In Part 2 of our conversation with Lee Hao Ming, CEO of LOUKEN Group, we go deep into venture building, brand stewardship, and human-first business.Hao Ming reveals how LOKAN’s unique flywheel model combines consultancy, creative capital, and relationship capital to grow sustainable businesses. He also opens up about his ADHD diagnosis, the challenges of being neurodivergent, and why his ultimate pursuit is freedom.If you’re a founder, leader, or aspiring entrepreneur, this episode will reshape how you view success, purpose, and what it takes to build businesses that last.What You’ll Get From This Episode:-How LOKAN evolved from consultancy to venture builder over 25 years-The flywheel model: consultancy, equity partnerships & scaling ventures-Why branding is not cosmetic but the foundation of business longevity-The five pillars of sustainable ventures (economic, social, environmental, brand/culture, operational)-Investing in the wellbeing economy: agriculture, biotech, functional food & more-Hao Ming’s personal story of being diagnosed with ADHD and turning it into a strength-Why true success = freedom, not just money or titles⏱️ Timestamps00:00 – Introduction to Part 2: Deep dive into LOKAN01:04 – LOKAN’s 25-year journey from consultancy to venture builder03:24 – Success stories: Charles & Keith, Paradise Group, Hegen05:08 – Why LOKAN invests with financial, creative & relationship capital07:34 – The flywheel model explained11:15 – Venture builder vs venture capital: what makes LOKAN different13:23 – Branding as foundation, not cosmetics16:28 – Why raising funds without clarity leads to failure17:56 – The five sustainability pillars of venture building25:12 – “Human first” investing and the wellbeing economy27:46 – Bridging the gap: from science & agriculture to consumer products31:16 – Case study: oat-based startup supporting PWD & SEN interns32:50 – Hao Ming’s ADHD diagnosis and journey as a neurodivergent entrepreneur37:00 – Coping with ADHD: turning hyperfocus into a superpower40:00 – The hidden struggles of neurodivergent leaders42:11 – Hao Ming’s ultimate purpose: seeking freedom43:24 – Closing thoughts and question for the next guest👇 Your hosts:👩‍🏫 Tammy Ng📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ngtammyyy/🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ngtammyyy💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngtammyyy/🧠 Adeline Ng🌐 Website: https://adelineng.com/📝Free Marketing Notes: https://linktr.ee/adeline.ng📱Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ng.adelinee📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ade_ysc/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ade-ng/🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ng.adeGet to know Lee Hao Ming:💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haominglee/📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_xiaominggg/?igsh=MTR3dXVrMnQ0aGo2bQ%3D%3D#📷 Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/loukengroup?igsh=MzNkZ2FzZTF4eXo=🎥 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@_xiaominggg?_t=ZS-8yERsy1fn04&_r=1Follow Man on a Mission here:🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manonamissionshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manonamissionshow/?hl=en🏢 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manonamissionshow📌 Subscribe here:▶️ ‪https://www.youtube.com/@ManOnAMissionShow

Entrepreneurship Isn’t Bali Beaches & Laptops ☕

In this episode of Man on a Mission Show, we sit down with Lee Hao Ming — the visionary behind Artbox Singapore, scaling House Coffee during the pandemic, and now CEO of Louken Group.

He opens up about the raw truth of entrepreneurship: the sleepless nights, public scrutiny, mental health struggles, and why money is never the ultimate goal. Instead, Hao Ming shares what makes the fight worth it — purpose, people, and possibilities.

If you’ve ever thought of becoming an entrepreneur, this episode will give you the real, unfiltered side of the journey.

