TFC Business Show

Creators, freelancers, and micro-business owners often only think about contracts, IP rights, payment terms, and legal recourse after something goes wrong. But by then, it may already be messy. In this live TFC Business Show session, recorded live at Whiskdom Cafe, we unpack what creators need to know to protect their work and get paid properly. We discuss what happens when a stockist does not pay...

The traditional marketing funnel, awareness, consideration, conversion, is dead. Real buyers don't move in straight lines. Some jump straight to purchase. Others sit on the bench for six months. And some only buy because their friend did. Recorded live at the UOB FinLab SME programme, we dig into what actually moves people from curious to converted. From community-led growth to founder content, na...

Most Singaporeans don't realise our neighbour up north has been quietly building a franchise empire for over three decades, and 2026 might be the biggest edition yet. We sit down with Kairul Azman Mohd Yusoh, Secretary General of the Malaysia Franchise Association, at the Marrybrown Sentosa flagship to unpack why FIM (Franchising International Malaysia) 2026, happening 21–23 May at KLCC, is offici...

After nearly a year of conversations with founders, creators, and entrepreneurs, the TFC Business Show is wrapping up its current format. But before we move into the next phase, we’re looking back at the most memorable stories, unexpected insights, and biggest lessons from the journey. From founders who built businesses from scratch to creators turning passion into thriving ventures, this episode...

Can technology make seasonal food available all year round without losing its freshness? We sit down with Christopher Quek, VC, entrepreneur, and founder of Spike Durian, to explore how a simple obsession with durian led to an unexpected startup opportunity. After two decades investing in startups , Christopher decided to jump back into the arena. What followed was a fascinating journey into food...

☕ Can a vending machine make café-quality coffee? In this episode of The Financial Coconuts Business Show , we sit down with the founders of Flow Coffee , a startup challenging Singapore’s coffee scene with an unexpected idea: coffee vending machines that serve café-grade drinks made with fresh milk. After noticing how expensive and inconvenient good coffee can be, Chang Wei Sheng (Founder &...

What if the reason your food isn’t fresher isn’t the farm, but everything in between? In this episode, we dive into a business almost nobody dreams of starting, yet it quietly powers entire cities. Think traffic jams, melting margins, broken fridges, and a problem so hidden that most consumers never even notice it. Here’s what we’re unpacking: Why traffic in Metro Manila became a business opportun...

Are you thinking about starting your own marketing agency? Well, think again! It’s not as easy as setting up a company and getting your friends to help out. We dive into the ups and downs of running a digital marketing agency with none other than Marcus Ho, founder of Brew Interactive, who's been at it for 17 years. Here’s what you can expect from this episode: How Marcus started his journey from...

Dive into the latest Singapore Budget and its impact on youth entrepreneurship, tackling the challenges and opportunities in today's market. Join our guests as they share their unique insights into the changing landscape of work and entrepreneurship. Chua Pei Ying , APAC Head Economist at LinkedIn, Simarna Singh , Regional (APAC) Healthcare Sustainability Manager & Client Partnerships at DKSH,...

Funnels are dead. “Best practices” might be costing you money. And the strategy that built an 8-figure brand started with just $500 . In this episode, we go deep with battle-tested operators who’ve actually built, scaled, and exited, not just theorised on slides. Here’s what you’ll hear (without giving away all the secrets): Why your marketing “funnel” might be completely wrong, and what to think...

Tune in with Jake, the Founder of Ergotune, a brand that grew from humble beginnings to a game-changing company in the ergonomic furniture space. Listen as Jake opens up about the trials and triumphs of building a business from scratch, with insights into his journey from coding bootcamps to creating ergonomic solutions like the standing desk and office chairs. What you'll hear: The founding story...

What if the loyalty programs you think you understand… are actually built on completely different rules? We sit with a man some in the industry call “the king of loyalty” - the CEO behind one of Singapore’s largest rewards ecosystems. With millions of members and over a million active users every month, he’s got a front-row seat to how consumers really spend, save, and stay loyal. And let’s just s...

Welcome to the first episode of our brand new series, The IPO Circle ! We’re joined by Eugene Lim , Founder & CEO of The Assembly Place , a leading co-living company that’s revolutionising the real estate industry. From humble beginnings with just six rooms to managing over 3,500 keys across Singapore, Eugene shares his journey, challenges, and plans for the future. What to Expect : The Assemb...

They didn’t start with a fancy lab, big funding, or a “Silicon Valley” playbook. They started with scrappy prototypes, real classrooms, and a question that hits hard: Why is quality STEM education still not accessible to every kid? If you’ve ever been curious about startups, education, or what it takes to build something real (literally hardware), this one’s for you. We sit with Adam and Kai from...

What if nightlife didn’t start at midnight… but at sunrise? What if music wasn’t just entertainment… but a tool for community, wellness, and human connection? Hear from a founder who’s quietly re-engineering how people gather, move, and feel, without following any traditional playbook Our guest: 👉Christopher Shearmon, Managing Director of Wild Pearl Studio A former corporate professional turned c...

What happens when the second generation takes the reins of a family business? We dive into the incredible journey of Presto Drycleaners, led by Chan Wei Tian, a former software engineer turned dry cleaning visionary. Key Highlights: Tech Meets Tradition: Chan Wei Tian shares the unique story of how he left the tech world to take over the family business, breathing new life into it with cutting-edg...

What does it really take to build a fashion brand when you’re not designing for the mainstream? We dive into a rarely discussed side of fashion retail…. serving minority and niche communities in Singapore and beyond. From functional fashion for modern mothers to heritage-driven design rooted in culture, our guests share the realities, risks, and quiet wins of building brands with purpose. This isn...

Is your business ready for the future? We dive into the 2025 UOB Business Outlook Study with a powerhouse panel of experts. Paul Kan, Country Head of UOB Business Banking Singapore, who sheds light on the financial landscape for SMEs and how businesses can adapt to thrive Joseph Soh, Founder of Xpressflower.com, offering his experience in scaling a retail business and the role of data and digitali...

We meet the guy who looked at Singapore’s brutal F&B scene and said… “Yeah, sure. Let’s sell fresh pasta.” Introducing Darren Tan, Co-founder & Brand Manager of PastaGo, the young entrepreneur who went from kneading dough in an abandoned kitchen during COVID to building one of the fastest-growing pasta brands around. And trust us, nothing about this journey is “al dente.” Think: 🔥 Opening...

Explore the world of startups, wellness, and genetic technology with Cedric Lee, the Founder, and Choo Ee Ting, as Chief Commercial Officer of Connecting DNA. From corporate careers to entrepreneurship, they share their unique journey of launching a for-impact, for-profit business in the midst of a pandemic. Here’s what you’ll hear: The Power of DNA: How Connecting DNA uses genetics to unlock pers...

What makes a character truly unforgettable? How do you take your favourite designs and turn them into an iconic brand that resonates globally? In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of merchandising, licensing, and the evolving journey of character-based businesses. Meet: - Wang Shijia, founder of the beloved Singaporean brand Ang Ku Kueh Girl, a true pioneer in bringing local culture t...

They didn’t set out to build a business — just to prove their tech worked. But one experiment turned into 300 screenings, a thriving B2C arm, and government contracts. Cinewav co-founders, Jason Chan and Christian Lee, share how staying curious and saying “yes” led to a whole new business model. Takeaway: - Build before you brand — let results speak. - Stay flexible; your audience may find your pr...

What do you get when two actors — one of them a former Green Power Ranger — decide they’re done waiting for scripts and start writing their own story… in tech? Sit down with Christian Lee and Jason Chan, co-founders of Cinewav , a world-first platform changing how audiences experience sound in films and live events. From life on film sets and struggles in the media industry to the “yes, and” rule...

Think Europe is out of reach for Asian businesses? Think again. We’re joined by Mr Péter Martonosi , Head of Trade, Embassy of Hungary in Singapore, to explore how Hungary is opening unexpected doors for investors and entrepreneurs across Asia. Find out: - The surprisingly low tax rate turning heads. - Why major car brands and tech firms are already there. - How Hungary acts as a launchpad into Eu...

What really powers Singapore after dark? Beyond the parties and bright lights lies a thriving ecosystem of creativity, culture, and commerce. Our guests: - Danny Loong, CEO, Timbre Group, a veteran shaping music and entertainment in the city - Kent Teo CEO, INVADE, the festival agency championing thousands of micro-businesses and creatives Together, we uncover: - How Singapore’s night economy is c...