Directory: Asian Freelancers, Strategists, Coaches, Consultants and Online Business Owners
For this Lunar New Year – the year of the Wood Snake – I wanted to create something grounded in mutual flourishing, community, love, and gratitude.
My mother sways along to the rhythm of A-Mei’s latest album in our townhome living room. It’s 1999.
Out of her mouth comes words that have a familiar lilt but a foreign meaning. Having been born in a blink-of-a-town in midwest America, my mother chose not to teach me Mandarin. But I am eight, and I don’t care that I don’t understand. I sing and dance along anyway.
These songs would show up again and again as I grew up, harmonies that reminded my mother, myself, and my little sister of our long lineage rooted in an island that’s only 89 miles wide but 7,000 miles away.
As some of you know, my mother is no longer with us. Her deep affection for Taiwan, however, lives on through me (which is possibly why every piece of fiction I write has something to do with the island).
For this Lunar New Year – the year of the Wood Snake – I wanted to create something grounded in mutual flourishing, community, love, and gratitude.
So I asked my network and, with our combined recommendations, have compiled a list of entrepreneurs across the Asian diaspora for you to connect with and support.
Given the length of this list, there is a part two coming.
In part two, I’ll include brands, nonprofits, podcasts, and cultural artifacts – music, books, recipes, etc. I encourage you to share your recommendations in the comments below as well.
年年有余! (May you have a year of abundance and prosperity!)
Cher
HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE
This directory packs a lot of punch, so it’s best to use the search feature (command + f / ctrl + f) to search for keywords. For example, tags to search include: yoga, copywriter, photography, astrology, career coach, etc.
WANT TO ADD YOUR OWN BUSINESS OR SUGGEST SOMEONE ELSE?
Leave a comment below or email me at cher@ginkgopr.com
COACHES, CONSULTANTS + STRATEGISTS
1.) Cassandra Lam: Somatic Healing Practitioner & Founder of Collective Rest
“Cassandra Lam (she/her) is a neurodivergent Vietnamese-Chinese-American somatic healing facilitator guiding tired and trauma-impacted organizations and communities to rest. Her mission is to uplift rest as a necessary modality for collective healing and social change by:
Offering free / donation-based Community Rest Sessions for people to rest together
Partnering with corporate, non-profit, and community-based organizations that are interested in seeding rest into the work culture”
2.) Cadena Laksis: Life & Career Coach
“I started learning about Human Design at a time in my life when I felt lost and stuck. I needed to figure out who I was again. My life felt chaotic and no one could understand what I was going through. Human Design helped me understand my gifts, why I felt the way I did, how to find and fix the parts of me that needed healing, and what direction I should be going in. I knew that I couldn't keep this to myself. I knew I had to help others feel this good, experience their best version of themselves, and be empowered in their life.”
3.) Shazie Senen, MPH: Self-love and empowerment coach
“I'm a Certified Life & Success Coach, EFT and Somatic Practitioner.I'm a Certified Life & Success Coach, EFT and Somatic Practitioner.
This is just a fancy way of saying I've helped numerous women, esp. WOC, break free of limiting beliefs and empower them to be confident AF, so they can live organically well and embody their purpose with joy on THEIR own terms!”
4.) Po-Hong Yu, LAc: Trusted Advisor & Secret Weapon to Visionary Leaders
“I’m an Energy Leadership Coach, Somatic Healer, and Psychedelic Guide for innovative women leaders, founders, and CEOs but my clients often call me their Trusted Advisor. Because my work is rooted in energetics, you can also call me your Chief Energetics Officer. Working with me is a holistic journey that weaves together personal and professional growth, energetics and strategy, spirituality and neuroscience, mind and body. My background as an acupuncturist shaped my integrated approach, empowering you to experience true freedom, flow, and fulfillment while expanding your impact, intimacy, and influence.”
5.) Stephanie Keiko Kong: A voice coach, yoga teacher, digital creator, artist, and founder of ponyponytail.
