Open For Business

Satu Creative operates as a 7-figure social enterprise, but you won't find them on an official accreditation list. After evolving from a creative agency, the firm now focuses on capacity building; running workshops and accelerators for entrepreneurs, but also corporates.Founder and CEO Azuar Zainuddin joins us to share his unique hybrid business model. We discuss:The evolution from a creative agency to a 7-figure social enterprise.Their hybrid model: using corporate training to "pay the bills" for social impact.Why they prioritise partnerships over a large team to scale their reach.How they are redesigning programmes to address the "privilege gap."Measuring success beyond "vanity metrics" by focusing on revenue and job creation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can animals help humans heal? Rajagopal Yagambram, Founder of Planet Zoo Malaysia, believes they can. After nearly two decades in agrotourism, he’s built a one-of-a-kind animal behaviour centre where petting a rabbit isn’t just fun… it’s therapy. He shares how Planet Zoo blends business, education, and empathy to turn animal encounters into wellness experiences for all ages.From starting the business and animal care to creating sustainable revenue and partnerships, Rajagopal opens up about what it really takes to run a modern petting zoo — one that aims to make Malaysians not only happier, but more connected to nature and kindness itself.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Punita Nook Naidu, Co-Founder of H2O DataTech, shares how the Malaysian climate-tech company is turning complex climate and water data into actionable intelligence for governments, businesses, and regulators.Through its platform Airnomik, H2O DataTech helps organisations assess site-specific environmental risks, from floods and droughts to water quality. She discusses how her team combines AI, engineering, and policy expertise to close the gap between scientific data and real-world decision-making, the challenges of scaling a climate-tech business, and what it takes to make environmental analytics both practical and profitable.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Grace Oh, Founder of Sol Menopause, Asia’s medically reviewed menopause app, shares how her platform is changing the way women manage midlife health at home, at work, and beyond. Designed to be both evidence-based and community-driven, Sol aims to break the stigma around menopause by providing women with trustworthy guidance, holistic support, and a space to understand and advocate for their wellbeing. We discuss what led Grace to create Sol, how she’s aiming to tackle one of healthcare’s most underserved conversations, and what it means to build a business that’s both purpose-driven and data-informed.Image Credit: ShutterstockSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The on-demand home services space is notoriously difficult, with high-profile failures like Kaodim. So why is Tim Goi, a founder of a traditional B2B cleaning company, now entering the fray with his new app, Okay Tasks?Tim Goi joins us to discuss:* The strategic pivot from a B2B service to a B2C tech platform.* How Okay Tasks plans to succeed where platforms like Kaodim failed.* Their 20% transaction fee model and 250k ECF raise.* Why finding cleaners (supply) is a bigger challenge than finding customers.* Their strategy for building trust (insurance and partner agencies).See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Wellness, it’s a word we hear constantly these days. But for many women, particularly in Malaysia, it’s more than a buzzword. It’s a balancing act between work, family, identity, and the pursuit of something deeper, connection and purpose.Earlier this year, a small idea built on friendship, shared passion, and a mission to help women Connect, Recharge, and Grow turned into one of Malaysia’s most talked-about wellness events. And now, it’s back, bigger, bolder, and more intentional than ever.The Women’s Wellness Festival 2.0 returns this November at Parc Subang, featuring over 30 workshops, talks, and experiences spanning emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing. Behind it are three remarkable founders, Diane Chia of Millennia Village, Raja Jesrina Arshad of PurelyB, and Sarah Lian of Supparetreat, who’ve combined their expertise in longevity, ancestral healing, and holistic empowerment to create a truly women-led movement.We explore the business behind wellness, how they’ve built a collaborative ecosystem that turns purpose into profit, and what it really takes to make wellbeing sustainable, not just for a day, but for a lifetime.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With the bold claim of "Making Teh Tarik Great Again", this new F&B brand is on a mission to elevate Malaysia's unofficial national drink. But this is no ordinary startup, it's built on a 96-year family legacy in the B2B tea supply business.Founder Koh Peng Chye joins us to share his story. He explains why he expanded from his family's established B2B trade to a B2C brand, driven by a frustration with inconsistent brewing, and details his ambitious plan to scale by automating the perfect "leaf to cup" experience before expanding.We discuss:The mission to establish a global brand for Teh Tarik.The strategic expansion from a 96-year-old B2B tea supplier to a B2C brand.Their "leaf to cup"  quality control advantage over funded competitors.The scaling strategy: developing bespoke machinery to automate the brewing process.Their "living lab"  outlet and plans for FMCG and future fundraising.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

For 70 years, Wah Chan has been a Malaysian household name in jewelry. Now, with the third generation stepping in, the brand is navigating a major "reinvention". How does a 70-year-old legacy brand adapt to the modern market while staying true to its roots?Executive Director Amanda Koo joins us to share her unique story. A computer scientist who first built her own successful digital jewelry brand in Singapore, Amanda discusses her journey into the family business, the lessons she learned from her father, and her mandate to build deeper, emotion-based customer relationships alongside digital expansion.We discuss:The 70-year history of Wah Chan, from a Pahang goldsmith to a 9-figure business.Amanda's journey from computer science to founding her own digital jewelry brand.The challenges of navigating generational leadership in a family business.Her mandate to "reinvent" the brand by focusing on emotion and digital growth.Why the 55-outlet, 9-figure company has no plans for a stock exchange listing.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today’s story is about reinvention and what it really takes to build something completely new when the odds aren’t really in your favour.Kristy Ting, Founder of Side Gig Accelerator, realised her savings and EPF weren’t going to be enough for the life she wanted for her family. She took a leap from dispensing prescriptions to designing sales funnels, and eventually launched the Side Gig Accelerator, a programme that helps everyday people who want to earn extra money learn a new, marketable skill through online channels. Her students today range from 25-year-olds to retirees in their 70s, with the intention to show how online income isn’t just for the tech-savvy but it’s for anyone willing to take that first step.In this conversation, we discuss how she built a seven-figure coaching and consulting business from scratch and what she’s learned about breaking limiting beliefs along the way.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Could a subscription model for outpatient care, like "Netflix for healthcare", be sustainable? FEV3R is betting it can. For a fixed monthly fee, the health tech company offers unlimited virtual consultations, medication delivery, and 24/7 doctor access.Co-Founder and CEO Adlan Hercus joins us to share the story behind his "round two" startup. He discusses the lessons from his first failed venture, the unique unit economics of their model, and how they manage costs by sourcing drugs directly and using AI to improve efficiency, all while aiming to disrupt the traditional panel clinic system.We discuss:Their "Netflix for healthcare" subscription model for outpatient care.How they can offer unlimited consultations and still be sustainable.Why this is the founder's second round venture after a first attempt 20 years ago.Their virtual-first system using in-house, 24/7 doctors.Their growth strategy, including regional white-label partnerships.This episode of Open For Business is powered by PETRONAS SmartPay, the simpler and better solution for all your business needs.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.