What You’ll Get From This Episode

- Why entrepreneurship is not for everyone (and that’s okay)

- The behind-the-scenes story of bringing Artbox to Singapore and attracting 700,000 visitors

- The leap of faith mindset every entrepreneur needs to succeed

- How to cope with public scrutiny, burnout, and anxiety as a founder

- Hao Ming’s definition of true success (spoiler: it’s not money, it’s freedom)

- The importance of rest, discipline, and perspective for long-term survival

⏱️ Timestamps

00:00 – The harsh truth about entrepreneurship

00:33 – Introducing Lee Hao Ming

01:05 – From Artbox to House Coffee to Louken

02:31 – The “man bun” origin story

05:00 – Taking the leap of faith with Artbox

09:56 – Facing doubt, rainstorms & 700,000 visitors

12:12 – Why young entrepreneurs succeed (foolish courage)

15:00 – Learning from failure & why trying = winning

17:56 – Success, responsibility & the pressure to scale

22:00 – Coping with public scrutiny & mental health

25:41 – Building routines & the “discipline to rest”

29:30 – Mindset shift: life is tough by default

31:00 – Why entrepreneurship is not for everyone

34:57 – The insane metaphor of running a business

36:15 – The dark side: suicide, burnout & sacrifices

38:36 – What makes it worth it for Hao Ming

41:26 – Money as a concept & tool for possibilities

45:00 – What success really means (freedom & stewardship)

49:37 – Closing thoughts: entrepreneurship as stewardship

👇 Your hosts:

👩‍🏫 Tammy Ng

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ngtammyyy/

🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ngtammyyy

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngtammyyy/

🧠 Adeline Ng

🌐 Website: https://adelineng.com/

📝Free Marketing Notes: https://linktr.ee/adeline.ng

📱Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ng.adelinee

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ade_ysc/

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ade-ng/

🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ng.ade

Get to know Lee Hao Ming:

💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/haominglee/

📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_xiaominggg/?igsh=MTR3dXVrMnQ0aGo2bQ%3D%3D#

📷 Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/loukengroup?igsh=MzNkZ2FzZTF4eXo=

🎥 TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@_xiaominggg?_t=ZS-8yERsy1fn04&_r=1

Follow Man on a Mission here:

🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manonamissionshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc

📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manonamissionshow/?hl=en

🏢 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manonamissionshow

📌 Subscribe here:

▶️ ‪https://www.youtube.com/@ManOnAMissionShow

Was it worth leaving his old life, risking it all, and bleeding cash to start a gym franchise in Singapore?In this episode, Noah Oberman reveals the raw truth about expanding overseas, navigating foreign markets, and why every big win starts with calculated risk.He explains:Why Expanding to Indonesia Can Be a High-Risk, High-Reward GambleThe #1 Mistake Tech Founders Make (And How to Avoid Burning Cash)How Snap Fitness Competes Against Giants in the MarketWhy Location Is 95% of Gym Success (and People Make the Rest)Why Running a Gym Means Bleeding Cash…for 6 to 9 MonthsTimestamps:0:00 – Moving from New York to Jakarta: Career vs. Love4:27 – Business Culture Shock: The “Right Way” vs. The Indonesian Way8:42 – Lessons from Shutting Down a Tech Startup12:12 – From Effort to Outcomes: Using OKRs & Standups Effectively14:31 – Mastering the 3-Step Hiring Process17:23 – Why AI Could Supercharge SMEs18:09 – Why I Wouldn’t Re-enter Indonesia Without a Local Partner20:34 – The Risk-Reward Reality of Doing Business in Indonesia22:33 – Finding the Right Partner is the Key to International Expansion23:12 – Malaysia as the Next Growth Market25:16 – Competing With 100+ Gyms: David vs. Goliath in Fitness28:31 – Customer Service as the Core of Gym Success30:12 – What Gyms Can Learn From Singapore Airlines32:42 – Skyrocketing Rental Rates and Their Impact on Business34:54 – Why Franchisees Need More Capital Than They Think36:37 – Understanding Franchise Risk, Returns & Liquidity38:47 – How Gym Profitability Works: 20–25K Free Cash Flow per Month40:21 – What Makes a Great Gym Franchise Owner👇 Your hosts:👩‍🏫 Tammy Ng📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ngtammyyy/🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ngtammyyy💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngtammyyy/🧠 Adeline Ng🌐 Website: https://adelineng.com/📝Free Marketing Notes: https://linktr.ee/adeline.ng📱Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ng.adelinee📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ade_ysc/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ade-ng/🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ng.ade🚀 Get to know our Guest:💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-oberman-16847655/📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_noahoberman/🎥TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsnoahoberman🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoahOberman🔔 Don’t miss a beat:🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manonamissionshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manonamissionshow/?hl=en🏢 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manonamissionshow📌 Subscribe here:▶️ ‪https://www.youtube.com/@ManOnAMissionShow📲 We’re everywhere: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | TikTok@manonamissionshow👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you found this episode inspiring!#podcast #gymbusiness #fitnessmotivation #fitnessjourney #fitnessinspiration #fitnessindustry #businesspodcast #founder #healthandwellness

