
Womenpreneur Asia’s Season 8 brought me into contact with some truly incredible women across Asia who have transformed their passions into pioneering ventures.
Afi Sulaiman: Art as Business, Art as Healing – Ep 9, Season 8
Afi Sulaiman, a Malaysian millennial, embarked on her artistic journey during a gap year, turning to digital art as a form of therapy amidst mental health struggles. Initially, art was simply a medium of self-expression and healing for Afi but it quickly evolved into a professional calling. Her unique style with its multitude of fresh colours and nostalgic stories resonated with many, propelling her into the spotlight as a commissioned artist. Today, Afi collaborates with businesses and individuals, showcasing the power of art to not only heal but also to create thriving commercial mashups and opportunities. In this episode, she speaks openly about her struggle with mental health, turning her art into a business, what to expect as an artist and how she markets and prices her art.
Coach Wendy Wong: Lessons Learned In Starting Her Coaching Business – Ep 10, Season 8
Coach Wendy Wong, the Managing Partner of Petadiri Leadership in Malaysia, transitioned from a high-flying corporate career in finance and HR to a successful entrepreneur in the coaching industry. Her journey was catalyzed by her decision to hire a coach to help strategize her new business venture. She was advised that it would take at least three years to stabilize her business but she believed with her experience it could be shortened into 6 months. Wendy shares the incredibly humbling lessons learned in starting her coaching business from scratch and why she calls her coaching her third career. She reveals her strategic approach and one that enabled her to be truly satisfied, stable and sustainable in her coaching business.
Shariffa Sabrina: Eco-Warrior Championing Nature in Malaysia – Ep 11, Season 8
Shariffa Sabrina, the founder of Tanah Aina Sdn Bhd, has made significant strides in eco-tourism in Malaysia. What began as a glamping experience has blossomed into a full-fledged eco-resort offering a myriad of nature-based activities and dining experiences. Shariffa’s mission goes beyond providing luxury in the wilderness; she is deeply committed to preserving Malaysia’s natural beauty and fostering an appreciation for sustainable living. Her work in offering eco-tourism delights guests and protects the environment but as this episode attests, her business is now being challenged by the authorities!
Annie Chan: Crafting Unique Experiences Through Events Planning – Ep 12, Season 8
Annie Chan, the Founder and Principal Trainer of Red Box Events Pte Ltd in Singapore, is a 30-year veteran when it comes to events planning and management. With a wealth of experience in designing, planning and executing events, Annie ensures that each event she organizes leaves a lasting impression. In this episode, Annie shares tips for organizing your best event ever, how to work around your budget when it comes to events planning and why it isn’t just about events – it’s about creating unique and memorable experiences! Annie reveals that stress and burnout are real especially when she landed a million-dollar project to create 1,000 events in 2 years!
Dr. Vimi Ramasamy: An ESG Implementation Plan for Businesses – Ep 13, Season 8
Dr. Vimi Ramasamy, the Founder and CEO of STRAVIK in Malaysia, is a retuning podcast guest who is at the forefront of Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) initiatives. In a business landscape often marred by confusion and apprehension around ESG, Dr. Vimi provides much-needed clarity and guidance with her ESG implementation plan for overwhelmed CEOs and teams. She believes that business owners need to take ownership of their ESG responsibilities, ensuring that they not only comply with regulations but also contribute positively to society and the environment but the plan must be workable and effective.
Celina Lee: An Equitable Community for African Data Scientists – Ep 14, Season 8
Celina Lee, the Co-founder and CEO of Zindi, has redefined the landscape for data scientists around the world. Zindi, which Celina describes as a “Disneyland for data scientists” or a fusion of GitHub and LinkedIn, has grown from a passion project into a leading professional network. With over 70,000 data scientists connected globally, Zindi creates opportunities for individuals who might otherwise lack access. Celina’s vision and dedication have not only built a thriving platform but also fostered a global community that supports innovation and career growth in the field of data science. In this episode, she shares her founding story and her insights as an Asian American woman in the startup world.
Stay tuned for Season 9 which is coming up in December.