The Adrian Tan Show

Can you start an acting career at 50? Michael Chua joins The Adrian Tan Show to share his transition from civil engineering and technology consulting to acting.

We discuss freelancing abroad, recognising opportunities, returning to Singapore, and balancing different roles. Michael also shares how life experience shapes his work on screen.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction

01:27 Welcome to The Adrian Tan Show

02:03 Meet Michael Chua

02:52 From civil engineering to cybersecurity

05:32 Freelancing abroad

12:24 Transitioning to acting

14:42 Recognising opportunities

19:34 How freelancing has changed

28:34 Returning home

29:21 Advice for aspiring freelancers

30:51 Opportunities and challenges in Singapore

34:28 Balancing multiple roles

36:47 Navigating the freelance market

44:55 Office politics as a freelancer

50:04 Emotional resonance in acting

52:41 Closing thoughts

CONNECT WITH MICHAEL

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

Hentak Kaki: https://youtu.be/Dh2ormh7Oic

Gift: https://youtu.be/1DUYlHZsZfc

EPISODE SPONSOR

Deel: https://deel.com/adriantan

CONNECT WITH ADRIAN

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

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

Gareth Lloyd joins Adrian Tan to discuss an unconventional business journey from DJing and recruitment into food production and the Truly Nuts snack brand.

We explore the challenges of garlic farming in Peru, building a varied business portfolio and launching a consumer food product. Gareth shares lessons from setbacks, his approach to innovation and the role of sustainability in his business decisions.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:25 From DJing to garlic farming

03:36 Challenges in the garlic business

05:20 Moving into recruitment

06:46 Building a diverse business portfolio

10:32 Launching Truly Nuts

20:17 Health and wellness discussion

26:44 Lessons for food entrepreneurs

28:52 Conclusion

Connect with Gareth: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amoriabondgarethlloyd/

Truly Nuts Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trulynuts_sg/

Truly Nuts website: https://sg.trulynuts.com/

Original episode sponsor: Deel — https://deel.com/adriantan

More from Adrian: https://www.adriantan.com.sg/

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

Jaslyin Qiyu joins Adrian Tan to discuss moving from corporate marketing leadership into fractional work and founding Mad About Marketing Consulting.

We explore what fractional work means in practice, how Jaslyin built her consultancy and the challenges of working independently. The conversation also covers the impact of pandemic-era work changes, managing client commitments and making room for life outside work.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:01 Meet Jaslyin

01:26 Understanding fractional work

02:21 Her corporate career

05:07 Covid-19 and working life

07:36 Moving into entrepreneurship

11:02 Building a marketing consultancy

21:59 Solopreneur challenges

29:04 Work and personal life

31:57 Projects and future plans at the time of recording

Connect with Jaslyin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaslyin/

Original episode sponsor: Deel — https://deel.com/adriantan

More from Adrian: https://www.adriantan.com.sg/

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

Julie Lee joins Adrian Tan to discuss career transitions and her move from corporate HR leadership into a portfolio career offering fractional CHRO services and HR consulting.

We explore how Julie recognised her strengths, considered new ways of working and built connections beyond a full-time role. The conversation covers setbacks, ageism, learning across generations and the practical work of launching an independent HR business.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:34 Julie's career journey

02:53 Her first career setback

04:28 Navigating career changes

12:17 Rebuilding after a second setback

23:26 Navigating a third transition

36:15 Learning from Gen Z and millennials

37:41 Exploring side hustles

40:27 Strengths and weaknesses

48:29 Career changes and ageism

51:58 Launching a fractional HR business

59:46 Networking and portfolio careers

01:08:07 Challenges and continued learning

Connect with Julie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julie-lee-ihrp-sp-mhcl/

Original episode sponsor: Deel — https://deel.com/adriantan

More from Adrian: https://www.adriantan.com.sg/

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

Ratna Juita, founder of The Mindgem, joins Adrian Tan to discuss building a business after burnout and developing a personal brand that reflects your values.

Ratna shares lessons from starting her company, balancing multiple roles and staying persistent. We explore mindfulness, authentic communication, LinkedIn and the importance of understanding why you want to be visible.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:09 Ratna Juita and The Mindgem

02:05 Her experience of burnout

04:55 Early experiences and personal growth

09:19 Starting The Mindgem

15:40 Running a business

18:14 Persistence

22:16 The significance of red

24:17 Balancing multiple roles

26:33 Burnout and solopreneurship

29:25 Personal branding

30:48 LinkedIn and business growth

34:14 Authenticity

34:49 Adapting to LinkedIn changes

40:07 Common personal branding mistakes

43:07 Reflecting on a two-year experiment

43:40 Final thoughts

Connect with Ratna: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jratna/

Original episode sponsor: Deel — https://deel.com/adriantan

More from Adrian: https://www.adriantan.com.sg/

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

Daniel Sim joins Adrian Tan to discuss his transition from an Army career into UK property investing and the trade-offs behind his search for more flexibility.

