Nicole Lee left the safety of UBS, a top-tier bank where she climbed the ladder from Associate Director to Executive Director, to embrace the unknown. Now the founder of You Never Know and host of her own podcast, Nicole is helping others transform through authenticity, vulnerability, and soul-driven leadership. In this episode, she opens up about walking away from structure, finding her voice through adversity, and creating space for Singaporean professionals to redefine success on their own terms.

Hosts:

Michael Smith Jr: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Razko Kotler: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicoleleethisisme/

Links Mentioned:

• You Never Know (YNK) with Nicole Lee: https://www.instagram.com/ynk.withnicole/
• ADDX : https://www.addx.co
• UBS : https://www.ubs.com

Books & Media Mentioned:

• Higher Self Podcast by Danny Morel
  https://www.youtube.com/@DannyMorel
• Diary of a CEO by Steven Bartlett
  https://www.youtube.com/@TheDiaryOfACEO

In this episode, we welcome Rob Bier, a leadership coach, founder, investor, and author of Smooth Scaling: 20 Rituals to Build a Friction-Free Organization. Rob has coached over 40 scale-ups, including several unicorns and a decacorn, and brings deep insight into what makes organizations scale effectively. We dive into rituals, team dynamics, and frameworks like the Productivity & Positivity 2x2. Rob also discusses the limits of OKRs, the myth of training, and why great dialogue is more valuable than great systems. A must-listen for founders and leaders serious about smooth scaling.

Hosts:

Michael Smith Jr: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Razko Kotler: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest:

Rob Bier: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robbier/

Links Mentioned:

• Rob Bier Official Site / Smooth Scaling Book: https://smoothscalingbook.com
• Trellis Partners: https://www.trellis.partners
• MoneySmart: https://www.moneysmart.sg
• OnLoop: https://www.onloop.com
• Waggle (AI for Better Meetings): https://www.waggle.team

• Athletic Brewing Co. (non-alcoholic beer): https://athleticbrewing.com
• Lightspeed Southeast Asia Report: https://www.lsvp.com/research/southeast-asia-startup-ecosystem

Books & Media Mentioned:

• Smooth Scaling: 20 Rituals to Build a Friction-Free Organization by Rob Bier
  https://www.amazon.com/Smooth-Scaling-Rituals-Friction-Free-Organization/dp/1739158807
• Occupied (TV Series, Norway): https://www.netflix.com/sg/title/80092654
• Go Ahead Brother (TV Series, Poland): https://www.netflix.com/sg/title/81613239

We welcome the ever-energetic and thought-provoking Avi Liran, Chief Delighting Officer and global speaker on culture, leadership, and kindness. Avi breaks down the art and science behind delighting people, building resilient leaders, and how a playful mindset combined with strategic depth can transform companies. From Israeli diplomacy to coaching Fortune 500 executives, Avi brings stories, frameworks, and radical rethinking that challenge conventional wisdom. We also explore his unique rituals like "smell the flower," his reflections on failure, and the importance of asking better questions. Get ready for an inspiring, funny, and heartfelt conversation that will stick with you.

Hosts:

Michael Smith Jr: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Razko Kotler: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest:

Avi Liran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avizliran/

Links Mentioned:

• Avi Liran Official Website: https://deliveringdelight.com
• WD-40 Culture Story by Garry Ridge: https://www.wd40company.com/our-culture/
• CLP Group Hong Kong: https://www.clpgroup.com
• Six Seconds EQ Network: https://www.6seconds.org
• Ministry of Education, Singapore: https://www.moe.gov.sg

• 
  

Books & Media Mentioned:

• The Kings of Shanghai by Jonathan Kaufman: https://www.amazon.com/Kings-Shanghai-Rival-Dynasties-Changed/dp/0735224434
• "Lonely People" by America: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrfZCChc0xk
• "Streets of London" by Ralph McTell: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiWomXklfv8
• "Sympathy" by Rare Bird: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YWHW9K9XK9g

We sit down with Jeremy Tan, Managing Partner at Tin Men Capital, to discuss the evolution of Southeast Asia’s B2B startup ecosystem, his transition from investment banking to venture capital, and his perspectives on founder life balance. Jeremy shares insights into the challenges and opportunities in scaling B2B companies, the need for a stronger exit pathway in Singapore, and his thoughts on what can be done to drive a more robust startup ecosystem.

