Open For Business

In this episode we chat with Dr. Michael Allen a globally recognised leader in eLearning, the founder of author wear, macro media and most recently ZebraZaps he literally wrote the book Michael Allen's Guide to e-Learning in 2002 which is considered the bible for e-learning instructional designers.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Established in 2017 DoctorOnCall is Malaysia's first and largest digital health platform. Currently they offer telehealth consultations, an online pharmacy, medication delivery, credible health-related articles, doctors and specialist bookings. With more and more people having to work from home, could this be an ideal solution to some of our healthcare needs?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Motorist is an online platform that strives to make the normally painful process of vehicle transactions quick and hassle-free for car owners. To date, Motorist has successfully transacted over 14,000 vehicles that are worth more than RM800m in vehicle value. We speak to its founder, Damian Sia about the popularity of the platform in its home base Singapore and its imminent plans to dominate the auto market here in Malaysia.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Coworking spaces are the result of a booming startup and ‘self-made’ scene. With these spaces and facilities mushrooming in Malaysia, one has to wonder how they distinguish themselves from one another and stand out in a rapidly-growing landscape. We speak to Ganesh Mahendranathan, the Country Manager of Found8 - a prominent coworking facility HQ’d in Singapore with a few unique twists - about creating a standout brand that attracts and identifies with the local startup culture. We also touch on challenges, building loyalty, and the choice of setting up Found8’s KL space in an extremely busy district. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2018, Travelodge burst back onto Malaysia’s hospitality scene with two hotels after a two decade absence. Now, after setting up their fourth branch in Ipoh, managing director Marcus Aw joins us to talk about Travelodge’s continuing expansion, how they’re dealing with COVID-19, and their aims for the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode we chat with Cornelius Low, a professional wrestler with the MYPW promotion and currently their national champion. From a performance perspective, there is a lot to take away from pro wrestling: from the physical demands to storytelling and needing to adapt to any situation. Strap in and let’s take a dive into a unique perspective on performance.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

KLoé Hotel is designed in celebration of artistic pursuits. The bold architecture and interior design of KLoé Hotel serves as a background for Malaysian contemporary art and design, that is also featured in the handmade pieces around the hotel. Kloé has also partnered with local and regional artists to create 5 bespoke lofts that celebrate specific creative endeavours, namely, art, literature, horticulture, food, and music.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Shubam by Shatia is a collection of artisan statement clutches, designed for the everyday girl. From traditional Chinese silks, to Batik motifs and Indian embroidered designs, Shubam aims to inject heritage and the unexpected into looks around the world. We speak to the founder of Shubam, N.Shatiarubini about carving out a niche in the affordable luxury market, and the challenges in growing a homegrown brand in the fiercely competitive bag and accessories segment of the ecommerce fashion industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

According to Alvin Chen, Malaysians waste about 45kg of food at EVERY wedding. That’s the niche, and the problem, that What A Waste is trying to solve. By packing and channeling excess food to underprivileged homes in a speedy manner, the social enterprise wants to tackle the food waste problem that we’re facing on a national, and global, scale. We speak to co-founder Alvin Chen about the logistics of the business, making money, and culture shock with first-timers within the initiative. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In line with International Women’s Day, Elaine Hong, co-founder & CEO of Enya, which offers a subscription service for organic cotton period products, shares how she hopes to dispel the stigma around discussing periods through this entrepreneurial endeavour.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.