In this episode, I speak to Indian entrepreneur, Bhavya Bhatt.

Based in Bangalore, this former lawyer shares how she transformed a legal career into a thought-leadership amplification business for the Indian legal industry.

From battling imposter syndrome to embracing a bold pivot during the pandemic, Bhavya reveals how personal branding—built on lived experience rather than a polished fantasy—can unlock opportunities, even in industries wary of change.

She discusses the power of allyship in content creation (helping clients preserve their voice), the evolving role of AI in legal branding and the importance of showing up with your own language and tone.

Whether you’re a lawyer or legal consultant, Bhavya’s story offers insightful approaches for developing content that resonates.

Listen to learn how to turn your unique experiences into impact.

Show Notes

• 00:00: Welcome and Bhavya’s journey from law to ClausePlay; the core idea of personal-brand amplification.
• 00:11: Pandemic pivot, freelancing vs. entrepreneurship and the decision to run an organization on her terms.
• 00:22: Building client relationships, content collaboration and preserving a client’s voice in branding.
• 00:27: AI in the legal industry—opportunities, limits and the importance of human-authored content.
• 00:35: The move from freelancing to a structured company, lessons learned and advice for women entrepreneurs in Asia.
• 00:42: Bhavya’s current work with ClausePlay, how to connect online, and final thoughts on personal branding.

3 Key Takeaways

• Your voice is your differentiator: define and share your lived experiences with authenticity.
• Content doesn’t have to be created alone - it can be a partner process: get someone to handhold you while you’re starting but remember to preserve your voice.
• AI is a tool, not a replacement: use AI to enhance or finetune your storytelling while always retaining your humanity and credibility.

This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com

For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com

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This episode is with Nguyen Long Chau Sa,, co-founder of Live in Flow, a coaching business and former TikTok Partnership Manager in Vietnam.

Sa shares a brave journey from corporate intensity to coaching, anchored in inner work, clarity, and community.

She explains why transition is a daily practice, how to cultivate an environment that supports sustainable change, and how to live in flow by embracing stillness, compassion, and authentic self-discovery.

Rich with personal anecdotes—from her thyroid cancer to career pivots—this conversation offers guidance and recommendations for women navigating transitions in Asia.

• 00:00: Welcome and episode overview
• 00:01: Sa’s professional journey: branding, e-commerce, TikTok Vietnam
• 00:03: Birth of Live in Flow and the focus on inner work
• 00:04: Health wake-up: thyroid cancer and its impact on life choices
• 00:05–00:06: Balancing corporate life with personal exploration
• 00:07–00:08: Rethinking transition as a process, not a destination
• 00:09–00:10: The trap of over-planning and the value of clarity
• 00:11–00:12: From fear to clarity; stillness and self-compassion
• 00:13: Discomfort and the personal journey of finding what you want
• 00:14–00:16: Reframing self-introduction post-corporate life
• 00:17–00:18: The importance of environment and immersion in a new role
• 00:19–00:21: Live in Flow program structure: private coaching + group work
• 00:22–00:23: One-on-one customization and “space + catalyst”
• 00:24: How to connect with Sa and next steps

3 key takeaways

• Clarity is a journey, not a moment. Embrace stillness and self-compassion to reveal what truly fits.
• Transition is ongoing work. Environment, support, and a patient pace enable sustainable growth
• Community matters. A customized, supportive space helps you test, refine, and sustain your path.

This episode is brought to you by RedboxStudio.com

For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com

In this episode, I speak with Yvonne Au Yong of Stratx Advisory of Malaysia who reframes ESG for Asia’s SMEs - from a compliance obligation to a strategic growth lever.

She shares a practical four-step starter plan, explains how sustainability can drive revenue and cut costs and discusses the urgency of acting now before broader regulatory demands intensify.

With real-world examples and market insights, Yvonne shows how small businesses can position themselves as responsible, forward-thinking partners in their ecosystems.

• 00:00 – Episode opening and guest introduction
• 00:06 – The urgency of climate action and the 1.5°C threshold
• 00:12 – Four-step starter framework for ESG
• 00:26 – ESG as a revenue and cost-saving lever for SMEs
• 00:33 – Government procurement, climate reporting, and Scope 3 emissions
• 00:41 – Communicating ESG commitments and stakeholder engagement
• 00:47 – The first-mover advantage in ESG; closing thoughts

3 key takeaways

• ESG is a strategic growth tool for SMEs, not just a compliance burden.
• Start with Yvonne's four-step plan, then scale and communicate your progress.
• Early adoption creates a competitive edge as regulatory and market expectations rise.

