Ever wondered how a 21-year-old turned doodles into a $100,000 sticker empire —and landed their product in the hands of a K-pop sensation? Buckle up, because this week’s guest is rewriting the rules of small business.

Meet Dylan Chia, Founder of dchtoons, a self-taught artist who went from printing stickers in his bedroom to supplying wholesale orders to K-pop events and viral fame. His secret weapon wasn’t just cute designs—it was a 365-day content challenge that catapulted him into the spotlight.

Learn from this episode:

- How one random K-pop fan sparked a chain reaction that changed his business forever

- The pricing hack that 20X purchases (without customers batting an eye)

- Why booth markets and customer feedback became his unlikely mentors

- The surprising truth about selling directly vs. marketplaces like Shopee—and why he refuses to list there

Don’t miss Dylan’s journey and why he almost opened a mall shop at 21. This is the ultimate underdog story for creators, side-hustlers, and anyone who believes small ideas can spark big revolutions.

Ready to learn how a hobby became a full-blown business? Tune in now

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

[Podcast, Vodcast]

Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-spotify

Apple Podcast: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-applepodcast

YouTube: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-youtube

[Connect with us]

Instagram: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-instagram

Tik Tok: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-tiktok

Telegram: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-telegram

Whatsapp: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Whatsapp-channel

Newsletter: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Newsletter

Check out our other shows: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFinancialCoconutTFC/playlists

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered how your brand could crack the lucrative markets right on Singapore's doorstep? Or what Malaysian franchises know about scaling that we don't?

We pull back the curtain on the real franchising game between Singapore and Malaysia. We’re joined by a true industry heavyweight: Deric Yeo, Secretary General of the Malaysian Franchise Association. With decades of experience launching brands like Manhattan Fish Market across 15+ countries, Derek’s insights are pure gold for any entrepreneur eyeing regional growth.

A sneak peek of what you’ll discover:

- Why Singaporean brands are getting it wrong (and right) in Malaysia —hint: It’s not about copying your business model

- Emerging markets in Sabah/Sarawak and Halal opportunities

- Real-world examples: US Pizza and education brands

- Logistics challenges and "test-market" franchising models

Whether you’re a franchise newbie or a seasoned operator, this episode is your roadmap to navigating two of ASEAN’s most dynamic markets.

"If you think Malaysia’s just a smaller Singapore, you’re already behind. The rules have changed—and the winners are those who adapt, not replicate.”

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

[Podcast, Vodcast]

Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-spotify

Apple Podcast: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-applepodcast

YouTube: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-youtube

[Connect with us]

Instagram: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-instagram

Tik Tok: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-tiktok

Telegram: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-telegram

Whatsapp: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Whatsapp-channel

Newsletter: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Newsletter

Check out our other shows: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFinancialCoconutTFC/playlists

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this electrifying episode, Reggie pulls back the curtain on an anonymous internet sensation who turned curiosity into a multi-million-view media empire—all while hiding behind a literal green chair.

You’ll discover:

- The radical privacy strategy that helped his brand scale beyond his identity

- How he monetised accidentally viral content—starting with just $500

- Behind-the-scenes of cracking the code for high-conversion videos (without traditional ads!)

- Why he’s expanding into Indonesia—and why he calls media "the worst business in town"

Meet Koocester, an ex-food delivery rider who now commands $7k per video, collaborates with ministries and luxury brands, and built a 12-person team… all while staying faceless. Is anonymity his superpower? Or his biggest risk?

Don’t miss this mind-bending conversation about attention, authenticity, and the business of staying invisible.

Listen now wherever you get your podcasts.

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

[Podcast, Vodcast]

Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-spotify

Apple Podcast: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-applepodcast

YouTube: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-youtube

[Connect with us]

Instagram: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-instagram

Tik Tok: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-tiktok

Telegram: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-telegram

Whatsapp: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Whatsapp-channel

Newsletter: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Newsletter

Check out our other shows: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFinancialCoconutTFC/playlists

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

"I think of culture as the collective personality of your team... and numbers ARE at the heart of it."

