Womenpreneur Asia

What goes on behind the Womenpreneur Asia podcast? What are my ups and downs in producing this show? And what have I learned throughout this journey of speaking to Asian women entrepreneurs in Asia? Hello and welcome to the final episode of Season 7 of the Womenpreneur Asia podcast and I am your host, Krista Goon. My mission is to uncover the stories and strategies of Asian women entrepreneurs in Asia to help you and inspire you as you navigate your business journey. This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio. Today's episode is Episode 100 and I am happy you are with me and we’re getting into Episode number 100 together. When I told Padmaja, a previous guest on this show, that I was hitting 100 episodes, she said we must do something together. And that is how Padmaja and I ended up recording this milestone episode. Padmaja is the CEO and founder of Siksha Group in India where they offer learning and development for companies across India and globally. One of the best things about having friends across Asia is that I get a lot of support for my podcast. When I first mooted the idea in Hawaii in July 2019, my Asia Pacific friends said they loved the idea and many supported me through the first season. And when I first started it, I just wanted to have a go and do something different - something that was technically challenging yet gave me a sense of fulfillment and accomplishment. And 100 episodes later, I am still happy to do this although I need to carve time out to podcast. What you hear as an episode is just the tip of the iceberg. And having said that, I’m also officially announcing that I’m writing an ebook about podcasting so if you’re listening to this, sign up for my email updates at WomenpreneurAsia.com and I will keep you updated when that ebook is for sale plus some exciting plans for this year. The ebook was a result of many friends asking me how they too could start a podcast. It sounds sexy to start a podcast but I share with you in my ebook my own experiences of producing a podcast on my own. Today’s episode digs a little into those experiences - think of it as a behind-the-scenes of podcasting. Enjoy this episode! I will see you in Season 8 which starts in May. This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com Find out more about Padmaja's story in Season 3, Episode 8.

Today’s episode is a little unusual as we feature someone who is not an entrepreneur but has an empowering message for everyone. Shivani Reddy wears many hats - she is a HR and Organizational Development practitioner, startup mentor, coach, speaker and finally, #IAmRemarkable ambassador. Her 15 years of experience spans positions in renowned organizations such as Groupon, Societe Generale, NIIT Limited, and TDCX Malaysia. Shivani is also the Partnerships Manager at Girls in Tech Kuala Lumpur and a Google-trained #IAmRemarkable facilitator. As a Google-trained #IAmRemarkable facilitator, Shivani is part of a global network of 4500 individuals dedicated to empowering women and underrepresented groups. In this episode, we discuss #IAmRemarkable, a transformative workshop that she facilitates. The workshop advocates the value of vocalizing one’s accomplishments no matter how big or small. Acknowledging achievements, regardless of their perceived size, is a crucial aspect of building genuine confidence. In this episode, we discuss #IAmRemarkable, a transformative workshop that she facilitates including the stories of transformation that these workshops have created. For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com

This episode features Brenda James, the visionary Founder and Principal Florista of Nook Flowers located in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Her floral business is unique in that stands apart from others on the twin pillars of creativity and sustainability or in her own words, "responsible floristry". In this episode, we unravel Brenda's 15 years as a business owner and florist and uncover what makes this unique Malaysian floral studio what it is today. For Brenda, Nook Flowers is more than a business—it's an extension of her ethos and values. The studio's grown not flown philosophy is seamlessly woven into its brand philosophy and operations. And she closes Nook Flowers on Valentine's Day. It is a bold move, especially for a florist. Find out why in this episode. For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com You are listening to Episode 12 of Season 7.