Daniel shares his personal approach to rental income, lessons from investment mistakes and losses, and how he evaluates property opportunities. We also discuss family commitments, financial education and the day-to-day work involved in managing property.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:23 Meet Daniel Sim

01:43 Family and career

02:28 His Army journey

05:32 Realisations and career shifts

09:31 Pursuing rental income

18:11 Exploring property investment

22:58 Investment mistakes

24:07 Building sustainable income

27:18 Property investment losses

27:41 Teaching during Covid

28:32 Education and retirement priorities

29:41 The million-dollar retirement question

30:23 Daniel's income strategies

32:51 Evaluating property opportunities

36:51 Why Daniel chose the UK

46:22 A property investor's daily routine

51:27 Final thoughts and contact information

Connect with Daniel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/goldengooseproperty/

Website: https://goldengoosepropertyuk.com/

Original episode sponsor: Deel — https://deel.com/adriantan

More from Adrian: https://www.adriantan.com.sg/

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

Sugasini Kandiah joins Adrian Tan to discuss leaving private equity to build Hidden Gems Talent, helping Singapore startups hire remote talent from Malaysia and Indonesia.

We explore her transition into entrepreneurship, balancing parenthood with business building, creating a team culture and using numbers to guide decisions. Suga also shares her approach to recruitment, clear KPIs for remote employees and working across generations.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:12 Career beginnings and journalism aspirations

02:46 Investments and private equity

04:19 Becoming an entrepreneur

07:35 Parenthood and entrepreneurship

12:03 Building a business and team culture

21:29 The importance of numbers

25:59 Navigating the hiring landscape

27:37 The Malaysian market

30:57 Cost comparisons across countries

32:26 Recruitment strategies

39:16 Clear KPIs for remote employees

47:01 Working with different generations

50:17 Final thoughts and contact information

Connect with Sugasini: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sugasini-kandiah/

Hidden Gems Talent: https://www.hiddengemtalent.com/

More from Adrian: https://www.adriantan.com.sg/

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

How do you find a niche and build a reputation people trust? Benjamin Loh joins Adrian Tan to discuss his move from accounting into sales, speaking and personal branding—and the mistakes that helped him clarify his direction.

The founder of Flare Communications Coaching shares lessons on managing early career uncertainty, finding mentors, saying no and building a team. They also discuss changes in financial advisory and insurance sales, and the advice Benjamin would give his younger self.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:48 From offline to online branding

03:11 From accounting to sales

05:15 Building a branding business

05:38 Challenges and family conversations

09:18 Early career struggles and managing money

17:31 Finding mentors and seeking advice

26:08 Early failures and lessons

27:41 Learning to say no

28:28 Finding your niche

30:02 Challenges in financial advisory

39:55 The evolution of insurance sales

41:48 Building and managing a team

45:40 The value of mentorship

47:41 Advice to his younger self

Connect with Benjamin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminlohcoach/

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

Original episode sponsor: Deel — https://www.deel.com/adriantan

More from Adrian: https://www.adriantan.com.sg

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

What happens when your identity shifts from competitive athlete to coach? Loh Kai Ying joins Adrian Tan to discuss her path from Singapore's national table tennis training team and public-sector roles into independent coaching.

Kai Ying explains ontological coaching, the role of body language and the challenges of establishing herself as a young coach. They explore navigating the coaching industry and understanding the boundaries between coaching and therapy. Kai Ying also co-hosts The Curious Co. Podcast.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:01 Understanding ontological coaching

02:08 Body language in coaching

06:21 From competitive table tennis to coaching

14:26 Navigating difficult life transitions

17:48 Challenges and rewards of being a young coach

21:22 Navigating the coaching industry

39:26 Coaching and therapy

42:23 Closing thoughts

Connect with Kai Ying: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kaiyingloh/

Dasein Partners: https://daseinpartners.co/

The Curious Co. Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/4KgjtfgfGrHyZ9UI3YfZqy

Original episode sponsor: Deel — https://www.deel.com/adriantan

More from Adrian: https://www.adriantan.com.sg

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

Can you build a career across several companies instead of committing to one full-time job? Mark Mullinix joins Adrian Tan to explain fractional work, what businesses need from fractional leaders and how professionals can approach this career path.

A former American Express executive, Mark moved into entrepreneurship, growth advisory and fractional leadership. He founded the Fractional Directory Singapore in 2024. They discuss lessons from that transition, the role of AI in improving efficiency and where fractional work may be heading.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:34 Mark's career journey

02:34 Challenges and lessons learned

07:52 AI and work efficiency

24:05 Understanding fractional work

41:25 The future of fractional careers

47:03 Closing thoughts

Connect with Mark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mmullinix/

The Fractional Directory: https://www.thefractionaldirectory.com

Original episode sponsor: Deel — https://www.deel.com/adriantan

More from Adrian: https://www.adriantan.com.sg

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