Ever wondered how top companies build unstoppable teams in today’s hybrid work chaos? On this episode of The TFC Business Show, we dive deep with a leader who’s cracked the code on scaling global teams, winning talent battles, and harnessing AI for explosive growth.

Meet Our Guest:

- Daniel Sanchez-Grant, SVP International & UK Country Director, Alphasense– an AI-powered market intelligence disruptor. A veteran of LinkedIn’s transformational years (2011-2016) and hypergrowth unicorn InVision

Highlight:

- Why forcing RTO backfires – and when face-time actually drives results

- Daniel’s controversial take on whether culture can be measured in numbers

- How to spot "curious, ambitious" stars (beyond the buzzwords).

- AI’s Hidden Advantage – Why uncertainty makes AlphaSense’s AI mission critical

- Competing in the world’s most expensive market (Singapore) – and winning

"I’ve never seen a company ship product this fast..." – Daniel reveals what fuels AlphaSense’s breakneck innovation

Don’t miss this masterclass in building future-proof teams

Drop everything and tune in!

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise

[Connect with us]

Instagram

Telegram

Whatsapp

Newsletter

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join Reggie and co-host, Abu Sofian, Founder of Seyrul Consulting & Keynote Speaker, in a candid panel with three cross-border experts who’ve cracked the code on expanding from Singapore to Malaysia. Forget textbook advice—this is raw, on-the-ground wisdom you won’t find anywhere else!

Meet our Guests:

• Hossan Leong, Creative Director (Entertainer-turned-Entrepreneur): Runs dual businesses in SG & MY, revealing hilarious culture-shock moments and pricing secrets.
• Isaac Peter, CEO People Performance (Malaysian-Singapore PR): 24-year consulting veteran dissects the "unwritten rules" of Malaysian business relationships.

Takeaways:

• Culture Clash Alert: Why "45-min coffee chats" in Singapore fail vs. Malaysia’s mamak-session deal-closers.
• Pricing Pitfalls: The shocking formula one guest uses to avoid pricing themselves out (hint: it involves division!).
• Untapped Goldmines: From Johor’s manufacturing boom to Sabah’s eco-tourism potential—where smart money’s flowing.
• Brutal Truths: "Never compare prices aloud" and other instant-turnoff phrases Singaporeans must avoid.

Why Listen? If you’re a young Singaporean entrepreneur eyeing Malaysia’s 33M-person market—or just dreaming of swapping corporate grind for garden life—this episode exposes the real playbook. No fluff, no filters.

Tune in NOW for the full unfiltered debate on TFC Business Show! (Also available on all podcast platforms)

Also, be part of Asia’s leading Franchising and Licensing event from 18th to 20th September 2025!

Get your Free Visitor Pass today or use TFC’s promo code [FLA25_TFC_20] to save 20% on your conference ticket (applies to standard rate only excluding partners’ conference).

🔗 Register now via https://qr1.be/CR6O

Key Dates to Note:

• Early Bird Conference Registration: 9 June – 14 July 2025
• TFC Promo Code Validity (20% off): From 15 July 2025 onwards
• Conference Ticket Pricing: Ranges from S$28 – S$58 per session
• Note: The 20% discount applies to standard rates only and excludes partner conferences.

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

[Connect with us]

Instagram

Telegram

Whatsapp

Newsletter

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it take to scale from a single rented house to becoming Singapore’s largest co-living operator with nearly 5,000 keys?

We sat with Eugene Lim, Founder and CEO of The Assembly Place (TAP), for an unfiltered conversation about bold pivots, gritty beginnings, and building a real estate business with purpose.

