Asian Business Owners - A.B.O.

Building a business changes more than your work, it changes how you handle clients, how you set boundaries and who you spend time with.In this special episode with Rasheed, host of the Entrepreneurs Stories podcast, we talk openly about the less visible side of entrepreneurship.Here's what we cover:Why building in public feels vulnerable at firstThe challenge of setting boundaries with demanding clientsPeople, teams, delegation and the difficulty of letting goHow entrepreneurship changes your friendships, priorities and support systemWhy energy matters so muchTimestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners(00:37) The Fear of Building in Public(02:18) Entrepreneurship Never Stops(05:20) How Carmen Started Her Marketing Agency(06:48) Client Boundaries Reality(07:39) Cross Platform Marketing Agency(08:45) Small Clients Ask More(12:54) Rasheed's Multiple Businesses(14:09) People and Team Energy(16:32) Delegation and Trust(18:04) Hands Off vs Micromanage(21:35) Reframing Client Conflict(24:18) Setting Client Boundaries(26:03) Friendships and Entrepreneurship(30:05) Changing Priorities and Drinking(31:08) Support Systems and Spouses(32:51) Entrepreneurs See Each Other(34:38) Closing of Part 1👉 To find out more: Listen to Entrepreneur Stories podcastCheck out Rasheed on LinkedInTo follow my journey: 💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I thought some things would get easier with time but they didn’t so I just learned to live with them.This is Part 2 of this personal solo episode of Asian Business Owners. I continue sharing what I still find difficult as a founder, what the reality behind running a business is.If you haven't listened to Part 1, where I talk about unstable income, ups and downs and mental load, go have a listen before tuning to Part 2.In this second part, I talk about:The challenge of managing timeThe weight of responsibility that comes with entrepreneurshipThe expectations we carry as foundersThese are things we don’t talk about enough but that most founders experience.Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners(00:45) More Aspects of Entrepreneurship I Struggle With(01:19) Time Management(02:37) How to Deal With Priorities And Energy(04:49) Carrying The Weight On Your Shoulders(06:18) A Vision Without Guarantees(08:01) Support the Podcast(08:52) OutroFollow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When things feel off, most founders try to reset by doing more: more goals, higher objectives, more expectations, which goes with more pressure.That’s the mistake.In this Quick Wins episode, I talk about a different way to reset, to actually create clarity and sustainability.You’ll hear:Why you should stopping adding moreHow to redefine success Why motivation isn’t the problemTimestamps:(00:00) Welcome to A.B.O. Quick Wins(00:13) Do you reset by addiing new goals?(00:27) #1 Remove before you add(00:48) #2 What does success mean to you?(01:15) #3 This is what to reset instead of blaming motivation(01:46) ConclusionFollow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

I thought some things would get easier with time but hey didn’t. So I just learned to live with them.In this solo episode of Asian Business Owners, I share, very honestly, what I still find difficult as a founder. Just the reality behind running a business.In this first part, I talk about:Unstable income and what money really representsThe constant ups and downsWhy doubt never fully goes awayThe mental load that never switches offThese are things we don’t talk about enough but that most founders experience.Keep an eye out, part 2 is coming next week!Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners(00:37) What Aspects of Entrepreneurship Do You Struggle With?(01:24) Unstable Income (03:33) Never Ending Ups and Downs(05:10) Doubt and Big Questions(08:24) Constant Mental Load(10:56) Wrap Up, Don't Miss Part TwoFollow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You post consistently, people follow you, like your content but... they never become clients.Do you know why?In this Quick Wins episode, I break down why your audience isn’t converting and what to change to turn attention into actual business.What you'll learn:Why most followers don’t understand what you offerHow to communicate your offer clearly without feeling repetitiveHow to create urgency with the right offersTimestamps:(00:00) Welcome to A.B.O. Quick Wins(00:13) Your follows don't buy anything from you?(00:23) #1 Stop assuming this(00:55) #2 Decision-making content (01:34) #3 Human interactions(02:05) ConclusionFollow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Data is supposed to help founders make better decisions. But how much of it is actually reliable?And what happens when the data looks solid but the assumptions behind it aren’t?In this episode of Asian Business Owners, I sit down with Tamir Abdel-Wahab, co-founder of Preferences AI, to talk about how founders can use data more critically, what most companies still get wrong about market research and why AI and Web3 may change the way businesses understand customers.We talk about:Why many companies still make decisions based more on instinct than real dataHow bias, incentives and blind spots affect market researchWhy traditional market research is deadHow AI tools can help founders understand customers fasterWhat Web3 really means beyond the buzzwords and why it overpromisedThe keys for founders to think more clearly about data, ownership and decision-making✅ Get your free day pass at Garage Society!Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners(00:54) Behind-the-scenes: Family Legacy and Values(02:49) Behind-the-scenes: When to Have Kids As a Founder(04:00) Behind-the-scenes: Always On Founder Mindset(05:01) Meet Tamir and Preferences AI(07:19) Data Bias and Confirmation(10:59) Market Research Is Dead(12:33) Digital Twins and Simulations(15:31) Memory Layers Explained(19:28) Philosophy of Prediction(24:25) Trust and Data Quality(26:21) Web3 for Verifiable Responses(27:15) Enriching User Data(28:11) Training the Digital Twin(29:06) Tamir's Story: From Finance to Web3(33:08) Web3 Explained Simply(35:37) Web3 Hype vs Reality(40:09) Data Ownership Incentives(41:03) Next Two Years in AI(42:53) Autonomous Agents and Safety(45:30) Choosing Trusted Tools(47:16) Founder Lessons From Tamir(50:49) Outro✅ Get your free day pass at Garage Society!👉 To find out more:Tamir on LinkedInPreferences AI websitePreferences AI on LinkedInTo follow my journey: 💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Micro communities, AI-generated content, interactive emails… new marketing trends appear all the time.They look exciting, promise growth and they often make you wonder if you’re missing something.But not every trend deserves your time.In this A.B.O. Quick Wins episode, I share three simple questions founders can use to decide whether a marketing trend is actually worth exploring.I talk about:Your audience’s attention matters more than the trend itselfHow trends should amplify your strengths, not create new onesTesting small to evaluate new marketing ideasMarketing trends can be useful but only if they align with your audience, your strengths and your capacity to execute consistently.Timestamps:(00:13) Which trends should you follow?(00:31) Where is your audience's attention?(01:02) Does a trend match your strength?(01:34) Can you test it small before scaling?(01:58) ConclusionFollow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As a founder, you’re constantly faced with opportunities, requests, collaborations and ideas.Some look exciting, some feel urgent, some sound too good to say no to.But one of the most important skills in entrepreneurship is learning when saying no is actually the healthiest decision for your business.In this episode of Asian Business Owners, I share five situations where I’ve learned that saying no protects your time, energy and long-term focus as a founder.I talk about:When someone else’s urgency becomes your emergencyProjects that look interesting but come with messy contextOpportunities that start with too many unknownsHidden free workSaying yes when you’re already overloadedYour business doesn’t only grow through the things you say yes to, it also grows through the opportunities you decide not to take on.Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners(00:38) Why Saying No Matters(01:37) Urgency Is Not Yours(03:23) Heavy Project Context(04:54) Too Many Unknowns(06:33) Hidden Free Work(08:00) Overloaded Schedule Trap(09:29) Final Takeaways Follow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Do you have a client who pays relatively little but takes up a lot of your time?Constant emails.Extra requests.More reassurance than expected.If this sounds familiar, the issue usually isn’t the client, it’s the boundaries that were never clearly set.In this Quick Wins episode, I share 3 practical ways founders can build healthier client relationships while protecting their time and focus.We talk about:Defining scope clearly at the start of a projectWhy over-delivering creates new expectations instead of gratitudeTurning boundaries into systems instead of awkward conversationsSetting boundaries isn’t about pushing clients away.Timestamps:(00:13) Do You Have Very Demanding Clients Who Pay Little?(00:43) Define the Scope Super Clearly(01:26) Stop Over-Delivering(02:16) Turn Boundaries Into Systems(02:45) Don't Be Afraid to Set BoundariesFollow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re a people pleaser, being a founder can become even more exhausting.Saying yes too fast, replying instantly, overdelivering more than expected, explaining and justifying every decision.In this episode of Asian Business Owners, I share five boundaries I had to learn as a people-pleasing founder to protect my time, regain clarity and grow a more sustainable business.These shifts didn’t happen overnight, they took years of noticing patterns and learning to respond differently.What I talk about:why replying instantly can create unnecessary pressuretaking time before committing to requestsclarifying expectations instead of overdeliveringwhy you don’t need to overexplain your decisionsdeciding in advance who gets access to your timeTimestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners(00:31) Are you a people pleaser?(00:45) What being a people pleasing founder costs(01:36) Tip 1 Pause replies(03:15) Tip 2 Delay commitments(04:15) Tip 3 Clarify expectations(05:20) Tip 4 Stop overexplaining(06:42) Tip 5 Protect access(07:50) Wrap up(08:35) OutroFollow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You make a decision. It feels right. And then doubt creeps in.You revisit it. Question it. Sometimes even consider undoing it completely.In this Quick Wins episode, I break down why, as founders, we second-guess our decisions so often and how to stop letting doubt take over our headspace.The way to overcome this isn't to become more confidence but rather to better understand what’s actually happening when we doubt ourselves.What you'll hear:Why most founder decisions are made in isolationHow lack of anchoring creates endless mental loopsEmotional discomfort vs real strategic riskReversible vs irreversible decisionsWhy clarity comes after commitmentTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction to A.B.O. Quick Wins(00:13) You Make a Decision And Keep Revisiting It(00:39) Reduce Isolation Before Deciding(01:58) Don't Confuse Emotional Discomfort With Strategic Risk(03:06) Commitment Rule Over Certainty(04:15) ConclusionFollow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You don’t need to say much for people to form an opinion. Your voice does it for you.In this episode of Asian Business Owners, we explore how your voice shapes confidence, credibility and leadership often before your words are fully heard.Together with executive voice coach David Pope, we unpack why many founders and leaders sound less confident than they actually are and how voice, presence and authenticity are deeply connected.We talk about:How people subconsciously judge confidence through voiceWhy leadership presence is often heard before it’s understoodThe difference between sounding confident and sounding authenticCommon voice habits that undermine credibilityHow founders and leaders can find a voice that truly reflects who they are✅ Get your free day pass at Garage Society!Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners(00:31) Meet My Guest: David Pope(01:41) Beginnings In the Media London(03:21) Working For the BBC (04:21) Hong Kong for Six Months(07:36) Founding All Voice Talent(09:51) From Producer to Voice Coach(14:12) This or That Quickfire(14:56) Voice Coaching Process (18:40) Confidence Tips and Programmes(20:52) Culture Accent and Intelligibility(23:31) Speak Up to Lead(24:23) High Pitch Voices and Credibility(26:30) Posture Breath and Resonance(27:35) Top Speaking Mistakes(29:37) Three Pillars of Communication(30:42) Record Review and Transcribe(32:13) Storytelling for Recall(33:09) Gender Patterns and Confidence(35:57) Authentic Feedback and Care(39:32) Lessons For Founders(43:13) Closing✅ Get your free day pass at Garage Society!👉 To find out more:David on LinkedInAll Voice Talent's websiteTo follow my journey: 💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

People say they’re interested, they want to “stay in touch” snd then… nothing happens.In this Quick Wins episode, I share 3 simple ways to turn conversations into clients, without pitching, forcing, or sounding salesy. If this keeps happening to you, it’s usually because the conversation never actually moves forward.What you'll hear:why solving too early kills momentumhow to listen for signals instead of surface interestasking permission instead of pitchingTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction to A.B.O. Quick Wins(00:13) People Are Interested But Nothing Happens(00:37) Stop Solving Too Early(01:14) Listen For Signals(01:52) Ask Before PitchingFollow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

ChatGPT won’t run your business for you but used well, it can save you hours and help you think more clearly as a founder.In this episode of Asian Business Owners, I share 7 concrete ways I use ChatGPT in my day-to-day as a founder to reduce mental load, save time and make better decisions.Spoiler alert: there's no magic prompts, no overnight success. I share real use cases from my work.You’ll hear how I use ChatGPT for:generating content ideas with context, not generic promptsorganising my thinking with one thread per topictranslating content accuratelyrefining strategy and turning ideas into next stepspreparing quotations and pricing with more confidenceimproving podcast metadatagetting an external perspective when things feel stuckTimestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners(00:38) Why founders should use ChatGPT (and what this episode covers)(01:27) 1- Content ideas that actually match your niche(02:53) 2- One ChatGPT thread per topic to keep context(03:35) 3- Translating content(04:10) 4- Refining strategy: challenge assumptions & turn ideas into next steps(05:03) 5- Quotations & pricing: scope checks, benchmarks, confidence(05:53) 6- Podcast metadata, descriptions, thumbnails & SEO(06:43) 7- External perspective: stuck moments, client issues, hard emails(07:34) Wrap-up: ChatGPT doesn’t replace thinking + final piece of advice(08:29) DM me, subscribe and leave a reviewFollow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Your to-do list keeps growing and everything feels urgent.You end each day frustrated, thinking about all the things you haven't done.In this Quick Wins episode, I share 3 simple prioritisation rules for founders who feel overwhelmed, reactive and stuck in constant urgency. When everything feels like a priority, nothing really is.What this episode covers:Why urgent doesn’t always mean importantHow to identify tasks that truly move the needleChoosing one or two real priorities per dayProtecting thinking and strategy timeTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction to A.B.O. Quick Wins(00:13) How to Handle Endless To-Do Lists?(00:35) Urgent Doesn't Mean Important(01:42) Choose Your Priority Every Day(02:13) Protect Your Thinking Time(02:44) Important Reminder to Prioritise Your WorkFollow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Burnout almost forced her to stop but it turned out to become the turning point of her life.In this episode of Asian Business Owners, I sit down with Jasmine Liu, a former banker who experienced burnout in 2017 while working in the fast-paced banking world in Hong Kong.What followed was not just a career change but a complete shift in perspective.After a transformative trip to Bhutan, Jasmine began questioning the corporate lifestyle she once embraced. She eventually founded Maestro Wellness, a B2B platform focused on improving corporate wellbeing and launched the Build Well, Live Well Summit to help organisations rethink performance, health and longevity.We talk about:What burnout really feels like behind closed doorsWhy high performers often ignore early warning signsTransitioning from corporate banking to entrepreneurshipBuilding a wellness business from scratchLaunching a B2B platformRedefining ambition and long-term successGet your free day pass at Garage Society!Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast(00:30) Get a free day pass at Garage Society(00:49) Jasmine's Background(01:48) Experiencing Burnout and Its Impact(06:52) Journey to Bhutan: A Turning Point(09:20) Returning to Hong Kong: A New Perspective(13:59) Transition to FinTech and Learning(15:48) Building a Meaningful Business from Scratch(19:27) Starting an E-Commerce Platform(20:20) Sourcing High-Quality Products(21:06) Managing Logistics and Operations(22:24) Transition to MaestroWellness(22:51) Addressing Corporate Wellbeing(25:10) Building the B2B Wellness Platform(32:26) What Companies Get Wrong about Corporate Wellbeing(33:39) The Build Well, Live Well Summit(36:06) Lessons for Future Founders(37:56) Conclusion and Event ReminderGet your free day pass at Garage Society!👉 To find out more:Jasmine on LinkedInAttend the Build Well, Live Well Summit hereTo follow my journey: 💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Creating content shouldn’t feel like a full-time job.In this episode, I share:- Why most founders repurpose content the wrong way- A simple system to multiply content without losing quality- How to stay consistent without posting dailyTimestamps:(00:13) Are You Tired of Creating Content?(00:26) One Strong Core Idea(00:55) Repurpose It(01:30) Adapt But Never Duplicate(02:15) ConclusionFollow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cyril Dhenaut scaled fast, built companies and lived inside high-pressure startup environments.Then life changed and his definition of success evolved with it.In this episode of Asian Business Owners, I sit down with Cyril Dhenaut, an entrepreneur shaped by Southeast Asia’s intense startup ecosystem, who experienced hypergrowth, agency building, exits and executive roles before making intentional career and life shifts after becoming a father.We talk about:the real cost of hypergrowthhow success evolves as founders evolvestartup exits and identitybalancing ambition, health and familychoosing alignment over constant accelerationListen to the story of an entrepreneur entering a new chapter, moving away from a successful path to find alignment in another successful one.Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast(00:31) Meet Cyril Dhenaut: A Journey Through High-Intensity Careers(01:37) Misconceptions About Success(04:16) Early Career Ambitions in France(07:06) First Steps in Malaysia: A New Beginning(08:40) The Fast-Paced Startup Environment(11:22) Unexpected Layoff and New Opportunities(14:00) Founding the First Agency(16:43) Scaling the Agency Quickly(22:40) Acquisition and Transition to CMO(24:44) This or That Questions(26:08) Reflecting on Career Choices(26:29) Embracing Transitions: Career and Country Changes(27:46) A New Opportunity: Joining a MarTech Company(28:52) A Short Stint and a New Agency Idea(31:22) Founding A Second Agency(32:56) Balancing Entrepreneurship and Personal Life(34:29) Scaling the Agency and Facing Challenges(43:02) Exiting the Agency and Choosing Family(48:14) A New Chapter: Interim Executive and Advisor(53:31) Defining Success and Lessons Learned👉 To find out more:Cyril on LinkedInTo follow my journey: 💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’re posting on Instagram, LinkedIn, in your newsletters, maybe even in YouTube.Do you manage to get conversions?In this Quick Wins episode, I explain how to choose one marketing channel to focus on based on your business model and your target audience.You’ll learn:- Why being everywhere is killing your results- How to identify the channel that matches how you sell- What to ignoreTimestamps:(00:12) You Feel Scattered Between Multiple Platforms?