iSearch Malaysia - Business Podcast for Entrepreneurs

In this episode of the iSearch podcast, Benjamin Lim (iSearch) discussed with Roger Loh (Forvis Mazars) on how business owners can value their business and prepare for a successful exit in 1-3 years.

The areas of discussion include:

0:00 - Introduction

1:28 - Roger’s opinion on whether all businesses are sellable

2:56 - Making your business more sellable if it has key man risk

4:53 - Commonly used methods to value businesses in Malaysia

7:57 - Using EBITDA for valuation

8:39 - Obtaining data for SME businesses

9:43 - Common mistakes business owners make when valuing their business

11:50 - Roger shares real life experiences of business exits

15:17 - Key financial metrics in business valuation

20:21 - Other factors that affect business valuation

23:41 - Red flags that may scare off potential buyers

25:23 - Working with a valuation expert

26:22 - Steps to take for business owners planning to exit in the next 2 years

Check out Forvis Mazars here:

https://www.forvismazars.com/my/en

#RogerLoh #ForvisMazars #business #businesstips #businessexit #businessexitstrategy #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurmalaysia #businessmalaysia #isearch #isearchmalaysia #isearcpodcast

In this episode of the iSearch podcast, Benjamin Lim (iSearch) discussed with Dr. Ingky (Ventamin) on his journey with building and scaling a global DTC brand from scratch.

The areas of discussion include:

0:58 - The story behind Ventamin

3:31 - Validating the idea before launching

8:53 - The ideal waiting list

10:56 - Get started with building a waiting list

14:18 - The biggest challenges in bringing Ventamin to the market

15:55 - Complying with international regulations

16:52 - Ventamin’s key marketing strategies

19:01 - The best social media platform for Ventamin

20:18 - Advice for those starting e-commerce or a DTC brand from scratch

24:04 - The process of finalising Ventamin’s products

25:38 - Utilising Shopify for Ventamin’s website

26:48 - How Ventamin is using AI in their business

32:02 - Strategies for going global and selling worldwide

33:51 - Pricing structure for the global market

34:29 - Future plans for Ventamin

Check out Ventamin here:

https://ventamin.com/

#dringky #ventamin #dtc #dtcbrand #ecommerce #entrepreneur #entrepreneurship #entrepreneurmalaysia #isearch #isearchmalaysia #isearchpodcast

In this episode of the iSearch podcast, Benjamin Lim (iSearch) discussed with Tan Aik Keong (Agmo) on Agmo's journey from a startup to IPO.

The areas of discussion include:

0:00 - Introduction

1:03 - The idea of starting Agmo

3:19 - Current programmes like Shark Tank for aspiring entrepreneurs in Malaysia

4:42 - How Agmo got their first few clients

6:38 - Evolving from SMEs stage to bigger companies

9:37 - Marketing internationally

10:59 - The biggest challenge of running Agmo

14:58 - Platform recommendations for entrepreneurs to get started

18:42 - Advice for entrepreneurs aiming for IPO

23:14 - Future plans for Agmo

#tanaikkeong #agmoholdings #agmo #startup #tech #technology #entrepreneur #entrepreneurmalaysia #sme #smemalaysia #isearchmalaysia #isearchpodcast #isearch

In this episode of the iSearch podcast, Benjamin Lim (iSearch) discussed with Dr. Selina Chew (Disruptive Doctors) on her journey from being a doctor to establishing a startup, and how they have been impacting healthcare in Malaysia differently.

The areas of discussion include:

1:03 - The idea and inspiration behind Disruptive Doctors

9:24 - How doctors can impact healthcare differently and benefits from joining Disruptive Doctors

10:54 - Disruptive Doctors’ community and events

12:06 - A real life example of impacting healthcare differently

13:19 - The best marketing strategy that has worked well for Disruptive Doctors

14:38 - How Disruptive Doctors got their first 100-500 users

16:48 - How Disruptive Doctors makes money and their future plans

20:08 - Free vs. paid membership on Disruptive Doctors

20:43 - Dr. Selina’s vision for Disruptive Doctors

22:20 - Advice for those facing setbacks in their career and wish to pivot

Check out Disruptive Doctors here:

https://disruptive-doctors.com/

#selinachew #disruptivedoctors #startup #healthcare #healthcareinnovation #entrepreneur #entrepreneurmalaysia #sme #smemalaysia #isearchmalaysia #isearchpodcast #isearch

In this episode of the iSearch podcast, Benjamin Lim (iSearch) discussed with Raymond Chou (Owners Circle) on hiring and retaining a team of A-players, and preventing burnout as an entrepreneur.

The areas of discussion include:

0:48 - Common challenges faced by entrepreneurs when building a high-performing team

2:30 - How entrepreneurs can overcome these challenges

4:06 - Breaking away from the mindset of not delegating

8:12 - Determining the right time to hire

11:39 - Burnout among entrepreneurs

13:39 - Creating the right environment for employees

17:08 - Providing a path to growth for A-players

19:38 - Identifying A-players during the interview stage

25:33 - Some ways entrepreneurs can find support and guidance

Check out Owners Circle here:

https://ownerscircle.asia/

#raymondchou #ownerscircle #entrepreneur #entrepreneurmalaysia #hiringstrategy #hiringemployees #hiringtips #sme #smemalaysia #isearch #isearchmalaysia #isearchpodcast

In this episode of the iSearch podcast, Benjamin Lim (iSearch) discussed with Eric Siew (Choobub Creatives) on his journey from being a doctor to establishing a marketing agency, and some effective tips for SMEs to build their online branding.

The areas of discussion include:

0:00 - Introduction

1:18 - The story behind Eric's interesting career change

3:19 - Why Eric chose the marketing field

5:55 - How Eric navigated his decision with his family

7:40 - The challenges Eric faced and the mindset shift needed to go from employee to entrepreneur

9:57 - Finding a business partner

11:27 - How long it took Eric to land his first client

14:48 - 3 marketing strategies for SMEs to stand out and build their online branding

18:23 - Eric's advise for shy people who want to build their branding

20:25 - How to get started with content writing

22:23 - Eric's thoughts on creating organic content vs. running ads

24:31 - Boosting organic content as ads

26:17 - LinkedIn as a platform for B2C businesses

28:16 - Style of content writing for B2C businesses on LinkedIn

30:47 - How businesses can measure performance of their content

32:45 - How Eric overcomes a creative block

35:32 - Building a personal brand vs. building a corporate brand

37:42 - How entrepreneurs can join Eric's community

Check out Choobub Creatives here:

https://choobub.my/

#ericsiew #choobubcreatives #choobub #digitalmarketing #marketingagency #marketingtips #branding #entrepreneur #entrepreneurmalaysia #sme #smemalaysia #isearchmalaysia #isearchpodcast #isearch

In this episode of the iSearch podcast, Benjamin Lim (iSearch) discussed with Mark Chong (Big Tiny) on how to invest in tiny homes and the couple of ways to earn monthly passive income.

The areas of discussion include:

0:00 - Intro

2:24 - Experiences at tiny homes overseas

4:42 - How to invest in a tiny home and what to expect

12:09 - Co-owning a tiny home without buying

16:22 - The negative connotation on passive income

18:41 - How BigTiny sustains during off-peak seasons

21:16 - BigTiny’s co-ownership programme

24:16 - How you can get more information from BigTiny

25:30 - Mark shares more on BigTiny

27:29 - BigTiny’s upcoming event

Check out Big Tiny here:

https://www.bigtiny.com.sg/

#bigtiny #tinyhouse #tinyhousemovement #tinyhomes #entrepreneur #entrepreneurmalaysia #businessmalaysia #startup #startupmalaysia #isearch #isearchmalaysia #isearchpodcast

In this episode of the iSearch podcast, Benjamin Lim (iSearch) discussed with Jeff Yeo (Big Tiny) on the brand's story and key strategies and challenges of their rapid expansion from 2 tiny houses to 450 tiny houses in 7 years.

