Episodes
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In this bonus episode, I team up with Payal Nayar, Founder and Director of *Voices And More*, for an enlightening conversation that bridges cultures, experiences, and podcasting journeys.
We dive into the art of storytelling and the power of elevating diverse voices through our respective podcasts.
I launched my podcast - Womenpreneur Asia - in March 2020 during the pandemic, creating a space for the stories of Asian women entrepreneurs to be heard.
My podcast highlights the challenges and successes of women across Asia as they navigate the entrepreneurial landscape, offering my listeners invaluable insights into resilience, innovation and growth.
Payal Nayar, who is based in Singapore, is a fellow podcaster. She, too, launched her podcast in 2020. As a global citizen and experienced traveler, she brings her rich cultural background into her podcasts *Melting Pot* and *Now Boarding*.
With a career that spans across industries and continents, Payal has built her podcasting platform with a mission: to amplify voices that inspire change and build bridges across borders.
Her favorite quote, "Empower voices, inspire change, and build bridges that transcend borders," perfectly encapsulates her vision.
Her resilience and determination have fueled her success in founding multiple ventures, including her transition from corporate life to podcasting.
In this episode, Payal and I exchange stories from our podcasting experiences, sharing the wisdom we've gleaned from interviewing diverse guests. While I focus on Asian women entrepreneurs in Asia, Payal focuses on men and women from all around the world, discussing and unravellling topics such as wildlife conservation, ecotourism, sustainable living, responsible travel, culture, arts and more.
Payal draws inspiration from figures like Michelle Obama, Priyanka Chopra, and Lee Kuan Yew, further driving her passion for storytelling.
This is a candid discussion between two Asian women podcasters; one that is filled with personal stories, podcasting tips and inspiration drawn from both our experiences.
Tune in for a conversation that's honest and real, filled with creativity, inspiration and respect while underscoring the power of voice from two Asian women who are proud to be Asian and proud to be podcasters.
For the full show notes and links, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com
This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio
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Celina Lee calls her vision - a Disneyland for data scientists.
Or if you prefer, a Github meets LinkedIn.
Ultimately, it’s about creating opportunities all around the world for those who don’t necessarily have access to those opportunities.
This female co-founder and CEO started her platform as a passion project and it has become the leading professional network of data scientists today with some 70 000+ data scientists.
Zindi is the first data science competition platform in Africa and hosts an entire data science ecosystem of scientists, engineers, academics, companies, NGOs, governments and institutions focused on solving Africa’s most pressing problems.
While today’s episode is about Zindi, it is also about Celina and what it means to be female and Asian American and growing a dream that is making a tremendous impact in the world of data science, AI and machine learning. Zindi is at heart providing access and opportunities to data scientists in Africa and beyond.
For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com
This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio
Thank you for listening to Season 8 of the podcast. We will be taking a break and come back in October/November for Season 9.
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Episodes manquant?
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Dr. Vimi Ramasamy, Founder and CEO of STRAVIK, makes a much-anticipated return to discuss a core business topic - Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) - and why ESG is riddled with confusion and apprehension among businesses.
Vimi candidly discusses the challenges that most business owners have when integrating ESG into their operations. She shares how most business owners have no idea where to begin.
A key part of the interview is devoted to debunking common ESG myths, such as the notion that ESG is costly to implement and that it is only for multinational companies.
Vimi clarifies what ESG entails and its effects on various business aspects, including marketing and supply chain. She emphasizes that ESG can be implementable for every business.
Vimi provides insights and research data that encourage embracing sustainable practices and how businesses can adopt simple ESG actions to reduce their environmental footprint and enhance social responsibility while attaining higher profits.
For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com
This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio.
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Today's episode is with Annie Chan who is the Founder and Principal Trainer of Red Box Events Pte Ltd. based in Singapore.
As an experience designer, adjunct lecturer and trainer, she has extensive experience in creating, planning and organizing events.
She knows all the ways to glam up an event and ensure the show runs smoothly so that her clients can make a distinct and positive impression all around.
Unlike most entrepreneurs, Annie had a roster of paying clients the day she started.
And she also landed herself a million dollar project awarded by the Singapore government where she had to organize 500 events in a year! In this episode, Annie and I talk about her 30 years in the events management business where she shares some insider tips and strategies that you don’t want to miss.
She also shares why she wants to educate more corporate people about events organizing and planning, her regional work with sustainability projects and what sustainability means from an events planner perspective and how challenging it is!
Get the full show notes and links: WomenpreneurAsia.com
This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio. Redbox Studio offers an entrepreneur game and programme where teams can learn how to leverage entrepreneurial thinking. Discover more about the strategy game and programme, at BigTimerGame.com
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Today, we meet a Malaysian entrepreneur, Shariffa Sabrina, the founder of Tanah Aina Sdn Bhd.
Tanah Aina which began as a glamping experience has now become an eco-resort experience complete with dining and nature activities. It serves up an eco-experience in the heart of the Malaysian jungles and it is as much a passion as it is a business for its owner, Shariffa Sabrina.
Tanah Aina Eco Resorts and Cafes lets people reconnect with nature while enjoying the comforts and amenities of luxury accommodations. At their resorts, you can experience eco-friendly lodging, guided nature excursions, organic dining experiences, wellness activities and team building.
As the founder of Tanah Aina eco-resorts. Sabrina is on a mission to change how we view development, and it all starts with a deep appreciation for the very nature we're neglecting.
Sabrina is quite the entrepreneur having built her cafes, glamping sites and resorts based on her love for nature and despite having grandchildren, there seems to be no stopping this woman who despite the tough challenges from authorities.
Extra show notes at WomenpreneurAsia.com
This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio.
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Today’s episode is with a Malaysian entrepreneur, Coach Wendy Wong.
Wendy is the Managing Partner of Petadiri Leadership and a Leadership Performance Coach in Malaysia.
She was a high flyer with a tonne of corporate experience in finance and HR.
When she decided to start her own business as a coach, she hired a coach to help her strategize. Her coach had advised that she would take at least 3 years to get stabilized in her business but she thought she could do it in 6 months.
You are in for a treat today if you’ve always wanted to know the nitty-gritty about starting a business.
What is it really like? And while today’s episode is about a coach in her coaching business, it’s universally applicable to any business.
We spoke about the loneliness of being a solopreneur and also the surprises that Wendy encountered when she left her corporate role and became a coach.
We dug into her strategies and recommendations about starting a business if she could do it all over again.
We discussed the internal conflicts she had because as she said, when she left corporate, she left behind a lucrative paycheck only to start from ground zero as she only began her coaching training the week after she left her job.
In her own words, she was “all in” and completely committed to the art and craft of coaching but it still took time to build up her business.
Her own coach remarked that it would take at least 3 years to fully stabilize the business but she was confident she could do it in less time.
This episode is a must-listen if you’re thinking of starting a business but more importantly, how you can prepare your own ‘runway’ before your takeoff.
Coach Wendy Wong shares how you can ensure your takeoff doesn’t have to be rocky and what you can do to avoid the bumps!
Please enjoy today’s episode with Coach Wendy Wong.
This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio.
Get the full show notes on Womenpreneur Asia.
If you'd like to work with me, check out this page.
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In today’s episode, we meet Afi Sulaiman, a digital artist and illustrator in Malaysia.
I was introduced to her by Michelle Yeo of Dandy as Afi and Dandy were collaborating. Michelle was a former guest of mine on this podcast and she knew that I would be open to meeting
Afi. If you’d like to check out Michelle’s episode where she talks about starting her restaurant business, look for Ep 11 in Season 2.
Afi is a millennial who was dabbling with digital art when she was in her gap year. At that time, she was undergoing mental health issues and looked towards art as a form of therapy and self-expression.
Little did she know that this path would propel her into the limelight and now she is a commissioned artist who works with corporate companies, small businesses and individuals.
In this episode, Afi and I speak about:
her journey as an artist and illustrator, gaining fast fame on Instagram and getting full community support, how she deals with pro bono requests for her art and illustrations, her own mental health experiences how she prices her art, how she determines which clients are a good fit for her and what she thinks of art as a business and how she works at her business.I believe you will enjoy this episode if you love art and business!
This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio.
Get the full show notes on Womenpreneur Asia.
If you'd like to work with me, check out this page.
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In today’s episode, we meet Malaysian entrepreneur Karen Tan who is the founder of Menoplus based in Penang, Malaysia.
Juggling her business, taking care of her family and caring for elderly parents while navigating menopause led her to a dark place. She also experienced a slew of medical problems - from itchiness to hot flushes, coupled with frustration and sleepless nights.
But from the depths of despair and a desire to figure things out came an "aha!" moment, a turning point that ignited a mission: to empower women on their own perimenopause and menopause journeys.
Karen is optimistic and hopes that through her work, she can offer support, encouragement and help to other women who are facing menopause, the very same support that she was searching for when she was undergoing menopause.
Through her workshops, she hopes to have more open conversations with women who are going through mid-life.
So if you’re heading towards menopause, this is the episode for you.
Subscribe to our Youtube channel
Get all the show notes at our website.
This episode is proudly brought to you by Redbox Studio.
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Today, we meet Ida Othman, a Malaysian entrepreneur who started with a quest for a brighter smile.
Ida is the owner of Asia Natural Essentials Sdn Bhd and the mastermind behind the Gogy Natural oral care brand, a proudly Made in Malaysia product.
This is not her first business, mind you but she has finally found a business that she is happy with. She once owned a spa business and even a food business from home.
This episode is filled with a lot of wisdom and learning as she shared how her own desire for whiter teeth brought her to her current ecommerce business.
You’ll hear about her early struggles and why she never started with a business plan. You will also learn how she validated her product, how she created further products and finally, the rebrand that she went ahead with although the rebranding exercise was costly.
Full show notes: WomenpreneurAsia.com
This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com
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Forget everything you thought about leadership!
In this episode, we have Nandini Das Ghoshal who is the Co-Founder & Director, ION Consulting International Pte Ltd, based in Singapore.
Nandini shares her experiences from the fascinating world of applied neuroscience in the context of organisations, teams and leadership.
She reveals how we can leverage our brains to develop better teams, create better results and fundamentally shape us as more effective leaders.
Nandini is an experienced executive coach and learning facilitator, based out of Singapore.
She offers one-on-one executive coaching abd bespoke programmes on leadership, team effectiveness and career transitions for individuals and groups.
She enthralls us about our brain, not as a organ of cognitive performance but as an organ of relationship.
If you want to create improved performance at work or at home, you need to focus on using your brain to enhance your relationships.
For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com
This episode is sponsred by RedboxStudio.com
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Tahreem Shah is the co-founder and the Head of Growth at AmarLab based in Singapore. She describes it as the Uber for medical diagnostics.
Additionally, she is the co-founder of Bhorosha, an alternative job-sourcing platform in Bangladesh that connects informal sector women with skills training and matches them to better-paying jobs.
Tahreem’s journey seamlessly integrates architecture, business and technology through her two startups.
With a background in architecture and a passion for social change, Tahreem dedicates herself to finding innovative solutions for the challenges faced by marginalized communities in her home country of Bangladesh.
Tahreem's journey into social entrepreneurship began during an architectural internship in Norway. While there, she realized her true calling lay in addressing the pressing issues of urban disaster preparedness, unemployment, healthcare accessibility and financial inclusion.
For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com
This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com
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In this episode, you will meet Mayuree Aroonwaranon, the CEO and co-founder of GEPP Sa-Ard Co., Ltd., a Bangkok-based company that helps companies in Thailand with waste management.
Yet her story didn’t begin in waste management.
This French-speaking Thai national who grew up in the slum area of Bangkok has an inspiring story to share about herself and why she gave up a lucrative career in oil and gas to become an entrepreneur.
Coming from a challenging background and growing up in the slums, Mayuree has always had a heart for her community. She was determined to make a positive impact but she didn’t know how until she chanced upon a news article that said every Thai person throws away 1.14 kg of rubbish a day.
She said she was clueless when she read the headline - was that a huge amount of rubbish?
That took her and her co-founders down a rabbit hole of finding answers.and that's how they started their company which focuses on businesses and organisations using their digital platform. Their GEPP platform (hardware and software) helps companies to shift their mindsets from "dispose" to "manage" their waste successfully.
For the full show notes and links, visit: WomenpreneurAsia.com
This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com
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This episode is with Wendy Lim who is the founder of Wei Ling Chambers in, Malaysia.
She owns a boutique law firm in Kuala Lumpur and handles initial public offerings, securities regulations, mergers and acquisitions, foreign direct investments and more.
As a young female lawyer, she is not unusual in that she chose to set up her law firm after working with other law firms.
What’s unusual is that Wendy has always wanted to be a lawyer since young and she still carries that fire and passion in her till today.
What I find most interesting about Wendy is that she loves business and by helping her clients with their business needs, she gets to discover entrepreneurship too.
Far from being conservative or staid, this young female lawyer is showing the world that you can be a lawyer and you can still retain your individuality and be a risk-taker!
For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com
This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com
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This episode features Mandy Pao from Hong Kong, the founder of The Aligned Entrepreneurs.
Mandy's entrepreneurial venture emerged from burn out that resulted from running her first business, a branding and marketing agency for 10 years.
Our conversation is particularly illuminating as Mandy bravely unravels the less-discussed facets of entrepreneurship.
She opens up about the pressure to conform in Hong Kong, where success is often equated with perpetual busyness and "the bigger, the better".
If you've found yourself questioning the relentless pursuit of growth or yearning for a deeper sense of purpose in your entrepreneurial journey, this episode is a must-listen.
Join us as Mandy shares her inspiring story of resilience, reinvention, and the pursuit of aligned success.
For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com
This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com
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The first episode of Season 8 features My Holland.
My is the CEO of EQuest Asia, a coaching and training business based in Vietnam.
Despite never residing in Vietnam, My felt a profound calling to return to her ancestral homeland to establish her business.
She advocates for embracing happiness and fulfillment in the workplace while nurturing one's cultural identity, particularly among overseas Vietnamese and empowering women to find their voices.
She is also a speaker, consultant and coach in corporate well-being, organizational change resilience and emotional intelligence.
Born in France with Vietnamese heritage, My (pronounced "Mee" in Vietnamese) is a leader deeply immersed in cross-cultural experiences across various nations.
Interestingly, she was born on 20 March, the UN International Day of Happiness, a fact she interprets as more than mere coincidence.
Her journey reflects a multicultural worldview, shaped by her upbringing in France, education in both France and the USA, and professional experiences spanning the USA, Japan, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, and New Zealand.
It's a fascinating look at finding one's roots, embracing multiculturalism and being open to possibilities at every stage of one's life.
Get the full show notes: WomenpreneurAsia.com
This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com
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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.
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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