This episode is brought to you by RedboxStudio.com

For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com

Stacie Phyo, the CEO of Tutearn from Myanmar, shares how she bootstrapped three interconnected ventures—Pace Forward, Tutearn and Women4Women—driven by one simple belief: solve your own problem, then scale with customer-led thinking.

From her home country Myanmar and now located to Bangkok, Stacy reveals how she built lean systems, empowered her team and created a thriving ecosystem for ASEAN women founders.

Expect practical tips on focusing on one thing, developing scalable processes, and leveraging community for lasting impact.

• 0:00 – 02:00: Stacy’s background, and why Bangkok; early startup story in Myanmar.
• 02:00 – 07:00: Pace Forward and Tutearn: building for accessibility and automation.
• 07:00 – 12:00: Bootstrapping mindset, customer-first marketing, and essential systems.
• 12:00 – 16:00: Lessons from leadership: letting teams take the helm; the value of mentorship.
• 16:00 – 21:00: Women4Women: nonprofit roots, ASEAN focus, and community-building.
• 21:00 – 27:00: Personal growth, work-life integration, and staying reflective as a founder.
• 27:00 – 33:00: Future plans, expansion, and how to connect with Stacy.

3 key takeaways

• Build around customer problems first; revenue should come from customers, not from funding.
• Focus on one core initiative, then scale with solid systems and clear ownership.
• Invest in community and mentorship to accelerate women founders across ASEAN.

This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio.

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Get the full show notes and links at WomenpreneurAsia.com

In this episode, Malaysian entrepreneur and photographer Tan Chi Yin shares her journey from a production background to building Chapters, a Malaysia-based photography and videography business.

She reveals how visibility, purposeful networking and the 80/20 principle shaped her path, why fulfillment now guides her client choices and how AI helps streamline planning while preserving the art and emotion of photography.

From wedding-day logistics to long-term client partnerships, Chi Yin offers practical insights for women entrepreneurs building service businesses across Asia.

Listen for candid lessons on setting boundaries, choosing the right clients,and growing an enduring brand that grows with your customers.

• 00:00 – 01:00: Chi Yin’s leap from employee to entrepreneur; why she started Chapters.
• 01:00 – 02:20: The “Chapters” concept and what keeps her motivated over the years.
• 02:20 – 04:00: The behind-the-scenes rigor of shoots: planning, location scouting, and post-production.
• 04:00 – 05:20: The 80/20 principle in action: fulfillment over sheer revenue.
• 05:20 – 06:50: Networking, community, and balancing time between business and learning.
• 06:50 – 08:40: AI in photography: how she uses it and where she still edits by hand.
• 08:40 – 10:20: The challenges of service-based work and managing client expectations.
• 10:20 – 11:40: Why the Chapters brand matters and how Chi Yin engages with clients long-term.
• 11:40 – 13:00: Final advice and where to find Chi Yin.

3 key takeaways

• Build visibility through intentional networking because “visibility is really important.”
• Apply the 80/20 rule to protect your energy and focus on the work that truly fulfills you.
• Use AI as a practical assistant but keep the craft and the final edits human-centered to preserve emotion and quality.

This episode is brought to you by RedboxStudio.com

For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com

In this episode, Krista speaks to Singaporean entrepreneur, Audrey Phoon who is also co-founder and editor-in-chief of Eastside.asia where they discuss building a regional storytelling platform rooted in Asian authenticity and voices.

From identifying a representation gap to launching a writer residency program, the conversation explores ethics, mentorship, and sustainable growth in Asia’s vibrant media landscape. Audrey shares personal inspirations, readings that inform her worldview and practical lessons on balancing risk, discipline and humanity in storytelling.

A thoughtful, personal conversation about how to tell Asia’s stories with humility and boldness.

