Leveling up with LinkedIn | Asian Alliance Mixer Kicks Off AANHPI Month and Empowers Biz Owners to Build Community, Not Just Brands
Written by Shaina Manlangit
Photo Credit: Kollective Hustle
To mark the beginning of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, the LinkedIn Asian Alliance (LIAA) partnered with Kollective Hustle to host a Small Business Community Mixer on Thursday, May 1. Held on the 26th floor of LinkedIn’s stunning San Francisco headquarters—with panoramic views of the Bay Area—the event brought together entrepreneurs, creatives, and community leaders to connect, collaborate, and elevate their presence on LinkedIn.
Photo Credit: Kollective Hustle
The mixer was led by a passionate planning team: Ame Rose Hernandez , Carl Pascua, Diane-Abigail Menardo, John Salazar, and Kathleen Florita. Their mission? To create a welcoming space where small business owners, especially those from AANHPI backgrounds, could gather resources, build relationships, and share stories of resilience and growth.
Kollective Hustle’s Co-Founder, Romeo Marquez Jr., opened the program by emphasizing that “collaboration over competition” is a cornerstone of success. His words served as a powerful reminder that thriving in business isn’t just about strategy—it’s about showing up for one another.
One of the event’s standout moments was the “Rock Your Profile” session led by Diane-Abigail Menardo, who shared actionable strategies to strengthen LinkedIn presence. She offered tips on optimizing profiles, engaging target audiences, and posting consistently—highlighting that weekly posts can generate up to four times more views. For entrepreneurs, it was a timely reminder that LinkedIn is more than just a digital resume—it’s a powerful platform for visibility, lead generation, and meaningful connections.
Photo Credit: Kollective Hustle, Panelists Clockwise: Raul Nalta, Evan Kidera, Ame Rose Hernandez, Victoria Reyes.
The afternoon continued with a panel discussion featuring local entrepreneurs: Raul "Rj KoolRaul" Navalta, Founder and Owner of Creative Transit Agency; Evan Kidera, Co-Founder and CEO of Señor Sisig; and Victoria Reyes, Co-Founder of Narra. Each panelist brought a unique perspective on brand-building, leadership, and staying rooted in cultural identity while growing a successful business. The panel was moderated by Ame Rose Hernandez, Senior Events Program Manager at LinkedIn and Founder of The Events Life, who guided the conversation with thoughtful insights into branding, growth, and community.
Each panelist shared how their roots and creativity helped shape their business identity. Victoria spoke about Narra’s latest flavor, set to launch in October, which was inspired by her Filipino heritage and timed to Filipino American History Month. Evan described the evolution of Señor Sisig’s iconic pig logo, which cleverly incorporates the colors of the Filipino flag—a proud nod to his cultural identity. RJ KoolRaul emphasized the importance of having the right team, crediting his COO for helping scale the business and bring his creative vision to life.
Photo Credit: Kollective Hustle, Kollective Hustle Team
The recurring theme throughout the conversation: community is everything. Whether through visual storytelling, collaboration, or meaningful customer experiences, each business owner credited their success not just to hard work—but to the power of connection.
No Bay Area event is complete without great food, and this one didn’t disappoint. A family-style buffet showcased favorites from local Filipino-owned business, Lumpia Company. Sharing a meal added another layer of connection—a moment to sit, chat, and celebrate the richness of AANHPI culture through cuisine.
As the sun began to set over the Bay, the mixer wrapped with new connections made, profiles upgraded, and a collective sense of purpose. The event was more than a mixer—it was a testament to the strength of community, the value of shared resources, and the importance of showing up for one another in business and beyond.
In a time when entrepreneurship can often feel isolating, especially for small business owners of color, the LinkedIn Asian Alliance x Kollective Hustle Small Business Mixer proved that success is sweeter when it’s shared.