Open For Business

With less than 5% of startups likely to be successful, building one is no easy feat, especially when the odds are stacked against new founders. Just this year, the Malaysia Digital Economy Blueprint (MyDigital) was launched, where one of the many goals is to catalyse 5,000 startups within the next 5 years. Such lofty ambitions require both private and public sectors to band together in nurturing f...

There are plenty of staple brands on the supermarket shelves that we just assume are Malaysian, but aren’t; Milo isn’t ours, Maggi isn’t ours, even Ayam Brand. However, yoghurt brand Sunglo is born and bred Malaysian, and Rahmesh Gomez, managing director of Malaysian Yoghurt Company, discusses his family’s legacy, their unique market positioning, and their plans to expand a...

Being Asia’s first employee ecosystem that promotes better health, wealth and wellness, CXA strives to provide the best possible healthcare at an affordable price through early detection and disease prevention. Rosaline Chow, the Founder and CEO discusses with us why she started CXA, how the pandemic affected sales and her hopes for the company. Image Credit: www.hnworth.com See omnystudio.c...

On this episode of Failing Forward, CEO of BiiB Sheyong Tan talks to us about how to grow your customer base and engage users on a digital platform, as well as why entrepreneurs need to stay the course when it comes to their business values and principles, despite negative reviews, social media backlash and potential customer loss. Click here for more episodes of Failing Forward. See omnystudio.co...

Kiran Jethwa, Founder & CEO of Fumase, an Asset Management & Asset Development company based out of California with a focus on Renewable Energy, Water & Waste sectors; and geographic focus on South Asia & South East Asia. He discusses why South Asia & South East Asia, the importance of both positive environmental and social impact, and his hopes for Fumase. Image Credit: MEE KO...

There is no denying that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought on drastic changes in consumer trends and purchasing habits. With people placing more importance on cost-saving and are constantly on the lookout for better deals, ZCITY, an instant rebate and cashback app, aims to redefine, transform, and simplify a user's e-payment gateway experience by providing deals, rewards, and promotions for every...

Health has come into sharp focus over the course of the pandemic, with many of us taking a much more vested interest in not just reactive but preventative courses of action. Dr Maryam Aziz, founder and CEO of Jardin Pharma, Malaysia’s first halal eco-pharmaceutical company, discusses moving from the cosmeceutical space to the pharmaceutical space, and their big plans for the future. Image Cr...

It’s an occupational hazard. As a doctor, you’re constantly inundated by calls from friends and family for medical advice. But not everyone has access to a doctor when they need it. And Google is not the way to go. This is why Dr. Raymond Choy and his friends created DOC2US - so you too are just a phone call or chat away from expert medical advice, evidence-based information, referrals...

Chai Kah Fei is the brains behind Baan 26 and Diet Monsta. With the goal to have calorie-controlled meals for the fitness fanatics, Kah Fei joins us to talk about the inspiration behind starting it and the steps taken to ensure its healthiness. Image Credit: DIETMONSTA | YouTube See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Just as the pandemic was beginning to gain traction in China, and before it spread anywhere else, we spoke with the owner of the KLoé hotel Ng Ping Ho. Now, 18 months on as we hopefully see things slowly return to normal, we thought we’d drop back in to see just how things worked out for the hotel, and how they managed to survive. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the pandemic forcing everyone inside for the better part of two years, interior design and making your space aesthetically pleasing has taken on new meaning. Managing director of Niro Ceramic Group, Ian Kok, shares insights into the Malaysian ceramics and tile industry, the company’s innovations in digitalising interior design, and the more than 40-year history of Niro Ceramic Group. Im...

