Voxcali

Most retailers focus on organization and simplicity, but Takao Yasuda built Don Quijote around chaos, surprise, and exploration, completely redefining modern retail culture in Japan.

Takao Yasuda didn’t develop a traditional retail store. He built the most chaotic one with bright signs, endless products, and late night shopping. It’s called Don Quijote, or “Donki” and Yasuda helped turn it into one of the most recognizable retail brands in Japan.

He was born in Japan in 1949 and graduated from the Faculty of Law at Keio University in 1973. Yasuda may not have come from a traditional retail background but his method made his business stand out. In 1978, he opened a 60-square-meter discount store in Tokyo called “Thieves’ Market” and this store stayed open much later than most retailers and sold products in a treasure-hunt style environment.

Over the years, Yasuda was able to experiment in the wholesale business before finally opening the very first Don Quijote store in Fuchū, Tokyo in 1989. While most Japanese retailers focused on organization and uniformity, Yasuda decided to go in a completely opposite direction. He made Don Quijote stores intentionally overpacked with products, loud and colorful decor covered the walls, and rather than making everything easy to find, the store encourages exploration.

With Yasuda’s leadership, Don Quijote expanded quickly across Japan, eventually evolving into Pan Pacific International Holdings, which operates hundreds of stores globally. The company reported over 2 trillion yen in annual sales by fiscal year 2024 through the group’s 740 stores. It was clear that Yasuda understood consumer psychology as he believed shopping should be exciting rather than just simply efficient, which is what makes Donki more like entertainment. This has turned the chain into a worldwide phenomenon as younger shoppers and tourists flood to Don Quijote locations.

Today Yasuda is considered one of Japan’s most influential retail entrepreneurs and has an impressive net worth of nearly $5 billion. Beyond business he has also established the Yasuda Scholarship Foundation in 2005, supporting students looking for international education and other cultural exchange activities.

Takao Yasuda turned a simple discount store into a shopping experience. With his approach, people were changing their whole thought processes when it came to shopping in Japan because in the end, Yasuda’s goal was to make shopping unpredictable, exciting, and impossible to ignore.

A beautiful and elusive lady named Maria Makiling protects nature and punishes greed in traditional Filipino lore.

Alright now, my little coconuts… blankets up… toes tucked in… yes, even the wiggly toes. Mmm-hmm, I saw that.

Tonight I’ll tell you about a lady so beautiful and mysterious that even the moon liked peeking over the mountains just to look at her.

Her name was Maria Makiling.

Long, long ago, before noisy highways and buzzing phones and people taking selfies with every banana they eat, there stood a beautiful mountain in Laguna called Mount Makiling.

And deep in those green forests lived Maria.

Now some people said she was a diwata—a magical guardian spirit of the mountain.

Others said she was a fairy.

Others said she was simply nature herself wearing the shape of a woman.

And honestly?

Grandmothers know better than to argue with mountain magic.

Maria Makiling was very beautiful.

Her hair flowed black as river water at midnight, and her eyes sparkled like morning dew on leaves.

But it wasn’t only her beauty people remembered.

It was her kindness.

Ohhh, she loved the forests.

She cared for every tree, every bird, every tiny flower.

If hunters were respectful, she guided them safely.

If travelers were lost, she helped them find their way home.

Sometimes poor villagers would wake up to discover baskets of fruit outside their homes after praying for help.

And do you know what happened when greedy people tried to take more than they needed?

Hmm?

Well…

Suddenly their baskets became too heavy to carry.

Or they’d wander in circles for hours.

Or they’d trip over roots that somehow weren’t there a second ago.

Because Maria Makiling had a sense of humor.

And maybe… just a tiny bit of temper.

Now one day, a young man from a nearby village heard stories about Maria’s beauty.

And instead of thinking, “What a wonderful guardian of nature,” he thought—

“Hmmm… maybe I can make her fall in love with me and become rich!”

Ai naku.

Already a bad idea.

That’s like trying to cheat your own grandmother at cards.

You will lose.

Very badly.

So the young man climbed the mountain carrying gifts and fancy words and a smile polished shinier than a new cooking pot.

And yes, Maria welcomed him kindly.

Because she was kind to everyone.

They walked among waterfalls.

They talked beneath giant trees.

And slowly… Maria began to care for him.

But you see, children…

Magic can hear what hearts are whispering.

And Maria soon discovered that the young man loved riches more than he loved her.

He dreamed of treasures.

Power.

Gold.

Not the mountain.

Not the rivers.

Not her heart.