The areas of discussion include:

0:00 - Introduction

0:59 - The story of Big Tiny

3:37 - Design of Big Tiny houses

4:54 - Big Tiny team's prior experience

6:22 - Big Tiny's business model

10:21 - How you can book a stay with Big Tiny in Malaysia

11:33 - Key strategies of Big Tiny's rapid growth

14:13 - Assembling a tiny house and Big Tiny's mantra

15:35 - Popularity of Big Tiny

16:17 - Safety and security in Big Tiny homes

17:02 - Key challenges during Big Tiny's expansion

20:21 - How Big Tiny stands out against bigger booking platforms

22:32 - Sale of Big Tiny houses

24:50 - Future plans for Big Tiny

Check out Big Tiny here:

https://www.bigtiny.com.sg/

#bigtiny #tinyhouse #jeffyeo #entrepreneur #entrepreneurmalaysia #businessmalaysia #startup #startupmalaysia #isearch #isearchmalaysia #isearchpodcast

In this episode of the iSearch podcast, Benjamin Lim (iSearch) discussed with Sam Shafie (pitchIN) on what Equity Crowdfunding (ECF) is and how businesses can raise funds via ECF in Malaysia.

The areas of discussion include:

0:00 - Introduction

1:14 - The story of pitchIN

4:37 - What is Equity Crowdfunding (ECF) and how it differs from other types of funding

8:28 - Prerequisite for companies to raise funds via ECF

11:25 - Do’s and Don’ts of ECF

15:24 - How to value your company

23:28 - Equity distribution on pitchIN

27:28 - How investors can sell off their shares

31:33 - Caveat on investing via pitchIN

32:01 - Accessing companies’ financial statements

32:47 - Types of businesses that are suitable for ECF

37:41 - An important tip for investors

38:56 - Success stories of fundraising via ECF on pitchIN

44:17 - How companies can get started with the pitchIN platform

Check out pitchIN here:

https://www.pitchin.my/

#pitchin #equitycrowdfunding #raisefunds #entrepreneur #entrepreneurmalaysia #businessmalaysia #startup #isearchmalaysia #isearchpodcast

In this episode of the iSearch podcast, Benjamin Lim (iSearch) discussed with Wayne Yap on buying a boring business and making it profitable, where Wayne bought a boring business and turned $2,500 to $380,000 a Month!

The areas of discussion include:

1:17 - Wayne’s definition of a ‘boring business’

1:54 - Examples of ‘boring business’

2:40 - Key considerations before Wayne buys over ‘boring businesses’

3:43 - Strategy on buying over ‘boring businesses’

4:31 - The process of buying over a business

7:27 - Having relevant experience before acquiring a company

8:56 - Document requirements to conduct due diligence

9:58 - How Wayne approaches potential sellers

11:01 - Wayne’s due criteria for buying businesses

15:18 - Changes made and lessons learnt from Wayne’s successful business

17:41 - Wayne’s thought process before acquiring a beauty business

19:33 - Wayne’s strategy to go from $2,500 to $380,000 per month

22:19 - Wayne’s current portfolio of businesses

24:17 - Evaluating the price of a business for acquisition

26:08 - Marketplace to find businesses for sale

27:14 - Engaging a consultant for inexperienced buyers

28:11 - Hiring a lawyer for the acquisition process

29:45 - Wayne’s current personal projects

Check out Wayne Yap here:

https://www.wayneyap.com/

#boringbusiness #businessmalaysia #businessgrowth #businesstips #businessstrategy #businessacquisition #entrepreneur #entrepreneurmalaysia #startupmalaysia