Today’s guest is a returning guest and I wanted to bring her back because she has a great story and a fantastic business. And it’s all fully online. I love fully online businesses because I am a big advocate of this - after all my own business is all about the digital world! Today I am speaking to Michelle Hon who is the founder of MomBoss Academy in Singapore. If her name sounds familiar, yes, she was featured in Season 4, Episode 8 so if you want to know her backstory of how she ended up starting this business, check that episode out. Today, though, Michelle and I are going deep into her business. We’re going to talk about motherhood and the art of building a business - a lifestyle business - as Michelle calls it - right from home. This is a conversation that you don’t want to miss but the key thing is that Michelle believes that moms can carve out a path for themselves without compromising on their family life. In this episode, Michelle enlightened us on the concept of building assets for your business. Your programs, services, and offerings can be valuable assets that generate revenue long-term. It's not just about creating something for now; it's about crafting a sustainable foundation that keeps giving. You can also take a cue from Michelle's playbook and reverse engineer the process of building your business. Understand your target market, listen to their needs, and identify the problems you can solve. Success lies in aligning your offerings with what your audience truly desires. Michelle shared an important strategy for pre-launching your offer to test the waters. Before fully committing, gauge interest, collect feedback, and ensure there's a market for your product. It's a strategic move that can save time, and resources, and set you on the path to creating something truly in demand. For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com To find out about Michelle and more, check out MomBoss Academy.

Hana Chua is the Director of Business Finance at Kebun Kota Sdn. Bhd located in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia. The family business that she is in comprises many moving parts - from aquaculture to sustainable farming to technology transfer to creating ripples in the local cafe scene with their cafe arm, Roots. The Chua family's commitment to sustainable farming and smart urban agriculture forms the cornerstone of Kebun Kota. This commitment also extends to Roots, a cafe that started as a haven for book lovers and evolved into a platform for sustainable practices, sparking vital conversations about nutrition, localizing food, and forgotten delicacies. In today’s conversation, Hana opens up about her experiences as a young woman navigating the complex waters of a family business deeply rooted in sustainability. For show notes and more, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com Today's episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com

Today’s episode is with Soundari Mukherjea, CEO of Soundbytes11, who is originally from India but now calls Hong Kong her home. As the CEO of Soundbytes11, an organisational consultancy, she focuses on working with leaders and teams to harness the power of storytelling to drive business outcomes. Her expertise spans various domains, including change management, personal branding, cross-cultural intelligence and diversity and inclusion initiatives. In this episode, we discuss how great stories can do wonders to help you communicate key values and messages to your team and clients. Soundari shares examples from the work she has done and even delves into personal strategies for self-development and learning that have worked for her. More information in the show notes on the website: WomenpreneurAsia.com This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com

Today I am speaking to a Malaysian entrepreneur, Genevia Chin who is the founder of Wonkie Ice Cream, previously known as Three Tiers Ice Cream. Genevia, a spirited entrepreneur with a passion for frozen joy, started her first ice cream venture, Three Tiers Ice Cream when she came home to Penang after working in Singapore. In today's episode, we'll uncover the evolution of Three Tiers Ice Cream into the newly rebranded Wonkie Ice Cream (and Genevia explains why the rebrand was necessary). Genevia’s journey takes us through the highs and lows of entrepreneurship, from the thrill and pain of going viral to the invaluable lessons learned when the unexpected happens. This ice cream artisan has found her niche in alcoholic ice cream and her story is as rich and diverse as her ice cream offerings. For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio. Sign up for updates through email.

Today's episode is with a visionary Malaysian entrepreneur in Hong Kong., Janice Chew who is the principal of JC Legal. In the ever-evolving realm of corporate law, Janice Chew has emerged as a trailblazer. As the principal and founder of JC Legal, a bespoke corporate law firm, Janice has not only defied traditional norms but has also brought a fresh and fabulous perspective to the legal industry. In a field where the norm dictates that legal firms typically hire paralegals as their first staff members, Janice opted for an unconventional route - she hired a business development person! Her unique approach to growing her business showcases her creative thinking from the outset. Despite being a relatively young law firm, JC Legal has rapidly gained recognition. In 2021, the firm was honoured with the prestigious Lawyer Monthly Legal Award for Venture Capital Law Firm of the Year. Janice, too, earned accolades as a finalist in two categories at the ALB Hong Kong Awards—Young Lawyer of the Year and Rising Law Firm of the Year. Additionally, the firm secured a spot in the ALB Fast 30 as one of Asia's fastest-growing firms in 2021. What truly sets JC Legal apart is its commitment to innovation, demonstrated through innovative legal initiatives. Their Startup Steward Programme, launched in 2018, has nurtured over 100 high-growth companies, including notable names in fintech and crypto. The programme earned the firm the Bronze Award for Startup of the Year – Business Services at the CEO and Executive World Awards 2021. In this episode, Janice speaks about the origins of JC Legal's Virtual Legal Clinic which was designed during the pandemic to offer legal services while helping a local charity. Janice Chew and her firm, JC Legal, prove that you can inculcate creativity in your industry and spark the imagination of your community and clients. As Janice says, “Success is a matter of choice.” What choices are you making today? Get the full show notes at WomenpreneurAsia.com This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio.