So one evening, as mist curled through the forest and the wind grew very still…

Maria looked at him sadly.

And she disappeared.

Just like that.

Gone.

The young man searched and searched.

He called her name through the mountains.

“Maria! Maria!”

But only the echoes answered him.

Some say he wandered forever through the forests, never finding his way out.

Others say the mountain itself hid Maria from greedy eyes.

And from that day on, people rarely saw her again.

But…

The people who respected the mountain still felt her presence.

When the wind moved gently through the trees…

When the rivers stayed cool and clear…

When flowers bloomed where they should not have bloomed…

They would smile and whisper,

“Maria Makiling is near.”

And so, my little ones…

That’s why people say forests are alive.

Not just with trees and birds and rivers—

But with spirits.

With memory.

With kindness.

And maybe…

With guardians watching how we treat the world.

So when you visit nature someday, hmm?

Be gentle.

Take only what you need.

Say thank you.

And never throw trash on a mountain.

Because if Maria Makiling sees you littering—

[Whispered dramatically]

—you might walk in circles for three hours and end up right back at the parking lot.

Now close those sleepy eyes.

Hear the wind outside?

Maybe that’s just the trees.

Or maybe…

Maria Makiling is passing by.

Goodnight, my loves.

Using the flavors and ingredients that were familiar to her Indian culture, Pooja Bavishi built Malai into a nationally recognized dessert brand.

Despite having a background far from traditional culinary training, Pooja Bavishi was able to build a nationally recognized dessert company inspired by her Indian heritage.

She grew up in North Carolina in an immigrant household where food and flavor played a huge role in everyday life. Bavishi often speaks about how her parents' cooking traditions and spices have shaped her relationship with flavor from a very young age.

But before making moves in food entrepreneurship, Bavishi built an impressive academic resume. She earned a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, an M.S. from the London School of Economics, and an MBA from New York University School of Business. After attending school, Bavishi was working in urban planning, civil rights, and nonprofit work.

During her time at NYU, she started experimenting with ice cream flavors using South Asian ingredients such as saffron, ginger, and fennel. Once she realized many of the flavors that she grew up with were completely absent from mainstream desserts, an idea evolved and later became Malai in 2015.

Malai’s flavors were original and completely different from traditional ice cream brands. Bavishi’s goal was to make South Asian ingredients feel natural in the American dessert culture. Malai released products like Orange Fennel, Mango & Cream, and Rose with Cinnamon Roasted Almonds, all combining nostalgic flavors with a modern presentation. Since vegetarian traditions are common in parts of India, Bavishi’s ice cream is intentionally eggless, as it also allows South Asian spices to become the focus of the flavor profile.

Malai began serving their ice cream at food fairs and pop-ups, but eventually expanded to nationwide shipping and grocery stores. Bavishi also opened store fronts in Brooklyn, West Village, Washington D.C. and soon, in Philadelphia.

As the brand grew, Bavishi and Malai began to receive major recognition in the food and business worlds. Bavishi was selected as a Tory Burch Foundation fellow in 2018, named to Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 100 list, and won an episode of Chopped Sweets in 2020. More recently, Bavishi has released her very own cookbook, Malai: Frozen Desserts Inspired by South Asian Flavors, taking the brand from ice cream parlors and into anyone’s home kitchen.

Pooja Bavishi helped create a space for South Asian identity in America’s dessert culture and in doing so she transformed Malai from a small ice cream idea into one of the most recognizable South Asian-inspired food brands in the U.S.

Aaron Rai captures his first major while Dylan Harper and Nick Suzuki overcome overtime postseason obstacles.

Aaron Rai captured the sporting world’s attention with a historic triumph at the PGA Championship.  Rai, who is of Indian descent and famously wears two gloves to maintain his precise grip, held off a crowded leaderboard to claim his first major championship victory.  He finished the grueling tournament at 9-under par overall, highlighted by a brilliant 5-under par performance in the fourth round to pull ahead for the victory.  With the career-defining win, Rai took home a massive $3.7 million winner’s prize and became only the second golfer of South Asian heritage to win a men’s major golf championship.

In NBA Playoff action, rookie combo guard Dylan Harper orchestrated a stunning postseason surge to guide the San Antonio Spurs into the Western Conference Finals.  The Filipino American was a force in the semifinals, averaging nearly 15 points per game to help dismantle the Minnesota Timberwolves.  Harper and the Spurs stole Game 1 of the Conference Finals in a thrilling double-overtime victory on the road against the heavily favored Oklahoma City Thunder.  Harper filled the stat sheet with an electric 24 points, 11 rebounds, 6 assists, and a franchise-playoff-record 7 steals.  At 20 years old, he became the youngest player in NBA history to record a 20-10-5-5 stat line in a playoff game.