Is starting a gym franchise in Singapore a terrible idea? In this episode, FitVentures co-founder Noah Oberman shares all about bringing a gym franchise to Singapore…even when everyone told him not to.In Q1 2025 alone, he opened four new locations — and in just two years, crossed the $1M revenue mark.He explains:1. Why They Entered a “Saturated” Gym Market—and Won2. Franchise vs Corporate Gyms: The Big Differences No One Talks About3. The 3 Problems They Saw in the Biggest Franchise (And How They Solved Them)4. Hyrox: How the Event is Changing the Fitness Industry5. The Leadership Framework That Keeps Their Gyms GrowingThis is a story about betting on yourself, building a brand people actually want, and proving the industry wrong.Timestamps:00:00 – Fighting giants in a “saturated” market00:51 – From 4 gyms to 9 in just 6 months03:07 – Corporate vs franchise gym models explained07:12 – Why picking the right franchisees is key to success08:39 – Spotting “brand fatigue” in a crowded market09:59 – The 3 problems with Anytime Fitness14:47 – Why they limit franchisees to 3–5 locations16:14 – Introducing the “Bobbit” leadership framework17:28 – Why ongoing training matters more than onboarding18:32 – Hyrox: Fitness trend or lasting change?22:47 – Is Hyrox a revenue booster or a marketing tool?24:01 – The importance of self-renewal for leaders25:00 – Our 9 gym locations in Singapore25:44 – Hyrox’ positive impact on the entire gym industry👇 Your hosts:👩‍🏫 Tammy Ng📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ngtammyyy/🎬 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ngtammyyy💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngtammyyy/🧠 Adeline Ng🌐 Website: https://adelineng.com/📝Free Marketing Notes: https://linktr.ee/adeline.ng📱Facebook https://www.facebook.com/ng.adelinee📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ade_ysc/💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ade-ng/🎥 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ng.ade🚀 Get to know our Guest:💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/noah-oberman-16847655/📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/its_noahoberman/🎥TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsnoahoberman🎥 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@NoahOberman🔔 Don’t miss a beat:🎵 TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manonamissionshow?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manonamissionshow/?hl=en🏢 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manonamissionshow📌 Subscribe here:▶️ ‪https://www.youtube.com/@ManOnAMissionShow📲 We’re everywhere: Instagram | Facebook | LinkedIn | TikTok@manonamissionshow👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you found this episode inspiring!#podcast #gymbusiness #fitnessmotivation #fitnessjourney #fitnessinspiration #fitnessindustry #businesspodcast #founder #healthandwellness

