I’m Carmen, host of Asian Business Owners (ABO) — a podcast featuring honest conversations with entrepreneurs across Asia.
We dive into the real journey of building a business: the wins, the struggles, and everything in between.
⭐ If you enjoy the show, subscribe and leave a review
🎧 Follow @abo.pod on Instagram for behind-the-scenes
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I’m Carmen, host of Asian Business Owners (ABO) — a podcast featuring honest conversations with entrepreneurs across Asia.
We dive into the real journey of building a business: the wins, the struggles, and everything in between.
⭐ If you enjoy the show, subscribe and leave a review
🎧 Follow @abo.pod on Instagram for behind-the-scenes
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You know those days when you feel down, have doubts and you wonder if it’s all worth it.
I feel like that sometimes, I feel down and in this solo episode, I open up about my emotional ups and downs and when I feel disconnected.
I've learned to reset and embrace it. These moments are part of my growth.
What you’ll hear:
Take a breath, you're not alone.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:28 Feeling Down as a Founder
01:37 Navigating Highs and Lows
05:15 Coping Strategies
07:16 Finding Inspiration
09:07 Creating a Plan
10:37 Final Thoughts
12:11 Outro
Follow the journey:
💬 abo.pod
📲 Find me on LinkedIn
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Asia, your customers are on WhatsApp. Are you?
This Quick Wins episode shows how to:
Turn daily chats into consistent business growth.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:15) The Power of WhatsApp for Your Business
(00:48) Personalised Updates with WhatsApp Business
(01:29) Exclusive Offers via WhatsApp Status
(02:02) Creating a VIP Broadcast List
(02:43) Conclusion and Next Steps
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After years in the corporate world in Paris, I hit a wall: burnout, lack of meaning and the feeling that something had to change.
In this solo episode, I share my story and how I went from being a corporate employee in marketing to becoming a business owner in Hong Kong.
I talk about what it took to rebuild my career and start over:
– Making the leap to move abroad
– Finding my first clients and building my marketing agency
– Launching the Asian Business Owners podcast
– Learning patience and self-trust along the way
Content:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:27) My life in Paris before COVID
(03:17) Burnout and losing motivation
(06:17) The decision to move to Hong Kong
(07:33) Starting over and finding purpose again
(11:05) Launching my podcast
(14:10) Lessons learned & reflections
(18:18) Closing thoughts
Follow the journey:
💬 abo.pod
📲 Find me on LinkedIn
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Exhausted and overwhelmed by your business?
In this Quick Wins episode, I talk about:
This one is for you if you're an ambitious entrepreneur who wants success without burnout.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:15) The Reality of Entrepreneurship
(00:39) Tip 1: Set Boundaries for Sanity
(01:38) Tip 2: Prioritise High Impact Tasks
(02:25) Tip 3: Practice Mindfulness Breaks
(03:04) Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this solo episode, I open up about what it really means to be seen online and how I learned to get comfortable with my face, my voice and my story.
From the early discomfort of showing up on camera to finding my authentic voice, I share how personal branding goes far beyond having the perfect feed.
Tune in to hear:
Visibility may seem like vanity but it can be also vulnerability sharing one's real self.
Content:
00:00 Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast
00:27 Facing the Fear of Being Seen
01:36 Overcoming Self-Doubt and Embracing Visibility
03:39 Defining and Redefining Personal Brand
08:31 Practical Tips for Personal Branding Content
12:16 Recap of The Best Practices
15:17 Conclusion
Follow the journey:
💬 abo.pod
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Want more people to find your business online?
In this Quick Wins episode, discover how to:
Try these tips to grow your visibility online and let me know how it works for you.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:15) Understanding Search Engines
(00:41) Secret 1: Target High Intent Keywords
(01:38) Secret 2: Focus on Mobile-First SEO
(02:13) Secret 3: Build Local Backlinks
(02:47) Conclusion and Final Tips
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What makes someone truly confident when they speak?
How can your voice literally become your most powerful branding tool?
In this episode, I talk to Ben Sherry, public speaking and personal branding coach based in Taiwan. We break down how confidence and communication can transform your personal brand.
What we explore:
This episode isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room, it’s about being the most authentic.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast
(00:27) Meet Ben: From Australia to Taiwan
(01:03) Public Speaking and Branding Journey
(01:55) How to Master Personal Branding
(05:25) Overcoming Public Speaking Fears
(10:14) Practical Public Speaking Tips
(14:50) Creating Engaging Personal Brand Content
(19:55) Practical Exercise and Resources
(22:21) Conclusion
👉 To find out more about Ben:
On LinkedIn
Resources on Oracy Club
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Struggling with cash flow in the first years of business (or even later on)?
In this Quick Wins episode, learn how to:
Try some of these cash flow strategies and see how it goes, whether you're a new founder, side hustler or solopreneur building a business in Asia.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:15) The Importance of Managing Well Your Cash Flow
(00:34) Hack #1: Get Paid Faster with Early Incentives
(01:24) Hack #2: Use Subscription Models for Steady Income
(01:58) Hack #3: Cut Costs with Digital Tools
(02:41) Conclusion and Final Tips
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Two years ago, I started the Asian Business Owners podcast with one simple goal: to meet entrepreneurs and learn from their stories.
What I didn’t expect is how much this journey would teach me about myself.
In this special anniversary episode, I reflect on what these two years have meant, the challenges, the lessons and the growth that came from showing up week after week.
I share the three biggest lessons I’ve learned through podcasting:
1️⃣ Trusting myself
2️⃣ Understanding that real success takes time
3️⃣ Learning that growth doesn’t happen in isolation
I hope these lessons will help you in your journey whether you’re building a business, a podcast, or any creative project.
🎧 Listen now and share your favorite lesson with me on Instagram @abo.pod — and thank you for being part of this two-year journey.
Content:
00:00 Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast
00:59 Celebrating Two Years of Podcasting
02:56 Lesson 1: Trust Yourself
05:48 Lesson 2: The Reality of Success
09:53 Lesson 3: The Importance of Others
12:58 Share Your #1 Lesson With Me
Follow the journey:
💬 abo.pod
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Think KOLs are out of your budget? Think again.
In this Quick Wins episode, I share how to:
Perfect for startups and businesses looking to grow with influence, not just ads.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:14) Understanding KOL: Key Opinion Leaders
(00:41) Tip 1: Leveraging Micro KOLs
(01:33) Tip 2: Offering Value Beyond Cash
(02:14) Tip 3: Tracking Results Effectively
(02:57) Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens when your first business gets shut down by regulations?
For Gianne Chan, it meant facing a painful pivot but also discovering new paths she never imagined.
In this episode, Gianne shares her journey from launching a CBD brand that couldn’t survive, to rebuilding with even more: a branding agency (Lexi Media), two mental health podcasts and a growing music career.
What we talk about:
Gianne’s story is proof that setbacks don’t have to be the end but can actually be the beginning of something bigger.
Content:
00:00 Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast
00:33 Meet Gianne: a Multifaceted Slasher
01:28 Balancing Multiple Careers
03:30 Journey into Entrepreneurship
06:09 Mental Health and Personal Struggles
08:36 The Birth of Two Podcasts
10:33 The CBD Business Challenge
14:10 Founding Lexi Media
16:29 Starting a Business Partnership
17:13 Meeting an Investor and Pivoting the Brand
18:10 Challenges with Vitamin Patches
19:25 Focusing on Community and Events
22:06 Fireside Questions
24:13 Balancing Creativity and Business
32:05 Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
👉 To find out more about Gianne:
On LinkedIn
On Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Drowning in admin and repetitive tasks?
This QUICK WINS episode shows how a Virtual Assistant can save you time and sanity.
You’ll learn how to:
Don't be an overwhelmed entrepreneur, start working smarter, not harder.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:15) The Value of Virtual Assistants
(00:34) Administrative Tasks Simplified
(01:05) Enhancing Customer Support
(01:44) Market Research Made Easy
(02:20) Conclusion and Next Steps
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I wouldn't let a client constantly push my deadlines, so why do I do it to myself?
I realised that builiding my personal branding is a priority and part of my business goals. If I'm not doing it, I'm building a job, not a business.
This week, I get real about the work-in-progress strategy I'm using to break the cycle of prioritising client work over my own vision of my business.
If you're an entrepreneur, solopreneur or freelancer feeling trapped by your own to-do list, this real talk is for you. I share with you my frantic week that started with a broken laptop 😅 and I explore practical steps to organise my time and manage my energy to ensure I work in and on my business to make it grow.
Content:
(00:33) A Personal Story: The Laptop Disaster
(02:21) The Realization: Client Work vs. My Brand
(05:28) The Daily Plan That Changed Everything
(06:40) Seeking Advice and Shared Experiences
(08:39) Conclusion: Your Business, Your Rules
Follow the journey:
💬 abo.pod
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you’re posting but not getting results, chances are you’re making one (or all) of these 3 common social media mistakes.
In this QUICK WINS episode, you’ll learn how to:
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:32) Mistake #1: Posting Without a Strategy
(01:42) Mistake #2: Ignoring Platform Differences
(02:14) Mistake #3: Not Engaging with Your Audience
(02:51) Conclusion and Contact Information
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Stepping away was actually the most productive thing I did lately.
Fresh off a two-week stay in Bali, here I am recording a freestyle solo episode to share how rest has been fruitful to me and gave me clarity on work and the podcast.
I tried to reset and I'm sharing with you my honest reflection on the constant hustle, content emptiness and how I'm reshaping the future of the show (including the launch of "Quick Wins", 3-minute episodes designed to give you practical and actionable tips for your business.
Did you feel the need to pause and recalibrate this summer? The need to find a smarter path forward?
What you'll hear:
Content:
00:00 - Introduction: A New Perspective
00:28 - Bali: My Place To Rest
02:31 - What I Realised About the Hustle Culture Trap
03:52 - The Honest Truths About Podcasting & Content Creation
05:22 - Listener Feedback That Shaped My Thinking
09:59 - Introducing "Quick Wins" and a Smarter Season Ahead
14:50 - How You Can Apply This Reset Mindset
16:53 - Closing Thoughts
Follow the journey:
💬 abo.pod
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen!
#MindfulBusiness #EntrepreneurMindset #AsianEntrepreneurs #PodcasterLife #BaliRetreat
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Want to build a personal brand on LinkedIn but hate self-promotion?
This QUICK WINS episode shares 3 simple ways to grow your personal brand authentically on LinkedIn.
You’ll learn how to:
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:15) The Power of LinkedIn for Professionals
(00:23) Building Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn
(00:48) Tip 1: Optimise Your LinkedIn Profile
(01:49) Tip 2: Share Valuable Content Regularly
(02:42) Tip 3: Engage with Your Network
(03:10) Conclusion and Next Steps
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What’s harder than growing a business? Keeping it alive through change.
In this episode of Asian Business Owners, Gabriella Montandon — CFO and founder of Montandon Consulting — gets real about the reality owning an SME.
She shares:
Why cash flow is the #1 reason businesses fail (and how to fix it)
The “No A**hole Rule” she applies to clients
How to stay grounded when everything around you is changing
The difference between working in your business vs. on it
Content:
(00:39) Meet Gabriella: CFO and Founder
(02:09) Staying Grounded in Business and Personal Life
(05:00) The Satisfaction of Fixing Businesses
(08:19) The Importance of Cash Flow
(12:50) The No Asshole Rule in Business
(21:09) Fireside Questions
(23:58) Growing Your Business: From Start to Success
(26:34) The Importance of Working On Your Business
(30:43) Defining Success and Independence
(37:08) Lessons Learned and Future Projects
(43:39) The Power of Having Fun in Business
👉 To find out more about Gabriella:
On LinkedIn
Montandon Consulting's website
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Struggling to turn Instagram views into actual sales?
In this QUICK WINS episode, learn 3 simple tactics that drive real engagement and conversion through Instagram Stories.
What you’ll learn:
Perfect for solopreneurs, eCom owners, coaches, creatives and anyone using Instagram and looking for results, fast.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:15) The Power of Instagram Stories
(00:44) Tip 1: Use Interactive Stickers
(01:30) Tip 2: Post Time-Sensitive Offers
(02:11) Tip 3: Showcase Behind-the-Scenes Content
(02:44) Conclusion and Next Steps
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Allen Law was living the classic workaholic lifestyle: long hours, constant stress, little time for health.
Burnout forced him to step back and ask: what does real success look like?
In this episode, Allen shares how fatherhood and health struggles led him to launch a wellness movement across Asia, from fitness studios to investing in startups that extend healthspan.
We talk stress management, building healthy habits, and why entrepreneurs need to protect their energy if they want to build something meaningful. Allen’s story is a reminder that success without health isn’t success at all.
Content:
(00:29) Allen’s Background: From Hong Kong to Singapore
(01:17) Early Career Burnout & Unhealthy Habits
(03:51) The Turning Point: Family, Fatherhood & Fitness
(06:13) Launching Seveno Capital: Investing in Wellness Startups
(09:38) How Seveno Capital Supports Founders
(11:31) Criteria for Investment: Impact & Healthspan
(14:36) Managing Stress as an Entrepreneur
(16:14) Building Healthy Habits & Self-Discipline
(18:07) Fireside Quick Questions
(21:15) Quitting Alcohol & Social Pressures
(25:54) How to Make Wellness Accessible to All
(28:20) The Truth About Anti-Aging & Healthspan vs. Lifespan
(32:08) Upcoming Projects: Longevity World Health Hub
(33:45) Lessons for Entrepreneurs
(35:00) – Final Thoughts
👉 To find out more about Karin:
On LinkedIn
Seveno Capital's website
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You want to use AI in your business but don’t know where to start?
In this QUICK WINS episode, discover 3 simple and practical ways to leverage AI, even if you’re not techy.
From marketing automation to data insights and faster customer support, these tips are built for busy entrepreneurs who want results without the overwhelm.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:36) Leveraging AI for Marketing Automation
(01:31) Analysing Customer Data with AI
(02:16) Enhancing Customer Service with Chatbots
(03:04) Conclusion and Next Steps
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.