The Adrian Tan Show

Can fractional work be financially sustainable? After my CNA commentary prompted questions, I share my own experience of finding clients, handling dry spells, setting rates, and choosing independent work.

This episode covers fractional roles, income variability, networking, business setup, full-time offers, and long-term plans. These are lessons from my experience rather than promises of a particular outcome.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

00:37 What is fractional work?

01:58 Financial sustainability

03:14 Handling dry spells

05:24 Do you need a big network?

05:59 Company or individual?

06:29 Landing your first client

07:35 When a client wants you full-time

08:11 Retirement and exit strategy

09:06 Suitable industries

11:51 Setting your rates

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

My CNA commentary: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/commentary/fractional-work-freelance-part-time-job-ceo-marketing-finance-6016831

Portfolio Career Asia: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14287306/

CONNECT WITH ADRIAN

Website: https://www.adriantan.com.sg

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

What if retirement were measured in memories as well as money? I share three ideas from Bill Perkins’ Die With Zero that changed how I think about time, experiences, and planning my life.

I explore why some experiences have an expiry date, Perkins’ idea of a peak net worth date, and his “time bucketing” exercise. I also share my own five-year buckets for travel, family, and work. This episode is a personal reflection on the book’s ideas.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Charlie Munger’s wish for time

00:27 The book that changed my thinking

01:05 Retiring with memories

02:06 Experiences have expiry dates

03:19 Peak net worth as a date

04:11 Fear of running out

05:09 The time bucketing method

06:16 My time buckets

07:07 Bucket lists and time buckets

07:54 Closing takeaways

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Die With Zero by Bill Perkins

CONNECT WITH ADRIAN

Website: https://www.adriantan.com.sg

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

After a six-month break, I reflect on my podcast, content creation, and feeling like an imposter.

I discuss the shift from blogging to AI-assisted writing and why keeping your own voice matters. I also share how speaking ideas aloud can help with writing, mention Typeless, and explain my plans for more solo episodes.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Welcome back

00:11 The podcast and my book

01:16 Current work and future plans

02:14 How content creation has changed

03:09 Keeping your voice in writing

06:03 Tools and writing tips

07:20 Closing thoughts

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE

Typeless: https://www.typeless.com/

CONNECT WITH ADRIAN

Website: https://www.adriantan.com.sg

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

What does it take to juggle four businesses and family life? Florence Foo joins The Adrian Tan Show to share her move from corporate work into entrepreneurship.

We discuss starting a digital marketing agency, expanding into events, exploring sunscreen dispensers and LED lighting, and managing multiple ventures. Florence shares lessons on clients, prospecting, workload, and adapting to digitalisation.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Leaving corporate work

01:11 Meet Florence Foo

01:32 Florence’s career journey

02:12 Starting a digital marketing agency

05:00 Expanding into events

08:59 Exploring the sunscreen business

10:26 LED lighting

11:51 Businesses and family life

17:34 Managing work-life balance

18:22 The cost of overworking

19:44 Lessons from nine years in business

20:09 Starting as a solopreneur

21:35 Client challenges

25:36 Prospecting for new business

27:28 Adapting to digitalisation

28:08 Advice to a younger self

28:53 Future plans and contact information

CONNECT WITH FLORENCE

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/florence-foo/

Oakwood Media: http://www.oakwood.sg

EPISODE SPONSOR

Deel: https://deel.com/adriantan

CONNECT WITH ADRIAN

Website: https://www.adriantan.com.sg

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

No More Bosses: https://amzn.asia/d/abmPxU6

What really changes when you become your own boss? Accountant and entrepreneur Eric Tan joins The Adrian Tan Show to discuss moving from audit into consulting and the realities of running a business.

We explore workload, family commitments, realistic financial projections, finding clients, and networking. Eric also shares his perspective on business structures, tax considerations, and common accounting mistakes.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

01:08 Meet Eric Tan

02:21 From audit to consulting

03:21 Going independent

04:49 Family and entrepreneurship

06:51 The reality of being your own boss

11:20 Entrepreneurship challenges

20:24 The changing business landscape

25:50 F&B business failures

26:12 An F&B case study

27:55 Starting a recruitment business

28:41 Financial projections

29:20 Winning and retaining consulting clients

30:43 Networking for business growth

34:20 Business structures

38:12 Tax considerations

40:19 Common accounting mistakes

44:30 Closing thoughts

CONNECT WITH ERIC

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-tan-15034111/

The Resource Group: https://theresourcegroup.asia/

Acce Advisory: https://acceadvisory.services/

EPISODE SPONSOR

Deel: https://deel.com/adriantan

CONNECT WITH ADRIAN

Website: https://www.adriantan.com.sg

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

No More Bosses: https://amzn.asia/d/abmPxU6

How do you stay authentic when creating content in the AI age? Shawn Lim, founder of Human Algorithm, joins The Adrian Tan Show to discuss storytelling, personal branding, and moving from corporate work to independent media.

We explore the difference between a content creator and an influencer, writing for an audience, using AI tools, and building a sustainable content system. Shawn also discusses the boundary between authenticity and oversharing.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Content creator or influencer?

01:14 Human Algorithm

01:29 Podcasting background

02:13 From corporate to independent work

04:57 Balancing work and family

16:04 Building a LinkedIn personal brand

20:12 Storytelling for leaders

21:04 Authenticity

21:49 Authenticity and oversharing

23:52 Writing for your audience

26:07 Human Algorithm on Substack

28:16 AI tools for content creation

32:11 Building a content system

35:07 Closing thoughts

CONNECT WITH SHAWN

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

Human Algorithm: https://humanalgorithm.substack.com/

EPISODE SPONSOR

Deel: https://deel.com/adriantan

CONNECT WITH ADRIAN

Website: https://www.adriantan.com.sg

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

No More Bosses: https://amzn.asia/d/abmPxU6

Amanda Cua joins The Adrian Tan Show to discuss choosing entrepreneurship over university and building BackScoop, a newsletter covering Southeast Asian startups and business.

We explore starting during the pandemic, building a network from scratch, growing a subscriber base, managing a team, and dealing with imposter syndrome. Amanda also shares her perspective on opportunities in new media and advice for aspiring founders.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

01:39 Meet Amanda Cua

02:00 How BackScoop evolved

02:48 Challenges and inspiration

03:32 Choosing entrepreneurship over college

04:11 Considering UK and US education

05:05 First steps in startups

08:16 Building a network from zero

11:23 Growing the newsletter

14:16 Newsletter evolution and team challenges

17:00 Content creation challenges

17:59 Imposter syndrome

22:19 Routine and health

24:00 Moving to Singapore

26:37 Opportunities in new media

33:13 Advice for aspiring founders

CONNECT WITH AMANDA

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cua/

BackScoop: https://backscoop.com

EPISODE SPONSOR

Deel: https://deel.com/adriantan

CONNECT WITH ADRIAN

Website: https://www.adriantan.com.sg

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

No More Bosses: https://amzn.asia/d/abmPxU6

What does work look like after burnout? Sarah Wong, host of Make It Work, joins The Adrian Tan Show to discuss returning from Silicon Valley, motherhood, and building a portfolio career.

We explore starting a podcast, mentoring women in tech and mothers returning to work, networking, and managing time and energy. Sarah shares her approach to making room for rest alongside professional commitments.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and personal background

01:15 Welcome to The Adrian Tan Show

01:44 Meet Sarah Wong

02:39 Sarah’s career journey

04:30 Moving to a portfolio career

06:50 Career and motherhood

13:39 Starting Make It Work

17:27 Podcast production

22:57 Exploring AI

23:04 Mentorship for women in tech and leadership

25:00 Starting a mentorship programme

26:19 Mentoring mothers returning to work

27:49 Networking and career advice

33:37 Managing time and energy

43:37 Advice to a younger self

46:52 Where to find Sarah

CONNECT WITH SARAH

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

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkmIC-j2FEgoMnIT4tyTsqA

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/makeitwork.podcast/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78ulY0B27nYxGB6jPCABPI

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@makeitwork.podcast

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/make-it-work/id1701442085

EPISODE SPONSOR

Deel: https://deel.com/adriantan

CONNECT WITH ADRIAN

Website: https://www.adriantan.com.sg

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

What should businesses understand before entering China? Jason Ong joins The Adrian Tan Show to share lessons from his career in China and his move into independent cross-border advisory work.

We discuss managing operations, choosing partners, company seals, trademarks, and protecting a brand. Jason shares his own experience of navigating business challenges and building a consultancy.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction and guest welcome

01:47 Jason’s background and journey to China

02:56 Life and challenges in the US

04:49 Early experiences in China

09:50 Consulting and career shifts

11:11 Managing a manufacturing plant

14:13 Startup ventures and returning to consulting

21:11 Company seals in China

24:29 Management and business practices

27:57 Going independent and writing a novel

29:24 Challenges of working independently

30:10 Starting a cross-border advisory firm

30:42 Navigating the Chinese market

34:44 Supporting companies entering China

37:34 Market opportunities and challenges

43:06 Protecting your brand

47:30 Life as an independent consultant

49:42 Closing thoughts

CONNECT WITH JASON

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonong24/

EPISODE SPONSOR

Deel: https://deel.com/adriantan

CONNECT WITH ADRIAN

Website: https://www.adriantan.com.sg

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

Why can success still leave you feeling not good enough? Creative director and coach Jorge Thauby joins The Adrian Tan Show to discuss imposter syndrome, creative leadership, and separating your identity from your work.

We explore his journey from Chile to Dubai and Singapore, his move into coaching, and how play, reflection, and emotional awareness can support creativity.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Opening

01:12 Meet Jorge Thauby

01:45 Jorge’s career journey

04:48 The creative director’s role

09:13 Moving into coaching

15:52 Challenges in creative leadership

25:53 Meditation and self-reflection

29:39 Reflection and spirituality

31:58 Working with smaller agencies

33:21 Creativity across industries

35:10 The power of play

37:17 Sustainable creative practices

38:31 Making room for fun in daily life

46:56 Closing thoughts and contact information

CONNECT WITH JORGE

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

EPISODE SPONSOR

Deel: https://deel.com/adriantan

CONNECT WITH ADRIAN

Website: https://www.adriantan.com.sg

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