Get the latest insights from ASEAN’s boldest CEOs straight to your inbox 💌 Join our community of 200+ members: https://manonamission.asia/subscribeProduced by: https://superseedconsultancy.com/⏱️ Timestamps:00:00 Strategic Hiring: The Key to Scaling an F&B Business08:18 Mastering Networking & Communication as a Young Entrepreneur12:27 From Yong Tau Foo to a Multi-Brand F&B Portfolio19:18 Why Passion Beats Profit in the F&B Industry23:50 Creating Unique Food Concepts: Standing Out in a Saturated Market31:06 Rethinking Success: Shifting Mindsets Around Wealth & Value36:19 Tapping into Singapore’s Chinese Market for F&B Growth40:58 How to Build a Sustainable Brand in the Food Business42:57 Inside the Challenges of Scaling with Central Kitchens51:06 Is F&B the Right Path for You? What Aspiring Entrepreneurs Should Know53:02 Breaking the Myth: Not Every Founder Starts Rich59:01 Pushing Through Doubts: The Reality Behind Restaurant Ventures01:05:03 Going Viral: How a DM Sparked the ‘Love Series’ Campaign01:14:03 Why Quality Over Quantity Wins in Food Entrepreneurship01:19:25 Building Respect-Driven Culture in the F&B Workplace01:23:49 Solving Scaling Challenges in a Rapid-Growth Business01:27:54 Partnering with Youth: A Strategy for Long-Term Growth01:33:42 Vision for the Future: Exit Strategy & Retirement Planning01:36:24 Laying the Groundwork: Why Foundations Matter Before Expansion01:42:22 Advice to Newbies: Try Hawker Life Before Starting Big01:46:17 Final Reflections: Lessons from the Full Entrepreneurial JourneyFrom hawker stalls to a multi-brand empire—Tommy Pang’s rise in Singapore’s competitive F&B space is anything but conventional.At just 28, Tommy leads 5 thriving F&B brands with 24 outlets islandwide. But the real story isn’t just about scaling, it’s about resilience, family, leadership, and redefining what it means to succeed in food today.We sat down with Tommy to unpack his real journey behind the “restaurant empire” headlines: long hours, tight margins, generational expectations, and the often-overlooked emotional toll of building in the public eye.🎯 Your Takeaways for this episode:- The biggest myths about running F&B in Singapore (and the hard truths behind them)- Why growing up in a hawker family shaped Tommy’s leadership style and grit- How to build strong teams while managing the pressures of scaling fast- Marketing that actually works in the crowded F&B world—and how Tommy went viral- What founders often get wrong when chasing trends over sustainable growthThis one’s for the dreamers, grinders, and F&B warriors who know there’s no such thing as “overnight success.” Get ready for tactical gems, raw reflections, and serious inspiration.🎙️ Want to be a guest on Man on a Mission?Contact our Host Tammy Ng 👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ngtammyyy/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ngtammyyyLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngtammyyy/Contact our Host Adeline Ng 👇Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ade_ysc/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ade-ng/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ng.ade📌 Get to know more about our guest:Tommy Pang (Bai Nian Group)Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tommypang96/Website: https://www.bainianholding.comHit Subscribe on YouTube here first:@ManOnAMissionShow 🚀 Never miss an episode, follow us here:TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manonamissionshowInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/manonamissionshowLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/manonamissionshow

Get the latest insights from ASEAN’s boldest CEOs straight to your inbox 💌 Join our community of 200+ members: https://manonamission.asia/subscribe

What does it really mean to grow a business?

Is it about scaling? Expanding? Pivoting?

In this episode, we sit down with Vernon Lim—founder of The Business Community and a seasoned growth advisor to SMEs across Singapore—to unpack what most business owners get wrong about growth.

It’s not just strategy. It’s self-awareness.Because sometimes, the real bottleneck isn’t the market—it’s you.

Your Takeaways:

🔍 The difference between growth, scale, and pivot—and why it matters💡 How a piano school owner faced a $500k decision🚀 Stories of SMEs turning fertiliser IP into regional success🤖 How traditional services are quietly transformed by AI🧭 A simple framework to navigate rising costs and shrinking margins

This one’s for the SME founder, the scrappy builder, the operator trying to make sense of a shifting economy.

It’s not just about growing.It’s about growing right.

🎧 Tap play. Send it to someone trying to figure out what’s next for their business.