In this episode:

• From broke uni student to building a 20-year real estate career
• Why co-living is more than just renting rooms
• How TAP is expanding into regional markets like KL and eyeing global hotspots like Japan and London
• The strategic shift from operator to asset co-owner
• Fundraising, building lean with tech, and the road to a potential SGX listing

Whether you're a budding entrepreneur or just curious how the co-living model works behind the scenes, this is one founder story you won’t want to miss.

#business #entrepreneur #singapore #businessgrowth #businessstrategy #businesstips

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

[Podcast, Vodcast]

Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-spotify

Apple Podcast: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-applepodcast

YouTube: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-youtube

[Connect with us]

Instagram: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-instagram

Tik Tok: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-tiktok

Telegram: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-telegram

Whatsapp: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Whatsapp-channel

Newsletter: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Newsletter

Check out our other shows: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFinancialCoconutTFC/playlists

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Survival, innovation, and the secret sauce behind thriving in one of the toughest industries—this episode, in partnership with RespectSG, is a masterclass in resilience!

Join our two titans of Singapore’s F&B scene:

- Danny Loong, CEO of Timber Group and chairman of Respect SG, who’s redefining placemaking with live music, hawker hubs, and a mission to balance profit with purpose

- Mustaffa Kamal, founder of Black Hole Group, the brains behind 20+ buzzing F&B concepts, who reveals how pivoting from hipster cafes to halal Mexican joints kept his brands alive for over a decade

What’s in store?

- Behind-the-scenes struggles: From razor-thin margins to the real cost of "viral" success

- Respect SG’s game-changer: How a youth internship program is reshaping perceptions—and why Gen Z might just save the F&B industry

- The "respect factor": Why treating staff and customers with dignity isn’t just nice—it’s profitable

Tune in for raw stories, hard-earned wisdom, and the hustle behind your favorite dining spots. Whether you’re a business owner, foodie, or just love a good underdog story—this episode will leave you hungry for more.

#business #entrepreneur #singapore #businessgrowth #businessstrategy #businesstips

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

[Podcast, Vodcast]

Spotify: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-spotify

Apple Podcast: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-applepodcast

YouTube: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-youtube

[Connect with us]

Instagram: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-instagram

Tik Tok: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-tiktok

Telegram: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-telegram

Whatsapp: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Whatsapp-channel

Newsletter: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Newsletter

Check out our other shows: https://www.youtube.com/@TheFinancialCoconutTFC/playlists

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you ready to peek behind the curtain of the AI revolution?

Dive into the world of enterprise AI with two extraordinary guests who are reshaping how businesses make decisions:

Mark Leadercramer, AlphaSense APAC Regional Director. A tech veteran who transitioned from Stripe to the cutting-edge world of AI-powered market intelligence

Serene Keng, EDBI Director of Value Creation & Communications. The strategic mind behind Singapore's venture capital approach to emerging technologies

Highlight:

- Discover why trustworthy AI is the ultimate game-changer for Fortune 500 companies and investors

- Learn how AlphaSense blends proprietary data with AI to power billion-dollar decisions—without the hallucinations

- Get insights into the future of enterprise intelligence that's happening RIGHT NOW

- Explore Singapore’s strategic role as a global AI hub and why investors like EDBI are investing in this sector

- The rise of “agentic AI” and what it means for the future of work

“AI isn’t about replacing humans—it’s about amplifying our critical thinking. But if you’re still using free tools, you’re already behind.”

Don’t miss this episode if you’re ready to cut through the AI noise and uncover actionable insights for your business or portfolio. Tune in now!

02:03 What’s EDBI’s main investment mission?

09:15 Why do companies choose AlphaSense instead of building in-house?

15:15 How big is the opportunity space for AlphaSense?

30:52 Which new careers should Singaporeans look into because of AI?

#aitools #agenticai #businessgrowth #thefinancialcoconut

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.

Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut

[Connect with us]

Instagram: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-instagram

Telegram: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-telegram

Whatsapp: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Whatsapp-channel

Newsletter: https://rebrand.ly/TFC-Newsletter

Disclaimer: The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.