“ponyponytail exists to help humans and brands clarify their voices to tell compelling stories that promote compassion and a more equitable future for all. This work is done through Mindful Voice Coaching, 1:1 yoga sessions, values-centered brand partnerships and the production of The Sacred Mundane, a monthly magazine.”
6.) Nicole Cruz: Speaker, Trainer, & Leadership Coach
“In my coaching practice, I blend our cultural values with coaching tools tailored for the 1st & 2nd gen folks to provide a holistic approach specific to our community's needs. My mission is to help you harness the strengths of our shared heritage to achieve your goals and lead a fulfilling life. Whether you're seeking to balance cultural expectations with personal aspirations, or striving to achieve professional success while staying true to your roots, I'm here to guide and support you.”
7.) Emily Roh: Embodied Liberation Coach & Facilitator
“As a coach and facilitator, I can guide you or your group in unpacking, reflecting, and healing from dehumanization. Through our work, you’ll learn to imagine new possibilities and take actions that heal trauma, rather than perpetuate it. With a little courage, love, and compassion, we can learn to love our authentic selves and create a more just, equitable society. Together, we can work towards liberation.”
8.) Carissa Begonia: Business Coach & Founder of CONSCIOUSXCHANGE
“I help BIPOC professionals & entrepreneurs liberate from societal definitions of success and design lives they are proud of.”
9.) Elaine Lou Cartas, MS, PCC: Business & Executive Career Coach for WOC + Allies
“At Elaine Lou Coaching, we guide recovering perfectionists and powerhouse teams to create sustainable results by their own template and ladder. We’re here if you’re struggling with what to do next and need a safe space to express your voice and redefine your own definition of success.”
10.) Kat Kim: Conscious Leadership Consultant I Executive Coach
“I serve the Spiritual Nonconformist, the misfit, the misunderstood. In other words, the changemaker. For over 15 years I've applied what I know about behavioral change and spiritual transformation to help my clients create radical, nonconformist change in their lives.”
11.) Kim-Yen Lam: Founder and CEO of 5D Quantum Healing
“Kim is a respected authority in the fields of metaphysics and personal development. Her holistic approach encompasses intuitive coaching, quantum healing, clearing trauma, and self-mastery. Additionally, she is a skilled practitioner of Feng Shui, Chinese astrology, and dowsing. Through her work, Kim empowers individuals to overcome challenges, unlock their potential, awaken to the truth of who they are, and live in alignment with their divine purpose.”
12.) Kimaleen Tran: Social Entrepreneur | Community Builder | Social Impact Consultant
“I’m Kimaleen, a proud first-generation Vietnamese American and a multi-hyphenate: social entrepreneur, social impact and creative consultant, and multidisciplinary artist based on the East Coast. As the daughter of Vietnamese boat refugees, my personal and professional interests are deeply rooted in my upbringing. I'm a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion and I always strive to find connection in the work I do at the intersections of storytelling, representation, advocacy and social impact from a multicultural perspective.”
13.) Charlene Lam: Grief Coach | Curator + Founder of The Grief Gallery®
“I help grieving people to feel more supported, less alone and better-equipped to navigate the practical and emotional aftermath of losing a loved one. After my mother died suddenly in 2013, I leaned into my creativity and instincts as a curator to guide myself through grief. From there, I decided to help other people with their grief. I’m a certified grief coach, speaker and founder of The Grief Gallery. I believe we are ALL curators after a loved one dies. My Curating Grief framework is designed to help grieving people like you to heal in a creative, accessible way.”
14.) Jennifer Fei: Founder and Principal of ōen studios
“We are a creative social impact practice specializing in elevating the strategies, leadership, and governance of justice- and equity-driven organizations.”
15.) Eliza Fabillar: Consultant | Nonprofit Strategy | Educational Equity
“I support individuals and teams in nonprofit organizations and education systems as I facilitate strategic planning, program design, organizational wellbeing, professional development, and grant writing, while helping to bridge research, policy, and practice. I’ve been fortunate to have partnered with some amazing professionals in my career, and I bring that experience to my role as a consultant and coach. My goals are to help build capacity and culture, so that clients make greater positive impact in the communities they serve.”
HEALTH + FITNESS
1.) Christie Wang: Founder and Lead Pilates Instructor at Ascend Pilates
“Hi! I'm Christie Wang, an experienced Pilates instructor, fitness expert, and model. Since 2013, I've specialized in working privately with athletes of all kinds (professional to your everyday athlete). I run my own business, Ascend Pilates, where I teach Pilates privates and small group Pilates classes. Ascend Pilates is located in Pacific Beach, San Diego, California. You can also find me teaching Pilates digitally for Hydrow, a connected fitness indoor rowing machine.”
2.) Harpinder Kaur Mann E-RYT: Trauma-Informed Yoga Teacher + Mindfulness Educator
“I am a yoga, meditation, mindfulness teacher, and decolonizing activist based in Los Angeles. I work with women of color who want to reclaim their power and intuition through the lens of a spiritual, joyful, and sustainable path.”
3.) Nitika Chopra: Founder + CEO of Chronicon
“..our mission is to cultivate a positive impact on the lives of individuals facing chronic illnesses. Through inclusive programs, community events, and accessible course materials, we empower and uplift, providing essential tools to navigate daily challenges. Committed to universal accessibility, we ensure that our resources are available to all, fostering an environment where everyone can thrive. Our dedication to a supportive community and inclusivity aims to enhance the well-being of all touched by chronic conditions, fostering resilience, connection, and a meaningful life.”
ART
Gina Ariko Marioni: Visual Artist, Community/Events Organizer
“Gina Ariko is a Japanese-American figurative painter based in Seattle, WA. Growing up, she spent every other summer visiting family in Kokura, Japan, where her ojichan and obaachan first taught her to paint. Despite the language and distance barriers between them, they learned to connect through a shared love of painting. Her interest in art and storytelling overlapped at Santa Clara University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in both English and studio art, with a minor in art history. After graduation, Gina worked in marketing, events, and community development before pursuing her art full-time in 2020. In addition to her studio practice, Gina freelances as a floral designer and teaches art classes in the Seattle area.”
FINANCE
Carol Cho, CLU®, ChFC®, BFA™: Financial Advisor | IRC Wealth
“A recognized leader in financial planning and wealth management with more than 25 years experience, IRC Wealth has been serving clients worldwide with simple, effective, and proven strategies for financial freedom. We focus on helping our clients leverage all their resources, not just financial, to navigate critical life decisions. Our model combines expertise in wealth management, business management, and a passion for “the human factor” to guide clients through personal and professional decisions.”
MARKETING: COPYWRITING, PR, AND SOCIAL STRATEGY
1.) Cassandra Le: Brand & Marketing Consultant for social impact organizations
“I’m a first-generation Vietnamese-American, immigrant living in Spain. I work as a Brand Strategist & Marketing Consultant and believe business and marketing can be fun AND be used as tools to dismantle systems of oppression. For 13+ years, I’ve been creating content across all mediums (written, graphics, audio, video, photo, etc.), and through my business, The Quirky Pineapple Studio, I’ve worked with mission-driven brands and thought leaders around the world in English and Spanish - helping them share their story, connect with their community, and drive brand awareness with content marketing that is enjoyable and anti-oppressive.”
2.) Cheryl Lau: A strategic partner helping businesses differentiate their work through compelling, thought-provoking content that has substance.
“My mission is to help entrepreneurs, creators, and leaders build a substantial and compelling body of work that matters to their careers, clients, and community. I believe in building something with substance and style over copying other successful entrepreneurs, LinkedIn Top Voice badges, and 100k followers. Think of me as your creative and strategic content partner. I help you become known for your thought leadership, create immense value for your audience, and develop your distinct voice.”
