In this episode, we sit down with Paul Meyers, Founder & Head Coach of Asia Founder Coaching, a coaching practice supporting founders and senior executives of fast-growing companies in Asia. Paul also runs Founders Circle, a monthly founder support group in Southeast Asia.

A pioneer in Asian digital media and senior executive leadership, Paul has over 30 years of experience in media, telecom, and payments verticals. He has founded and built six regional Asian startups, successfully exiting three (1 x NASDAQ, 2 x trade sales). Early in his career, he wrote and directed award-winning science documentaries, and spearheaded Asia Business News' (now CNBC Asia) first interactive news service.

We explore his journey into Singapore, insights from his vast startup experiences, his transition into coaching, and his views on founder mental health. He also shares his take on the Bangkok vs. Singapore startup scene, and what the future of Southeast Asia's startup ecosystem looks like. If you're keen on startup scaling, founder mindset, and navigating regional tech landscapes, this episode is a must-listen!

Hosts:

Michael Smith Jr: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Razko Kotler: ⁠⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/⁠⁠⁠⁠

Guest:

Paul Meyers: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulmeyers/

Links Mentioned:

Asia Founder Coaching: https://www.asiafoundercoaching.com
Founders Circle: https://www.asiafoundercoaching.com/founders-circle
CNBC Asia (formerly Asia Business News): https://www.cnbc.com/world/?region=asia
Muru-D Accelerator (Formerly Telstra’s Program): https://www.telstra.com.au/muru-d
ShopUp: https://shopup.org/

Books Mentioned:

• The Kingdom, the Power, and the Glory by Tim Alberta: https://www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Power-Glory-Evangelicals/dp/006322688X

• The Tiger by John Vaillant : https://www.amazon.com/Tiger-True-Story-Vengeance-Survival/dp/0307389049

• Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy: https://www.amazon.com/Anna-Karenina-Leo-Tolstoy/dp/0486437965

In this episode, we sit down with Honey Mittal, a seasoned entrepreneur, product leader, and angel investor who is shaping the future of product development with Locofy.ai. With over two decades in Singapore, Honey has played pivotal roles in scaling Homage, FinAccel, and Wego, and now leads Locofy.ai, which is revolutionizing front-end development by converting Figma designs into production-ready code.

We discuss why Honey chose Singapore as the base for Locofy, his journey from product leader to CEO, and the challenges of building AI-powered design models. He also shares insights into remote work, angel investing, and how AI is transforming software development. If you're keen on the future of AI in product engineering, startup scaling, and the generalist vs. specialist debate, this episode is a must-listen.

Hosts:

Michael Smith Jr: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/⁠⁠⁠

Razko Kotler: ⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/⁠⁠⁠

Guest:

Honey Mittal: https://www.linkedin.com/in/honeymittal/

Links Mentioned:

Locofy.ai: https://www.locofy.ai

Homage: https://www.homage.sg

FinAccel: https://www.finaccel.co

Wego: https://www.wego.com

Books Mentioned:

The Test of My Life by Yuvraj Singh: https://www.amazon.com/Test-My-Life-Cricket-Cancer/dp/818400298X

Believe by Ravichandran Ashwin: https://www.amazon.com/Have-Streets-Kutti-Cricket-Story/dp/0670094749

In this candid conversation, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler sit down with JJ, the founder and CEO of OnLoop, who brings 18 years of diverse experience—from his early days in India and formative experiences in Singapore to pivotal roles at companies like Uber and Accenture. JJ shares how these experiences shaped his leadership style and fueled his passion for rethinking team productivity.

He introduces his unique five-layer productivity framework that prioritizes personal energy, clear goal-setting, and meaningful feedback to drive both individual and organizational growth. The discussion also covers the challenges of scaling a hybrid software and services business, insights into the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem, and personal strategies for maintaining mental, social, and physical fitness in the demanding world of entrepreneurship.

Hosts:

Michael Smith Jr: ⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/⁠⁠

Razko Kotler: ⁠ ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/⁠⁠

Guest:

JJ : ⁠ https://www.linkedin.com/in/pgonloop/

Links Mentioned:

• Onloop: https://www.onloop.com

Books Mentioned:

• Brief History of Intelligence by Max Bennett

• Shoe Dog by Phil Knight

• Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari:

• Thinking, Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman

In this episode, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler welcome Asikul Alam Khan, the Founder and CEO of PriyoShop, a B2B digital commerce platform based in Bangladesh. Asikul shares his extensive 20-year journey across various sectors, including EdTech with StudentWish and IT solutions with Splendor IT, leading up to the creation and scaling of PriyoShop. He discusses the challenges of transitioning from B2C to B2B, achieving 16x growth in 24 months, and the strategic partnerships with major brands like Unilever and MasterCard. Asikul also delves into the Bangladeshi startup ecosystem, the importance of resilience, effective communication, and the role of mentorship in entrepreneurial success.

Hosts:

Michael Smith Jr: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/⁠

Razko Kotler: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/⁠

Guest:

Asikul Alam Khan: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/asikulalamkhan/

Links Mentioned:

PriyoShop: https://priyoshop.com

Accelerating Asia: https://acceleratingasia.com

bkash: https://www.bkash.com

Brac Bank: https://www.bracbank.com

The 12 Week Year: https://www.amazon.com/12-Week-Year-Others-Months/dp/1118509234/

vit: https://vit.com.bd

SBK: https://sbktechventures.com

In this episode, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler welcome Amanda Cua, the Founder and CEO of BackScoop, a media startup shaping the future of business media in Southeast Asia. Amanda shares her remarkable journey from the Philippines to Singapore, detailing the inception and growth of BackScoop, her role as the first employee at the Y Combinator-backed edtech Avion School, and her recognition as a Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 Honoree for 2024.

Amanda delves into her experiences navigating the challenges of launching a media platform and balancing personal growth with professional responsibilities. She offers insights into the Southeast Asian startup ecosystem, the importance of resilience, and the transformative power of taking calculated risks. Amanda also provides practical advice for young entrepreneurs and discusses the evolving landscape of media and technology in Southeast Asia.

Hosts:

Michael Smith Jr. :: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/

Razko Kotler :: https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/

Guest:

Amanda Cua :: ⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cua/

Links Mentioned:

BackScoop: https://backscoop.com

Avion School: https://avionschool.com

Wordy Brew: https://wordybrew.com

In this engaging episode, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Razko Kotler welcome Zoran Vasiljev, a seasoned serial entrepreneur, founder, C-Level executive, mentor, investor, and speaker. With over 30 years of international management and operational experience across the EU, MENA, USA, and APAC regions, Zoran is currently the Senior Vice President of Global Strategic Partnerships at Xsolla, a leading company in digital monetization for the gaming industry.

Zoran shares his inspiring journey from Belgrade, Serbia, to establishing a significant presence in Singapore’s tech ecosystem. He delves into his entrepreneurial ventures, including founding Centili and Forty.5 Ventures, and his strategic roles at companies like Infobip, Apigate, and Axiata Digital. Beyond his corporate achievements, Zoran discusses his passion for basketball, exemplified by founding a semi-professional basketball league in Singapore, and his commitment to personal wellness and continuous learning.

Listeners will gain valuable insights into digital monetization strategies, the dynamics of scaling businesses globally, the importance of building strong teams, and balancing professional success with personal well-being. Zoran also offers practical advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and shares his perspectives on the evolving tech landscape, particularly in the U.S. and Southeast Asia.

Hosts:

• Michael Smith Jr. :: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/⁠
• Razko Kotler :: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/⁠

Guest:

• Zoran Vasiljev :: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoran-vasiljev-928657/

Links Mentioned:

• Xsolla: https://xsolla.com
• Centili: https://centili.com
• Forty.5 Ventures: https://forty5ventures.com
• Infobip: https://infobip.com
• Apigate: https://apigate.io
• Axiata Digital: https://axiata.digital
• Teddy Swims: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV5EavjPHK7yECiQ9o4L0yw
• Pro-Am Singapore Basketball League: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pro-Am_Singapore_Basketball_League

In this episode, hosts Michael Smith Jr. and Raz Kotler welcome Alex Dwek, Chief Operating Officer at Nas.io (Nas Company), a seasoned professional with a rich background in the tech and media industries. Alex shares his journey from joining Grab and Uber, driven by a belief in Southeast Asia’s motorbike-driven business model, to transitioning into the U.S. startup ecosystem.

The conversation delves into the benefits of adopting a generalist career path, especially in dynamic environments, and contrasts it with the specialization often required in larger enterprises. Alex discusses the challenges of scaling teams, the shift from hands-on building to managing large teams, and how this transition influenced his career focus.

The dialogue emphasizes the importance of authenticity in content creation and storytelling, drawing parallels between maintaining personal well-being and professional success. Additionally, Alex offers valuable advice for aspiring professionals, highlighting the significance of surrounding oneself with great people and prioritizing personal growth over brand prestige.

Hosts:Michael Smith Jr.: https://www.linkedin.com/in/smittysgp/⁠ Raz Kotler : https://www.linkedin.com/in/razko282/⁠ Guest:Alex Dwek: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-dwek-180ba330/ Links:Nas Daily - https://www.nasdaily.com/Nas.io - https://nas.io/Nas Company- https://www.nas.co/Grab-https://grab.com/Uber - https://uber.com/Noah Opinion Substack- https://www.noahpinion.blog/Enterprise Singapore - https://www.enterprisesg.gov.sg/Creator Accelerator Program- https://members.linkedin.com/creators