Having a vision to improve the drinking culture in Malaysia, Kim Choong founded ThirstMag back in 2012 and has been collaborating with industry experts and connecting drinkers. She joins us to talk about how the pandemic has affected the industry, drinking trends and more. Image Credit: https://thirstmag.com/ See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The team behind edu-tech startup Youthopia believe children need more than just academic smarts to succeed in life. This is why they are focused on equipping children aged 10-16 across Southeast Asia with core life skills that will help them think critically, solve problems creatively and communicate effectively. We speak to CEO and Co-founder Manu Menon about Youthopia’s hybrid approach to...

MMC runs a central kitchen and proprietary data driven food management system. The various lockdowns and ever changing SOPs have strained the F&B industry but they have managed to do well. Carmen Chuang, CEO of MMC Health & Lifestyle joins us today to discuss how they have managed to do so and more. Image Credit: @makcikkafekatering | Facebook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy inform...

It's not easy to run a business in one of the most competitive industries in Malaysia, especially during a pandemic. Once a Sous Chef and now founder, owner and head chef of Elevete Patisserie, Edwin Chan shares with us his journey of going from preparing food in his parents kitchen at 5 am in the morning, to serving over 60,000 desserts from his own central kitchen. See omnystudio.com/listener fo...

When it comes to the issue of menstruation, many are hesitant to discuss or even think too hard about making this monthly cycle an easier and smoother experience. Often, people who have periods are not even aware of the true variety of options available or the effect of disposable menstrual products on our environment. Alyssa Ng, founder of menstrual product company, Breeze For You, shares her jou...

A vast majority of Malaysians are financially illiterate. Tackling this issue is uLearnMONEY, having been listed in Google as Malaysia’s best online financial literacy platform. Amy Seok, Founder and CEO talks to us about what needs to be improved, how they have been playing their part and more. Image Credit: @MoneyCompassEng | Facebook See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s been almost 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic and businesses, entrepreneurs, employees and everyone else have taken huge hits. With the vaccines, there’s been strong, albeit slow recovery and it is time to end the year on a very high note! It’s time to achieve as much as you can as you close the year. It is time to Finish Strong. Jeevan Sahadevan, founder of Leveragelab to sh...

As part of International Day of Older Persons, we speak to Anna Chew to find out more on why she started Meaningful, the plans to cater to an aging population and more. Image Credit: medium.com/@femalefounderssg See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

There are many delivery services in the market currently, and it’s extremely competitive especially as more and more people are ordering online during a pandemic. We know most of the big players, but what about the ones that we’re less familiar with? Zoom connects businesses, online e-commerce and brick & mortar retailers to on demand same day delivery specialists, ensuring fast an...

Plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular as concerns about health and the environment have grown, with many meat substitute products hitting the grocery store shelves. What is it like being in this game, and how do you compete with the crowd? Alex Ward, COO of Next Gen, a plant-based food tech company, discusses that and more. Image Credit: zarzamora | Shutterstock See omnystudio.com/li...

Lapasar is an online B2B procurement platform that allows companies to purchase general supplies for their businesses. We speak to Thinesh Kumar to discuss how the pandemic has affected them, the industries they cater to and their recent move to join Endeavor Malaysia. Image Credit: Cradle Fund See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On this episode of Failing Forward, we discuss the Hunters vs. Farmers sales strategy. Do you need a team of killers to chase leads and close deals, or some long-term relationship building experts who will keep your clients with you for years to come? Knowing the difference, and helping your salesforce work to their strengths could greatly impact business. Click here for more episodes of Failing F...

From having a long-standing career in law to then venturing into retail building franchised brands like Halcyon Days, Soo Shea Pin and her daughter eventually decided to start their own shoe brand called Feith London. She believes that women should look and feel good in their shoes. Shea Pin joins us to discuss the inspiration behind starting her brand, what goes into making the shoes and her plan...

Malaysian giant freshwater prawns are known worldwide for their size and taste, and are revered at chef’s tables. Despite this, much of the freshwater prawns consumed here in Malaysia are imported, rather than bred here. The industry here in Malaysia was almost lost - and Giva Kuppusamy and his company are hoping to revive it. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.