Empowering Conversations

With Asian Women Entrepreneurs Across Asia

Introducing

Womenpreneur Asia

Womenpreneur Asia is a podcast for women entrepreneurs and aspiring women entrepreneurs. The seasonal podcast of weekly episodes features Asia’s most interesting and insightful women entrepreneurs. Hosted and created by Krista Goon, this unique podcast uncovers the highs and lows of entrepreneurship including candid stories and creative transformations. Real women, real stories.

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SEASON 5
Is Waiting For You!

Have A Listen To Season 5!

Each season runs for 13 weeks and each Friday, we present to you a new episode. In each episode, you get to listen to an Asian woman entrepreneur who opens up about herself, her story and her business in the most down-to-earth and resilient ways. Her story may inspire and intrigue you. And all of us get to learn something incredibly valuable about life, business and being a woman! Check out Season 5.

Listen here!

I am an entrepreneur and I know how challenging the journey can be. I wished I had a podcast to listen to and learn from when I was starting out in my business journey.

Krista GOON

Womenpreneur Asia is made for you if you want to be inspired by impactful, entrepreneurial women in Asia. Enjoy the conversations that I’ve been privileged to have. Be empowered and inspired to do even better in your own entrepreneurial journey. I know I’ve learnt best when I hear stories that inspire me to do better!

Listen on this website and available on Spotify, Google Podcasts, Amazon Music, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher,
Breaker, Deezer, PocketCast, Acast and TuneIn.

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@womenpreneurasia
101 Posts

Womenpreneur Asia is a podcast featuring stories of courage, strength, persistence, hope and optimism. We feature Asian women entrepreneurs across Asia. Follow us today!

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Architect, business woman, mother, wife, cafe owner. Kaniza Shafie of @roots_kebunkota talks about her farm,...

Spotify did a wrap-up of my podcast year with its own data. I am happy that my podcast is heard in 13 countries. This year I produced 2 seasons of 14 episodes each. But as of the date of this data, it's still at 24 episodes. What I love is that I've grown my listenership to almost 100% and that I have recorded a total of 1,200 minutes of conversations! Having this data gives me an idea of how I am doing and gives me new goals to set for 2023. While quantitative isn't always an accurate reflection of our work and business, the right numbers matter. What numbers will you be focusing on as you wrap up your business year? #spotifywrapped2022 #podcasterinasia #womenpodcasters #womenwhopodcast💋

Spotify did a wrap-up of my podcast year with its own data. I am happy...

I’ve been guilty of this too. I’ve always been looking ahead but I remind myself to look at the little things that make the big things happen. I’ve been grateful that I have helped our clients grow their businesses and make sure their best stories are shared online. I am also happy that I’ve contributed my time and energy in creating my podcast which is a platform that helps Asian women entrepreneurs share their best stories and experiences. I’m also an encourager. If I see someone doing something good, I’d encourage him or her. A word or two may not be much but to someone who is struggling it means the world. What’s your biggest success to date? Or what are your successes this year? Keep track of them all because you’ll be amazed that you did them all!

I’ve been guilty of this too. I’ve always been looking ahead but I remind myself...

How do you unite people who have been at war for 30 years? How do...

Farah Ismail of Interact Consulting, India was last Friday's guest for the podcast. She is...

Would you start a business with your cousin? Sharifah Sarah did that and she said...

My routine every Friday when my podcast is in season. I’m in Season 5 now...

Today’s episode is with an Indonesian entrepreneur, Nino Mouton who lives in Singapore. A mother...

Do you celebrate your milestones and how far you've come? In this snippet, Upasna Dash...

Mine is…. It’s a game. Know the rules, play it well. #womenpreneurasia #kristagoon #malaysianpodcasters #podcastforbusiness #podcastforasia #malaysiaceo #womenceos #womenentrepreneurs #asianwomenceos #podcastforwomen #podcastforentrepreneurs #podcastforasians #wisdomofwomen #businesswomenasia #asianwomeninbusiness #asianwomenvoices #entrepreneurship #metaphor #favourites

Mine is…. It’s a game. Know the rules, play it well. #womenpreneurasia #kristagoon #malaysianpodcasters #podcastforbusiness...