On the ice, Nick Suzuki showcased his elite leadership and clutch playmaking to propel the Montreal Canadiens to a thrilling NHL conference finals appearance.  The Japanese Canadian spearheaded the Habs’ deep postseason run capped by a clutch Game 7 overtime victory over the Buffalo Sabres.  Moving past the division rivals, lower-seeded Montreal now advances to face the Carolina Hurricanes for a spot in the Stanley Cup Final.

From established icons to surging young talents, the field at Roland Garros has never been more unpredictable or exciting.

The 2026 French Open arrives with a wide-open field, and a group of elite players poised to dominate the red clay of Roland Garros.

Leading the charge is Jessica Pegula at +2700, a model of consistency. The Korean American – and daughter of Buffalo Bills owners Terry and Kim Pegula – has already secured titles in Charleston and Dubai this season, racking up $2.3M in prize money.  With a career-high ranking of No. 3 and multiple Grand Slam quarterfinals under her belt, Pegula is a formidable threat to finally break through for her first major title.

Naomi Osaka at +2700 remains a captivating figure since turning pro in 2012.  While all four of her majors have been won on hard courts, her 2026 campaign shows a renewed focus on her clay-court movement.  The former world No. 1 looks to add one more Grand Slam trophy to her shelf.

Keep a close eye on Olympic Gold Medalist Qinwen Zheng also at +2700.  The Chinese star is a natural on clay, having reached the French Open quarterfinals previously.  Standing 5’10” her heavy topspin and explosive power are perfectly suited for the Parisian dirt.

Finally, 20-year-old Alexandra Eala at +5000 is the “dark horse” to watch.  The Filipina phenom recently notched a massive upset over #4 Coco Gauff at the BNP Paribas Open in March.  As the first Filipino to win a junior Grand Slam, Eala is rapidly transitioning that success to the pro circuit in search for her first singles title.

Learner Tien at +10000 represents an intriguing longshot with immense upside for the men’s tournament.  The 20-year-old Vietnamese American has skyrocketed into the ATP top 25 this season, notably reaching the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in January.  Advised by French Open legend Michael Chang, Tien possesses the strategic intelligence and defensive movement necessary to navigate deep into the draw in Paris.

With immersive stores, unique designs, and huge cultural influence, Gentle Monster has evolved into an international fashion phenomenon.

Gentle Monster is taking sunglasses to the next level with cinematic campaigns, futuristic art galleries, and designs specifically made for Asian faces.

Honkook Kim founded Gentle Monster in Seoul in 2011 after identifying that most sunglasses on the market are designed for Western facial structures. Knowing he wanted to create frames that would be better suited for Asian faces, Kim presented his idea to serial entrepreneur Jae Wook Oh, who invested $100,000 into Gentle Monster in 2012.

With Oh’s investment, Gentle Monster was able to begin producing frames in Daegu. Their designers created oversized silhouettes and statement frames that aligned with Asian beauty standards. The larger frames gave the appearance of a smaller face, which is what Asian consumers were gearing towards.

But it wasn’t just the sunglasses that made Gentle Monster explode internationally, it was their branding. Rather than emphasizing the actual product, they focused on creating curiosity. Gentle Monster developed immersive environments within their storefronts. The company currently employs 60 people to design store visuals and only 6 people to design their sunglasses, showing just how much they prioritize visual storytelling.

Giant sculptures, robotics, and special displays make the space feel more like a museum than a store. This made people stop by Gentle Monster locations to take pictures with the installations even if they weren’t shopping for eyewear.

The brand’s popularity surged after being seen on multiple South Korean actresses and K-pop idols in 2013, which helped evolve Gentle Monster into a full fashion label and eventually led to major collaborations with brands like Moncler and Fendi.

Over the last decade, Gentle Monster expanded globally and opened flagship stores in Los Angeles, New York, London, and Shanghai. As of 2026, the company operates 81 stores across 14 countries, solidifying themselves as a legitimate luxury player, not just a trendy Korean brand.

What started as sunglasses specifically designed for Asian facial features became one of the most influential high-end fashion brands and instead of copying Western styles, Gentle Monster created its own vision that would force the industry to adapt to them.

How did it come about that the things that once made the United States great appear to be quietly disappearing at an alarming rate.

[Intro - acoustic guitar, solo]

[Verse 1 - female lead, intimate] 

Where have all the workers gone, without farewell? Where have all the workers gone, without goodbye? 

