Asian Business Owners - A.B.O.

A bit of naivety might be the reason you became an entrepreneur and the reason you’ve kept going. In today’s solo episode, I explore why I needed a certain naive spirit to jump into the unknown, take risks, build something from scratch and keep moving when everything feels uncertain. I share the realities I didn’t know when I started: the pressure, the mental load, the instability, the silent phas...

You want to grow without the cost of full-time staff? In this Quick Wins episode, learn how to: Hire freelancers for one-off, high-skill tasks Run lean email marketing campaigns with specialists Build a go-to virtual team you can reuse These tips are ideal for founders in Asia (or elsewhere) who want to scale fast and smart with limited costs. Content: (00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins (...

If you’re building a business alone, you know this feeling: the pressure, the responsibility, the constant mental load that never really switches off. In this solo episode of Asian Business Owners, I talk about what the mental load actually feels like when you’re the one making every decision, solving every problem and keeping things moving even on the days where you feel like slowing down. Here’s...

Creating content for Asian audiences requires nuance and real understanding. In this Quick Wins episode, you’ll learn how to: Speak to cultural preferences with clarity Mix educational and emotional content that resonates Stay consistent using a content calendar Use these tips to grow your business' presence online and let me know how it goes. Content: (00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins (...

What happens after a decade building a career to realise it doesn’t feel like you anymore? In this episode, Jessie Li — entrepreneur and content creator with over half a million followers — talks about reinvention. She left a stable career that ended up with burnout, to build her own businesses in the lifestyle, fashion and luxury space. Jessie opens up about: Walking away from a path everyone els...

VC money isn’t your only option. In this Quick Wins episode, learn how to: Use pre-sales to raise money before launch Launch a crowdfunding campaign that works Tap into local grants and business competitions Especially useful for mission-driven founders who want to stay in control. Content: (00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins (00:25) Creative Funding Methods (00:40) Bootstrap wit...

You know those days when you feel down, have doubts and you wonder if it’s all worth it. I feel like that sometimes, I feel down and in this solo episode, I open up about my emotional ups and downs and when I feel disconnected. I've learned to reset and embrace it. These moments are part of my growth. What you’ll hear: How to navigate periods of self-doubt and fatigue The mindset shift that helps...

In Asia, your customers are on WhatsApp. Are you? This Quick Wins episode shows how to: Use WhatsApp Business for personalised updates Share limited-time offers through WhatsApp Status Create VIP lists to reward your best customers Turn daily chats into consistent business growth. Content: (00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins (00:15) The Power of WhatsApp for Your Business (00:48)&nbsp...

After years in the corporate world in Paris, I hit a wall: burnout, lack of meaning and the feeling that something had to change. In this solo episode, I share my story and how I went from being a corporate employee in marketing to becoming a business owner in Hong Kong. I talk about what it took to rebuild my career and start over: – Making the leap to move abroad – Finding my first clients and b...

Exhausted and overwhelmed by your business? In this Quick Wins episode, I talk about: Setting clear boundaries (and sticking to them) Prioritising what actually moves the needle Quick mental resets that keep you sane This one is for you if you're an ambitious entrepreneur who wants success without burnout. Content: (00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins (00:15) The Reality of Entrepreneu...

In this solo episode, I open up about what it really means to be seen online and how I learned to get comfortable with my face, my voice and my story. From the early discomfort of showing up on camera to finding my authentic voice, I share how personal branding goes far beyond having the perfect feed. Tune in to hear: How to overcome self-doubt and the fear of being visible What “authentic persona...

Want more people to find your business online? In this Quick Wins episode, discover how to: Target high-intent keywords for Asian audiences Prioritise mobile-first SEO (because mobile is king in Asia) Build backlinks from relevant local sites Try these tips to grow your visibility online and let me know how it works for you. Content: (00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins (00:15) Underst...

What makes someone truly confident when they speak? How can your voice literally become your most powerful branding tool? In this episode, I talk to Ben Sherry, public speaking and personal branding coach based in Taiwan. We break down how confidence and communication can transform your personal brand. What we explore: How to overcome the fear of public speaking The most common mistakes people mak...

