Join Reggie and co-host, Abu Sofian, Founder of Seyrul Consulting & Keynote Speaker, in a candid panel with three cross-border experts who’ve cracked the code on expanding from Singapore to Malaysia. Forget textbook advice—this is raw, on-the-ground wisdom you won’t find anywhere else!

Meet our Guests:

• Hossan Leong, Creative Director (Entertainer-turned-Entrepreneur): Runs dual businesses in SG & MY, revealing hilarious culture-shock moments and pricing secrets.
• Isaac Peter, CEO People Performance (Malaysian-Singapore PR): 24-year consulting veteran dissects the "unwritten rules" of Malaysian business relationships.

Takeaways:

• Culture Clash Alert: Why "45-min coffee chats" in Singapore fail vs. Malaysia’s mamak-session deal-closers.
• Pricing Pitfalls: The shocking formula one guest uses to avoid pricing themselves out (hint: it involves division!).
• Untapped Goldmines: From Johor’s manufacturing boom to Sabah’s eco-tourism potential—where smart money’s flowing.
• Brutal Truths: "Never compare prices aloud" and other instant-turnoff phrases Singaporeans must avoid.

Why Listen? If you’re a young Singaporean entrepreneur eyeing Malaysia’s 33M-person market—or just dreaming of swapping corporate grind for garden life—this episode exposes the real playbook. No fluff, no filters.

Tune in NOW for the full unfiltered debate on TFC Business Show! (Also available on all podcast platforms)

Also, be part of Asia’s leading Franchising and Licensing event from 18th to 20th September 2025!

Get your Free Visitor Pass today or use TFC’s promo code [FLA25_TFC_20] to save 20% on your conference ticket (applies to standard rate only excluding partners’ conference).

🔗 Register now via https://qr1.be/CR6O

Key Dates to Note:

• Early Bird Conference Registration: 9 June – 14 July 2025
• TFC Promo Code Validity (20% off): From 15 July 2025 onwards
• Conference Ticket Pricing: Ranges from S$28 – S$58 per session
• Note: The 20% discount applies to standard rates only and excludes partner conferences.

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Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

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Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to scale from a single rented house to becoming Singapore’s largest co-living operator with nearly 5,000 keys?

We sat with Eugene Lim, Founder and CEO of The Assembly Place (TAP), for an unfiltered conversation about bold pivots, gritty beginnings, and building a real estate business with purpose.

In this episode:

• From broke uni student to building a 20-year real estate career
• Why co-living is more than just renting rooms
• How TAP is expanding into regional markets like KL and eyeing global hotspots like Japan and London
• The strategic shift from operator to asset co-owner
• Fundraising, building lean with tech, and the road to a potential SGX listing

Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or just curious how the co-living model works behind the scenes, this is one founder story you won’t want to miss.

#business #entrepreneur #singapore #businessgrowth #businessstrategy #businesstips

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Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

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Check out our other shows: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFinancialCoconutTFC/playlists

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Survival, innovation, and the secret sauce behind thriving in one of the toughest industries—this episode, in partnership with RespectSG, is a masterclass in resilience!

Join our two titans of Singapore’s F&B scene:

- Danny Loong, CEO of Timber Group and chairman of Respect SG, who’s redefining placemaking with live music, hawker hubs, and a mission to balance profit with purpose

- Mustaffa Kamal, founder of Black Hole Group, the brains behind 20+ buzzing F&B concepts, who reveals how pivoting from hipster cafes to halal Mexican joints kept his brands alive for over a decade

What’s in store?

- Behind-the-scenes struggles: From razor-thin margins to the real cost of "viral" success

- Respect SG’s game-changer: How a youth internship program is reshaping perceptions—and why Gen Z might just save the F&B industry

- The "respect factor": Why treating staff and customers with dignity isn’t just nice—it’s profitable

Tune in for raw stories, hard-earned wisdom, and the hustle behind your favorite dining spots. Whether you’re a business owner, foodie, or just love a good underdog story—this episode will leave you hungry for more.

#business #entrepreneur #singapore #businessgrowth #businessstrategy #businesstips

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

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Check out our other shows: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFinancialCoconutTFC/playlists

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you ready to peek behind the curtain of the AI revolution?

Dive into the world of enterprise AI with two extraordinary guests who are reshaping how businesses make decisions:

Mark Leadercramer, AlphaSense APAC Regional Director. A tech veteran who transitioned from Stripe to the cutting-edge world of AI-powered market intelligence

Serene Keng, EDBI Director of Value Creation & Communications. The strategic mind behind Singapore's venture capital approach to emerging technologies

Highlight:

- Discover why trustworthy AI is the ultimate game-changer for Fortune 500 companies and investors

- Learn how AlphaSense blends proprietary data with AI to power billion-dollar decisions—without the hallucinations

- Get insights into the future of enterprise intelligence that's happening RIGHT NOW

- Explore Singapore’s strategic role as a global AI hub and why investors like EDBI are investing in this sector

- The rise of “agentic AI” and what it means for the future of work

“AI isn’t about replacing humans—it’s about amplifying our critical thinking. But if you’re still using free tools, you’re already behind.”

Don’t miss this episode if you’re ready to cut through the AI noise and uncover actionable insights for your business or portfolio. Tune in now!

