merely carved but recast from a darker history. 

Nguyen utilized brass artillery shells recovered from war-torn landscapes, melting down the literal tools of death to forge sacred gestures of compassion. This transformation represents a literal and figurative alchemy, turning the debris of violence into a silent blessing for New York City. 

Through this act of recycling and redemption, the artist proves that even materials born of destruction can be repurposed to serve a higher, more peaceful calling.

Image Source: The Collector

A Global Refugee: Resilience in Sandstone

Carved in sandstone, the figure pays a haunting tribute to the Bamiyan Buddhas of Afghanistan, which were destroyed by the Taliban over two decades ago. 

Nguyen reimagines the spirit of those lost monuments as a “global refugee,” traveling from a workshop in Vietnam to find a temporary home in the heart of Manhattan. This journey mirrors the displacement of millions, turning the sculpture into a symbol of cultural endurance. 

It stands as a towering promise that while physical stone can be shattered by hate, the resilience of our shared human heritage remains fundamentally unbroken.

Learn more about Tuan Andrew Nguyen here:

📍Website

  • 3 min read
image

Stories

The Fighter Mentality Driving Anthony Kwok, CEO and Co-Founder at ZILIO, to Fix Fashion’s Most Overlooked Problem

Anthony Kwok’s journey didn’t begin in a boardroom. It began in places that demanded discipline, resilience, and the ability to keep going when things got uncomfortable. First in the ring as a professional fighter, and later through a medical crisis that reshaped how he approached both life and leadership.

Those experiences now shape how Anthony runs ZILIO, a fashion tech company building AI-powered sizing solutions for brands and uniform providers. What looks like a startup on the surface is really the result of years spent learning how pressure exposes real problems, and how frustration often points to what needs fixing most.

At ZILIO, Anthony brings that mindset to one of fashion’s most overlooked challenges: the perfect fit. Not just as a sizing issue, but as a confidence issue that affects how people show up, move through their day, and feel in their own skin.

The Lessons That Carried Him Through

Before stepping into the tech world, Anthony spent his years as a professional fighter competing on FoxSports. Growing up Asian in a predominantly white environment, he felt he had to work twice as hard to be seen. This drive eventually led him to the ISKA Victorian Title. However, his toughest fight came outside the ring when he suffered two strokes the same year he founded ZILIO.

Walking away would have been understandable. Instead, Anthony leaned into the discipline he learned as a fighter. As he puts it, “Being a professional fighter taught me one non-negotiable principle: Never quit. No matter what. That philosophy carried me through recovery and continues to guide how I build today.”

Solving the “Booty Short” Problem

The idea for ZILIO was born from personal frustration. As an athlete with a specific build, Anthony found online shopping to be a constant gamble. He still remembers ordering gym shorts that arrived fitting like “booty shorts,” an experience that made him wonder why we can dress video game avatars perfectly but struggle to do the same in real life.

ZILIO solves this by replacing confusing size charts with accurate AI recommendations. The company started with corporate uniforms, where poor fit creates massive operational headaches for brands like Coles and Australian Unity. The impact was immediate. ZILIO has helped partners cut returns by 40% and significantly boosted customer engagement by giving them a fit they can trust.

Anthony Kwok (right), CEO and Co-Founder of ZILIO

Helping People Stop Second-Guessing Their Bodies

For Anthony, this mission is personal. He knows that standard size charts often fail people with diverse backgrounds and body types, including many in the Asian community. His goal is to make sizing “invisible” so that people can focus on their style instead of their anxiety.

“Fashion is deeply emotional, and a bad sizing experience can stop someone from exploring style altogether,” Anthony explains. “ZILIO exists to navigate that complexity and give people clarity and confidence, regardless of body type or background.”

With $500,000 in funding and awards like the B&T 30 Under 30, Anthony is proving that a kid with a big imagination can change a global industry. Whether it’s through his upcoming 3D virtual fitting rooms or his work with major brands like Rebel Sport, he is making sure that the next time you shop online, you’re buying a piece of clothing that actually fits your life.

Discover more about Anthony Kwok here:

📍LinkedIn📍Instagram

Learn more about ZILIO here:

📍Website📍Instagram

  • 3 min read
5fb9cf02-106f-4637-a666-2db06176ce94-jpeg

Stories

From War Survivor to Literary Leader: The Remarkable Rise of Amy M. Le, CEO of Quill Hawk Publishing

Amy M. Le, CEO of Quill Hawk Publishing, has built her life around stories that matter. Not the polished kind that skip the hard parts, but the honest ones shaped by loss, survival, and growth. Her journey reflects how personal history can quietly become a source of strength.

Every stage of Amy’s life pushed her to adapt and redefine what success looked like. She learned early that resilience is not loud or dramatic, but steady and intentional. Over time, those lessons shaped the way she approaches both writing and leadership.

Today, Amy’s work centers on creating space for voices that are often overlooked. Through publishing and community-building, she helps others turn lived experience into stories that resonate far beyond the page.

 

Photo courtesy of Amy M. Le, CEO of Quill Hawk Publishing

Born in War, Saved by Courage

Amy M. Le was born during the final months of the Vietnam War, a period defined by intense fear and systemic instability. As an infant, she faced a life-threatening heart condition that put her future in jeopardy before it had truly begun. Because medical resources were scarce in a war zone, her survival was never a guarantee.

Driven by a mother’s fierce love, her family made the harrowing choice to flee Vietnam in search of safety and essential medical care. This escape carried enormous risks, yet it was fueled by an unwavering hope for a life free from conflict. That courageous decision ultimately changed the trajectory of Amy’s life, setting her on a path toward a new world.

Photo courtesy of Amy M. Le (far right), CEO of Quill Hawk Publishing

A New Life and a Turning Point

Their journey eventually led them to Seattle, where Amy underwent the life-saving heart surgery she so desperately needed. This successful procedure gave her much more than physical health; it provided a second chance and a profound sense of purpose. With this renewed vitality, she grew up determined to make the most of every opportunity her new home provided.

Following this recovery, Amy spent over twenty years navigating the high-pressure tech industry to build a stable and successful career. However, the trajectory of her life shifted once again when she faced the devastating loss of her mother. In the wake of this grief, she turned to writing as an essential lifeline to heal her heart and rebuild her sense of identity.

Photo courtesy of Amy M. Le, CEO of Quill Hawk Publishing

Turning Story into a Mission

That personal healing became The Snow Trilogy, a powerful book series telling the true story of her family’s escape from Vietnam and their new life in America. The books resonated deeply with readers who saw their own stories reflected in its pages. What began as personal healing became a collective connection.

Inspired by that impact, Amy founded Quill Hawk Publishing, a hybrid company built to empower authors without stripping away their creative freedom. In just three years, the company has grown to support 70 authors from Seattle to Sydney, proving that no matter where you begin, you can always rewrite your story and help others tell theirs too.

Discover more from Amy M. Le here:

📍Instagram

Learn more about Quill Hawk Publishing here:

📍Website

  • 3 min read