Struggling with cash flow in the first years of business (or even later on)? In this Quick Wins episode, learn how to: Get paid faster using early payment incentives Create reliable income with subscription models Cut overheads using digital tools Try some of these cash flow strategies and see how it goes, whether you're a new founder, side hustler or solopreneur building a business in Asia. Conte...

Two years ago, I started the Asian Business Owners podcast with one simple goal: to meet entrepreneurs and learn from their stories. What I didn’t expect is how much this journey would teach me about myself. In this special anniversary episode, I reflect on what these two years have meant, the challenges, the lessons and the growth that came from showing up week after week. I share the three bigge...

Think KOLs are out of your budget? Think again. In this Quick Wins episode, I share how to: Collaborate with micro-KOLs for affordable reach Offer value beyond cash payments (think product, access, content) Track results to know what’s working Perfect for startups and businesses looking to grow with influence, not just ads. Content: (00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins (00:14) Understa...

What happens when your first business gets shut down by regulations? For Gianne Chan, it meant facing a painful pivot but also discovering new paths she never imagined. In this episode, Gianne shares her journey from launching a CBD brand that couldn’t survive, to rebuilding with even more: a branding agency (Lexi Media), two mental health podcasts and a growing music career. What we talk about: H...

Drowning in admin and repetitive tasks? This QUICK WINS episode shows how a Virtual Assistant can save you time and sanity. You’ll learn how to: Delegate admin and meeting scheduling Use VAs to handle customer support Leverage VAs for fast market research Don't be an overwhelmed entrepreneur, start working smarter, not harder. Content: (00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins (00:15) The V...

I wouldn't let a client constantly push my deadlines, so why do I do it to myself? I realised that builiding my personal branding is a priority and part of my business goals. If I'm not doing it, I'm building a job, not a business. This week, I get real about the work-in-progress strategy I'm using to break the cycle of prioritising client work over my own vision of my business. If you're an...

If you’re posting but not getting results, chances are you’re making one (or all) of these 3 common social media mistakes. In this QUICK WINS episode, you’ll learn how to: Avoid posting without a strategy Respect the differences between platforms Actually engage your audience (not just broadcast) Content: (00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins (00:32) Mistake #1: Posting Without a Strate...

Stepping away was actually the most productive thing I did lately. Fresh off a two-week stay in Bali, here I am recording a freestyle solo episode to share how rest has been fruitful to me and gave me clarity on work and the podcast. I tried to reset and I'm sharing with you my honest reflection on the constant hustle, content emptiness and how I'm reshaping the future of the show (including the l...

Want to build a personal brand on LinkedIn but hate self-promotion? This QUICK WINS episode shares 3 simple ways to grow your personal brand authentically on LinkedIn. You’ll learn how to: Optimise your profile for visibility and trust Share content that connects with your audience Build meaningful relationships (not just followers) Content: (00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins (00:15)&nbsp...

What’s harder than growing a business? Keeping it alive through change. In this episode of Asian Business Owners, Gabriella Montandon — CFO and founder of Montandon Consulting — gets real about the reality owning an SME. She shares: Why cash flow is the #1 reason businesses fail (and how to fix it) The “No A**hole Rule” she applies to clients How to stay grounded when everything around you is chan...

Struggling to turn Instagram views into actual sales? In this QUICK WINS episode, learn 3 simple tactics that drive real engagement and conversion through Instagram Stories. What you’ll learn: How to use interactive stickers to boost engagement How to post time-sensitive offers to drive urgency Why behind-the-scenes content builds trust and sales Perfect for solopreneurs, eCom owners, coaches, cre...

Allen Law was living the classic workaholic lifestyle: long hours, constant stress, little time for health. Burnout forced him to step back and ask: what does real success look like? In this episode, Allen shares how fatherhood and health struggles led him to launch a wellness movement across Asia, from fitness studios to investing in startups that extend healthspan. We talk stress management, bui...