Open For Business

We talk to Harith Aqil, the founder of LOOKOO, a local F&B startup that’s set to change how we think about doughnuts with their unique twist—doughnut balls. Inspired by his time in Melbourne, Harith launched LOOKOO in 2022 with the help of his childhood best friend. Their delicious doughnut balls have quickly gained popularity, available not only in their physical store but also through food delivery platforms like GrabFood, Foodpanda, and ShopeeFood.We discuss with Harith about his journey from the 9-5 world to the entrepreneurial path, exploring the motivations behind starting LOOKOO, the challenges faced in the F&B industry, and the exciting opportunities that lie ahead for the brand.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In a world dominated by smartphones and tablets, is there still room for a premium stationery and notebook brand?As Mossery celebrates its 10th anniversary as a full-time business, we sit down with Jun Lim, co-founder and CEO of Mossery, to explore the brand’s evolution from a pet project among graphic design students to a homegrown stationery brand with an international presence.We delve into Mossery's unique journey, discussing the founding story and early challenges, the brand’s design philosophy and working with illustrators and designers across the world, and how these collaborations have helped Mossery grow its presence beyond Malaysian borders. These collaborations have helped Mossery stand out in a crowded market and appeal to a global audience, with 85% of its sales coming from international markets, particularly the United States.Beyond that, we also explore how and why the company is adapting its business model to meet evolving consumer demands, with Jun sharing that Mosery will be shifting to a B2B focus. He also provides a glimpse into the company’s financial strategies, including bootstrapping the business and managing the logistics of customised production, and he shares his vision for Mossery’s future in both digital and physical spaces, including potential strategic partnerships and plans for further expansion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founded in 2015 by a group of friends united by a passion for fitness and a commitment to healthy living, Soluxe Nutrition emerged from a shared desire to redefine the world of nutrition. Dissatisfied with the artificial-laden products that dominated the market, these long-time fitness enthusiasts embarked on a mission to create an alternative that not only supports optimal health but also stays true to the power of natural, plant-based ingredients.What began as a small startup with a single focus on premium pea protein has blossomed into a journey of growth. Soluxe Nutrition now offers a range of 11 protein varieties and a superfood green, all developed with meticulous attention to quality and sustainability.Today, we speak with the Co-Founder of Soluxe Nutrition, Wilson Quah, about his passion, perseverance, and pioneering spirit that have propelled Soluxe Nutrition to what it is today in the health and wellness industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With his 20 years of experience in the rubber industry, Steven founded Geomax Rubber in 2018 with the aim to revolutionise the footwear industry by upcycling rejected nitrile gloves into eco-friendly soles and shoes. The company has developed an effective method of converting rejected nitrile gloves into high-performance eco-friendly rubber compounds, leading to the creation of their unique product line under the brand Solewell. Their offerings include safety shoes, sandals, boots, and soles.Today, we dive into the past, present, and future of this venture, including their unique value proposition, the challenges faced, and their ambitious plans ahead. We’ll explore what led Steven down this very specific path, the partnership with recycling industry players Andrew Siah and Danny Lee, and their expansion into new market segments like women’s footwear and school shoes.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

ReU Living builds communities for senior living and post-hospitalization recovery. It's a joint venture between eldercare solutions provider Meaningfull Life Sdn Bhd and Tan & Tan Developments Berhad, a wholly owned subsidiary of IGB Bhd.Anna Chew, following her experience at CARE Concierge, co-founded ReU Living to fill a crucial gap in the market by offering premium eldercare services and post-hospitalization recovery.Described by The Edge as a “retirement village, elder care centre, and a convalescent home all rolled into one,” ReU Living combines advanced physiotherapy with holistic treatments, including traditional Chinese medicine. Their first facility, located at MiCasa Hotel along Jalan Tun Razak, boasts 108 bedrooms with fees starting at RM7,500 a month for long-term stay.Today, we'll explore the creation of ReU Living, its partnership with Tan & Tan, the challenges faced, and their ambitions for the senior living industry.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We speak with Yeo Kwong Jin, Founder at Fiskor, a contemporary Malaysian cracker brand which uses cutting edge technology in the production of lekor chips. We’ll discuss Jin’s rationale for entering the lekor business as well as how the business is managing the challenges in a tough and challenging F&B industry and their future ambitions going forward.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CloudJoi is a ticketing service, streaming platform, and community hub designed for the performing arts. Founded in 2020 as CloudTheatre, the company has undergone several rebranding phases, evolving into CloudJoi in 2022. Since its inception, the platform has supported over 1,800 shows, partnered with more than 400 organizers, facilitated the sale of over 600,000 tickets, and generated over RM30 million in Gross Merchandise Value.With strategic funding from Cradle in 2022 and expansion into Taiwan in 2023, CloudJoi continues to grow and innovate. Join us as we speak with Dennis Lee, CEO, and Kevin Teh, COO, to discuss their journey, the evolution of CloudJoi, and their ambitious plans for the future.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We hear from Big Tiny, a property development company transforming the dream of serene, nature-immersed living into a reality. Founded by Jeff Yeo and his co-founders Adrian and Dave, Big Tiny combines eco-friendly tiny homes with the beauty of nature, offering a sustainable travel experience. With an initial investment of S$100,000, they broke even in their first year and now boast a portfolio of 300 tiny houses across the globe. In this episode, Jeff Yeo shares their journey from inception to international expansion, the challenges faced, and their future ambitions.Image Credit: Big TinySee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Paywatch is a financial services company that provides earned wage access (EWA) services to help employees get banked, receive credit, and improve their access to financial products.Richard Kim, Co-Founder and CEO of Paywatch, founded the business in 2019 with his brother Alex. Together, they have built Paywatch as the only bank-backed and regulator-approved Earned Wage Access solution in Asia. Today, they have expanded their business not only in Malaysia and South Korea but also in other Asia Pacific countries like the Philippines and Indonesia, with their eyes set on Thailand and Vietnam ahead.As of June, Paywatch had processed over $58 million in salaries through its system and was growing month-over-month by as much as 15%. Their user base is spread across South Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Indonesia, with notable clients including KFC, Pizza Hut (part of QSR Brands), Wilmar International, PayNet, and Jaya Grocer, among others.Last month, Paywatch raised US$30 million (approximately RM141 million) in funding from a mix of equity and credit facilities to continue its growth and expansion plans.In this conversation, Richard will give us a sense of why he started Paywatch, the problem he aims to address, the business opportunities present, the challenges in turning it into reality, and their growth path ahead.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Founded in 2017 with the aim to redefine workspaces, Infinity8 today offers dynamic coworking environments that cater to both local and international businesses. With a focus on flexibility and comprehensive support services, Infinity8 provides not just physical space but also recruitment, HR payroll, and enterprise solutions. These offerings make it a differentiating player in easing market entry for foreign companies and supporting Malaysia's economic framework.Today we speak to Lee Sheah Liang, the Co-Founder of Infinity8, on its journey from a 1,400 sq ft first floor lot and just 4 coworkers in Johor and explore the profound impact coworking spaces have on the local economy, and the strategic importance of Infinity8's expansions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.