Emilie Chung from China is my guest this week. As the co-founder of @sinellia_tea, she...

Let me tell you about mine. I am happy when clients tell us that they are able to use their websites to tell others about their businesses. That they could now easily show and sell. That they could now be proud of their website because everything on the website makes sense. That the words we use are easy to understand and conveys exactly what they want to say but didn't know how to say it. What about you? #whatmakesmehappy #businessmilestones #womenpreneurasia #kristagoon #podcastforbusiness #podcastforasia #womenentrepreneurs #asianwomenceos #happiness

Let me tell you about mine. I am happy when clients tell us that they...

She calls herself the Book Mama and rightly so because Pearlin Siow of Boss of...

Microgreens grown using technology? Today's podcast guest, Jay Desan of Boom Grow (Malaysia) talks about...

This week has been uneasy knowing that someone I know is going to be in surgery. It’s hard to explain the emotions because if I know her well, her fear and worries will be too overwhelming. I wish her courage to move forward and the hope of a better tomorrow, for herself. All of us have challenges. Some big, some small. And we all need courage to face the challenges and it’s ours to own. What gives me courage to move forward is knowing that she will be a transformed person when she gets out of surgery although it’s a long yet different journey she must undertake.

This week has been uneasy knowing that someone I know is going to be in...

Today's episode is with Deepa Jivan who is the founder & Innovation Director for J...

Every woman has a story and today I spoke to @upasnadash who started business from her couch and grew it to a 50-person team. She runs Jajabor, a PR agency in New Delhi, India and we had a fabulous conversation. She has an energy that’s quite infectious! Watch for her episode when it airs.

Every woman has a story and today I spoke to @upasnadash who started business from...

The first episode of Season 5 drops today and I am speaking to Teh Wuan...

Season 5 is officially here! Super duper excited as this season I have another great list of Asian women entrepreneurs whose stories and anecdotes will keep you inspired! I start the season with my own episode - a short one but one that I felt I HAD to share before I present to you all the great interviews I have had. 57 episodes in the last 4 seasons and now another 14 this season. I am definitely finding it much easier now that there's a process and workflow to everything that I do. Things start out wonky but over time, all of us learn to make things less wonky. If you've been a listener, thank you. Please tell me what you like about my podcast. If you have just discovered my podcast, please let me know how you discovered it. It always pleases me to no end when I hear from you. . . . #season5 #podcastinglife #womenpreneurasia #newpodcastepisodes #penang #malaysia #womeninbusiness #womenstoriesmatter #entrepreneurinterviews #asianwomeninbusiness #podcastforwomenbywomen #podcastingforwomenentrepreneurs #growingwomenentrepreneurs

Season 5 is officially here! Super duper excited as this season I have another great...

Selamat Hari Merdeka to all Malaysians! I decided to share this to remind us all...

Everyone suffered through the pandemic lockdown and corporate image consultants like Wendy were not spared...

#womenpreneurasia #kristagoon #entrepreneurship #malaysianpodcasters #podcastforbusiness #podcastforasia #malaysiaceo #womenceos #womenentrepreneurs #asianwomenceos #podcastforwomen #podcastforentrepreneurs #podcastforasians #wisdomofwomen #businesswomenasia #asianwomeninbusiness #asianwomenvoices #favourites #leadership

#womenpreneurasia #kristagoon #entrepreneurship #malaysianpodcasters #podcastforbusiness #podcastforasia #malaysiaceo #womenceos #womenentrepreneurs #asianwomenceos #podcastforwomen #podcastforentrepreneurs #podcastforasians #wisdomofwomen #businesswomenasia...

Jomie tells how she got into her business when she was busy travelling the world....

When do you think big? I had this conversation with Susan Chee in Season 2. Sometimes we forget we could be our own biggest obstacle in growing our business!

When do you think big? I had this conversation with Susan Chee in Season 2....

Womenpreneur Asia hit 10K downloads just a week ago and I am so over the...

A sneak peek at what's coming up for Season 5. I am now in the midst of recording for the upcoming season and today I spoke to Deepa Jivan whose business is all about arts, crafts and hobbies. She's based in Hong Kong although she is originally from the UK. What's interesting about this interview is that Deepa talks about the dilemma of growth! She loves her business but she is now at a crossroads where she is wondering if she should continue to expand and grow or be happy where she is. Coming up when Season 5 opens in September. Make sure you've subscribed to the Womenpreneur Asia podcast!

A sneak peek at what's coming up for Season 5. I am now in the...

Mine is jazz - any kind of jazz. By Stacey Kent, Laura Fgyi, Euge Groove. I grew up listening to Kenny G on my Walkman and back then it was a cassette that I kept rewinding. And now my fave jazz is available easily on Spotify! I love technology. What’s your favourite rainy day music? #womenpreneurasia #kristagoon #entrepreneurship #malaysianpodcasters #podcastforbusiness #podcastforasia #malaysiaceo #womenceos #womenentrepreneurs #asianwomenceos #podcastforwomen #podcastforentrepreneurs #podcastforasians #wisdomofwomen #businesswomenasia #asianwomeninbusiness #asianwomenvoices #music #rainyday #favouritesong #spotifyjazz #musicforrainydays

Mine is jazz - any kind of jazz. By Stacey Kent, Laura Fgyi, Euge Groove....

Ever been there before? Drop an emoji if you resonate with this. #womenpreneurasia #kristagoon #malaysianpodcasters #podcastforbusiness #podcastforasia #malaysiaceo #womenceos #womenentrepreneurs #asianwomenceos #podcastforwomen #podcastforentrepreneurs #podcastforasians #wisdomofwomen #businesswomenasia #asianwomeninbusiness #asianwomenvoices #india #radhamohandurbha #talentrecruitment #talentmanagement #keresesconsulting

Ever been there before? Drop an emoji if you resonate with this. #womenpreneurasia #kristagoon #malaysianpodcasters...

Who doesn't love skincare? And beautiful skin? Kanyachat Lerttanapaiboon or Elle as she is fondly...

While I am preparing for Season 5, here's a snippet of a truly delightful podcast...

A morning ritual grounds us and keeps us focused. Mine is spiritual - the first hour of the day is saying my Buddhist prayers and setting out the right thoughts for the day. My other ritual is that my phone is on quiet mode until 11am. I also spend time journaling and reflecting. When I start my day this way, I am able to handle whatever that comes my way. What’s your morning ritual? 🌸

A morning ritual grounds us and keeps us focused. Mine is spiritual - the first...

The final episode of Season 4 is with a social enterprise entrepreneur from Malaysia, Yap Sook Yee. It is also a bonus episode. Sook Yee is the co-founder of Friendenarts.com. She is also the co-founder of WeCareJourney.org. WeCareJourney is an association that helps parents and caregivers with children who are born with Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA). She started her social enterprise, FriendenArts, to sell the art and art merchandise that her two sons, Jaden and Branden, create. Treatments for the two boys are expensive and Sook Yee and her husband wanted to use their boys’ art and art products as a way to fund the treatments. Listen to her episode. Link in bio.

The final episode of Season 4 is with a social enterprise entrepreneur from Malaysia, Yap...

I’ll go first. It was a recent one. One Vietnamese woman refused to refer other women of her country to me (for my podcast) because I didn’t give her any of my podcast stats! I was flabbergasted. Here I was asking for her help and she flatly refused just because she didn’t get the stats. I started thinking: I could give her the data but I won’t. I work hard at my podcast because I enjoy the conversations and I am in my own way giving women a chance to tell their story. I use my hard earned money to host my podcast and I spend valuable time putting the episodes together. And what have I learnt? I learnt that I can focus on getting more data (podcast data can be hard to get) and my other method is getting people to answer my survey. But even as I get the data, I am NOT sharing them with her. Sorry but not sorry. As women, we should learn to be gracious and play nice especially with other women. When others want to help you, be open, be grateful and be thankful. And don’t be a prima donna. #womenpreneurasia #kristagoon #entrepreneurship #malaysianpodcasters #podcastforbusiness #podcastforasia #malaysiaceo #womenceos #womenentrepreneurs #asianwomenceos #podcastforwomen #podcastforentrepreneurs #podcastforasians #wisdomofwomen #businesswomenasia #asianwomeninbusiness #asianwomenvoices #disappointmentisreal

I’ll go first. It was a recent one. One Vietnamese woman refused to refer other...

Olivia Quah is all about elderly care. Her business specialises in elderly care products and interestingly she began her business because of her own ageing parents. Her business also complements her husband’s as he is a medical doctor and a Traditional Chinese Medicine practitioner. She says that her favourite tagline is “Think Parents, Think iElder” and she is most inspired by Daisaku Ikeda, a Japanese Buddhist philosopher, educator, author, and nuclear disarmament advocate. He served as the third president and then honorary president of the Soka Gakkai, the largest of Japan’s new religious movements. Her favourite book is Tuesdays with Morrie. She was featured in a UNCTAD article as one of the four women who built success during COVID. Listen to her interview. Link in bio.

Olivia Quah is all about elderly care. Her business specialises in elderly care products and...

Today’s world is about more. But let’s talk about less. Over the years I’ve put a lot on my plate as an entrepreneur, co-founder of WomenBizSENSE and getting into various boards and projects and conferences. And during the lockdown I started my podcast and FB Live series. But scaling back is a good thing. It focuses me on the truly important things in life. So that’s why I halted my FB Live series. I took a break from many engagements even turning down opportunities to speak. Because even Nature takes a break. So should I and so should you. What are you planning to do less of?

Today’s world is about more. But let’s talk about less. Over the years I’ve put...

In today’s episode, I am speaking to Uyanga Batzogs, the Founder and Executive Director of Quality Life. She is presently based in Hawaii but her non-profit organisation is in Mongolia. Uyanga started her non-profit organisation (NGO) when she discovered a 2015 survey of over 500 elderly citizens in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia revealing the need for senior social and medical care. In this week’s episode we talked about her growing up years in a communist country that became a democracy when she was a teenager and how tumultuous and uncertain life became. Unwittingly this change pushed her towards self-sustenance and entrepreneurship and now, social entrepreneurship. Listen to this week’s episode. Link in bio.

In today’s episode, I am speaking to Uyanga Batzogs, the Founder and Executive Director of...

Thank you ladies for a women-powered event a week ago at the lusciously beautiful Suffolk...

In today’s episode, I speak to Kanyachat Lerttanapaiboon, fondly known as Elle. She is the CEO of Maison Royal and co-founder & CEO of Her Hyness, the number one clean beauty skincare brand in Thailand. A self-confessed workaholic who never left the office before midnight, Elle had worked for well-known cosmetic and skincare brands in Singapore and China after getting her MBA from Harvard. Despite being one of the fastest rising stars in the corporate world working for L’Oreal and MAC, she left corporate to start her clean beauty skincare company in Thailand. She calls it sustainable beauty without irritating or harmful chemicals and who knows best than Elle? She admitted she grew up with skin allergies and rashes. Growing up, she relied on too many whitening peels due to a desire to be fair and white which resulted in her skin growing thinner and more sensitive. At one point, her skin was so inflamed that she had to wash her skin with saline and boiled water! At that moment, she swore that she’d rather die than step outside of the home. So Elle understands what it’s like to suffer from bad skin and began creating skin-safe products that she knew she’d use in a heartbeat. It helped that she had worked for global skincare brands and she knew exactly the gap she was filling when she pilot-tested her first product. Link to episode in bio.

In today’s episode, I speak to Kanyachat Lerttanapaiboon, fondly known as Elle. She is the...

In today’s episode, I am speaking to Jocelyn Pantastico who is the Co-founder & CEO of Olivia Technology Group based in The Phillippines. While today’s episode is about software that keeps your money in check, it is also about the bigger concept of wealth, money management and investing. Jocs as she is more fondly known has spent most of her life in the corporate world. She has an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and 15 years of managing profitable, high-performance teams across Asia. She used to work for multinational companies like Danone and Nielsen and didn’t follow her academician parents’ path. Instead, right after getting out of the university, she became an expat in Singapore and Indonesia working for market research companies. In 2018, she returned to The Philippines to start her tech startup, Olivia, a milestone she is most proud of. Listen to this week’s episode. Link in bio

In today’s episode, I am speaking to Jocelyn Pantastico who is the Co-founder & CEO...

Today’s episode is with Evi Mariani, ​​Co-Founder and Executive Director of Project Multatuli based in Indonesia. Evi was the former managing editor at The Jakarta Post. Her collaborative projects won the 2020 Public Service Journalism Award from the Society of Publishers in Asia and the 2020 Tasrif Award from the AJI. In this episode, we talk about how a crisis led Evi to start something that truly spoke to her heart – social justice. She said she was never raised to be political – all she wanted was to travel and see the world as a journalist. As an Indonesian Chinese with a Catholic upbringing, social journalism wasn’t the path she was supposed to take. However, her first taste of political activism began in earnest when she entered Gajah Mada University which opened her eyes to diversity, pluralism, gender equality and so much more. Listen to her story - link in bio.

Today’s episode is with Evi Mariani, ​​Co-Founder and Executive Director of Project Multatuli based in...

Today’s episode is with May Sresthaporn who is the founder of MSHAPPYDIET and PLANTOGENIC in Thailand. One is about the community while the other is about products but both are about health, wellness and balanced living. She said she enjoyed the food a bit too much when she studied in the US but realized that the sugary foods and carbs took a terrible toll on her health!  When she came home to Thailand, May started blogging about herself and her own stories of regaining good health through healthier eating and lifestyle. Some 10 years later, this passion bloomed into two health-based businesses. We talked about the dilemmas of entrepreneurship, what success means and how do work and life fit into everything that we want to do as entrepreneurs. Check out her episode - link in bio - which is my 50th episode by the way 🎉 can’t wait for the next 50! 🌷plus she’s looking for distributors for her Plantogenic products.

Today’s episode is with May Sresthaporn who is the founder of MSHAPPYDIET and PLANTOGENIC in...

In today’s episode, I am speaking to Evon Heng who is the Principal & Chief Operating Officer of PropNex Malaysia, a real estate agency with 1,000 negotiators. It wasn’t always this way and in the early days when she started the business, she found it a struggle to grow after a certain point. Listen to this Malaysian woman’s story of how she got out of her business bottleneck and what changed for her!

In today’s episode, I am speaking to Evon Heng who is the Principal & Chief...

Jomie Casas of Just Rent A COO talks about her location independent business. Listen to...

This week, I am speaking to Lalita Raman who is the CEO and founder of Transitions Intl Ltd based out of Hong Kong where she facilitates and coaches in the areas of leadership and communications. She started her business in 2012 after 27 years in investment banking in Hong Kong. This Mumbai native became a transitions coach because she herself had experienced many transitions in her life, uprooting herself from India and working in Hong Kong where she worked in audit, risk management, banking, trading and sales for companies such as Citigroup, Jardine Fleming, Morgan Stanley, JP Morgan and more. Listen to her episode this week. Link in bio.

This week, I am speaking to Lalita Raman who is the CEO and founder of...

In today’s episode, I am speaking to Dr Wendy Liew who is the founder of The Image Creator based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. We spoke about failure, money, growing up poor, the fear of failing, parents’ expectations, gender biases and discrimination, luxury brand marketing, leadership and pride. Wendy has trained more than 70,000 people and conducted training for more than 200 corporations in the span of 19 years. She is also the author of 3 books and has certified more than 50 image consultants. She has also been widely written about in the media and spoken on the TEDx stage. And yet despite her success, Wendy is still down-to-earth and funny! 🦋 Have a listen to this week’s episode!

In today’s episode, I am speaking to Dr Wendy Liew who is the founder of...

Hawaii is where my podcast began. It was a project I pitched at the Changing Faces programme in 2019 on the beautifully magical island of Oahu, Hawaii. The programme is now open for applications until 15 April. It was the programme that pushed me to launch my Womenpreneur Asia podcast! The programme was life-changing and I met so many wonderful Asia Pacific friends that I still keep in touch with. It is a 2-week immersive programme with lectures, site visits, mentoring, discussions and lots of fun activities on 2 islands of Hawaii - Oahu and Maui. In my year, I was the only Malaysian recipient of the scholarship and I felt humbled and grateful! If you know any woman in business or social enterprise (or even yourself), please consider applying for this programme. And I hope you’d be just as lucky and soon find yourself on Oahu and Maui! 🏝

Hawaii is where my podcast began. It was a project I pitched at the Changing...

Linda Lo is the founder and director of Ambon Boenda, a business that makes and sells Indonesian layer cakes in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. As an ardent traveller, she believed that gifting cakes would be a delicious way for people to remember each other. She started as a home baker and now owns 3 retail stores selling Indonesian layer cakes. She is also incorporating more Indonesian offerings including Indonesian coffee! Listen to her episode for the full story. Link in bio. #ambonboendabakery #lindalo #womeninbusiness #womeninfoodbusiness #bakeriesofinstagram #indonesianlayercake #keklapisindonesia #womenpreneurasia #podcastsofinstagram #podcastsforwomen #podcastsasia #asianstoriesmatter #asianwomeninbusiness #kualalumpurcakeshop #medan #bakerymalaysia #malaysianbakers🎈

Linda Lo is the founder and director of Ambon Boenda, a business that makes and...

She used to work in disaster risk management while based in Singapore. It was at that time that she decided to start her styling business, Luxenity, a Singapore-based consultancy company curating luxury lifestyle and experiences through fashion, interior and events. She called herself a closet consultant and when she returned to Japan after a decade in Singapore, she realized that many of her clients needed her and she couldn’t help them all. That was the idea behind her fashion app that not only offers a platform for other image consultants and stylists to join her but also easily curate looks for clients with sustainable options for a better future. Eri Kobayashi is this week’s podcast guest in Ep. 2 of Season 4. Have a listen. Link in bio. . . . #fastfashion #personalstylistonline #japan #ripplenity #disasterriskmanagement #singapore #closetconfidence #closetconsultant #erikobayashi #fashionapp #appforstylists #imageconsultantservices

She used to work in disaster risk management while based in Singapore. It was at...

In this first episode of Season 4, I am speaking to Jomie Casas who is the founder of Just Rent a COO from The Philippines. At Just Rent A COO, Jomie and her team help their clients run their businesses on autopilot so that their clients can fall in love with their business again. While most of us run businesses in a specific location, Jomie decided to build a business that is location independent and one that is designed around her lifestyle and love for travel. This mom of a toddler is still raring to travel once travel restrictions are lifted or when she and her partner has had enough of living in Germany, where they are now based. Listen to her story on your fave podcast player when you search for Womenpreneur Asia. 🌹

In this first episode of Season 4, I am speaking to Jomie Casas who is...

Happy International Women's Day to you! And to commemorate the opening of Season 4 of the podcast this month, here's my trailer and preview episode. Link in bio.

Happy International Women's Day to you! And to commemorate the opening of Season 4 of...