Where have all the workers gone — Taken from the fields they'd sown. 

When will we ever learn? When will we ever learn?

[Verse 2 - add harmony vocals] 

Where have all our allies gone, without farewell? Where have all our allies gone, without goodbye? 

Where have all our allies gone — Left to stand out in the cold alone. 

How could this come about?  How could this come about?

[Verse 3 - bass enters] 

Where have all the windmills gone, without farewell? Where have all the windmills gone, without goodbye? 

Where have all the windmills gone — Shuttered down before they'd grown. 

WHow could this come about?  How could this come about?

[Verse 4 - full band, brushed drums] 

Where has all the sunlight gone, without farewell? Where has all the sunlight gone, without goodbye? 

Where has all the sunlight gone — Solar panels left to moan. 

How could this come about?  How could this come about?

[Verse 5 - organ swell] 

Where have all the aid ships gone, without farewell? Where have all the aid ships gone, without goodbye? 

Where have all the aid ships gone — Children hungry, left alone. 

How could this come about?  How could this come about?

[Verse 6 - three-part harmony, building] 

Where have all the free minds gone, without farewell? Where have all the free minds gone, without goodbye? 

Where have all the free minds gone — Scholars silenced, seeds unsown. 

How could this come about?  How could this come about?

[Final Verse - full choir, slow down, heavy] 

Where have all our futures gone, without farewell? Where have all our futures gone, without goodbye? 

Where have all our futures gone — Gone to fear and pride and stone. 

How could this come about?  How could this come about?

[Outro - acoustic guitar returns, fade

Wang delivers his second Netflix special, Purple, showcasing the sharp observational style that has made him a favorite among peers and fans.

Sheng Wang, characterized by a relaxed delivery and sharp observations on the mundane, might be the funniest comedian alive.

Released in April, his latest special, Purple, finds humor in the intricacies of posture, health, and the quiet absurdities of adulthood.

This follow-up builds on the massive success of his 2022 Netflix debut, Sweet and Juicy.  The special was widely praised for its relatable pacing and earned a spot on several year-end

Prior to his streaming success, Wang was a standout staff writer on Fresh Off the Boat where he earned credits on 64 episodes as he rose to the rank of executive story editor between 2015 and 2018.

He was first spotlighted in 2011 in a half-hour special on Comedy Central Presents.

Wang spent years honing his craft in Bay Area clubs before moving to New York City in 2009, eventually competing as a finalist on NBC’s Last Comic Standing six years later.

Before committing to the stage, the Houston native earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Cal in 2002.  At 46, Wang has earned a reputation as a “comedian’s comedian” while providing his signature low-energy, high-reward sets.

This most beloved of traditional Korean folk tales embodies the themes of unshakeable devotion and its ultimate reward for a happy ending quite rare in Korean romances.

Come snuggle close now, my little rice cakes, and I’ll tell you one of Korea’s most beloved love stories. It’s the tale of a brave girl named Chunhyang, whose name means ‘Spring Fragrance.’ And oh, what a wonderful girl she was.

Long ago, in the town of Namwon, Chunhyang lived with her mother in a small but cheerful house near the hills. Chunhyang was so lovely that people often stopped talking when she walked by. But the truly special thing about her was not her beauty. It was her cleverness, her kindness, and her courage. Why, she could compose poetry faster than a scholar could spill his tea.

One warm spring day, the governor’s son, a young scholar named Yi Mongryong, rode into the countryside to admire the flowers instead of studying like he was supposed to. Young men in stories are always doing that sort of thing.

As Mongryong wandered through the hills, he looked down and saw Chunhyang swinging beneath the blossoms. Her skirt floated through the air like flower petals dancing in the wind.

Well.

The poor boy fell in love so quickly his heart probably somersaulted right into his throat.

Mongryong begged to meet her, and soon the two were talking beneath the trees. Now Mongryong thought himself quite impressive with his elegant poems and noble manners, but Chunhyang answered every clever thing he said with something even wiser and funnier.

That was when he realized he was in serious trouble.

Because once a young man discovers a smart girl who can outtalk him, his heart is usually finished.

The two spent many happy days together, walking among the flowers and speaking of dreams and poetry and the future. Before long, they secretly promised themselves to each other as husband and wife beneath the moonlight.

But happiness, my little dumplings, can be as slippery as a fish in a stream.

Soon Mongryong’s father received orders to move to Seoul. The family had to leave at once. Mongryong promised Chunhyang, ‘Wait for me. I’ll pass the royal examinations and return for you.’

Now Chunhyang could have cried and begged and clung to his sleeves. But she was not that kind of girl. She simply smiled bravely and told him she would wait.

After Mongryong left, a new magistrate arrived in Namwon.

And ooohhh… this man was rotten all the way down to his toenails.

He was cruel to the poor, greedy with taxes, and puffed up like a toad in silk robes. When he heard about beautiful Chunhyang, he demanded that she come entertain him.

But Chunhyang bowed politely and said, ‘I already belong to my husband.’

Well! The magistrate became so angry his face swelled purple like an overripe persimmon. He ordered Chunhyang thrown into prison.

Even there, cold and hungry and frightened, Chunhyang would not betray Mongryong. Day after day she remained faithful, though many people told her to surrender.

But courage is not loud, children. Sometimes courage is simply refusing to bend.

Meanwhile, far away in Seoul, Mongryong studied harder than he had ever studied in his life. At last he passed the royal examinations and became a secret royal inspector.

Now that was a very exciting job indeed.

The king would send inspectors disguised as ordinary travelers to uncover corrupt officials. Rather like sneaky grandmothers who quietly inspect kitchens for unwashed dishes.

So Mongryong returned secretly to Namwon wearing ragged clothes so no one would recognize him. As he walked through the town, he heard terrible stories about the cruel magistrate.

Then he learned about Chunhyang.

How she had suffered.

How she had stayed loyal to him through everything.

And oh, his heart nearly broke in two.

That very evening the magistrate held a grand feast full of music and rich foods and boastful laughter. The magistrate stuffed himself greedily while musicians played and servants hurried about.

Then suddenly, a royal command was announced.

The shabby traveler stepped forward.

And in one great shining moment, Mongryong revealed himself as the secret royal inspector.

The magistrate’s face turned pale as tofu soup.

All his crimes were exposed before the whole town. He was arrested immediately, and everyone rejoiced to see him dragged away.

Then Mongryong rushed to the prison where Chunhyang waited.

Poor Chunhyang looked thin and tired, but when she saw him standing there, her eyes shone brighter than lanterns on festival night.

At last the two were reunited.

This time Mongryong honored Chunhyang openly as his true wife before everyone, and the people admired her not merely for her beauty, but for her bravery, loyalty, and strength.

And that, my sweet little dumplings, is why the Tale of Chunhyang has been loved for hundreds and hundreds of years.

Because real love is not only flowers and moonlight and handsome scholars reciting poetry.

Real love is keeping your promises.

Real love is being brave when things become difficult.

And real love, perhaps most importantly of all, is finding someone wise enough to see your true worth.

Now close those sleepy eyes, and dream of spring blossoms floating through the hills of old Korea.

From model to TV star, to entrepreneur , Shay Mitchell has expanded her name and brand into a career that goes far beyond the big screens.

Shay Mitchell stepped into an industry that hasn’t always reflected her identity, but rather than trying to fit into one box, she built a career that would embrace her own self and her audience.

She was born Shannon Ashley Garcia Mitchell in Ontario, Canada in 1987. Her mother is a Filipino immigrant and her father is of Scottish and Irish descent. Mitchell has spoken about navigating her mixed identity growing up, specifically in an industry that has historically lacked diversity. Before acting, Mitchell started off modeling as a teenager. She was signed with an international agency and got the opportunity to travel to cities like Hong Kong and Barcelona.

Her true breakthrough didn’t come until 2010. Mitchell was 23 years old when she was cast as Emily Fields in the hit series Pretty Little Liars which had a seven season run, turning Shay Mitchell into one of the most well known TV drama actresses at the time. Not only was Mitchell starring in a global hit, her role also was one of the first openly gay main characters in a popular teen drama, expanding her representation on screen even more.

When Pretty Little Liars was coming to an end in 2017, Mitchell took on roles in popular series’ like You and Dollface, but she also wanted to do something beyond being on television screens. So in 2018, she launched BÉIS, a travel brand focused on affordable and functional luggage. It didn’t take long for the brand to gain traction and become a huge player in the travel and lifestyle space as Mitchell reported over $200 million in annual revenue in 2023 and a 180% year-over-year increase. Most recently in 2025, Mitchell launched a skincare brand targeted towards Gen Alpha called Rini.

Along with acting, modeling, and entrepreneurship, Mitchell has also kept her millions of Instagram followers engaged with her digital presence. She has been able to develop a strong platform online where she directly interacts with her fans as she represents a new kind of celebrity. One that can carry many roles under her belt and have the ability to build and create across industries.