Womenpreneur Asia

In this episode, I speak with Yvonne Au Yong of Stratx Advisory of Malaysia who reframes ESG for Asia’s SMEs - from a compliance obligation to a strategic growth lever.

She shares a practical four-step starter plan, explains how sustainability can drive revenue and cut costs and discusses the urgency of acting now before broader regulatory demands intensify.

With real-world examples and market insights, Yvonne shows how small businesses can position themselves as responsible, forward-thinking partners in their ecosystems.

• 00:00 – Episode opening and guest introduction
• 00:06 – The urgency of climate action and the 1.5°C threshold
• 00:12 – Four-step starter framework for ESG
• 00:26 – ESG as a revenue and cost-saving lever for SMEs
• 00:33 – Government procurement, climate reporting, and Scope 3 emissions
• 00:41 – Communicating ESG commitments and stakeholder engagement
• 00:47 – The first-mover advantage in ESG; closing thoughts

3 key takeaways

• ESG is a strategic growth tool for SMEs, not just a compliance burden.
• Start with Yvonne's four-step plan, then scale and communicate your progress.
• Early adoption creates a competitive edge as regulatory and market expectations rise.

This episode is brought to you by RedboxStudio.com 

For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com

Stacie Phyo, the CEO of Tutearn from Myanmar, shares how she bootstrapped three interconnected ventures—Pace Forward, Tutearn and Women4Women—driven by one simple belief: solve your own problem, then scale with customer-led thinking.

From her home country Myanmar and now located to Bangkok, Stacy reveals how she built lean systems, empowered her team and created a thriving ecosystem for ASEAN women founders.

Expect practical tips on focusing on one thing, developing scalable processes, and leveraging community for lasting impact.

• 0:00 – 02:00: Stacy’s background, and why Bangkok; early startup story in Myanmar.
• 02:00 – 07:00: Pace Forward and Tutearn: building for accessibility and automation.
• 07:00 – 12:00: Bootstrapping mindset, customer-first marketing, and essential systems.
• 12:00 – 16:00: Lessons from leadership: letting teams take the helm; the value of mentorship.
• 16:00 – 21:00: Women4Women: nonprofit roots, ASEAN focus, and community-building.
• 21:00 – 27:00: Personal growth, work-life integration, and staying reflective as a founder.
• 27:00 – 33:00: Future plans, expansion, and how to connect with Stacy.

3 key takeaways 

• Build around customer problems first; revenue should come from customers, not from funding.
• Focus on one core initiative, then scale with solid systems and clear ownership.
• Invest in community and mentorship to accelerate women founders across ASEAN.

This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio.

Sign up for updates, news and opportunities.

Get the full show notes and links at WomenpreneurAsia.com

In this episode, Malaysian entrepreneur and photographer Tan Chi Yin shares her journey from a production background to building Chapters, a Malaysia-based photography and videography business.

She reveals how visibility, purposeful networking and the 80/20 principle shaped her path, why fulfillment now guides her client choices and how AI helps streamline planning while preserving the art and emotion of photography.

From wedding-day logistics to long-term client partnerships, Chi Yin offers practical insights for women entrepreneurs building service businesses across Asia.

Listen for candid lessons on setting boundaries, choosing the right clients,and growing an enduring brand that grows with your customers.

• 00:00 – 01:00: Chi Yin’s leap from employee to entrepreneur; why she started Chapters.
• 01:00 – 02:20: The “Chapters” concept and what keeps her motivated over the years.
• 02:20 – 04:00: The behind-the-scenes rigor of shoots: planning, location scouting, and post-production.
• 04:00 – 05:20: The 80/20 principle in action: fulfillment over sheer revenue.
• 05:20 – 06:50: Networking, community, and balancing time between business and learning.
• 06:50 – 08:40: AI in photography: how she uses it and where she still edits by hand.
• 08:40 – 10:20: The challenges of service-based work and managing client expectations.
• 10:20 – 11:40: Why the Chapters brand matters and how Chi Yin engages with clients long-term.
• 11:40 – 13:00: Final advice and where to find Chi Yin.

3 key takeaways

• Build visibility through intentional networking because “visibility is really important.”
• Apply the 80/20 rule to protect your energy and focus on the work that truly fulfills you.
• Use AI as a practical assistant but keep the craft and the final edits human-centered to preserve emotion and quality.

This episode is brought to you by RedboxStudio.com 

For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com

In this episode, Krista speaks to Singaporean entrepreneur, Audrey Phoon who is also co-founder and editor-in-chief of Eastside.asia where they discuss building a regional storytelling platform rooted in Asian authenticity and voices. 

From identifying a representation gap to launching a writer residency program, the conversation explores ethics, mentorship, and sustainable growth in Asia’s vibrant media landscape. Audrey shares personal inspirations, readings that inform her worldview and practical lessons on balancing risk, discipline and humanity in storytelling. 

A thoughtful, personal conversation about how to tell Asia’s stories with humility and boldness.

• 00:00–00:12: Eastside’s mission: Asian voices, Asian storytellers.
• 00:16–00:23: The core ethos: “We are Asian travel content by Asian storytellers.”
• 00:27–00:34: Administrative realities and the case for a more structured business approach.
• 00:42–00:50: Residency program: nurturing younger writers, mentorship, publication goals.
• 00:45–00:50: AI in writing: strong stance on keeping human voices at the center.
• 00:50–01:00: Audrey’s inspirations and the broader future for Eastside.

3 key takeaways 

• Center authentic regional voices to build trust and community.
• Invest in people and systems; mentorship can accelerate growth without sacrificing heart.
• Create structured programs (like residencies) to diversify voices and sustain the pipeline of regional storytelling.

This episode is brought to you by RedboxStudio.com 

For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com

In this episode, Krista speaks to Singaporean entrepreneur, Audrey Phoon who is the co-founder and editor-in-chief of Eastside.asia where they discuss building a regional travel storytelling platform rooted in Asian authenticity and Asian voices. 

From identifying a representation gap to launching a writer residency program, the conversation explores ethics, mentorship, and sustainable growth in Asia’s vibrant media landscape. Audrey shares personal inspirations, readings that inform her worldview and practical lessons on balancing risk, discipline and humanity in storytelling. 

A thoughtful, personal conversation about how to tell Asia’s stories with humility and boldness.

• 00:00–00:12: Eastside’s mission: Asian voices, Asian storytellers.
• 00:16–00:23: The core ethos: “We are Asian travel content by Asian storytellers.”
• 00:27–00:34: Administrative realities and the case for a more structured business approach.
• 00:42–00:50: Residency program: nurturing younger writers, mentorship, publication goals.
• 00:45–00:50: AI in writing: strong stance on keeping human voices at the center.
• 00:50–01:00: Audrey’s inspirations and the broader future for Eastside.

3 key takeaways 

• Center authentic regional voices to build trust and community.
• Invest in people and systems; mentorship can accelerate growth without sacrificing heart.
• Create structured programs (like residencies) to diversify voices and sustain the pipeline of regional storytelling.

This week, I speak to Anissa Safia, Kuala Lumpur-based author and entrepreneur, who shares how a life-altering stroke redirected her path from corporate communications to self-publishing.

She explains her market-driven, under-market pricing approach to make books for mothers and children accessible and why she chose self-publishing to keep control.

The conversation dives into her series philosophy, how she tackles tough topics like single motherhood and adoption and the idea of building a “village”—a supportive circle to sustain women-led ventures.

She also reflects on the role of family, resilience and partnerships in growing multiple businesses from restaurants to fashion.

Tune in for practical insights on marketing, community-building and turning personal experiences into meaningful products that serve families in Asia.

• 00:00 Intro and Anissa’s background in publishing and family-focused work
• 00:02 Stroke as turning point; leaving corporate life to become a stay-at-home mom and entrepreneur
• 00:04 Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing; under-market pricing to reach more families
• 00:12 The work behind signature book illustrations and a proposed series approach
• 00:17 Adoption-themed book and the need for awareness and guidance for families
• 00:28 Early marketing challenges and building a name through community and celebrity endorsements
• 00:39 The value of a strong support system and NDAs for confidential discussions
• 00:47 The role of partners and family in sustaining entrepreneurship
• 00:55 How to connect with Anissa online and in her network
• 00:57 Final takeaway: trust your village and your instincts

3 key takeaways:

• Build your village: community and partnerships are as essential as capital for sustainable impact.
• Publish with purpose: price thoughtfully and market boldly to reach families who need it, while keeping control and authenticity.
• Lead with instinct and conversation: trust your gut, communicate openly, and address taboos with empathy to empower others.

Womenpreneur Asia is partnering with InnovNation and you are welcome to join me if you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or established one: https://community.innovnation.ai/womenpreneur-asia

This episode is brought to you by RedboxStudio.com 

In this episode, Krista talks with Marinel M. de Jesus, a former Washington DC-based prosecutor who became a global mountain nomad and entrepreneur.

Marinel is the founder of Brown Gal Trekker LLC & Equity Global Treks / The Porter Voice Collective. 

From directing the docomentary, KM82 ,to developing her projects such as the Himalayan Women Trail Leaders, Marinel explains how tourism is rooted in systemic inequities that impact porters and women guides.

She shares her vision for a decolonized, people-centered industry—one that partners with local communities, values dignity and trains women to lead in the mountains.

She also opens up about the Filipino immigrant experience, the power of truthful storytelling, and why small, community-focused operators can deliver richer, more ethical travel.

Listen to rethink travel with heart, and learn practical steps to support women-led, ethical trekking and mountain tourism across Asia.

• 00:00 – Introduction to Marinel: from prosecutor to mountain nomad and social entrepreneur.
• 02:30 – The KM82 documentary and elevating porter voices.
• 05:15 – Systemic issues in tourism; why we need a decolonized approach.
• 08:45 – Himalayan Women Trail Leaders: training Nepali female guides; broader inclusion.
• 12:50 – The immigrant experience shaping leadership and cross-cultural understanding.
• 17:15 – Debunking myths about “bigger is better” in tourism; the value of smaller operators.

3 key takeaways

• Centering porters and women guides reshapes the entire tourism experience—dignity at the center.
• Smaller, relationship-driven operators can deliver more meaningful, ethical travel than large brands.
• True decolonization means co-creating with local communities, listening first, and letting local voices lead.

Marinel's websites:

www.browngaltrekker.com

www.theportervoicecollective

Womenpreneur Asia is partnering with InnovNation and you are welcome to join me if you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or established one: https://community.innovnation.ai/womenpreneur-asia

This episode is brought to you by RedboxStudio.com 

In this short, solo season opener for Season 11, I share with you my thoughts about the evolving mission of Womenpreneur Asia. I realize that the podcast has transformed into a broader media platform that elevates Asian women entrepreneurs, the power of partnerships (From Vision to Voice with Rowena Morais; collaborations with InnovNation, Women4Women and G-Woman Media), and the importance of bold, personal leadership. Through stories of overcoming self-doubt, embracing a one-step-forward mindset and practicing daily gratitude, I invite you to show up boldly this year and to support each another on the journey.

• 00:00–00:01: Welcome to Season 11 and the fresh direction for Womenpreneur Asia.
• 00:01–00:03: In-between seasons, prepping for new episodes and gleaning insights.
• 00:03–00:04: The season’s theme: collective growth and expanding the show into a wider media platform.
• 00:04–00:06: Partnerships and programs: From Vision to Voice with Rowena Morais; the value of visibility and storytelling.
• 00:06–00:08: Opportunities with InnovNation and my invitation to you to be part of this community
• 00:08–00:10: Gratitude, being bold and the power of one-step-forward action.

3 key takeaways: 

• Collective growth amplifies impact: when the platform grows, everyone benefits.
• Authentic confidence wins: showing up as yourself is your super power and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise
• Small, bold steps compound: one step forward opens doors and creates opportunities.

Links mentioned in this episode:

My interview with Rowena Morais in Season 2: https://womenpreneurasia.com/podcast/s2-e2-rowena-morais/

From Vision to Voice program: Fromvisiontovoice.com 

My founder story: https://womenpreneurasia.com/visibility-brings-opportunities-my-story/

My newest partnership with InnovNation - the community that I am building and I invite you to join me if you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or established one: https://community.innovnation.ai/womenpreneur-asia

This episode is brought to you by RedboxStudio.com 

In this behind-the-scenes (BTS) episode, the program creators, Krista Goon and Rowena Morais, follow up from episode 10 where they discussed their starting a 30 day visibility challenge which they ran throughout September 2025. Here, they chat about how they fared in the first 15 days of the challenge.

For more details, visit FromVisionToVoice.com

In this behind-the-scenes (BTS) episode, the program creators, Krista Goon and Rowena Morais, discuss a fun challenge they created and ran throughout September 2025. This was a visibility challenge designed to support anyone interested in taking action to overcome their fear of showing up online. They discuss:

• the impetus behind the 30 day visibility challenge they launched on 1 September
• who the challenge is for and how to participate
• tips for anyone who is keen to accept the challenge

To join our program waitlist, visit FromVisionToVoice.com