In this episode, I sat with Karl Mak, co-founder and CEO of Hepmil Media Group, who takes us through his surprising path from aspiring competitive swimmer to media powerhouse in Southeast Asia. If you're a fan of SGAG, MGAG, or PGAG, you have them to thank for! Karl opens up about his leap from a 6-digit real estate career into the startup world, inspired by none other than Jack Ma’s big-thinking philosophy. Things didn’t always go smoothly, though—Karl talks about the reality of his early startup life, like the data breach that nearly took down his first venture, Televate, and what it took to keep going.

Karl dives into the ups and downs of building Hepmil, which started as a comedy platform and quickly expanded into a regional media brand reaching millions. He shares stories of resilience, his belief in the power of teamwork, and how he leaned on his core team to keep the company moving forward. We also talk about the value of mentorship, especially from his investor, Jeffrey, who’s been a solid guide during the company’s toughest times.

In this episode, Karl gets real about what it takes to stay positive, build a trusted team, and create growth that actually lasts. His insights aren’t just about business—they’re about pushing through and finding purpose even in the toughest moments. If you’re curious about what goes on behind the scenes of building in Southeast Asia, this one’s for you. Karl’s story shows that sometimes, it’s the craziest setbacks that lead to the most valuable lessons. Tune in for a raw and inspiring chat on the realities of entrepreneurship.

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