Hosts:

Michael Smith Jr: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Razko Kotler: ⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest:

Jeremy Tan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremytanpz/

Links Mentioned:

Tin Men Capital: https://www.tinmencapital.com

• LSVP Southeast Asia Startup Ecosystem Report: https://www.lsvp.com/research/southeast-asia-startup-ecosystem

• Morgan Stanley: https://www.morganstanley.com

• 
  

  Books & Media Mentioned:

  • Peace is Every Step – Thich Nhat Hanh:
    https://www.amazon.com/Peace-Every-Step-Mindfulness-Everyday/dp/0553351397
  • Squid Game Season 2 (TV Series):
    https://www.netflix.com/title/81040344

• 
  

In this episode, we sit down with Paul Meyers, Founder & Head Coach of Asia Founder Coaching, a coaching practice supporting founders and senior executives of fast-growing companies in Asia. Paul also runs Founders Circle, a monthly founder support group in Southeast Asia.

A pioneer in Asian digital media and senior executive leadership, Paul has over 30 years of experience in media, telecom, and payments verticals. He has founded and built six regional Asian startups, successfully exiting three (1 x NASDAQ, 2 x trade sales). Early in his career, he wrote and directed award-winning science documentaries, and spearheaded Asia Business News' (now CNBC Asia) first interactive news service.

We explore his journey into Singapore, insights from his vast startup experiences, his transition into coaching, and his views on founder mental health. He also shares his take on the Bangkok vs. Singapore startup scene, and what the future of Southeast Asia's startup ecosystem looks like. If you're keen on startup scaling, founder mindset, and navigating regional tech landscapes, this episode is a must-listen!

Hosts:

Michael Smith Jr: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Razko Kotler: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest:

Paul Meyers: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmeyers/

Links Mentioned:

Asia Founder Coaching: https://www.asiafoundercoaching.com
Founders Circle: https://www.asiafoundercoaching.com/founders-circle
CNBC Asia (formerly Asia Business News): https://www.cnbc.com/world/?region=asia
Muru-D Accelerator (Formerly Telstra’s Program): https://www.telstra.com.au/muru-d
ShopUp: https://shopup.org/

Books Mentioned:

• The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory by Tim Alberta: https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Power-Glory-Evangelicals/dp/006322688X

• The Tiger by John Vaillant : https://www.amazon.com/Tiger-True-Story-Vengeance-Survival/dp/0307389049

• Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Karenina-Leo-Tolstoy/dp/0486437965

In this episode, we sit down with Honey Mittal, a seasoned entrepreneur, product leader, and angel investor who is shaping the future of product development with Locofy.ai. With over two decades in Singapore, Honey has played pivotal roles in scaling Homage, FinAccel, and Wego, and now leads Locofy.ai, which is revolutionizing front-end development by converting Figma designs into production-ready code.

We discuss why Honey chose Singapore as the base for Locofy, his journey from product leader to CEO, and the challenges of building AI-powered design models. He also shares insights into remote work, angel investing, and how AI is transforming software development. If you're keen on the future of AI in product engineering, startup scaling, and the generalist vs. specialist debate, this episode is a must-listen.

Hosts:

Michael Smith Jr: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/⁠⁠⁠

Razko Kotler: ⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/⁠⁠⁠

Guest:

Honey Mittal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/honeymittal/

Links Mentioned:

Locofy.ai: https://www.locofy.ai

Homage: https://www.homage.sg

FinAccel: https://www.finaccel.co

Wego: https://www.wego.com

Books Mentioned:

The Test of My Life by Yuvraj Singh: https://www.amazon.com/Test-My-Life-Cricket-Cancer/dp/818400298X

Believe by Ravichandran Ashwin: https://www.amazon.com/Have-Streets-Kutti-Cricket-Story/dp/0670094749

In this candid conversation, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler sit down with JJ, the founder and CEO of OnLoop, who brings 18 years of diverse experience—from his early days in India and formative experiences in Singapore to pivotal roles at companies like Uber and Accenture. JJ shares how these experiences shaped his leadership style and fueled his passion for rethinking team productivity.

He introduces his unique five-layer productivity framework that prioritizes personal energy, clear goal-setting, and meaningful feedback to drive both individual and organizational growth. The discussion also covers the challenges of scaling a hybrid software and services business, insights into the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem, and personal strategies for maintaining mental, social, and physical fitness in the demanding world of entrepreneurship.

Hosts:

Michael Smith Jr: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/⁠⁠

Razko Kotler: ⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/⁠⁠

Guest:

JJ : ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/pgonloop/

Links Mentioned:

• Onloop: https://www.onloop.com

Books Mentioned:

• Brief History of Intelligence by Max Bennett

• Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

• Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari:

• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman