Episoder
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In this episode, Chef Olivier Elzer, a culinary legend with an astounding 27 Michelin stars to his name, shares his inspiring journey from the kitchens of France to becoming an iconic figure in Hong Kong's vibrant dining scene.
In this conversation, Rasheed explores Chef Olivierâs passion for food and the pivotal moments that shaped his career. He reflects on the challenges he faced and the lessons learned along the way. With insights into achieving Michelin star status and guiding LâAtelier de JoĂŤl Robuchon Hong Kong to three stars, Chef Olivier offers a wealth of knowledge for anyone interested in the culinary arts and entrepreneurship.
This episode is a must-listen for food lovers, aspiring chefs, and entrepreneurs alike. Tune in to gain valuable insights from one of the industryâs most celebrated talents and discover what drives his remarkable success! -
In this episode, Cathryn Wills, founder and creative director of Sans Beast, shares her inspiring journey from a senior corporate role in the fashion industry to launching a pioneering vegan handbag brand focused on ethical practices and sustainability.
She discusses the push and pull factors that led her to leave her corporate career, highlighting the misalignment between her values and corporate expectations. Listeners will gain insights into the challenges she faced and the lessons learned during her transition to entrepreneurship.
Cathryn emphasizes the importance of strong foundations in presenting a brand that feels larger than its size. She also addresses the complexities of sourcing vegan materials and Sans Beast's commitment to transparency and community engagement.
Listen to this enlightening conversation that offers valuable inspiration for aspiring entrepreneurs seeking to align their business practices with their values.
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Manglende episoder?
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This episode of Entrepreneur Stories delves into the incredible journey of Igor Duc, founder and CEO of Native Union, a globally recognised brand of tech accessories. Recorded live at Banyan Workspace, Igor shares his inspiring story, from his early days designing furniture in China to creating the iconic tech accessories brand found today in Apple retail locations worldwide and in luxury brand boutiques across the globe.
This episode is packed with insights, including:
Igor's unconventional path: Hear how a furniture design background led to the creation of Native Union and its iconic Pop Retro handset. The challenges of hyper-growth: Learn from Igor's experience of explosive growth, the pitfalls of rapid scaling, and how he navigated counterfeiting that nearly bankrupted his company. Building a global brand: Discover how Native Union transitioned from a viral product to a sustainable, internationally recognised brand. Securing Apple as a client: Igor reveals the behind-the-scenes story of his daring, unconventional approach to securing a partnership with Apple, including a legendary cross-country Uber ride! The importance of passion and risk-taking: Igor emphasises the crucial role of passion and calculated risk-taking in entrepreneurial success. Navigating the complexities of global manufacturing: Gain insights into the challenges and rewards of managing a complex supply chain across multiple countries.This episode is a must-listen for any entrepreneur looking for inspiration, practical advice, and a glimpse into the realities of building a successful global business.
This discussion was recorded live in front of an audience at Banyan Workspace in Hong Kong.
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This episode of Entrepreneur Stories features Liz Bradford and David Markham, two entrepreneurs based in Hong Kong, as they discuss their journeys from burnout to achieving peak performance.
Liz, a recovering banker with 21 years in finance, shares her experience of burnout and how it led her to establish Transform Perform and Maia, two businesses focused on high-performance coaching and organisational resilience. David, a former professional rugby player turned health and fitness coach, recounts his transition into entrepreneurship and the opening of his own facility, The Clubhouse Hong Kong, with its unique 360-degree approach to health and fitness.
Liz and David delve into the signs of burnout, the importance of self-awareness, and the strategies they employ to help themselves and their clients achieve a healthier work-life balance.
Highlights:
Practical strategies for identifying and addressing burnout symptoms. The importance of self-care, sleep, nutrition, and stress management. Building boundaries and creating structure in Hong Kong's demanding work environment. The role of authenticity and vulnerability in leadership. Creating a supportive and engaging community within a fitness setting. How aligning work and personal values can lead to greater success and fulfilment.This insightful conversation explores practical strategies for preventing and overcoming burnout, building resilience, and creating a sustainable path to peak performance, both personally and professionally.
** This discussion was recorded in front of a live audience in the library at â â Banyan Workspaceâ â in Hong Kong and includes audience Q&A
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The journey from a stable job to being an entrepreneur - This episode features an open conversation between Colin Symmonds and Rasheed Shroff, who both transitioned from long-established corporate careers to launch their own successful ventures.
Colin, founder of Joint Dynamics, Hong Kong's leading multidisciplinary treatment and performance clinic (established in 2013), and Rasheed Shroff, founder of Dragonfly Asia-Pacific and â Banyan Workspaceâ â , share their experience, their successes and failures, and their approach to running their businesses and empowering their teams.
This wide-ranging discussion explores the synergies and differences in their leadership styles and approaches to risk and business finances. The conversation includes fascinating anecdotes and real-world examples that shaped their respective businesses.
Highlights:
â˘â â Colinâs early years and training in physiotherapy
â˘â â His motivation for establishing Joint Dynamics in a competitive market
â˘â â Comparing an "accidental entrepreneur" journey with a deliberate decision to leave corporate life after two decades
â˘â â The challenges of leaving a stable job to start a business
â˘â â The critical role of team culture in startup success
â˘â â Prioritising their teams
â˘â â How encouraging employee passions contributed to business growth
â˘â â The value of partnerships and acknowledging strengths and weaknesses
â˘â â The evolution of their appetite for risk
â˘â â The importance of and different approaches to business finances
Meet Colin and Rasheed:
Colin Symmonds embarked on a transformative entrepreneurial journey after more than two decades in the corporate sector. In 2013, he founded Joint Dynamics, Hong Kong's pioneering multidisciplinary treatment and performance clinic.
Rasheed Shroff, with extensive experience building brands and businesses across the Asia-Pacific region, took a similar leap into entrepreneurship, establishing Dragonfly Asia-Pacific and Banyan Workspace after more than twenty years working for a major multi-national company.** This discussion was recorded in front of a live audience in the library at â Banyan Workspaceâ in Hong Kong and includes audience Q&A. Thank you to our beverage sponsor, â Spiritu HKâ , for providing pre- and post-event drinks, allowing for a fun and productive networking opportunity!
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Jay Khan is the mastermind behind CĂA and The Savory Project, two multi-award winning bars that have had a profound impact on the Hong Kong bar industry. In this intimate conversation with Rasheed, Jay opens up about his humble beginnings, his determination and passion, and how his single-minded focus has led him to extraordinary levels of success.
Highlights:
â˘â â How growing up in Hong Kong shaped Jay's path to success
â˘â â Unveiling Jay's love for mixology and agave spirits
â˘â â The highs and lows of launching COA in a tough market
â˘â â Why focusing on a unique product is key
â˘â â Jay's pro tips on trends and building a killer team
Meet Jay Khan:
With over 15 years in the industry, Jay Khan is a cocktail bar veteran renowned for his dedication to agave spirits. His ventures, COA and The Savory Project, have garnered international acclaim, cementing his status as a leading figure in the mixology world. Jay's commitment to ethical entrepreneurship shines through initiatives like Mezcal Mission, reflecting his belief in giving back to the community.
** This discussion was recorded in front of a live audience in the library at Banyan Workspace in Hong Kong and includes audience Q&A. Thank you to our beverage sponsors, Spiritu HK and Neon Tiger Real Fruit Sodas, for providing pre- and post-event drinks, allowing for a fun and productive networking opportunity!
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TWO massive exits and a business scaled with almost NO upfront investment: Listen to the remarkable stories of Trilby White and Diego Dultzin Lacoste, founders who defied the odds, scaling businesses in veterinary care and luxury flash sales from just an idea, a laptop and a whole lot of belief and determination.
Discover how they transformed Creature Comforts, Vetopia, and OnTheList into household names while working alongside their co-founding spouses.
Join our founder Rasheed Shroff as he uncovers the strategies, challenges, and invaluable lessons learned by these incredibly successful entrepreneurs who dared to leave secure jobs for the thrill of building their brand(s) and scaling their businesses.
Specifically:
How they went from idea to execution When and how they knew they were onto something scaleable How they went about the challenges of financing growth The importance of building trust with their customers and business partners The difficulties of recruiting a team and growing it as their businesses scaled Their customer acquisition & retention strategies and the lessons learned Why Hong Kong is a great place to run their business fromGuest Speakers
Trilby White
In 2002, Trilby and her veterinarian husband David launched the Creature Comforts housecall service, which they expanded over the years to include 2 clinics, a 24-hour animal hospital and the online pet product and prescription service, Vetopia.com. Having sold both Creature Comforts and Vetopia last year to major international conglomerates, Trilby was recently awarded the HK American Chamberâs Woman Entrepreneur of the Year 2024.
Diego Dultzin Lacoste
Diego founded Asiaâs first members-only flash-sales platform OnTheList in 2016, alongside his wife Delphine. The concept revolutionised how luxury retailers managed their old inventory in a sustainable, profitable and consumer-friendly way, and it has since exploded to a 500K+ community across seven different Asian markets, with more planned over the coming months.
This discussion was recorded in front of a live audience in the library at Banyan Workspace in Hong Kong and includes an audience Q&A. Thank you to our beverage sponsors, Spiritu HK and Neon Tiger Real Fruit Sodas, for providing pre- and post-event drinks, allowing for a fun and productive networking opportunity for all who attended!