3.) Shyne W.: Equipping Brands Through Design, Content & Mentorship
“I founded DBS when I was 17 years old, and it's seen many evolutions since. I've always considered it a canvas for my expression and stewardship, as opposed to a "traditional business." As a multidisciplinary designer who changes business models like I change my socks, what unites all of my passions and skills (branding, motion design, marketing, community building, etc.) is the idea of helping humans flourish.
I believe in finding meaning and magic in the mundane, and turning the ordinary into the extraordinary. I see the world through orange-colored lenses, and through my creative practice, I hope to help you embrace the vibrance and special sauce in your own life, brand, and career.”
4.) Joelle Phua: Crafting compelling design experiences & social media content for impactful brands
“I design products, apps and experiences for humans. Bringing the craft, heart and joy back to design. My design philosophy is
human, before user
design value = business value
cross-functional collaboration produces the best outcomes”
5.) Jolie Chan: Freelance Copywriter & Content Writer
“I’m a writer, storyteller, and Oxford-Comma-enthusiast. My mission is to help brands make valuable connections with their community by cultivating stories rooted in compassion. I believe that there is space for every story. Highlighting the humanity in all of us will only allow us to collectively thrive.”
6.) Jenay Zhyrov: Freelance Writer: copywriting, brand messaging, blogs, & newsletters
“I’m a copywriter who crafts brand messaging, website copy, and content that resonates emotionally. Few things are as moving as feeling seen, heard, and understood, so I tap into the qualities that make us human—compassion and a desire for connection. Emotionally engaging doesn’t have to be complicated. By blending research and strategy with solution-focused messaging, I help established solopreneurs and teams like yours turn website visitors into engaged fans and loyal customers.”
7.) Audrey Kwan: Helping agency owners build referral-ready ecosystems and become go-to experts
“Before there was AJK, there was Audrey, a teenager with a hard-working mom. So hard-working, in fact, she toiled long hours in a toxic workplace to support her family. For years, Audrey knew her mom’s workplace was taking the joy from her life—she would come home depleted and without anything left to give. As it turned out, it was taking more than her joy—it was taking her health. In 2012, Audrey’s mom received a terminal cancer diagnosis and lost her life three weeks later. After her mother’s death, Audrey became a woman on a mission: to help businesses build workplaces that give us back our freedom, families and joy, so more kids have healthy, happy parents to come home to. In 2015, Audrey founded AJK with this mission to help more businesses and families thrive—not just survive. We’re here to help you do the same.”
8.) Julie Wang: Founder & Lead Digital Marketing Strategist
“I founded Tiny Planet Digital to help impact-driven businesses navigate the complex online landscape. I am an expert digital marketing strategist who specializes in creating strategic marketing plans, and leading my team to learn and grow consistently.”
9.) Donna Cheung: Co-Founder, Wakefield Agency
“At Wakefield Agency, we help clients shape their stories in emotive ways that connect the audience to their cause. They gain the edge they need to stand out from the crowd and move from striving to thriving. They can breathe easy, knowing their storytelling generates the growth they need and the impact they want.”
10.) Kenny T. Jay : Video/Podcast Producer
“We make sure your guests can see and hear clearly by providing flawless A/V Event Production. You book the venue and invite guests, we’ll handle the technical details. Audio, Video, Lighting. Staging, Set Design, Streaming. In-person events, virtual events, or hybrid.”
11.) Shaheen Samavati of Vera Content: I help marketers take social media and content campaigns global
“With a background in newspaper journalism in the US, Shaheen saw a strong need for quality content creation and localization upon moving to Europe and working in marketing communications management roles at multinationals. She had trouble finding content and localization suppliers who met her high editorial standards, until meeting Daphne and James in 2014 in Madrid, when they had recently launched a creative translation agency. After a few years of close collaboration on joint projects, these three professionals saw they shared the same values and understanding of the care and processes needed to consistently create quality content. Shaheen joined the business in 2016, and VeraContent was born when the three partners decided to rebrand and expand into content creation and multilingual marketing services.”