Helen Tan of Double Woot Fashion Talks About Influencer Marketing 🌟 Join us on an inspiring journey with Helen Tan, the creative force behind Double Woot fashion! Hailing from Penang, Malaysia, Helen and her sister have built a cult-like following for their quality fashion at affordable prices. From the early days as a pre-loved clothing shop on Blogspot to a global sensation, Helen shares her 18-year entrepreneurial voyage. Dive into the challenges faced during the COVID pandemic, innovative marketing strategies, and the pivotal role of influencer marketing. Helen's insights on family support, passion, and finding purpose resonate deeply, making this episode a must-listen for aspiring women entrepreneurs. Discover the unique naming conventions, emphasis on authenticity, and the multifaceted marketing approach that defines Double Woot's success. Tune in now for a dose of empowerment and entrepreneurial wisdom! For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com

Jenny Tay is an entrepreneur from Singapore taking on the world of funeral services with a zestful and innovative spirit, no pun intended. She is not afraid of challenging norms and stereotypes about the deceased, death and dying. As the Managing Director of Direct Funeral Services Pte Ltd, she is transforming the funeral services industry - usually dominated by rough-talking men and surrounded by superstitions - one taboo at a time. To Jenny, the funeral services business is a hospitality business. When she married in 2015, she made the front page news as she and her husband decided to take unusually daring wedding photos - she was photographed in her wedding finery lying in a coffin and sitting on the coffin! Jenny and her husband worked to revamp society's shoddy perception of funeral services and raise the bar for funeral directors. Jenny approaches this business with deep respect for the deceased. She recognizes the equalizing nature of death, emphasizing our shared humanity beneath societal roles and gender differences. In her determined way, Jenny revolutionized the industry, pushing forth innovative ideas as she was dissatisfied with outdated practices in the industry. Despite facing resistance, she believes families deserve a compassionate and personalized approach during times of grief. She introduced uniforms and name tags for her team, redesigned funeral settings and backdrops to reflect calm and elegant spaces and even humanized the departed by creating biographies for guests at the wake and funeral to know them even in death. Her ideas didn't stop there. Concerned after overhearing how an adult explained death inappropriately to a child, she and her husband decided to author a children's book that approached the topic in a non-morbid yet respectful manner. This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio. For more information, show notes and links, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com

Welcome to Season 7 of the Womenpreneur Asia podcast! I'm your host, Krista Goon, and I'm thrilled to be back, uncovering the amazing stories and strategies of Asian women entrepreneurs in Asia to inspire and support you on your own business journey. I'm excited to introduce you to our guest, a remarkable Malaysian entrepreneur, Amutha Subramaniam, the founder and director of HERS Manufacturing in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Amutha's journey is nothing short of inspiring. At 47 years old, she embarked on her business with absolutely no knowledge of e-commerce, and for the first two years, she struggled to make any sales. However, her unwavering eagerness to learn about online selling and her persistence ultimately paid off in a big way. Today, she runs a highly successful 7-figure business, exporting food and beverages to the Pacific Islands. It wasn't an easy path for Amutha, though. After her divorce, she found herself as a single mother with no capital, but she refused to be defined by her circumstances. Moving from Johor Bahru to Kuala Lumpur, she faced her challenges with courage and stepped out of her comfort zone to chase her ambitions. The essence of this podcast lies in the belief that each of us carries a powerful story within ourselves. These stories have the potential to inspire other women to embark on their own ventures, be it a business or a movement. Amutha's journey from ground zero is a testament to the fact that with an unstoppable attitude and determination, one can overcome any obstacle and learn everything one needs along the way. For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com Today's episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio. Please rate, review and subscribe to the podcast so that we can reach out to more women entrepreneurs in Asia.

Today’s episode is with Jolly Nguyen who is based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. She is the founder of EVOL Vietnam, a social enterprise that is raising awareness of urban citizens about the importance of reducing single use plastic and preventing these plastic from polluting the ocean via community projects. This is the second time we are recording this conversation because the first time, we had some audio interruptions and I wanted to showcase her work better and so this round, we re-recorded the episode and I must say I am excited for you to hear about Jolly’s strategies and tips. In this episode, we spoke about strategy, fundraising, stakeholder management, networking and partnership-building for a greater good. She talks about asking for support for her projects, engaging her stakeholders beyond financials and expanding her network every time she goes out to speak or participate in conferences and programmes. Jolly is a well-networked individual and has seen the power of networking pay its dues directly and indirectly. For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio. A big shout out to ForGood Vietnam, our partner who introduced Jolly Nguyen to Womenpreneur Asia.

Coco Wong was the first wedding planner in Hong Kong who grew to become the top wedding planner in Hong Kong for the rich and famous. She spun off a publishing business, florist business and more. At one point, she was the wedding consultant for Hong Kong Disneyland! Despite being at the top of her game, she was never afraid to stop when it was time to stop. And stop she did. But that wasn't the last of her entrepreneurial ventures. Today’s story is as fascinating as it is inspiring. It is the story of a remarkable and agile entrepreneur who is now focused on growing future leaders. Today’s episode is with a Hong Kong entrepreneur, Coco Wong. She is the co-founder of CEO Kids International and currently makes her home in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Coco is truly a serial entrepreneur with a strong conviction and a creative mind. She started many businesses and she was never afraid to walk away or sell them. In all her ventures, she admits that money was never the motivation. In fact, she’s always been one to focus on giving and doing good. Coco shares her mistakes, her highs and lows and what she has learned over the past 3 decades of being an entrepreneur and what she is most excited about now. For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com This episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio.

Failures are lessons in themselves. They’re expensive mistakes and painful too but you can always find a way to use your mistakes and failure to get stronger. Today my guest and I talked about her first failed company and partnership and the lessons she learned from that time in her life. While depressed and angry, she recounted that the failed business helped her understand what went wrong and taught her much about starting partnerships in foreign countries. Many years later, she decided to use her skills and experiences to start her own company to help foreign companies get started in her home country of Morocco. Hello and welcome to Season 7 of the Womenpreneur Asia podcast and I am your host, Krista Goon. My mission is to uncover the stories and strategies of Asian women entrepreneurs in Asia to help you as you navigate your own business journey. This episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio. Today’s episode is with a Moroccan entrepreneur, Safaa Nasseh in Casablanca, Morocco. She is the Managing Director and founder of ARKAD Plus, a business that provides professional advice and expert knowledge about starting businesses in Morocco and working with Moroccan businesses. In this episode, we spoke about her first business - the business that failed and taught her priceless lessons about partnerships and trust. Using the lessons learned from that harrowing episode in her life, she went back to work and in the process, realized she was excellent at building relationships and connecting people and businesses. During the pandemic, she realized that she wanted to start her business again but this time, much wiser and much more intent on leveraging the strengths and experiences that she has honed while under employment. For more information about Safaa, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com

