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Forbes
01-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
38 Female-Founded AAPI Brands You Should Know
May is Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) month, but AAPI-founded brands deserve recognition year-round. The month of May is dedicated to celebrating Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI), but the history and contributions of this vast community deserve celebration year-round. While reported AAPI-targeted hate crimes have declined since the pandemic, research shows the anti-Asian sentiment still lingers. Donating to organizations such as Stop AAPI Hate, AAPI Women Lead, KACF and Asian Americans Advancing Justice is one way to help support the AAPI community. Another is to be mindful of where you shop. Out of 507 CEOs of 500 leading U.S. companies, only three are Asian women. With more AAPI-owned brands to shop than ever, you don't have to go out of your way to support the AAPI community. But despite the rise of AAPI-owned businesses, AAPI women continue to be underrepresented in leadership positions. In the United States, one in 96 men hold a manager or leadership role while one in 124 women hold the top position. Out of 507 CEOs of 500 leading U.S. companies, only three are Asian women. Globally, women control an estimated $20 trillion in annual consumer spending, yet few are represented in top leadership roles. When it comes to shopping for the latest skincare, fashion or pantry staples, 85% of consumer purchases in the U.S. are made by women. Globally, women control an estimated $20 trillion in annual consumer spending. Having women in leadership positions in which they control product design helps ensure the interests and needs of female consumers are met. Having women involved in product design is crucial to ensuring female consumers' needs and interests are met. So this month, we're highlighting the female-founded brands who not only honor their AAPI heritage but are carving a path for other aspiring female entrepreneurs to follow suit. From the latest K-Beauty innovations to modern twists on family recipes; Ayurvedic skincare rituals to porcelain tea sets—together, these brands represent the diversity, rich history and future of the AAPI community. The Sill founder Eliza Blank. When Eliza Blank's mom migrated to Massachusetts from the Philippines, houseplants helped her feel connected to her native country during the long winters. 'That connection to plants and nature became a quiet but powerful part of my upbringing,' says Blank. 'When I started The Sill at 26—around the same age my mom was when she came to the U.S.—I found myself drawing inspiration from her all over again.' Since its humble roots from a bootstrapped business operated from a borrowed desk in Chinatown, the plant delivery service has grown tremendously. In 2023, The Sill surpassed $50 million in gross online sales, delivering over 1 million houseplants Sill's offerings have expanded to include everything from patio plants to low light houseplants; decorative flowers to fruit trees. 'In a way, The Sill is a reflection of both where I come from and where I want to grow,' says Blank. Elix founder Lulu Ge. When Lulu Ge experienced debilitating symptoms such as cramps, headaches, fatigue and insomnia from getting off birth control, she found the only solution that worked was Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM). So she created a digital platform that blends TCM with modern science and clinical studies, to deliver personalized care and herbal treatments for chronic conditions, beginning with hormone health. Recognizing that one size doesn't fit all, Elix offers users personalized consultations and questionnaires to determine the most appropriate formula. Having supported over 500,000 menstrual cycles since launching in March, Elix claims to be one of the fastest growing start-ups in the TCM wellness space. Sundays' founder Amy Ling Lin. Growing up in China and living in the United States taught Amy Ling Lin the beauty of individuality. So she created a nail salon studio and accompanying professional nail polish line to promote the message, 'you're beautiful as you are.' Built on the belief that no one should have to sacrifice their health for beauty all Sundays polishes are non-toxic and the colors are designed to make clients feel safe, confident and seen. 'I still remember how hard it was navigating the world when English wasn't my first language,' says Lin. 'That's why we use numbers instead of polish names—to make communication in salons easier and more inclusive for everyone, especially for immigrant nail specialists like the ones I've worked with and learned from.' You can find the professional line of long-lasting polishes online and used in five salon locations in Manhattan. Superegg founder Erica Choi. From a facial cream made from egg whites in 600 B.C. China to a Korean ritual of mixing eggs with liquor as a complexion treatment for jade-like skin during the Joseon Dynasty—eggs have long been a revered ingredient in Asian beauty rituals. Born in Busan, Korea and raised in New Jersey, Superegg founder Erica Choi was nicknamed 'egg' for the shape of her face. As an adult practicing as a licensed esthetician, Choi became aware of the animal welfare and environmental issues associated with traditional egg-based skincare, and was inspired to create her own plant-based line in 2020. Recognizing the nutrients held in each component of the egg—the yolk, the white and shell membrane—Superegg replicates the egg's capabilities in vegan form with nourishing ingredients like moringa oil and plant stem cells. With products like the hand-lip duo called 'Seoulmate,' face-hand duo called 'New Yolker' and a hand cream packaged in a duru pouch—a traditional Korean item used for carrying small items attached to the waist—the New York-based line is distinctly Korean American. Brooklyn Delhi founder Chitra Agrawal. When Chitra Agrawal began blogging about her Indian family recipes from her apartment in Brooklyn over a decade ago, she never imagined she would one day have products beloved by celebrities such as Mindy Kaling and Lilly Singh. From the blog, Chitra began hosting pop-up dinners and cooking classes around New York City, eventually publishing her own cookbook, Vibrant India: Fresh Vegetarian Recipes from Bangalore to Brooklyn. In 2014, she launched Brooklyn Delhi with her husband, a food packaging designer, to bring Indian sauces, condiments and ready-to-eat meals into the homes of more Americans. Eleven years later, she has exceeded her mission, as you can find Brooklyn Delhi across the country in major retailers like Whole Foods and Target. From coconut curry sauce to spicy mango chutney, Agrawal is making it easy to bring a taste of India into the kitchen. BONBONWHIMS founder Claire Ngai. Growing up in Hong Kong, some of Claire Ngai's earliest memories consist of playing with kitschy kawaii toys, instilling in her a whimsy that would later influence her creations as a jewellery designer. When communities of color were disproportionally affected by the pandemic, Ngai started BONBONWHIMS in 2021 to raise money for various BIPOC charities. In the four years since, the Y2K-inspired jewellery line has taken off, with pieces spotted on celebrities like Kylie Jenner, Megan Thee Stallion and Michelle Zauner, including Ngai's own role models. 'Our playful pieces had been spotted on so many trail-blazing AAPI figures who I look up to, from Bowen Yang and Ashley Park to Olivia Rodrigo and Olympic Gold Medalist Snowboarder Chloe Kim,' says Ngai.' Yumday founder Lia Ballentine. 'As a Filipina immigrant who grew up in the American South, food has always been a powerful way for me to stay connected to my culture and heritage,' says Lia Ballentine. 'But just as importantly, I use food as a way to share my culture with others—and to learn about theirs.' Recognizing food as a gateway or bridge motivated Ballentine to create a subscription service snack box that contains women- and BIPOC-led food and beverage brands. A reference to the Tagalog phrase 'sarap ng buhay,' which translates to 'life is tasty' or 'life is good,' Yumday is a celebration of the flavors and foodways of different cultures. From the logo depicting the rays of the sun of the Filipino flag to the brand colors inspired by Ballentine's favorite Filipino dessert—halo-halo—the founder says the brand is a love letter to her roots and a way to keep that connection alive. From green banana flour crackers to popped waterlily seeds—the build-your-own-snack box is a fun way to try new foods from different cultures or gift them to others. AIREM Essentials founder Dr. Eunice Park. When Dr. Eunice Park immigrated to Queens, New York from Korea at the age of eight, she didn't speak English. An elementary school teacher took her under her wing, and after introducing Park to the story of the first female doctor Elizabeth Blackwell, Park was determined to pursue a career in medicine. Today, her dreams have become a reality—Dr. Park is a dual-board certified facial plastic surgeon and the founder of the first clinical K-beauty-inspired medical spa in the country, AIREM Aesthetic Spa & Plastic Surgery. Her product line AIREM Essentials combines her advanced medical expertise and clinical research to replicate or complement the treatment-experience at home. 'As a facial plastic surgeon, it was important to create a line with advanced formulations with clinically studied ingredients to truly enhance overall skin health as a standalone product or coupled with aesthetic treatments,' says Dr. Park. Some of their standouts include the vitamin C serum for brightening and sun protection, the pearl essence bio cellulose sheet masks and the lunamide ceramide serum for a dewy glow. VERLOOP founder Ella Lim. Growing up alongside her mom working in their family factory in the Philippines, Ella Lim noticed how much extra yarn was leftover after production. After pursuing a career in marketing and product design in New York City, she returned to the Philippines to join her family business and started VERLOOP, a fashion line made from deadstock material. The limited quantities of various deadstock yarn keeps Lim creative, as she develops new ways to either mix multiple yarns together or create patterns with frequent color changes, while not producing excess waste in the production process. The ribbed slippers are seamlessly knit so no material is cut away after knitting while poms are made on a special machine that allows them to shape the balls with minimal trimming. Gimme Seaweed founder Annie Chun. An homage to the seaweed snacks of Annie Chun's childhood growing up in Korea, this seaweed brand is redefining what an American snack can be. Building on the success of her previous brand, Annie Chun, the entrepreneur turned her attention to seaweed to create the first organic, non-GMO seaweed snacks in the United States. A reference to the Korean word 'gim,' which means 'seaweed,' Gimme Seaweed sources seaweed from regenerative aquaculture producers off the coast of South Korea. The result is a nutrient-rich, light snack available in eight flavors, found in major retailers across the country, including Whole Foods Market and Target. The brand has been such a success, the Korean government recently honored Chun's contributions to Korean seafood exports and the seaweed industry. Phème Paris founder Jessy Chu. After the birth of her first child, Jessy Chu found herself deeply depressed and in need of a change. So she transitioned from her career as a writer to instead channel her creative energy into designing clothes. Chu infuses her Chinese heritage into every collection—whether through the prints, silhouettes or fabric choices. 'Both Shinto and Daoist philosophies speak to the belief that everything carries a spirit, and you can see this woven into our prints—from tree branches, ink-painting textures, and xuan paper grain, to peonies, my favorite flower, which are known as the 'king of flowers' in Chinese culture and symbolize beautiful, confident women in classical poetry.' An off-the-shoulder striped knit dress depicts the concept of yin and yang through the interplay of fine and thicker lines and color-blocking, while a short embroidered velvet jacket draws from Hanfu, a traditional Chinese silhouette dating back thousands of years. Blume founder Karen Danudjaja. Working a fast-paced job in commercial real estate, Karen Danudjaja found the sugary, caffeinated drinks she relied on for energy were taking a toll on her digestion, sleep and hormones. Recalling the use of turmeric as a natural remedy in her South Asian household as a child, Danudjaja had the idea to create latte mixes that could deliver sustained energy without the crash. Coinciding with a boom in functional beverages, since Blume's creation in 2017, the brand has expanded into more than 6,000 stores in North America. While Danudjaja still loves their signature turmeric latte, the line now includes gut-nourishing hydration mixes and several others blends made with ingredients targeting specific needs, such as lavender for sleep and beetroot for energy. Marble Lotus founder Soni Mehra. Former tech product manager and Indian American entrepreneur, Soni Mehra started her own home décor brand in 2022 to bring elegant South Asian design into the homes of Americans. The company works directly with artisans across India to source furniture, artwork and home accessories that celebrate South Asian culture. In addition to the décor line, Mehra and her team offer design services to help clients create spaces that reflect their own heritage. Dumpling Daughter founder Nadia Liu Spellman. Growing up with the home cooking of a celebrity chef Sally Ling—who opened Boston's first fine-dining Chinese restaurant in the 1980s which was frequented by celebrities like Julia Child and Yo-Yo Ma—Nadia Liu Spellman has always had a fondness for dumplings. Despite her family's fine dining expertise, her warmest memories are of rushing home after school for her mother's warm dumplings. Determined to share the culture of eating dumplings with more people, Spellman opened Dumpling Daughter as a brick-and-mortar shop in 2014. Over a decade later, Spellman's family recipes can be found in multiple restaurants, her cookbook, and in over 1,000 grocery stores across the country. Her line of frozen dumpling, buns and sauces can be ordered online too, making it easy to add comforting Chinese fare to your weekly rotation. Ponyflo founder Minsun Yoo. 'Growing up in Korea, during the summer months, we would slather sunscreen on our faces until we appeared ghostly white, wear mesh long sleeves for trips to the grocery store, and at the beach, it was common to see people fully covered as if preparing to surf, even if they were merely sunbathing,' explains Minsun Yoo. When Yoo moved to the U.S., she was shocked to see people lounging in the sun without face protection. As an industrial designer, Yoo's applied her problem-solving skills to her own frustration with the lack of athletic hats that offered enough coverage without running her hair. So she created a wide brimmed hat with a seamless back opening for breathability and crease-free hair. Since launching Ponyflo has expanded beyond their signature sunblocker to sell a wide variety of hats, including straw hats, ballcaps, bucket hats and beanies. Poi Dog founder Kiki Aranita. A pidgin term for mixed breed or mutt, 'poi dog' celebrates the diversity of cultures that make up Hawaiian food. Ingredients from China, Japan, Korea and the Philippines appeared on the sugar plantations where chef Kiki Aranita's grandparents and great grandparents lived and worked. In 2020, chef Aranita created her own line of Hawaiian sauces to pay homage to her heritage with labels reminiscent of the traditional palaka shirts her grandmother sold when she worked at the plantation store in Waipahu. From the 'chili peppah water,' best drizzled on poke bowls, to the 'guava katsu sauce,' an umami-rich, fruit sauce inspired by Japanese BBQ—chef Aranita's creations celebrate the creations of the AAPI diaspora. Christine Alcalay founder. Raised by an immigrant seamstress in the heart of New York City's garment district, Christine Alcalay learned from a young age that creating with your hands is an act of love and intention. Growing up between two cultures—Vietnamese and Americans—Alcalay says it's in this in-between space where she finds her resilience, resourcefulness and instinct to solve problems with creativity. It's this aptitude that contributes to her namesake fashion brand's success. With two boutiques in New York City, Alcalay is known for her modern suiting and silk organza pieces, and versatile pieces that celebrate womanhood. 'My Vietnamese heritage lives in everything I do—it shapes the way I see color, move through the world, and bring ideas to life,' says Alcalay. 'The thread of memory, culture, and soul is woven into every piece I design and every business decision I make—my heritage is my grounding force, and drifting from it simply isn't an option.' Fly By Jing founder Jing Gao. The chef that arguably put chili crisp on the map, Jing Gao was inspired by her upbringing in Chengdu, China to bring a modern spin on traditional Chinese cuisine into American kitchens. Her line of Sichuan pantry staples made with real ingredients has grown over the years to include instant noodles and several brand collaborations such as Irvins chili crisp potato chips, Fishwife Sichuan chili crisp smoked salmon and a hot sauce that appeared on Hot Ones. You can find the James Beard award-winning chef's creations in major grocers like Whole Foods Market, and in her cookbook, The Book of Sichuan Chili Crisp. Recreational Habits founder Jackie Skye Muller. Growing up playing golf with her Korean dad, Jackie Skye Muller was shocked when she moved to the East Coast and found herself one of the few minority faces on the golf course. 'Culturally too—I really felt out of place at the older prestigious country clubs that were filled with older white men with unfriendly glares,' Muller says. 'I knew I belonged on the golf course, in the country club, in the barns and on the court, but this experience made me question that. Witnessing the cultural barriers that historically plague club sports, Muller was inspired to create her own athletic fashion brand to create opportunities for people of color to experience the joy of recreational sports and the style associated with it. Raised in Dallas, Texas and educated in New York City, the former women's director of KITH and associate fashion director of Barneys New York combines her country and urban perspectives to give traditionally preppy pieces a chic edge. Oddball founder Sophie Cheng. Splitting her childhood between Hong Kong and Singapore, Sophie Cheng has fond memories of snacking on jelly desserts made from agar-agar. 'Growing up in Asia, there were options for people who wanted something to snack on that didn't include dairy or gluten,' says Cheng. 'When I came to the U.S., I noticed that option was missing, so I decided to create my own.' Made without gelatin, carrageenan, added sugars or preservatives, the new line of jelly snacks is the first JELL-O alternative of its kind in the United States. With four fruity flavors—made from real fruit and plants—the ready-to-eat snacks are bringing a taste of Asia into the American grocery aisle. NOTTE founder Jessica Tse. Jewellery designer Jessica Tse says her childhood growing up in Hong Kong continues to influence the pieces she designs for her accessory brand Notte. 'I was obsessed with small trinkets, cute stationery and manga, being able to explore all these elements so early on really shaped my love for finding small whimsical details and playfulness in everyday life,' Tse tells Forbes. The Chinese American founder's whimsy is evident in her colorful, imaginative jewellery, which are designed to spark joy. It's no wonder her pieces have been seen on numerous celebrities, such as Bella Hadid, Olivia Rodrigo and Megan Thee Stallion. Wildwonder founder Rosa Li. When Rosa Li was a child, she founder comfort in the healing herbal tonics her Chinese grandmother brewed for her. As an investor-turned-food entrepreneur, she saw an opportunity to incorporate Eastern herbal remedies into American wellness routines and created her own line of sparkling beverage. Amidst a booming functional beverage market, Li launched a beverage line inspired by her own Chinese culture in which 'functional' beverages have been used to cure ailments for centuries. She combines botanicals from her childhood, such as ginger, turmeric and lemon balm, with prebiotics and probiotics for a refreshing, gut-friendly soda. Li not only uplifts her own culture but others too, donating five percent of profits to marginalized communities. The Woobles founder Justine Tiu. Inspired by the anime she watched growing up, Justine Tiu channeled her creativity into a line of easy crochet kits. 'The Woobles exists because I did the straight-edge thing most Asian immigrant parents want for their kids—good school to good college to good job at a famous company with a good 401k, climbing the ladder super fast—but I was deeply unhappy and realized it's because that wasn't my definition of success,' says Tiu. The founder says she took the concept of amigurumi, a Japanese style of crochet and blended it with Western ideals of cuteness and kawaii, to offer cute kits that make crocheting easy. 'It's not actually about crochet,' says Tiu. 'It's about reminding yourself that you can take on whatever comes your way.' Ro'Table founder Roshan Adam-Holslag. From impromptu gatherings to organizing high-profile events for influential figures, hosting has always been a central part of Roshan Adam-Holslag's Indo-Persian upbringing in Britain. Hoping to foster meaningful connections, Adam-Holslag's dreamy line of tableware is made by artisans with natural materials and is a reflection of her worldly travels and Indian roots. Hints of her upbringing appear in all her collections, but most notably in her Shimla Social collection, a contemporary reimagining of early 19th century India. 'Each piece in the Shimla Social range is a tapestry of heritage—where the delicate English flora meets the vibrant, spirited hues of the tropical Indian fauna," says Adam-Holslag. Dream Tea NYC founder Anney Norton. During the pandemic, Anney Norton found herself frustrated with the lack of tea varieties in the grocery store. Under lockdown, Norton began experimenting in her kitchen to make her own tea, and the idea for her own tea brand—Dream Tea NYC—was born. It wasn't the first time Norton had found success in the kitchen. Born in Shanghai, Anney Norton moved to New York City as a teenager to study at Parsons, the New School of Design and shortly after graduating, founded A Cuter Cupcake company that was an instant hit collaborating with with esteemed brands like Prada, Miu Miu, SoulCycle, and Saks Fifth Avenue. With Dream Tea NYC, Norton hopes to innovate the tea category by offering consumers the flexibility to create their own custom tea blends, made with USDA organic ingredients, packaged in fun and imaginative canisters. SVNR founder Christina Tung. 'Growing up as a second generation Chinese-American, our household was very cognizant of waste, every piece of clothing was mended or reworked and never tossed,' says Christina Tung. Her environmental consciousness coupled with witnessing her mom's business savviness as an entrepreneur influenced her to create her own line of earrings made from found materials, inspired by her travels around the world. Since launching in 2018, SVNR has expanded to sell a wide range of accessories, all made from upcycled materials with as little waste as possible. MìLà founder Jennifer Liao. Raised by her Chinese immigrant parents in Dallas, Texas, Jennifer Liao recalls being bullied for her race and embarrassed of her homemade lunch in the school cafeteria. As she grew older, she learned to appreciate her Chinese heritage, and founded a line of Chinese dumplings and noodles with her husband as a way to connect with her family's history. What began in 2018 as a brick-and-mortar shop in Bellevue, Washington has grown into a nationwide, direct-to-consumer brand, available at major retailers like Target, Walmart, Kroger and Whole Foods. From frozen soup dumplings to braised beef noodles to umami scallion ginger oil, everything is inspired by and pays homage to the co-founder's Chinese roots. 'This little piece of Chinese America is our way of showing our friends, family, and the vast Asian American diaspora that there is a definitive place for us here in the States,' says Liao. Wanderlust + Co. founder Jenn Low. Born in Malaysia, Jenn Low's jewellery line is based in Kuala Lumpur and designed by women for women. Made sustainably and sold in over 150 countries around the world, the diverse collection reflects Jenn's upbringing as a Malaysian woman and her current experience raising two young kids, with designs that aim to empower women through meaningful mantras and providing opportunities for self-expression. Since launching in 2010, the brand has been seen on Chrissy Teigen, Bella Hadid, Jessica Alba and more. Kahuku Farms founder Kylie Matsuda-Lum. With a farming history spanning four generations on Oahu's North Shore, this over-a-century-old family farm continues to honor Hawaiian ingredients while giving back to the island. With 90% of the team from the local community and partnerships with local organizations to raise awareness about farming and sustainability, Kahuku Farms is dedicated to ensuring the wellbeing of Hawaii. Founder Kylie Matsuda-Lum never thought she'd return to the farm after college, but it's turned into her pride and joy, 'All of our decisions are rooted in our culture with our family, team and community in mind.' From liliko'I jelly to Hawaiian vanilla macadamia nut coffee to bean-to-bar chocolate—all their products are made on the farm and a celebration of Hawaii. Moonbow founders Heather and Felice Chan. When twin sisters Heather and Felice Chan developed skin and gut issues after moving to the United States from Hong Kong, they grew frustrated with the lack of holistic skincare options in their new home. They were so impressed with the Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques their mom used, that they decided to create their own skincare line to share TCM with others. Inspired by the centuries-old Chinese medicine theory of yin and yang, and the 530 herbs in TCM, Moonbow's three signature products aim to address the root causes of skin problems with traditional Chinese medicinal ingredients like wild chrysanthemum, an herb traditionally used to reduce inflammation. Maile Footwear founder MMaile Schmidt. Growing up between Hawaii and Japan, Maile Schmidt's childhood memories are filled with tropical landscapes and bustling cityscapes. These two environments provide the inspiration for her collection of her line of footwear handcrafted by Italian artisans. 'The collection is feminine, romantic and a contemporary interpretation of the beloved 90's kitten heels,' says Maile. Since launching in 2023, the brand has caught the attention of influential millennials and Gen Zers alike, worn by Olivia Rodrigo, Priyanka Chopra and Alix Earle. SHWETAMBARI founder Rohit Khosla. A childhood visit to the atelier of renowned Indian fashion designer Rohit Khosla planted the seed of inspiration for Shwetambari Mody. At 17, she left India to study fashion design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City and after completing her MBA in Paris, she returned to New York to create her own label, SHWETAMBARI, in 2020. Today, the designer lives between Mumbai and New York, but the bright colors, intricate patterns and storied traditions of her native country continuing to inspire her designs. The emerging brand has been spotted on Jenna Ortega, Kate McKinnon and Jennifer Nettles but as a RTW collection, you don't have to be a celebrity to shop the label. LANATIV founder Megan Eng. A play on 'L.A. native,' LANATIV was created by second generation Chinese-American Megan Eng who grew up in Los Angeles. Eng was inspired to create the line after witnessing how the sun in L.A. was affecting women's skin—from premature fine lines to sun spots to allergic skin reactions. She drew on her Chinese roots to create formulas with botanicals, minerals and clays used in Traditional Chinese Medicine, using western techniques she learned as a clinically trained pharmacist. Recognizing the severe drought conditions in California, LANATIV products are 100% waterless, and are made by-hand in California without any fillers, fragrances or synthetic ingredients. Kara Yoo founder. Raised by Korean immigrant parents who migrated to Canada in the late 1970s, Korean culture and language influenced Kara Yoo from a young age. Today, she honors her heritage with her namesake fashion label, 'I connect to my roots by reflecting on childhood memories and exploring cultural symbolism to incorporate into new collections. Their signature lunar collection was inspired by conversations Yoo had with family members about the significance of the zodiac animals in understanding one's personality. 'From a young age, my sisters and I knew which animals we were, and now my nieces and nephews wear theirs as necklaces,' Yoo says. Symbolism is found throughout the label, such as the sam ring which depicts the Korean taeguk symbol representing the harmony of yin and yang. Their upcoming FW25 collection will introduce a sculptural gourd shape as a contemporary reimagining of the gourd, which symbolizes protection, good fortune and health in Korean culture. Wanderlands founder Jane Ko. Drawing flavor inspiration from the memories she has of eating in her home country of Taiwan and her mother's cooking, Jane Ko created a line of trail mixes designed to transport you to another place. With over 20 years of experience working for esteemed brands like Kellogg, Ko applies the umami characteristics of Asian cuisine to crafting inventive mixes made with Asian ingredients like yuzu, shiitake mushrooms and lapsang souchong. The result is a nourishing snack that is as much an olfactory journey as it is a punch of flavors. Sahajan founder Lisa Mattam. Lisa Mattam inherited Ayurvedic wisdom from her parents, who were raised in Kerala, a southern state of India at the heart of Ayurvedic medicine. 'They grew up seamlessly incorporating Ayurveda—its practices and ingredients—into their lives and passed that learning onto me,' says Mattamm. So she combined the Ayurvedic science of her heritage with her experience working in pharmaceuticals to create her own line of clean skincare. Sahajan works with Ayurvedic doctors in Kerala to develop their formulations, and continues to consult with Ayurvedic practitioners throughout the formulation process. Jasmine Chong founder. Growing up in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Jasmine Chong observed her mother making dresses on a black 1950s sewing machine. She would later pursue her early design inspiration by moving to the United States and studying fashion at Parsons School for Design. After working in the design rooms of renowned designers like Anna Sui and Tory Burch, Chong launched her own label in 2016. Since then, the brand has been worn by celebrities like Kristen Stewart, Ali Wong, Quinta Brunson and K-pop star Chaelin CL. In 2020, Chong was named one of 12 designers on Making The Cut with Heidi Klum and Naomi Campbell. Despite her global success, it's the greenery and tropical motifs of her native Malaysia that continue to inspire her designs, with asymmetrical cuts and draped silhouettes and ruffles that evoke florals, and accessories inspired by the Malaysian pomelo (grapefruit). Feather & Bone founder Shubhangini Prakash. When a commercial face wash left Shubhangini Prakash's skin inflamed at age 12, she turned to her mother's simply Indian remedy. The results stuck with her through to adulthood, when she had her own baby and turned to a traditional Indian baby powder recipe of chickpea flour and neem powder. An adaptation of that recipe made with neem powder, arrowroot starch and colloidal oat, is one of several products in her line of plant-based, waterless products. From face wash beads inspired by an Ayurvedic practice once reserved for royal courts to hair oil made with the Indian oils of hibiscus, cedarwood and castor oil—everything is an homage to Prakash's heritage. It wasn't just the skin rituals of her upbringing that inspired Prakash, but also the teachings of Ayurveda on balance and harmony. 'In Ayurveda it is important to live in harmony with the world, this is why we are plant-based,' explains Prakash. 'We are taking the energy from Mother Earth, and when it goes back it is going back as is, respecting our planet and others who live in it.' It's for this reason, Feather & Bone plants a tree with every order.
The Guardian
27-04-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
The big finish: podcasts that really stick the landing
Headphones are essential for this atmospheric audio drama from Jordan Peele's Monkeypaw Productions, released in 2022 and told over 12 parts. Tracy Letts plays radio shock jock Rick Egan, who casually, carelessly stirs up racial tensions in the post-9/11 US. Fast forward eight years, and Rick is persona non grata in the industry, a deadbeat dad and – on top of all that – has become the target of an evil parasitic force called the Blank (voiced by Taran Killam), in a series that offers thrills and chills right to the end. Megan Bhari was a teenager who – despite apparent ill health – poured her energy into founding a charity for sick children that was supported by the likes of One Direction. But, astoundingly, web sleuths alleged that Bhari was faking cancer – even claiming that she had gone to Disney World when she was supposed to be undergoing treatment. Sensitively handling its hugely tricky subject matter, Jamie Bartlett's 2023 BBC series keeps up its rigorous investigation of the Believe in Magic charity all the way to its final chapter, with big revelations about Bhari and her family. This pod from the FT and Pushkin is the sort of series that lodges itself deep in your brain after listening. First released in 2022, it offers a forensic look at the world of online porn, from the surprising role of Visa and Mastercard to what performers really think of their tech overloads, and the ascent of OnlyFans. It also seeks to answer a simple but seemingly unknowable question: who is PornHub's secretive owner? Gladly, Patricia Nilsson and Alex Barker find this out – and much more besides. Released earlier this year, this series hosted by journalist Nicky Anderson for the British podcast outfit Stak delves into the elite New York City Ballet, where allegations of abuse and toxicity have festered over the decades – even leading to a headline-grabbing lawsuit. Its greatest strength is its candid accounts from former members of the company – which continue right to the last episode, when a newly retired dancer unpacks the isolation and mental strain she suffered. Funded in part by Nasa, Quantum Quest was an ambitious, educational sci-fi animation with an enviable voice cast that included Samuel L Jackson, Mark Hamill and Sandra Oh. Why, then, did the film barely see the light of day, showing in one Kentucky cinema for six months in 2011 before all traces of it were scrubbed from existence? This indie pod explores all the theories, before getting some solid answers about how such a starry project ended up on the scrapheap.
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Superior tourism panel awards grants
Apr. 22—SUPERIOR — The Tourism Development Commission approved its first round of grants since taking over tourism promotion in 2022. The grants, approved Monday, April 21, give $20,000 for promoting the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival, $1,200 in support Grandma's Marathon Superior Nightmare 5K, and $24,000 toward a master bike trail plan for Superior. The grants are funded by taxes paid by lodging facilities and are designated to be used for tourism promotion. "We thought that these are what TDC (the Tourism Development Commission) was developed for," said Councilor Ruth Ludwig, a tourism commissioner and member of the Parks & Recreation Committee. The Parks & Recreation Committee originally considered the grant applications for funding through the city's recreational grant program, but sent the applications to the Tourism Development Commission for funding instead. "Dragon boats, of course, brings lots of people from outside the area to town," Ludwig said. "Superior trails, these funds will be matched by an international association to develop biking trails within our city. That could potentially be a really good draw to our community. Grandma's Marathon with the 5K is a wonderful addition to our Spooktacular celebration ... I think every one of these three things are exactly what would tourism dollars should be targeted for." The Superior Rotary Club hosts the Lake Superior Dragon Boat Festival on the last full weekend in August on Barker's Island. Superior Rotary member Dan Blank said over the last two years, the organization has spent less on marketing but has traditionally reached out to communities including Twin Cities, on the Iron Range, Ashland, Bayfield, Rice Lake and Eau Claire to promote the event that draws teams of paddlers from multiple states and Canada and the Twin Cities, Blank said. "I'm in favor of support," Commissioner Pattie Soliday said. "I think this is an excellent event." However, Soliday said she would like to see the marketing plan as well as the impact of the event on hotel occupancy rates if the Rotary seeks funding again next year. The Cyclists of Gitchee Gumee Shores entered into an agreement with the city last year to collaborate on the development of a trails master plan. COGGS agreed to spearhead fundraising efforts and seek private funds to develop the plan to create natural surface trails in the Superior Municipal Forest and crosstown connecting trails. "So, a bunch of us amateur bike riders who load our bikes up and go to Duluth to ride the trails ... thought 'come on Superior, we have got to hop on the bandwagon,'" Blank said. "We've got the municipal forest. We've got a lot of green space in the city that we can interconnect. So, people in neighborhoods and families can get some outdoor, fresh air, healthy mind, body, spirit experiences without having to have a bike rack or trailer." After raising about $6,000 to support matching funds, Blank said the $20,000 grant COGGS was seeking would support the $30,000 match the organization would have to provide for a $30,000 grant to have the International Mountain Bike Association create a master plan for Superior. Mayor Jim Paine endorsed the application despite having initial reservations about making trails in the Superior Municipal Forest. Paine traveled to Knoxville, Tennessee, last year and saw a trail system in a forest similar in size to Superior. "Seeing the trails in real life completed in Knoxville really changed my mind 100%," Paine said. "... I really think this would be one of Superior's biggest tourism draws." Soliday proposed increasing the grant to $24,000 to fill the entire funding gap. Commissioners approved amending the request. The grant for the Superior Nightmare 5K will cover less than 10% of anticipated expenses. The annual run/walk and costume contest takes place in October and raises funds for the Young Athletes Foundation. Nearly 600 people participated last year. Ludwig said the funding won't support the parade and other activities planned for Spooktacular. She said those requests could come later.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
How do Georgia billionaires compare to Elon Musk? Forbes 2025 richest people list released
There's rich and then there's making the Forbes-richest-people list rich. Forbes recently released its list of the richest people in the World in 2025 and a dozen of those billionaires hail from Georgia. These people made their fortunes across a variety of industries, including tech starts ups, fast food companies and even pest removal. These Georgia billionaire's earn a combined net worth of $81.8 billion. Elon Musk was named the richest person in the world, a comeback after being dethroned Bernard Arnault and family for several years. A record 3,028 people around the globe making Forbes' annual list for 2025, 247 more than last year. The average fortune globally now stands at $5.3 billion, up $200 million from 2024, among those listed. The U.S. has 902 billionaires. China, including Hong Kong, had 516, and India has 205. Here's a look at the individuals from the Peach State who made the list and how they made their fortunes. Leading the pack in Georgia, all ranking No. 213 in the world, is the trio behind Chick-Fil-A: the Cathy brothers, Bubba, 70, and Dan, 72, and their sister, Trudy Cathy White, 69. Each of these individuals boast an impressive net worth of $11.4 billion. Ranked No. 329, is Arthur Blank, age 82, who co-founded Home Depot. Blank is worth $9 billion. Blank is well-known not just for his retail success, but also as the chairman of the Atlanta Falcons. Ranked No. 369, is John Brown, age 90, is worth $8.2 billion for his work with a medical device and software company called Stryker Corp. While his company was founded in Michigan, Brown lives in Atlanta. Ranked No. 487, is Gary Rollins (age 80) and family, who controls Orkin, North America's largest pest control company by revenue, earning him a net worth of $6.9 billion. He and his family have lived on a farm in Cartersville. Ranked No. 512, is Jim Kennedy, age 77, with a net worth $6.6 billion, served and chairman of Cox Enterprises from 2008-2021. Ranked No. 634, Dan Kurzius, age 53, co-founded Mailchimp in 2001 and is worth $5.6 billion. He lives in Atlanta. Ranked No. 717, Ben Chestnut, age 50, also co-founded Mailchimp with Kurzius. Chestnut is worth $5 billion. Ranked No. 887, Neal Aronson, age 60, is the founder behind Roark Capital, which owns 30,000 sandwich shops of Jimmy John's, Arby's, Sonic, and Subway. Aronson is worth $4.1 billion and lives in Atlanta. Ranked No. 2,623, Tony Townley, age 62, is the co-founder behing Zaxby's, with a net worth of $1.2 billion. He is a Watkinsville native who still lives in the city. Ranked No. 2,933, Zach McLeroy, age 62, is worth $1 billion. McLeroy also co-founded Zaxby's. Here are the top 10 billionaires in the nation according to Forbes: Elon Musk, age 53: $342 billion Mark Zuckerberg, age 40: $216 billion Jeff Bezos, age 61: $215 billion Larry Ellison, age 80: $192 billion Warren Buffett, age 94: $154 billion Larry Page, age 52: $144 billion Sergey Brin, age 51: $138 billion Steve Ballmer, age 69: $118 billion Rob Walton and family, age 80: $110 billion Jim Walton and family, age 76: $109 billion For more information, visit Vanessa Countryman is the Trending Topics Reporter for the Deep South Connect Team Georgia. Email her at Vcountryman@ This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Georgians on Forbes 2025 billionaires list. How they compare to Elon Musk
New York Times
03-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
What I'm hearing about the Falcons: Draft targets, job security, trade options and more
PALM BEACH, Fla. — Kirk Cousins wasn't the only Atlanta Falcons-related topic discussed this week at the NFL's annual meeting. It was only the starting point. The possibility of selecting an offensive player early in the draft (yes, really), job security issues, Trey Hendrickson and Grady Jarrett — and plenty of other things — came up, too, so here's what I'm hearing after the league meeting. Advertisement Despite team owner Arthur Blank saying the emphasis of the team's draft 'will certainly' be on defensive players, don't rule out the Falcons using one of their first two picks on an offensive player — specifically a tackle. They currently have 11-year veteran Jake Matthews at left tackle and six-year veteran Kaleb McGary at right tackle, which is now the blindside blocking position because starting quarterback Michael Penix Jr. is left-handed. Coach Raheem Morris and general manager Terry Fontenot attended a private workout with Texas offensive tackle Kelvin Banks, and both were in attendance at Ohio State's recent pro day, where they closely watched Buckeyes tackles Josh Simmons and Donovan Jackson. Simmons, who is ranked 17th on Dane Brugler's most recent Big Board, and Banks, who is ranked 22nd, likely would require a first-round selection. The Falcons hold the No. 15 pick but have expressed interest in trading down in the first round to add additional picks. Jackson, who is 34th on Brugler's Big Board, could be available in the second round, where Atlanta picks 46th. The Falcons have five picks in the draft, which begins April 24. They have used their last four first-round picks on offensive players, last drafting a defender in the first round in 2020 when they took cornerback A.J. Terrell 16th. Considering the state of their defense, a fifth straight offensive first-rounder would have seemed virtually impossible last week, but the talk here suggested it might not be. Blank is not a believer in 'hot seats,' he said this week, so it's probably not useful to go into the season wondering whether Fontenot, who is entering his fifth draft in charge of the team's personnel department, or even Morris, who is entering Year 2, need to be thinking about their job status. 'Every year for everybody is a crucial year. People say the NFL is Not For Long, but I don't believe in that,' Blank said. 'I fundamentally do believe, and I want to make this clear, the most successful teams in the National Football League … have long-term sustainability between the coaches and the general managers and usually the right kind of quarterbacks. You want to have sustained leadership for as long as it makes sense to do that.' Advertisement The Falcons are 29-39 since Fontenot was hired in 2021 and finished 8-9 last year in Morris' first season. Blank said he made his displeasure with the 2024 season, in which Atlanta lost six of its last eight games, clear to Fontenot and Morris. 'Raheem certainly understands that I was disappointed. Terry certainly understands that I was disappointed. It wasn't a long conversation, but it was a very clear conversation,' the owner said. Don't expect the Cincinnati Bengals to trade pass rusher Trey Hendrickson to the Falcons. He's probably not going to get traded anywhere, in fact. The four-time Pro Bowler who has had 17 1/2 sacks in each of the last two seasons has requested a trade, but the Bengals don't appear eager to comply. Hendrickson is under contract through the upcoming season and will count $18.6 million against the salary cap this season. Bengals executive vice president Katie Blackburn doesn't seem to be sympathetic to Hendrickson's desire for a much bigger deal. 'I think he should be happy at certain rates that maybe he doesn't think he'd be happy at,' she told reporters at the annual meeting. 'I think some of it is on him to be happy at some point, and if he's not, you know, that's what holds it up sometimes. So, you know, it takes him to say yes to something, and also, we have all the respect in the world for him. He's been a great player. We're happy to have him. And so maybe we'll find a way to get something to work.' The Bengals' current asking price for Hendrickson includes a first-round draft pick, according to a league source. That, combined with Hendrickson's desire for a contract worth an average of $30 million a year, puts the Falcons out of the running, even if Cincinnati would be serious about a deal. If the asking price comes down, things could change, but that doesn't seem likely right now. The Falcons knew their free-agency shopping list was going to have to be limited coming into the offseason because of financial constraints, Morris said. 'It's always hard to have back-to-back big years in free agency,' he said. 'You have to have a realistic approach to what you want to do. When you have the money allocated where we have it, there are going to be some harder things you have to do.' Advertisement The Falcons are 25th in the league in salary-cap space, with $11.9 million available, according to Spotrac. That's enough to sign their upcoming draft class with a little left over to allow some flexibility for in-season moves. 'We picked up as many players as we could, maybe we picked up some good ones,' Blank said. 'I feel like we did a really good job as much as we could.' The Falcons believe Mike Hughes can play outside cornerback or the nickel spot, and they plan to audition Clark Phillips III at nickelback this offseason to see if he has the same type of versatility, Morris said. Atlanta has not re-signed last year's starting nickel, Dee Alford, and is likely to be on the lookout for another cornerback in the draft. However, if none of the Falcons' preferred targets become available to them during the draft, having Hughes and Phillips both trained at nickel will at least give them options at the two starting outside spots (A.J. Terrell will man the other) and nickel. Morris called the Falcons' release of defensive tackle Grady Jarrett 'one of the tougher decisions' of the offseason. Morris declined to go into details about the negotiations for a new deal that eventually fell through, leading to Jarrett's release. 'We just couldn't come to an agreement, and that was very tough,' Morris said. 'It would be far-fetched for me to say Grady wanted to leave. It's one of those things where we couldn't reach a deal, but no hard feelings from me or Grady. Definitely going to be missed. I can't say enough positive things about Grady.' Blank spoke to Jarrett and his mother, Elisha Jarrett, after Jarrett's release. 'Since Grady left, I carry an extra handkerchief with me, and I do this a lot,' Blank said, mimicking wiping tears from his eyes. 'It was very painful. You end up with emotional attachments to almost all the players. Someone like Grady becomes a version of another child.' Advertisement Jarrett, a fifth-round pick in 2015, played 10 years for the Falcons, accumulating 36 1/2 sacks and being selected to two Pro Bowls. He quickly signed with the Chicago Bears after his release. 'You are not going to find anybody who gave more to the team,' Blank said. 'There's no question that Grady was an anchor to our defense for a very long time, physically and emotionally, not just the defense but the entire locker room. In these kinds of situations, you have to put emotions aside as best you can and make the best decision for the franchise.' Morris is confident Atlanta's defense will be better in 2025 despite its limited offseason additions. The Falcons finished 25th in the league in defensive EPA (minus-4.1 per 100 snaps) and 20th in yards per play allowed (5.5), according to TruMedia. They signed three expected defensive starters in free agency — edge rusher Leonard Floyd, linebacker Divine Deablo and safety Jordan Fuller — and likely will add at least one edge rusher in the draft. Morris replaced former defensive coordinator Jimmy Lake with Jeff Ulbrich in the offseason. 'I have so much confidence in the coaching and the guys that we've got, guys that are getting better this year, guys who are coming back from injuries,' Morris said. 'Last year's draft class is going to be really helpful in us getting better. I'm really excited about those guys. You make your biggest jump the second year. Definitely confident we can be much better on that side of the ball.' Atlanta used second-, third- and fourth-round picks on defensive players in 2024 but got only a combined 167 snaps from those players last season. Edge rusher Bralen Trice suffered a season-ending knee injury in the preseason, while defensive tackles Ruke Orhorhoro and Brandon Dorlus saw limited playing time behind veteran defensive linemen. Ryan Neuzil isn't a member of the Falcons at the moment, but that hasn't stopped Morris from penciling him in as the starting center this year. Neuzil is a restricted free agent, and Atlanta has placed a right-of-first-refusal tender on him, meaning it can match any team's offer. 'You are going to try to make it as competitive as you can at every position, but definitely feel confident in Neuzil,' Morris said. 'He played at a high level last year. We feel really good about what he's going to do.' Neuzil has started 12 games at center in the last two years while Drew Dalman sat out with injuries. Atlanta also will give Jovaughn Gwyn, a seventh-round pick in 2023, a chance to compete for the starting center spot. (Top photo of Raheem Morris: Jim Rassol / Imagn Images)