12.) Diana Trinh: B2B Growth Marketer | Social Media Manager | ABM Marketing Manager
“I’m a blogger turned marketer and now I’m obsessed with learning the latest marketing tactics and strategies. And, I’m here to share them with YOU.”
13.) Clara Wang: Brand Photography for Product Businesses
“Hi, I’m Clara - a New Jersey based photographer, content creator, product stylist, creative entrepreneur…oh, and a mom of 2 boys. So add circus director, personal chauffeur, private chef…⠀ ⠀
Born in Singapore, I grew up globe-trotting with my adventurous parents and eventually landed in New Jersey where I now call home. When not shooting photos in my home studio, you’ll probably find me savoring new and delicious foods in restaurants or my husband’s cooking, watching rom coms on Netflix with a glass of wine in hand, or whisking my three boys away on their next global excursion.”
14.) Bonnie Tsang: Creative Director, Photographer, Digital Brand Strategy
“Acclaimed Los Angeles photographer, Bonnie Tsang, has been bringing her unique eye to lifestyle photography for over a decade with an impressive list of international clients ranging from Gap to Estée Lauder. She and her work have been featured in magazines such as Time, The Atlantic, Bon Appétit, and InStyle. Using social media as an outlet for her work, Bonnie Tsang amassed a combined base of over 7 million followers from Pinterest to Instagram. She has been a keynote speaker at conferences such as Alt Summit and SXSW. The recognition of her photography led to an invitation from Michelle Obama to preview the release of the official White House State China service for the Obama Administration. Bonnie finds herself most in her element when using her candid, journalistic style in concert with capturing people "in their element". Combining her ability to "find the moment" along with her negative-space framing and asymmetric composition has led to stunning pictures that have captured the essence of her subjects.”
15.) Tania Bhattacharyya of Lumos Marketing: I help social impact leaders become go-to voices on LinkedIn
“For twelve years, I served as a marketer and fundraiser at a women's mental health nonprofit in OC, California. I realized “competition” is a myth. Our universe is abundant with donors, clients, ambassadors, and any type of audience you want to grow. The real competitor is Noise. Distraction. A Chaotic World. The real challenge is obscurity and figuring out how to transform from a best kept secret to a household name. The solution is thought leadership branding. Abundantly sharing your lived experience, passion, and expertise to build trust with the right audience on the right topic. Becoming crystal clear on your niche to provide value and solutions with radical empathy. Strategically growing your community and attracting the needed resources to turn your cause into a movement.”
16.) Kay Fabella of Inclusion in Progress: Inclusive Distributed Work™: Helping Leaders Maximize Distributed Team Potential
“Inclusion in Progress, LLC, supports client partners with our Inclusive Distributed Work™ framework to reduce communication barriers on remote, hybrid or globally distributed teams. Our consulting, training and speaking solutions have reached over 30,000+ individual contributors working for companies like LinkedIn, Meta, Red Hat, and the IMF.”
17.) Mai-kee Tsang: DEI-Informed Trauma Conscious Leadership Coach | Sustainable Visibility® & Podcast Guesting Strategist for Human-First Business Owners
“I Help Human-First Business Owners Get Heard & Hired For Their Work in the World. how? by being a guest expert on aligned podcasts, cultivating a collaborative community & having sustainable visibility® practices to show up consistently at scale.”
18.) Michelle Lam: Founder & CEO of Bklynite Media Public Relations Representing Hospitality & Distillery Clients
“Michelle, the daughter of immigrants from Guangdong, China, was born and raised in New York City. Her parents arrived with a deep-seated passion for Cantonese cuisine and a longing for the homeland they left behind. They channeled this nostalgia into opening a small, traditional Cantonese restaurant in the Lower East Side, Chinatown, hoping to share a piece of their heritage with the bustling city around them. Michelle grew up in this environment, learning the ropes of the restaurant industry from her parents. She developed a deep appreciation for the hard work and dedication it took to run a small business. Now, as an adult, she understands the nuances of marketing for small businesses and is a passionate advocate for creative marketing within the restaurant community. With a humble dedication to her roots, Michelle continues to ensure that the traditions and flavors of Cantonese cuisine thrive in New York City.”
19.) Justine Abigail Yu: Freelance Marketing and Creative Services
“I am a storyteller, facilitator, and community builder whose expertise lies in growing organizations and movements from the ground up through strategic digital marketing, compelling and effective communication, and genuine community engagement – all with a critical lens of anti-oppression and equity. I am best known as the founder of Living Hyphen, a community and multimedia platform that explores the experiences of hyphenated Canadians - that is, individuals who call “Canada” home but who have roots elsewhere.”
20.) (Me!) Cher Hale of Ginkgo PR: Non-fiction book publicist for under-recognized authors and entrepreneurs
“Cher Hale (she/her) is the founder and director of Ginkgo PR, an agency that uses public relations to create a more equitable media landscape. As a Taiwanese-Black American woman, Cher is passionate about leveraging the power of the media to take back narratives that have been traditionally told for under-recognized authors and entrepreneurs. One of the ways she does this is by highlighting how the act of ‘asking for attention’ has been weaponized against us.”
PUBLISHING
Amy M. Le: Founder of Quillhawk Publishing
“Quill Hawk Publishing (QHP) is an Asian American Woman-Owned publishing company helping emerging writers indie-publish their work through a consultative approach. Authors retain all rights and royalties for their work. QHP’s mission is to amplify diverse voices through storytelling. We accept a limited number of submissions each year and are excited about chapter works of fiction and non-fiction as well as children’s books.”
LANGUAGE
1.) Sunny Horstmann: Founder of Spot of Sunshine
“Hi, I’m Sunny, bilingual mama, teaching my kids Mandarin Chinese in a monolingual context. Thanks for stopping by! I use my teaching background and experience teaching my kids to simplify your family’s Chinese learning journey so it’s sustainable and one that the whole family enjoys.”
2.) Dr. Betty Choi: Founder of Chalk Academy
“Dr. Betty Choi is a Harvard-trained pediatrician, author, and mother. She grew up speaking only English and became conversational in Mandarin Chinese while teaching and learning the language with her children. Ten years ago, when her children were young, they also learned Korean together. Eventually, the family focused on learning Chinese as a second language. Chalk Academy was inspired by Dr. Betty Choi’s triumphs and trials with re-learning her family’s heritage language with her children in a monolingual community.”
ASTROLOGY + MAGIC
1.) Babs Cheung: Astrologer
“As your supporting astrologer it's my job to get you from one point in your plot to another seamlessly. You know how the main character always has a really well connected supporting character bestie that helps to shape the main character’s growth arc? Whether it’s an invite to the hottest club in town, a glamorous shopping montage or just making a brief cameo, giving a much needed pep talk via voicemail, as your supporting astrologer, I've got your back!”
2.) Mimi Young of CEREMONIE: Animist spirit intermediary, consultant sorceress, and occultist
“I’m Mimi Young, a Taiwanese Canadian animist spirit intermediary, consultant sorceress, and occultist, specializing in occult studies education. My teachings encompass divination, ritual and folk magick spell workings, and psychic development, all approached responsibly. Additionally, I provide psychic mediumship guidance through shamanic spirit travel / realms work, dream interpretations, and Chinese astrological analysis.”
WANT TO ADD YOUR OWN BUSINESS OR SUGGEST SOMEONE ELSE?
Leave a comment below or email me at cher@ginkgopr.com
This is such an INCREDIBLE resource Cher! Thank you for creating and sharing with us ❤️
This is so wonderful! Thank you!