(00:34) Where Is Your Audience?(01:08) One Channel = One Goal(01:42) Consistency Beats Creativity(02:02) ConclusionFollow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How do you know if you have bad habits when you start a business? Some habits look like dedication and being “serious”.But after a while, developing your business, you realise some of the things that you do drain your energy and blur your focus, which ends up slowing your growth.In this solo episode, I share 8 bad habits I had to unlearn while running my business and growing Asian Business Owners podcast. For example, I stopped making weekly to-do lists, instant responsiveness... I'd be curious to know your bad habits, share them with me on LinkedIn or Instagram (links below).Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners(00:52) What I Learned from Business and Podcasting(01:09) Bad Habit 1: Perfectionism(02:18) Bad Habit 2: Weekly To-Do Lists(03:02) Bad Habit 3: Instant Responses(03:50) Bad Habit 4: Doing Admin Tasks(04:27) Bad Habit 5: Saying Yes Against My Gut(05:16) Bad Habit 6: Back-to-Back Calls(06:08) Bad Habit 7: Delaying Strategic Thinking(07:02) Bad Habit 8: Letting Meetings Dictate Workouts(08:10) Bonus Bad Habit(08:59) Conclusion Follow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most founders know they should delegate but they just don’t know what.In this episode, I break down:- The different types of tasks- The tasks you shouldn't be doing yourself- A simple test to decide what stays with you and what goesTimestamps:(00:13) Do you struggle to delegate?(00:37) The types of tasks easy to delegate and the best practices(01:08) Low-risks tasks and setting expectations(01:36) Which tasks drain your energy?(02:07) ConclusionFollow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After recording more than 80 episodes of Asian Business Owners, I often get asked the same question:“What’s your favourite episode?” “Which founder left the biggest impression on you?”To be honest, I don’t remember everything but there’s always one thing that stays.In this solo episode, I share how I changed the way I listen to other's stories and I tell a few stories that truly stayed with me.You’ll hear about:The % of a conversation we actually rememberThe power of one key insight over more informationStories of patience, resilience and determination from past guestsTimestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners(00:47) Reflecting on How Much We Remember From a Conversation(04:24) Alison Chan's Father's Inspiring Journey(07:55) Laurie Mias's Determination with MONO Skincare(11:14) Jingjin Liu on Pricing with Confidence(13:16) Conclusion Listen to the entire episodes:Alison Chan and her father's storyLaurie Mias and how she built MONO SkincareJingjin Liu about building confidence and owning up to your pricingFollow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If talking about your offer makes you uncomfortable, you're not alone.In this episode, we cover:- Why selling feels awkward for founders- The mindset shift that makes selling feel natural- How to talk about your offer through problems, not promisesTimestamps:(0:23) Share problems, not solutions(0:58) Talk about decisions, not features(1:26) Invite instead of pushingFollow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy New Year everyone! I'm thrilled to be back for a new season of Asian Business Owners.This week, meet Mehroo, coach and founder of Mums at Play. Mehroo shares her journey from Miss India and corporate career in India to navigating motherhood, career pivots and starting her own coaching business in Hong Kong.In this episode, you’ll hear:How to navigate identity shifts and transitionsStrategies to overcome imposter syndrome and limiting beliefsThe importance of mental fitness, consistency and persistence in businessI love stories of reinvention and I can tell you this one is fascinating. Enjoy!Timestamps:(00:00) Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast(00:32) Meet Mehroo: Coach and Founder(02:02) Mehroo's Journey: From Miss India to Motherhood(04:30) Navigating Career Transitions and Motherhood(08:22) Starting a Blog and a Community(10:55) This or That Questions(12:27) Creating the Mums at Play Community(17:32) Adapting During COVID: Reinvention and Coaching(20:31) Defining the Role of a Coach(20:38) The Journey to Becoming a Coach(22:42) Addressing Imposter Syndrome(27:48) The Importance of Mental