02:03 What’s EDBI’s main investment mission?

09:15 Why do companies choose AlphaSense instead of building in-house?

15:15 How big is the opportunity space for AlphaSense?

30:52 Which new careers should Singaporeans look into because of AI?

#aitools #agenticai #businessgrowth #thefinancialcoconut

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

[Connect with us]

Instagram: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-instagram

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Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you ready to explore the next frontier of business opportunities? Join us and dive into the fascinating world of doing business in the Middle East with three seasoned entrepreneurs who have spent decades navigating these dynamic markets.

Key discussion points include:

- The striking transformation of Dubai from desert to global business hub

- Why Singapore companies have a unique advantage in Middle Eastern markets

- Understanding the crucial differences between GCC countries

- The role of hospitality and relationship-building in Middle Eastern business culture

Meet our distinguished guests:

- Tonya Tan, Founder & Business Sustainability Enabler from World Future Enterprises, who splits her time between Singapore and the Middle East

- Keith Tan, CEO of Ella by Crown Digital, creator of Ella the robot barista now expanding across the region

- Azhar Othman, Executive Chairman of Enercon Asia Group with extensive project experience across multiple Middle Eastern countries

Want to learn what it really takes to succeed in one of the world's most exciting growth markets? Tune in as our experts share candid insights about their journeys, challenges, and opportunities in the Middle East that you won't hear anywhere else.

Whether you're a tech startup, established business, or just curious about global expansion, this episode offers valuable perspectives on tapping into these lucrative markets. Join us for an eye-opening discussion that goes beyond the headlines to reveal the real business landscape of the Middle East.

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Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

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Newsletter: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Newsletter

Check out our other shows: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFinancialCoconutTFC/playlists

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Thinking about automating your SME but worried about costs, employee pushback, and choosing the right tech? We dive into the real challenges and opportunities of business automation with seasoned experts:

- Jeremy Au, Host, BRAVE Southeast Asia Podcast

- Oliver Tian, Vice Chair, International Alliance of Robotic Associations & Vice-President, Global Robot Clusters—a 30-year AI veteran working with global robotics organisations

- Jingjing Zhong, CEO, Superbench.ai, automating operations for home services companies

Key points covered:

- Why automation isn't just about cost-cutting

- How to evaluate if you're actually ready for AI

- Simple frameworks for choosing the right tech solutions

- Real stories of automation success (and failures!)

- Practical ways to handle employee resistance

Plus: Hear the surprising story of how Jingjing discovered her sales team was being mistaken for AI bots - but not for the reason you'd think!

Tune in for actionable insights on transforming your business operations without breaking the bank.

00:00 - Introduction

02:06 - Why do you even need to care about AI or automation as an SME owner?

03:36 - How should SME owners be thinking about cost structures and operations?

09:00 - What is the upside of technology? What does it mean for me in number and cents?

13:25 - Employee pushback: How to overcome inertia or roadblocks to adoption?

18:24 - Competition is a big thing, How should SME think about this?

24:05 - Buzzwords, technologies & grants; How do you pick a good vendor or advisor to help you make a good decision?

33:48 - What are the success stories to expect from deploying technology and AI?

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Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

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Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are dive deep into the fascinating world of licensing and franchising with two industry veterans.

- Dickson Low - President of Franchise and Licensing Association of Singapore (FLAsia) and Founder of iconic brand Manhattan Fish Market (MFM)

- Danny Lee - CEO of Global Supply Chain Gong Cha, managing one of the world's leading bubble tea brands

Whether you're a business owner looking to scale, an entrepreneur exploring growth options, or just curious about how your favourite brands expand globally, this episode offers valuable insights into the business models that shape many of the brands we interact with daily.

Highlights:

- Business model insights into the key differences between licensing and franchising that most people don't realise

- Behind-the-scenes insights into how global F&B brands like Gong Cha maintain consistency across countries

- Creative ways businesses can leverage licensing to grow their brand

- Common mistakes to avoid when entering the licensing and franchising space

Tune in to discover why licensing and franchising are more than just slapping a brand name on a product—and why getting it right requires both science and art.

06:20 Question 1

11:33 Question 2

18:18 Question 3

21:21 Question 4

25:11 Question 5

29:49 Question 6

33:22 Question 7

36:36 Question 8

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Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

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Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered what it takes to own and operate beloved food franchises like Marrybrown and A&W? Join our dive deep into the world of franchise opportunities with two industry heavyweights:

• Kairul Azman - International Director Marrybrown, overseeing expansion across 16 countries

• Andrew Khoo - CEO of The MUI Group, managing popular brands including A&W Malaysia and Benjamin Barker

Key discussion points:

- The real costs and investment needed to own a franchise

- How beloved brands stay relevant in today's competitive market

- Innovation strategies in the fast-food industry

- The truth about franchise operations and management

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply curious about the business behind your favorite food chains, this episode offers valuable insights into the franchise world.

"An investor or franchisee shouldn't go in there thinking it's a hands-off investment. Go in there, fully understand the business, get your hands dirty." - Industry insight from this eye-opening discussion.

Tune in to learn more about the opportunities and challenges in the franchise business landscape!

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Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

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Newsletter: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Newsletter

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.