Someone asked me recently, who are some of your favourite guests on the podcast and why? What have you learned from your guests and from creating and producing this seasonal podcast since 2020? It got me thinking so today you are in for a treat with this bonus episode. This is the final episode of Season 6 of the Womenpreneur Asia podcast. After this, I take a quick break before Season 7 starts in October. Most of the time, I end my season with a guest interview but this time, I decided that I'll be your guest. I'm amazed that I've produced 86 episodes so far and that yes, I am celebrating myself today. But it's never about me. I love that you're here too. Without listeners and supporters such as you, my podcast wouldn't have gone very far at all. Today, I am sharing with you my favourite episodes of all my six seasons. And I shall also share with you what I’ve personally learned and taken to heart after speaking to so many Asian women entrepreneurs in Asia. It has been an empowering journey for me as I learned to become more self-aware of my own thoughts and perspectives about entrepreneurship. So which were my favourite episodes throughout these 6 seasons? Here are my top 15 selections. Listen to the episode to find out why these are my favourite episodes. Maresa Ng of Spark Group Asia, Malaysia Dr Vimi Ramasamy of Stravik Business Consulting, Malaysia Anja Juliah of Athena Holdings, Malaysia See Wai Hun of Juristech, Malaysia Zhafira Loebis of Babyloania, Indonesia Maaike Doyer of Epic Angels, Singapore Nancy Tran of Medifood, Vietnam Michelle Hon of MomBoss Academy, Singapore Titaporn Tuchinda of The Growth & Change Company, Thailand Soline Lin of Vietnam Dental Tourism, Vietnam Debbie Edirisinghe of Child Action Lanka, Sri Lanka Kanyachat Lerttanapaiboon or Elle of Her Hyness, Thailand Cha-Ly Koh of Urbanmetry, Malaysia Deepa Jivan of J Gordhan & Co Ltd., Hong Kong Jocelyn Pantastico of Olivia Technology Group, The Philippines Which is YOUR favourite among all the 86 episodes of Womenpreneur Asia? Which entrepreneur’s story made you a better entrepreneur or inspired you to think differently or work and live differently? I’d love to hear from you. Just DM me on Instagram or send me a message. Today's episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio.

Today’s episode is with a Singapore-based author, Winne Wong. Winnie is an educator and researcher and has had more than 10 years of corporate experience working with start-ups and tech companies. Her ebook launches today on Amazon, 9 June 2023. If you love books, Winnie is offering her ebook as a gift to you at US$0.99 for the first 200 readers. In this episode, we talk about her book, her book writing process, and her findings and key learnings from her book titled “You Don’t Have to Look the Part: How East Asian Women Thrive as Entrepreneurs”. In her book, she writes about Melanie Perkins of Canva who took 3 years to fundraise and who wrote a note to keep herself going despite the initial rejections. She also recounts the story of Vicky Tsai, the founder of Tatcha who was told she didn’t look like a CEO and was asked to step down from the business she started. We spoke about being the role models that we aspire to follow, we also spoke about doing something despite the fears and the humiliation of failing. Winnie took a year to write her book and even raised money through pre-orders. She has had to market the book too leveraging LinkedIn (she said Twitter and Instagram just weren’t her thing) and has found supporters for her book from people she knew and people she didn’t. Here’s a fun fact about Winnie: her parents are Malaysian. For the full show notes and links, go to: WomenpreneurAsia.com This episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio.

Today's episode offers a unique and enjoyable twist. It was recorded on-site at the residence of our esteemed guest, Dato Judy Cheng Hopkins. She is a remarkable Malaysian woman with an illustrious 36-year career at the United Nations. She is also a Penangite who splits her time between Penang (Malaysia) and the US. She culminated her tenure as Assistant Secretary-General in charge of peace-building after conflict, working under Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. Prior to this role, she served as Assistant High Commissioner for Refugees, Director of the Asia Bureau and the Balkans at the World Food Programme, and dedicated ten years to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Africa. During our conversation, Dato Judy and I delved into a lively and incredible discussion about stepping outside one's comfort zone, shattering the glass ceiling, strategic decision-making, and how to become someone worthy of sponsorship. We also touched on her recommended book for smart women leaders while exploring how she reached the pinnacle of her career as a highly respected woman leader on the international stage. Although Dato Judy clarifies that her advice primarily caters to women aspiring to rise within large organizations and corporations, I discovered that the leadership insights she shared are invaluable for everyone, including women entrepreneurs. For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com This episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio.

