In 2024, almost three million small businesses are owned and operated by AAPI women and employ 1.2 million Americans — the highest figure among minority groups. Cold Tea Collective is also a woman-owned and led business. Year-round, we want to celebrate inspiring Asian American women who are making a difference in their industries.
To celebrate International Womens’ Day in 2024, we look to Love, Bonito, a Singaporean-woman-owned womenswear brand and our friends at Asian Hustle Network (AHN) to spotlight eight Asian American women in business. These women are successful entrepreneurs, CEOs, innovators, creators, influencers, and role models in their respective fields.
Maggie Chui, Founder & COO of AHN shares how these women in business are pioneers who drive trends and significantly contribute to the U.S. economy. “We wanted to spotlight these eight women to empower the next generation of women ready to lead,” Chui says.
Love, Bonito provided outfits for this group of women. “Clothing is such a powerful tool for empowerment. It’s not just about what you wear; it’s about how what you wear makes you feel, so we can support all women to be ready to conquer,” says Stephanie Seow, the Head of North America at Love, Bonito. “Love, Bonito is embracing the theme of ‘Ready-to-Conquer,’ a mantra meant to inspire confidence in every woman.”
See also: Michelle Wong finds strength in her Asian heritage to succeed professionally
Eight AAPI female leaders to celebrate for International Women’s Day 2024
Alice Zhang, Co-Founder & CEO of Anise Health
“I’m excited to scale my startup, Anise Health, with my incredible team this year. We are all passionate about expanding access to culturally sensitive mental health care for the Asian American community.”
See also: Anise Health fills a gap in the mental health space for the Asian diaspora
Anne Nguyen Oliver, Founder & CEO of House of M Beauty
House of M Beauty creates skincare with purpose. Oliver’s journey to founding House of M Beauty started when she was battling postpartum depression where she discovered the effectiveness of saffron as a mood enhancer. From there, Oliver began developing and curating a range of luxurious saffron skincare products.
See also: AAPI Leadership Series: OpenTable’s Susan Lee holds space for diversity and working parents
Brenda Chen, Head of Sales at Conventus Holdings Corp.
“This year, my commitment extends beyond overcoming personal challenges; it’s about demonstrating to the world that Asian women are not just participants but powerful leaders in every arena. By charging ahead with unwavering courage and determination in my own path, I aim to move my own industry forward and, in the process, inspire others to pursue their own goals without fear.”
Esther Lee, Founder & CEO of Asian Founded
“I’m ready to conquer the unexpected! I want to embrace the unexpected when it comes to my life, but also my business.”
Maggie Chui, Founder & COO of Asian Hustle Network
“I’m ready to create experiences that enable me to learn more about who I am as a person, what gets me excited every day, the characteristics that make me unique, and how this all helps me to become a better leader for the community I serve. This year I want to focus on the leadership I can take within my own life so that I can have the confidence to pour more love into the things I care deeply about.”
Nisha Desai, Co-Founder & COO of Anise Health
“This year, a big goal of mine is prioritizing my health – both mentally and physically – so I can spend less time worrying and more time growing Anise Health with full confidence! With the changes I’m consciously making to my lifestyle, I’ve noticed I have a more positive can-do attitude, feel less fatigued, and accomplish more productive work in less time – enabling me to be the best entrepreneur I can be for our team, our customers, and the broader Pan-Asian community that we serve.”
See also: Anise Health fills a gap in the mental health space for the Asian diaspora
Rosa Li, Founder & CEO of Wildwonder
“I’m ready to shake up the beverage world with wildwonder’s delicious sparkling drinks that bring cultural and botanical influence to our beverage category.”
Rose Yan, Vice President of Marketing at Gold House
“At Gold House, we’re scaling an ecosystem that empowers Asian Pacific leaders to redefine systems and culture across communities, companies, and continents. For me, 2024 is focused on accelerating impact through new definitive programs to expand the reach of our culture-changing work.”
Moving the needle for women in business
Beyond the month of March, we can celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian American women in business while also also acknowledging the inequities they still face in business and beyond.
Even in 2024, female founders still get less than 2% of VC funding. Why is that? Feature length documentary film Show Her The Money addresses the reasons for this and highlights how we can create change, with specific insights from female fund managers, female angel investors as well as the recipients of those funds.
Watch the trailer and join us in Vancouver, BC on Wednesday April 24th for a special screening with cast, producer and director of Show Her The Money.
Help us uplift Asian diaspora voices
Support Cold Tea Collective with a monthly contribution to help ensure stories for and by the next generation of the Asian diaspora are here to stay.