Timestamps:

00:00 Understanding Business Growth and Scaling

03:43 Pivot vs. Total Change Explained

09:14 Leverage Core Competencies for Growth

11:21 Post-War U.S. Manufacturing Shift

15:39 Singapore Flower Nursery Business

17:58 Singapore Fertiliser Export Expansion

21:55 Scalable Mass Hiring Strategies

22:45 AI Replaces Marketing Consultants

Eager to grab the mic and be a speaker on Man on a Mission Show?

Follow our Host Tammy Ng 👇

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ngtammyyy/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ngtammyyy

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ngtammyyy/

Follow our Host Adeline Ng 👇

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ade_ysc/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ade-ng/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@ng.ade?lang=en

Get to know more about our guest speaker’s business!

Follow our Guest Vernon Lim 👇

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vernonmonarchadv/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thatsvernon/

Website: https://monarchadvisory.co

Never miss another podcast episode update! Follow our socials:

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@manonamissionshow?lang=en

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manonamission_sea/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/man-on-a-mission-podcast/

📍Subscribe to this channel first:

📌 @manonamissionshow

📍Follow us here:

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Get the latest insights from ASEAN’s boldest CEOs straight to your inbox 💌 Join our community of 200+ members: https://manonamission.asia/subscribe

What happens after the big exit?
The money hits. The dream’s real.
But then… what?

Joshua Chan built Ergotunes and Everdesk into multimillion-dollar brands.
Then he sold them.
And everything changed.

This one’s about identity, money, and meaning—when the hustle ends and the silence kicks in.

Your Takeaways:

• What no one tells you about life after a big payday

• Why becoming an ‘overnight millionaire’ isn’t what it seems

• The real cost of chasing success without intentionality

• How Joshua is building again—with purpose, not pressure

• His take on community, customer obsession, and creating brands that last

It’s not just about how to exit.
It’s about how to live after you do.

🎧 Tap play. Copy the link. Send it to someone who’s building a business they’ll be proud of.

After a $12M exit, ErgoTune’s founder Joshua Chan faced a challenge few talk about—losing his sense of identity beyond the "founder grind."

In this episode, we unpack what really happens after you exit: the emotional void, shifting purpose, and the truth about rebuilding when the hustle isn’t for survival anymore.

Founder Takeaways:
– How to prepare for the emotional crash post-exit
– Why purpose must replace panic in your next chapter
– What smart, sustainable risk-taking actually looks like
– Who really thrives in startups—and it’s not about personality
– Where to focus: customer acquisition over everything else

An exit isn’t the finish line—it’s just a new kind of challenge.

Interested in founder/CEO talks? Check out Man on a Mission Show.

Most Singapore SMEs here are sitting on untapped advantages—and don’t even realise it.

This isn’t just about growth hacks or marketing trends. It’s about knowing how Singapore really works, what gives us our edge, and how you can use that to build a stronger, smarter business.

🔑 Beneficial Pointers You’ll Walk Away With:

• Redefining your business model to stay relevant in changing markets

• Building communities and loyal customers—not just sales

• Using Singapore’s credibility as a strategic advantage

• Focusing on long-term value creation instead of short-term wins

If you're serious about long-term business in Singapore, this is worth 30 minutes of your time. ▶️ Watch the video now and start using what you already have—but better.

Escalating tariffs are putting pressure on already-thin margins — and SMEs sticking to traditional models are feeling the squeeze.

In this On the Ground episode, we sit down with business community founder & brand strategist Vernon to talk about what separates the businesses that adapt… from the ones that get left behind.

💬 Here’s what we explore:

• Why cost-cutting alone won’t save your business

• The strategies agile SMEs are using to pivot and thrive

• How Singapore’s unique position in the region can be a strength

• What mindset shifts leaders must make to stay competitive

• Practical frameworks to turn pressure into progress

  
  

If you're leading an SME in Singapore, this episode isn’t just insight — it’s a strategic gut-check.

Because resilience now isn’t optional. It’s survival.