Cultural authenticity. Helping brands talk to niche audiences respectfully and authentically. Today’s episode is with Afshan Nasseri, the Founder and CEO of Aam Creative is a dynamic digital marketing agency comprising a diverse team of 15 talented women of color, scattered across the globe. Afshan embarked on her entrepreneurial journey at the young age of 24, achieving remarkable success within just her second year of business, generating a six-figure revenue in US dollars and building a client portfolio of over 45 esteemed brands. While initially operating as a comprehensive 360 agency, Aam Creative is now embracing specialization, and in our conversation today, Afshan delves into the common entrepreneurial dilemma of maintaining creative excellence while navigating the path toward engaging with larger players in the industry. Afshan recognized a crucial gap in the Western marketing world—the absence of cultural perspectives. The creative space was in dire need of individuals who genuinely lived and breathed the Asian cultural experience, encompassing both the Muslim and South Asian viewpoints from the lens of Generation Z and millennials. Today's episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio. For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com

Today’s episode is with Nancy Tran, Co-founder and CEO of Medifood.io, Vietnam. Medifood started by supplying organic vegetables on a subscription basis but now produces healthy rice crispy snacks that are sold via subscription boxes. Besides producing for Vietnam, her rice crispy snacks are now available in North America. Prior to founding the business, Nancy was as market analyst at VNDIRECT Securities and marketing team lead at VEAS Exhibition & Advertising Services with focus on developing markets such as Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam in the agriculture sector. Nancy started Medifood in 2016 because she was passionate about healthy eating and helping Vietnamese farmers earn a better living except that she didn’t know a thing about agriculture and organic farming. In today’s episode, she talks about the struggles of farming and why farmers ate chemical-free vegetables while they supplied chemical-laden vegetables to the market. She talks about the separate plot of land that farmers kept to grow their own organic vegetables for their family’s needs. She started by buying these organic produce and selling them to the city. While she grew a community of enthusiastic believers in organic farming from buyers to farmers, she couldn’t make the business work. She was underpricing her vegetables and the work was tough. In the end, she decided to pivot from her original idea to manufacturing food products using organic ingredients grown by the local farmers. Today, Medifood is a platform where you buy tasty and nutritious snacks and still help local farmers sustain themselves through organic and natural farming. For the full show notes and links, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com This episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio.

Today’s episode is with a Singaporean freelance copywriter, Grace Goh. Grace has always loved travelling and she decided that a freelance writing and communications business suited her lifestyle most as she went all over the world. Grace was a digital nomad long before the term became trendy! A couple of years later, she even partnered up with a fellow Singaporean to establish a business to teach English abroad in countries such as Laos, Vietnam and Myanmar. While everyone was worried for their jobs during the pandemic lockdown, Grace said she hit one of her best months as a freelancer. And yet she is taking a career in reverse by going from freelancing to full-time employment. She calls it the Great Rejoining. In this episode we dig into her reasons for wanting to rejoin the corporate workforce again, why she decided to close her English teaching business and how the freelance world differs from the full-time and why she chooses the latter. We also talk about starting companies as revenge (yes, that is a story that you need to hear) and the lessons learned from partnering up with others in a business. Today’s conversation is unusual but at Womenpreneur Asia, I want to show you the realities, emotions and experiences of entrepreneurship - these are what I call the gritty realities of entrepreneurship. I never shy away from the strange or unusual. In my conversation with Grace, she was initially unsure if her story could fit what I had in mind. I said that it would be helpful to share her story if only to enable us to reflect on what it means to be in business and to understand that entrepreneurship comes in all experiences, emotions and colours. For the full show notes, go to WomenpreneurAsia.com Today's episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio.