Open For Business

In today’s episode, Raymond Miranda, founder of Myhejo Method, shares how his personalised tool helps people turn fear into growth through storytelling, coaching, and community. Based in Berlin, Raymond rebranded his Malaysian startup, Laborastory, to Myhejo, after developing a framework from his script writing exercise, Fear and its Opposite. In our discussion, we’ll get into his entrepreneurial journey, thoughts on the future of scriptwriting, and the intersection of storytelling, psychology, and conscious tech in mental health and personal development.

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From 1 store to 86, Nini Tan of DobiQueen shares how she turned a family business pivot into a multimillion-ringgit laundry chain.

We dive into DobiQueen’s mission to redefine convenience, empowering busy professionals and families to “buy back time.” Co-Founder and Executive Director Nini Tan reflects on navigating an asset-heavy business model, the lessons learned scaling from 1 to nearly 90 outlets, and her ambitious plans for regional expansion and future growth.

Here are some key highlights from the conversation:

- Founding Story: Pivoting from the family photography business Foto-ZZoom to self-service laundromats, addressing the needs of time-strapped families and busy professionals.

- Business Model: Operating an asset-heavy business with a premium mass-market positioning. Providing added-value services such as crease-free drying, folding, and pickup delivery.

- Scaling Journey: Expanding from a single outlet in 2015 to nearly 90 outlets today. Overcoming challenges tied to scaling a capital-intensive business while driving operational innovation.

- Customer Focus: Educating customers on the benefits of outsourcing laundry. Leveraging strategies to encourage first-time trials and foster long-term brand loyalty.

- Future Ambitions: Exploring equity fundraising and IPO options to fuel regional growth. Innovating with digital-first solutions like pickup services and targeting markets beyond Klang Valley and Malaysia.

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From personal branding to professional empowerment, Ranukka Singham, Founder and Managing Director, Image Revamp, has built a niche in helping individuals and organisations refine their presence and elevate their influence. Starting as a side hustle in 2017, ImageRevamp has grown into a professional branding consultancy and training provider, with frameworks and customized programs that cater to individual and corporate clients.

Breaking new ground in 2023, ImageRevamp surpassed seven figures in revenue, achieving 80% year-on-year growth. Leveraging a unique branding framework that spans seven pillars—from appearance to growth—the business is scaling with a team of 30 trainers and expanding its footprint into regional markets like Singapore, Brunei, and beyond.

In this episode of Open for Business, we explore ImageRevamp’s journey from side hustle to 7 figure business, its approach to scaling, and how it’s carving out a unique space in the competitive world of professional training.

Key Highlights from the Conversation

- Origins: Ranukka’s career pivot from corporate training to launching ImageRevamp as a side hustle, eventually scaling it into a full-time business.

- Framework: The evolution of ImageRevamp’s branding framework from four pillars (ABCD) to seven, incorporating emotional wellbeing, financial literacy, and growth.

- COVID Pivot: How the pandemic accelerated ImageRevamp’s digital transformation, enabling global reach in markets like India, Uganda, and Southeast Asia.

- Scaling Strategy: Transitioning from a solopreneur to managing a team of 30 trainers, while maintaining the personalized touch ImageRevamp is known for.

- Market Positioning: Leveraging LinkedIn visibility, corporate expertise, and a niche focus on professional branding to stand out in a saturated training industry.

- Key Milestones: Surpassing seven figures in revenue with 80% year-on-year growth in 2023, marking the company’s strongest performance to date.

- Regional Expansion: Plans to grow its presence in Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines, offering trainers international exposure and elevating ImageRevamp’s regional influence.

- Long-Term Vision: Empowering organisations and individuals while expanding the company’s footprint, with a focus on continuous innovation and relevance in an evolving professional landscape.

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We speak with Arieni Ritzal, founder of Gula Cakery, a homegrown bakery that has grown from humble beginnings into a beloved name with multiple outlets across the Klang Valley. Arieni shares her journey from baking with her grandmother’s recipe book to honing her craft in Paris and eventually building a thriving business despite the odds.

We’ll explore the challenges of running a bakery, how Gula Cakery continues to stand out with over 55 varieties of freshly baked goods daily, and the importance of family and perseverance in Arieni’s journey.

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“F&B isn’t easy,” but Edwin Chan YOLOed into it with just RM5,000, a KitchenAid, and his parents’ kitchen.

Ten years ago, Chef and Founder of Elevete Patisserie, Edwin Chan, left his full-time kitchen job to pursue his passion as a home baker. What started as a small homebaking venture has since evolved into a multimillion-ringgit business, focusing on supplying cafes and businesses while maintaining a Direct-To-Consumer presence exclusively online (unless you know Edwin personally!).

Known for blending French pastry techniques with Malaysian flavors, Elevete has grown into a 30-person team, securing retail spots in AEON and IKEA Singapore along the way.

In this episode of Open For Business, we explore Edwin’s journey from a humble home bakery to a full-fledged baking facility, the challenges of scaling while preserving artisanal quality (if even possible), and how Elevete sees the path ahead in such a competitive market.

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In today’s episode, we speak with Lawrence Liou, Managing Director of Aenon Solutions, a Penang-based company offering solutions in automation, barcoding and RFID technology. Founded in 2020, the company has gained significant attention from both local and international MNCs, with its flagship products receiving strong demand.

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Swipey, co-founded by Kalyana Mohan and Rouvin Thiruchelvam in 2021, started with a clear mission: to simplify financial management for businesses. What began with virtual corporate cards has grown into a financial operating system designed for businesses. Today, Swipey serves over 2,000 businesses, processes over RM120 million annually, and is on track to hit $1 million ARR in 2024, with ambitious plans to grow to $5 million ARR in 2025.

In this episode of Open for Business, Kalyana and Rouvin share insights into their data-driven approach to product development, the importance of trust in fintech, and their journey from corporate careers to entrepreneurship.

With plans to expand their CFO tech platform, capture more market share, and potentially partner with digital banks, Swipey aims to redefine financial operations for modern businesses.

Here are some key highlights from the conversation:

- Origins: How the founders transitioned from corporate careers to addressing SME pain points in financial management.

- Early Challenges: Developing their MVP during COVID, prioritising milestones, and funding their early-stage growth.

- Product Evolution: Starting with virtual corporate cards and expanding to a full CFO tech platform, including accounts payable solutions and financial automation.

- Growth Milestones: Serving over 2,000 businesses, achieving $1M ARR, and targeting $5M ARR by 2025.

- Market Strategy: Leveraging trust, word of mouth, and low customer acquisition costs to grow their user base.

- Future Plans: Scaling their CFO tech ecosystem, expanding revenue streams, and exploring partnerships with digital banks and global financial institutions.

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From pastry kitchens and whisks to classrooms and business plans, Chef Niklesh Sharma, Founder and Managing Director of the Academy of Pastry & Culinary Arts (APCA), has been an entrepreneur in the culinary education space since 2010. Starting with a campus in Malaysia, APCA has expanded to three campuses in India, as well as locations in the Philippines and Indonesia.

Focusing on hands-on training, APCA aims to meet the growing demand for skilled culinary professionals.

In this episode of Open for Business, Chef Niklesh discusses his journey from chef to educator, the challenges of scaling APCA across borders, and the importance of tailoring programs to industry needs. He also shares insights on managing growth and what’s next for APCA.

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We speak to Johnson Goh, Co-Founder and CEO of MindHive, a Malaysian startup transforming how businesses drive employee engagement and productivity. With innovative tools that decode workplace behaviour, MindHive helps leaders build more motivated and high-performing teams. A finalist in the Alliance Bank 2024 BizSmart Challenge, MindHive is on a mission to empower organisations with smarter solutions to enhance workforce efficiency.

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How is CADS helping organisations unlock the power of data and AI?

Since its founding in 2015, the Center of Applied Data Science (CADS) has been on a mission to close the gap between data literacy and the evolving needs of modern businesses. Through its AI-driven platform, CADS.ai, the company enables organizations to align workforce skills with future demands, optimizing talent management and driving impactful business outcomes.

In this episode of Open For Business, Sharala Axryd, Founder and CEO of CADS, shares her journey from telecommunications engineer to tech entrepreneur, the pivotal moments that shaped CADS, and the insights gained from building a $5M USD ARR business.

Here are some key highlights from the conversation:

- Origins: CADS was born out of Sharala’s mission to bridge Malaysia’s data literacy gap, inspired by her personal experiences with brain drain and the need to upskill local talent.

- Pivot to SaaS: Initially focused on corporate training, CADS transitioned to a scalable SaaS model in 2020, centering on its proprietary CADS.ai platform.

- Business Model: CADS generates revenue through enterprise SaaS subscriptions, offering workforce assessments, customized learning paths, and integrated skill management tools.

- Key Achievements: CADS reports $5M USD ARR, 30–40% annual growth, and profitability since inception, positioning itself as a leader in AI-driven talent management.

- Market Expansion: With Malaysia contributing 80–90% of revenue, CADS is targeting regional growth in markets like Singapore, Indonesia, and Australia.

- Funding and Future Plans: After bootstrapping for nearly a decade, CADS is now seeking external funding to accelerate global expansion and scale its platform.

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