Fitness(34:29) Upcoming Projects and Initiatives(37:10) Final Thoughts and Advice for Business Owners👉 To find out more:Reboot Your Business event - 23.01.2026Mums at PlayMehroo on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You’re posting consistently and you're getting views and likes but no or very few leads or enquiries. Why does nothing happen?In this Quick Wins episode, let's break down why content often fails to convert even when it looks “good”. We’ll cover:• Why content without direction kills conversions• The biggest messaging mistake founders make• Why clarity beats persuasionConversion doesn't mean being pushy or salesy. You simply need to help people connect the dots.Timestamps:(0:32) No direction = no conversions(1:12) The outcomes mistake(1:33) Connect the dotsFollow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Have you ever come across big roadblocks in your career or founder's journey?In this special medley episode of Asian Business Owners, listen to founders who faced major setbacks:Gianne — when a business shuts down and a pivot followsAlan Law — burnout, wellness and redefining successCarmen — stepping away to reset, reflect and evolveTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast(00:29) Overcoming Setbacks: A Special Episode(01:03) The CBD Business Shutdown: A Personal Story(02:51) Building a Support Network for CBD Entrepreneurs(04:45) From CBD to Lexi Media: A New Beginning(07:04) Allen Law's Journey: From Burnout to Wellness(11:04) Founding Seveno Capital: Investing in Wellness(12:16) The Bali Reset: Embracing Authenticity(19:56) Conclusion and Final ThoughtsListen to the entire episodes:GianneAllenCarmenFollow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Happy New Year! To kick off this new year, (re)listen to these two Quick Wins episodes that focus on making your marketing clearer, lighter and more effective.What it covers:Creating content that actually worksUnderstand your audienceBalance content formatsBut also:How to use Instagram Stories as a sales toolCreate time-sensitive offersSpark conversations and build trustStart the year focused, sharp and aligned.For more content, follow me on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the beginning of a new year, are you secretly dreaming of switching careers, changing life, reinventing yourself?In this special medley episode of Asian Business Owners, listen to stories of reinvention from founders who chose alignment over comfort.What's covered:Jessie Li — from banking to building influenceCarmen — leaving corporate life in Paris to rebuild a career in Hong KongRenaud-Louis — from Rolex to entrepreneurshipTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast(01:10) Reinvention Stories: From Banking to Influence with Jessie (04:23) Personal Branding and Influencer Marketing(08:09) From Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship in Hong Kong with Carmen(14:11) Rolex to Retail: A Journey of Humility and Family Business with Renaud-Louis(19:06) Conclusion and Final ThoughtsListen to the entire episodes:JessieCarmenRenaud-LouisFollow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this Quick Wins episode, revisit two powerful lessons many founders miss when it comes to marketing.1/ Let's break down how to collaborate with KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) without a big budget2/ Let's uncover the most common social media mistakes that hurt your growth Short, practical, easy to apply: don't miss this special episode, especially if you're reconsidering your marketing strategy for 2026.For more content, follow me on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the year comes to an end, I wanted to pause and revisit the advice that stayed with me the most.I've put together this special medley episode of Asian Business Owners, you'll hear some grounding and inspiring pieces of advice by business owners I invited on the podcast.Hit play and listen to them as you slow down, reflect and close the year. To listen to the whole episodes with the guests, tap the links below.(00:00) Introduction and Welcome(00:31) Reflecting on the Year(01:03) Gabriella Montandon: Why Fun Matters(03:22) Allen Law: Stress, Purpose & Sustainability(04:27) Gianne Chan: Gratitude & Personal Happiness(05:32) ConclusionListen to the entire episodes:GianneAllenGabriellaFollow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the year comes to an end, I’ve curated a Best of Quick Wins 2025 episode with some useful and practical tips shared this year on Asian Business Owners.In this episode, we cover three areas many founders struggle with:Building a strong personal brand using LinkedInUsing virtual assistants (VAs) to save time and focus on what really mattersExploring funding options beyond venture capitalFor more content, follow me on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2025 didn’t come with a big breakthrough moment.Instead, it quietly taught me lessons that reshaped how I think about business, creativity and myself as a founder.In this solo episode of Asian Business Owners, I reflect on:Figuring things out as I go (even if I want control)Listening to that inner voice when something feels “off”Being okay with being misunderstoodThese lessons didn’t arrive loudly but they made me more confident, more aligned and more resilient.I hope these lessons will help you too and I'd love to know what you learned this year. Tell me on IG (@abo.pod) or LinkedIn (link below).Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome To Asian Business Owners(00:32) Reflecting on 2025: Key Lessons Learned(01:25) Lesson 1(05:05) Lesson 2(07:37) Lesson 3(09:29) ConclusionFollow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cold emailing makes you uncomfortable? You’re not alone.In this new Quick Wins episode, I walk you through 3 practical ways to attract new clients organically without sending a single cold email.We’ll break down:• How to pick ONE platform and own it• How to partner with complementary businesses & influencers• Why events still work and how to use them to your advantagePlus, a bonus pro tip that instantly makes your brand more relatable and memorable.Content:(00:15) You Hate Cold Emailing?(00:43) #1 Pick One Platform(01:29) #2 Partner With Local Businesses(02:10) #3 Host Events(02:39) #4 Paid Ads & SEO(03:20) Bonus Pro Tip To Make Your Brand Relatable(03:41) Final Tips & ConclusionFollow me on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this solo episode, I share about my bandwidth limit and what happens when I ignore it.What are the early signals your brain sends when it needs a break?I talk through my own recent experience of pushing too far, what it taught me and how I created the space I needed to reset.You’ll hear:– The difference between being tired and being mentally overloaded– Practical ways to recharge quickly– Why recovery is actually a business skill– How to stay grounded while juggling multiple rolesTimestamps:(00:00) Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast(00:28) Personal Struggles and Realisations(01:11) Signs You Need a Break(01:52) Lessons Learned from Exhaustion(04:02) Creating Space for Recovery(05:16) Practical Tips to Recharge(07:41) Final Thoughts 08:29 Closing Remarks and Call to ActionFollow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How to get repeat customers who love your brand?This Quick Wins episode is here to help. Learn how to:Personalise your customer experience from day oneLaunch a simple but effective loyalty programmeStay top-of-mind with consistent social engagementGrow your online community, not just traffic and build an engaged audience with brand ambassadors.Content:(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins(00:39) Personalise Your Customer Experience(01:33) Create a Simple Loyalty Programme(02:16) Engage Customers on Social Media(02:50) Conclusion and Final TipsFollow me on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it really take to leave a stable corporate career and finally bet on yourself?In this episode of Asian Business Owners, I sit down with Renaud-Louis, founder of Amplitude, a Hong Kong watch atelier born from 18 years of experience at Rolex and a lifelong passion for craftsmanship.Renaud-Louis shares the pivotal moments that pushed him from corporate comfort to entrepreneurship.What you’ll hear:The honest realities behind starting a retail business: choosing the right location, handling customers, managing cash flowNavigating a major identity shiftThe emotional and financial risks with the support of his familyTimestamps:（00:00）Introduction to Asian Business Owners（00:33）Meet Renaud-Louis: From Rolex to Entrepreneurship（01:36）Early Career and Passion for Horology（03:50）Journey to Hong Kong（06:12）Balancing Rugby and Watch Repairing（10:02）Climbing the Ranks at Rolex（14:57）This or That Questions（15:48）The Pivot Moment: Founding Amplitude（19:10）Finding the Perfect Shop Location（20:43）Setting Up the Shop and Initial Challenges（22:58）The Importance of Customer Relationships（23:36）Learning from Mistakes and Managing Cash Flow（24:28）Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship（25:36）Family Support and Humility in Business（26:18）Teaching Kids the Value of Hard Work（28:00）Creating a Community of Watch Lovers（30:06）The Art and Craft of Watchmaking（33:46）Future Goals and Aspirations（37:03）Final Thoughts and Advice for Business Owners👉 To find out more about Amplitude:The websiteOn Instagram Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

