We're celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month by highlighting some of our favorite Asian-owned businesses.
The founders showcased below all echoed one another's sentiments about representation -- that it means others can feel included in the spaces in which they work, build their businesses and find success.
Scroll below to read what they had to say, and shop picks from their brands!
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Victor Tam, CEO and co-founder at MONOS, created the travel goods company alongside his childhood friends Hubert Chan and Daniel Shin with the goal of delivering high-quality travel essentials at an accessible price point.
Speaking to up-and-coming entrepreneurs, he said, "Don't chase the hype. Build something real. It's easy to get caught up in funding rounds and flashy headlines. At the end of the day, it's all about product, customers and cash flow. This is a long game, protect your energy, and remember why you started."
Popular MONOS products include the Carry-On, which has a luxuriously soft, anti-microbial lining made from 100% recycled polyester, ultra-microfiber vegan leather details, and a built-in, removable compression pad with a zippered pocket for organizing flat items. It also includes combination locks and color-coordinated YKK reverse coil zippers for smooth, reliable closure.
Crafted from durable 24-ounce, 100% cotton canvas, the Gesso Backpack offers a sturdy yet natural feel that ages beautifully over time. Features include a two-way zipper, interior laptop sleeve (fits up to 14-inch laptops), exterior pockets for water bottles or umbrellas, adjustable straps, a trolley sleeve for easy suitcase attachment and an accessory loop compatible with the QuickSnap modular kit system.
The Hybrid Trunk features an adjustable, telescopic handle with four height settings, high-performance 360-degree spinner wheels, reinforced wheel housing and two TSA-accepted combination locks for peace of mind. It's crafted from aerospace-grade materials, and the water-resistant polycarbonate hard shell is made with partially recycled materials and paired with an anodized aluminum frame and corner guards for the ultimate protection.
The Metro Carry-All Duffel is crafted from water-resistant and scratch-resistant vegan leather that's tough enough for everyday use while staying effortlessly chic. It is thoughtfully designed with a roomy 16-inch laptop compartment, interior tech sleeves, a zippered pocket and exterior magnetic snap pockets for quick access. Other features include vegan leather handles on both ends, a removable padded shoulder strap and an exterior trolley sleeve that slides securely over your Monos suitcase handle for hands-free convenience.
Jackie Kim is the CEO and co-founder of her very own skin care line, Maelove, which she runs alongside her husband and hopes to one day pass along to her daughter. Kim said she is passionate about addressing customer needs and frustration in the beauty industry and believes that beauty isn't one note, race, color, gender or age, instead opting to celebrate our differences.
Her No. 1 piece of advice for potential entrepreneurs? "Start with the customer and not the product," she said. "Build your entire business around solving real problems for real people."
The Glow Maker is Maelove's most popular product and has sold over 1 million bottles since it launched in 2017. It's a Vitamin C serum and more, formulated with a powerhouse trio of 15% L-ascorbic acid, vitamin E and ferulic acid. Plus, it's enhanced with botanical extracts to also soothe, hydrate and brighten the skin. The texture has a water-like consistency that absorbs very quickly, meaning no stickiness or tackiness.
The Moonlight Advanced Retinal Super Serum uses retinal -- short for retinaldehyde -- which "is 10x more effective than retinol for prescription-level anti-aging benefits without irritation," Maelove's website states. It reduces fine lines and wrinkles, smooths and firms skin texture, and renews skin tone.
If you need hydration -- and don't we all? -- this serum is for you. The Hydrator is hyaluronic acid and a blend of panthenol and resveratrol in a weightless, oil-free gel serum that provides all day hydration for a dewy, refreshed complexion. It spreads well and layers easily. Your skin will drink it in.
The Peptide Squad serum contains four types of science-backed peptides to help boost collagen production. The natural cerulean blue hue comes courtesy of copper peptides, acting as an instantly calming and soothing agent! The name of the game with this serum is plumping skin and reducing lines and wrinkles.
So much of our coffee comes from Central and South America, Africa and Asia, and Sahra Nguyen, CEO and co-founder of Nguyen Coffee Supply, believes representation in the coffee industry is important for allowing us to connect with the diverse cultures and communities our coffee comes from.
Nguyen is a first generation Vietnamese American, and her mission is to get people to enjoy Vietnamese coffee. She said she hopes to change the future of coffee through diversity, sustainability and cultural integrity.
A perfectly balanced and bold blend, the Saigon roast combines notes of cacao and blackberry for a well-rounded brew that mirrors the vibrancy of Vietnam's most dynamic city.
Bold, smooth, and strong, this is the brand's first ever Canned Coffee: 100% Robusta Cold Brew. Try all three flavors: Classic Black, Condensed Milk and Coconut. Vietnam is famous for Robusta coffee, which requires fewer resources to grow and has 60% less sugar and fats than Arabica coffee beans for a cup that packs a punch.
Nguyen Coffee Supply's Hanoi roast is strong and rich with notes of figs and graham crackers. The 100% Robusta dark roast embodies the character and tradition of Vietnam's capital.