• 00:00–00:12: Eastside’s mission: Asian voices, Asian storytellers.
• 00:16–00:23: The core ethos: “We are Asian travel content by Asian storytellers.”
• 00:27–00:34: Administrative realities and the case for a more structured business approach.
• 00:42–00:50: Residency program: nurturing younger writers, mentorship, publication goals.
• 00:45–00:50: AI in writing: strong stance on keeping human voices at the center.
• 00:50–01:00: Audrey’s inspirations and the broader future for Eastside.

3 key takeaways

• Center authentic regional voices to build trust and community.
• Invest in people and systems; mentorship can accelerate growth without sacrificing heart.
• Create structured programs (like residencies) to diversify voices and sustain the pipeline of regional storytelling.

This episode is brought to you by RedboxStudio.com

For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com

This week, I speak to Anissa Safia, Kuala Lumpur-based author and entrepreneur, who shares how a life-altering stroke redirected her path from corporate communications to self-publishing.

She explains her market-driven, under-market pricing approach to make books for mothers and children accessible and why she chose self-publishing to keep control.

The conversation dives into her series philosophy, how she tackles tough topics like single motherhood and adoption and the idea of building a “village”—a supportive circle to sustain women-led ventures.

She also reflects on the role of family, resilience and partnerships in growing multiple businesses from restaurants to fashion.

Tune in for practical insights on marketing, community-building and turning personal experiences into meaningful products that serve families in Asia.

• 00:00 Intro and Anissa’s background in publishing and family-focused work
• 00:02 Stroke as turning point; leaving corporate life to become a stay-at-home mom and entrepreneur
• 00:04 Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing; under-market pricing to reach more families
• 00:12 The work behind signature book illustrations and a proposed series approach
• 00:17 Adoption-themed book and the need for awareness and guidance for families
• 00:28 Early marketing challenges and building a name through community and celebrity endorsements
• 00:39 The value of a strong support system and NDAs for confidential discussions
• 00:47 The role of partners and family in sustaining entrepreneurship
• 00:55 How to connect with Anissa online and in her network
• 00:57 Final takeaway: trust your village and your instincts

3 key takeaways:

• Build your village: community and partnerships are as essential as capital for sustainable impact.
• Publish with purpose: price thoughtfully and market boldly to reach families who need it, while keeping control and authenticity.
• Lead with instinct and conversation: trust your gut, communicate openly, and address taboos with empathy to empower others.

Womenpreneur Asia is partnering with InnovNation and you are welcome to join me if you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or established one: https://community.innovnation.ai/womenpreneur-asia

This episode is brought to you by RedboxStudio.com

In this episode, Krista talks with Marinel M. de Jesus, a former Washington DC-based prosecutor who became a global mountain nomad and entrepreneur.

Marinel is the founder of Brown Gal Trekker LLC & Equity Global Treks / The Porter Voice Collective.

From directing the docomentary, KM82 ,to developing her projects such as the Himalayan Women Trail Leaders, Marinel explains how tourism is rooted in systemic inequities that impact porters and women guides.

She shares her vision for a decolonized, people-centered industry—one that partners with local communities, values dignity and trains women to lead in the mountains.

She also opens up about the Filipino immigrant experience, the power of truthful storytelling, and why small, community-focused operators can deliver richer, more ethical travel.

Listen to rethink travel with heart, and learn practical steps to support women-led, ethical trekking and mountain tourism across Asia.

• 00:00 – Introduction to Marinel: from prosecutor to mountain nomad and social entrepreneur.
• 02:30 – The KM82 documentary and elevating porter voices.
• 05:15 – Systemic issues in tourism; why we need a decolonized approach.
• 08:45 – Himalayan Women Trail Leaders: training Nepali female guides; broader inclusion.
• 12:50 – The immigrant experience shaping leadership and cross-cultural understanding.
• 17:15 – Debunking myths about “bigger is better” in tourism; the value of smaller operators.

3 key takeaways

• Centering porters and women guides reshapes the entire tourism experience—dignity at the center.
• Smaller, relationship-driven operators can deliver more meaningful, ethical travel than large brands.
• True decolonization means co-creating with local communities, listening first, and letting local voices lead.

Marinel's websites:

www.browngaltrekker.com

www.theportervoicecollective

Womenpreneur Asia is partnering with InnovNation and you are welcome to join me if you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or established one: https://community.innovnation.ai/womenpreneur-asia

This episode is brought to you by RedboxStudio.com