You don’t have a big marketing budget? No problem.Listen to this Quick Wins episode where I cover:How to use user-generated content for social proofFree tools for creating pro-level contentHow to collaborate with your local community to grow trustThis is perfect for early-stage founders, small teams and solopreneurs looking to grow with creativity, not only with cash.Content:(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins(00:14) Marketing Budget Challenges(00:40) Hack #1: Leverage User-Generated Content(01:38) Hack #2: Use Free Tools for Content Creation(02:25) Hack #3: Collaborate with Local Communities(03:00) ConclusionFollow me on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 phases where nothing moves. And how naivety helped me see things with fresh eyes, stay connected to my vision and push through the hardest chapters of entrepreneurship.You’ll hear about:What naivety looks like as a founderHow naivety keeps you going when results are invisibleBalancing naive belief with real strategy and discernmentYou might need a little more naivety than you think. Timestamps:(00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners(00:31) Why naivety matters more than we admit(03:59) Seeing opportunities with fresh eyes(05:15) Staying motivated when nothing moves(06:56) Naivety vs. discernment(07:50) The value of staying naive as you get more experience(09:10) Final thoughtsFollow the journey:The Mental Load of Doing Everything💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 tasksRun lean email marketing campaigns with specialistsBuild a go-to virtual team you can reuseThese 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(00:15) The Challenge of Scaling in Fast-Paced Markets(00:38) Strategy 1: Hiring Freelancers for Specialised Tasks(01:20) Strategy 2: Leveraging Freelancers for Email Marketing(02:07) Strategy 3: Building a Virtual Team with Freelancers(02:44) Conclusion Follow me on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 what I cover: • What the mental load looks like behind-the-scenes • How constant responsibility affects my mind and energy • Why overthinking shows up so strongly when you’re the only one in charge • Practical strategies I use to cope with the pressure • How to reframe responsibility so it empowers me instead of draining meYou may be tired, overwhelmed, determined: I know you're doing your best. Keep going, we're all in this together, building our dreams and reaching our goals. Timestamps:(00:00) — Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast(00:32) — The Mental Load of Entrepreneurship(02:18) — Daily Responsibilities and Pressures(03:49) — Effects of Mental Load(06:27) — Managing and Coping Strategies(11:56) — Conclusion and Final ThoughtsFollow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 clarityMix educational and emotional content that resonatesStay consistent using a content calendarUse these tips to grow your business' presence online and let me know how it goes.Content:(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins(00:40) Understanding Your Audience(01:24) Balancing Educational and Emotional Content(02:06) Consistency with a Content Calendar(02:56) Conclusion and Final TipsFollow me on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 else approved ofBuilding influence through authenticity, not algorithmsManaging multiple ventures while protecting your mental healthIf you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build a brand that feels true to who you are — this conversation will remind you that reinvention isn’t just possible; it’s necessary.Content:(00:00) — Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast(00:32) — Meet Jessie Li: From Finance to Influencer(01:36) — The Journey to Instagram Fame(04:14) — Turning Influence into a Business(05:38) — Crafting a Personal Brand(07:24) — Expanding Beyond Influencing(16:36) — Navigating Social Media and Public Perception(17:55) — This or That with Jessie Li(18:34) — Balancing Time and Priorities(19:23) — The Journey of Relief X(23:06) — Personal Branding vs. Influencing(25:25) — Overcoming the Fear of Online Presence(29:00) — Staying Authentic in the Luxury Fashion World(32:23) — Marketing Insights for Business Owners(34:45) — Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts👉 To find out more about Jessie:On InstagramOn LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

VC money isn’t your only option.In this Quick Wins episode, learn how to:Use pre-sales to raise money before launchLaunch a crowdfunding campaign that worksTap into local grants and business competitionsEspecially 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 with Pre-Sales(01:15) Launch a Crowdfunding Campaign(01:56) Tap into Local Grants and Competitions(02:34) Conclusion and Final TipsFollow me on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 fatigueThe mindset shift that helps you reconnect Practical ways to recharge and find new inspirationTake a breath, you're not alone. Timestamps:00:00 Intro00:28 Feeling Down as a Founder01:37 Navigating Highs and Lows05:15 Coping Strategies07:16 Finding Inspiration09:07 Creating a Plan10:37 Final Thoughts12:11 OutroFollow the journey:💬 abo.pod📲 Find me on LinkedIn🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Asia, your customers are on WhatsApp. Are you?This Quick Wins episode shows how to:Use WhatsApp Business for personalised updatesShare limited-time offers through WhatsApp StatusCreate VIP lists to reward your best customersTurn 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) Personalised Updates with WhatsApp Business(01:29) Exclusive Offers via WhatsApp Status(02:02) Creating a VIP Broadcast List(02:43) Conclusion and Next StepsFollow me on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.