Skip to content

Top Navigation

PEOPLE.com PEOPLE.com
    • All News
    • Coronavirus
    • Crime
    • Human Interest
    • Politics
    • Heroes
    • Stories to Make You Smile
    • All Entertainment
    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Country
    • Awards
    • Sports
    • Theater
    • Books
  • Royals
    • All Lifestyle
    • Style
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
    • Health
    • Parents
    • Home
    • Pets
    • Food
    • Tech
    • Travel
  • PeopleTV
    • All Shopping
    • People Tested
    • All Podcasts
    • Me Becoming Mom
    • People Every Day
    • PEOPLE in the '90s

Profile Menu

Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Premium
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Premium
Login
Subscribe

Explore PEOPLE.com

PEOPLE.com PEOPLE.com
  • Explore

    Explore

    • Rita Moreno Says She Dated Elvis as Revenge Against Cheating Ex Marlon Brando: 'It Was Wonderful'

      Rita Moreno Says She Dated Elvis as Revenge Against Cheating Ex Marlon Brando: 'It Was Wonderful'

      Rita Moreno revealed she dated Elvis Presley to get back at her ex-boyfriend Marlon Brando for cheating on her Read More
    • Machine Gun Kelly Poses with Daughter Casie at the 2021 American Music Awards

      Machine Gun Kelly Poses with Daughter Casie at the 2021 American Music Awards

      The American Music Awards, hosted by Cardi B, are broadcasting live from Los Angeles on Sunday Read More
    • Jennifer Lopez Sings from the Heart in New 'On My Way' Music Video

      Jennifer Lopez Sings from the Heart in New 'On My Way' Music Video

      Jennifer Lopez released the official music video for her song "On My Way," which is featured in her upcoming rom-com Marry Me Read More
  • News

    News

    See All News
    Stars Who Opened Up About Their Sexuality and Gender Identity in 2021

    Stars Who Opened Up About Their Sexuality and Gender Identity in 2021

    • Coronavirus
    • Crime
    • Human Interest
    • Politics
    • Heroes
    • Stories to Make You Smile
  • Entertainment

    Entertainment

    See All Entertainment
    The Best (& Worst) Jeopardy! Celebrity Guest Host Show Moments

    The Best (& Worst) Jeopardy! Celebrity Guest Host Show Moments

    • Celebrity
    • TV
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Country
    • Awards
    • Sports
    • Theater
    • Books
  • Royals
  • Lifestyle

    Lifestyle

    See All Lifestyle
    Billie Eilish Ditches Her Blonde Hair for Brunette Tresses: 'Miss Me?'

    Billie Eilish Ditches Her Blonde Hair for Brunette Tresses: 'Miss Me?'

    The singer revealed that she dyed her hair dark brown after debuting her blonde look earlier this year
    • Style
    • Fashion
    • Beauty
    • Health
    • Parents
    • Home
    • Pets
    • Food
    • Tech
    • Travel
  • PeopleTV
  • Shopping

    Shopping

    See All Shopping
    • People Tested
  • Podcasts

    Podcasts

    See All Podcasts
    Sen. Tammy Duckworth Calls Going Back to Work After Having a Miscarriage 'Inhumane'

    Sen. Tammy Duckworth Calls Going Back to Work After Having a Miscarriage 'Inhumane'

    "Even though we cleared my calendar for the day, I was still on the phone. There was no resting, you just kept on going," Tammy Duckworth says on an episode of PEOPLE's podcast Me Becoming Mom
    • Me Becoming Mom
    • People Every Day
    • PEOPLE in the '90s

Profile Menu

Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
Join Now

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Premium
My Account

Account

  • Join Now
  • My Profile
  • Email Preferences
  • Newsletters
  • Manage Your Subscription
  • Logout

More

  • Give a Gift Subscription
  • Premium
Login
Sweepstakes

Follow Us

  1. People.com
  2. Lifestyle
  3. 9 Women Who've Launched Asian American-Inspired Brands That Uplift the AAPI Community

9 Women Who've Launched Asian American-Inspired Brands That Uplift the AAPI Community

From food to fashion, these badass woman are making waves in their respective industries 

By Diane J. Cho May 20, 2020 09:34 AM
Skip gallery slides
FB Tweet

1 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Jaclyn Fu of Pepper

Jaclyn Fu, co-founder and CEO of Pepper, wants to empower women with smaller chests by outfitting them with the perfectly fitted bra. 

While traditional bra companies tend to cater to bustier women, Pepper bras have been designed especially for AA, A and B cups, so more women can feel ultra-confident and comfortable in their own skin.

Why the name Pepper? According to the brand's website, "Small has often been associated with being timid. But the Small Squad is anything but. Pepper has a kick, just like us."

In honor of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, Fu got several other AAPI boss business owners to do their own take on the #passthebrushchallenge to celebrate their achievements as AAPI changemakers, with the hopes of inspiring others to pursue their own businesses. 

1 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Nadya Okamoto of PERIOD.

Nadya Okamoto was only 16 when she set out to co-found a nonprofit that would help end period poverty and stigma. The idea came about after she and her family experienced homelessness for several months and Okamoto spent time listening to homeless women on the public bus as she commuted to school. From those conversations, she learned that these women were using everything from socks to grocery bags to take care of their periods.

"I remember desperately searching for a U.S. non-profit addressing period poverty to get involved with — but I never found anything," the current junior at Harvard University wrote in her May 2020 op-ed for Newsweek. "So, angered and energized, I decided to start one — PERIOD."

As of this month, the non-profit has secured more than 2 million units of products to distribute to women in need.

Since its founding, PERIOD. has served more than 1 million periods, and is currently focusing on helping marginalized communities hardest hit by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. You can help out the organization's menstrual movement here.

2 of 7

3 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Vanessa & Kim Pham of Omsom

The sisters behind everyone's new favorite Asian food starter kits are bringing their family roots to your kitchen table. Growing up as daughters of refugees, the two wanted to create a business dedicated to their Mẹ ("mom" in English) and the many Vietnamese dinners she made from scratch as their family built a life in America.

Foodies can now shop Vietnamese, Filipino and Thai kits that range from Sisig to Lemongrass BBQ starter 3-packs from $12.

3 of 7

Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

4 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Tanya Zhang of Nimble Made

With the goal of creating slim-fit shirts that are actually slim and snug in fit, Tanya Zhang and her partner Wesley Kang founded a dress shirt company that caters to AAPI men.

"Growing up, I'd go with my dad to Macy's and JCPenney at the mall only to find that the smallest size for any clothing was still too big on him," she told HuffPost in September 2019. "The sleeves were too long and baggy, the chest and back had too much excess room, the shirt looked like a dress on him ― he was completely drowning in fabric."

"American dress shirts don't fit me," Zhang remembers her father telling her at the time. Determined to show him otherwise, Zhang and Kang created their tops with shorter and better fitted sleeves and trimmed fabric around the chest, back and shoulder areas at a price point that ranges from $65 to $80.

4 of 7

Advertisement

5 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Katerina Jeng & Krystie Yen of Slant'd

Slant'd, a collective that celebrates Asian-American identity through all forms of storytelling, was the brainchild of Katerina Jeng and Krystie Yen. The two decided that they wanted to build a community that AAPIs want, need and deserve.

Most widely known for its print magazine, Slant'd includes a mixture of personal essays, poems, graphics and photography that tell stories about the complex and diverse themes surrounding the Asian-American experience. 

Jeng told Westword in January 2019 that the goal of the magazine is to "dismantle stereotypes, promote diversity, and finally take ownership over the Asian-American story (which has historically been written for us, not by us)."

In one year, the magazine has generated buzz throughout the AAPI community as more Asian-Americans get their hands on issues that talk about everything from intergenerational trauma to the adoptee experience.

Order Slant'd's next issue or make a submission here.

5 of 7

6 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Ali Heiss of Amarilo

Ali Heiss took it to heart when her mother taught her at a young age that a person's true character and identity cannot be defined by others. This made an even bigger impact on the jewelry designer, who was adopted, and her passion for creating delicate, minimalist pieces that are made for women who are also on paths to personal and professional growth. Founded in 2011, Amarilo is redefining classic jewelry for the modern woman who wants to elevate her everyday style.

In honor of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, the brand has partnered with Honey & Silk's Stephanie Liu Hjelmeseth to launch a newsletter, which will include conversations and inspirations curated by Hjelmeseth.

6 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

7 of 7

FB Tweet
Pinterest Email Send Text Message

Sasha Suresh of Jolii Cosmestics

Sasha Suresh was able to combine all of the beauty inspo she's found from living in vibrant destinations, like India, New York and Los Angeles to create her own clean beauty brand that celebrates diverse experiences and beauty within. 

Starting with matte liquid lipsticks, Jolii has expanded to cleanly formulated multi-purpose pigment that can be used on eyes, cheeks and lips. Swatch on a bit of The Elixir to highlight your inner glow.

7 of 7

Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Pinterest Facebook

Up Next

By Diane J. Cho

    Share the Gallery

    Pinterest Facebook
    Trending Videos
    Advertisement
    Skip slide summaries

    Everything in This Slideshow

    Advertisement

    View All

    1 of 7 Jaclyn Fu of Pepper
    2 of 7 Nadya Okamoto of PERIOD.
    3 of 7 Vanessa & Kim Pham of Omsom
    4 of 7 Tanya Zhang of Nimble Made
    5 of 7 Katerina Jeng & Krystie Yen of Slant'd
    6 of 7 Ali Heiss of Amarilo
    7 of 7 Sasha Suresh of Jolii Cosmestics

    Share & More

    Pinterest Email Send Text Message
    PEOPLE.com

    Magazines & More

    Learn More

    • Subscribe this link opens in a new tab
    • Advertise this link opens in a new tab
    • Content Licensing
    • Accolades this link opens in a new tab

    Connect

    Subscribe to Our Newsletter
    Meredith© Copyright 2022 Meredith Corporationthis link opens in a new tab. People is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice. Privacy Policythis link opens in a new tab Terms of Servicethis link opens in a new tab Ad Choicesthis link opens in a new tab Manage Push Notificationsthis link opens in a new tab California Do Not Sellthis link opens a modal window Web Accessibilitythis link opens in a new tab

    Manage Push Notifications

    If you would like to opt out of browser push notifications, please refer to the following instructions specific to your device and browser: Google Chrome and Android, Firefox, Safari, or Microsoft Edge.
    © Copyright PEOPLE.com. All rights reserved. Printed from https://people.com

    Sign in

    View image

    9 Women Who've Launched Asian American-Inspired Brands That Uplift the AAPI Community
    this link is to an external site that may or may not meet accessibility guidelines.