On the show today, we’re joined by Kenn Leandre, Founder & CEO at Kakuchopurei, a multi-platformed business based in KL aiming to tick all the boxes when it comes to video games, pop culture and esports media. After his previous role as the first editor of IGN Asia in 2012, Kenn started Kakuchopurei in 2017with ex-Gamespot Asia editors to make gaming more accessible to everyone - content and events wise. Today, the company has hit over 4 million monthly views on YouTube with over 400 thousand monthly social media reach as of 2024. We’ll be taking a deep dive into Kenn’s journey from IGN Asia to now an active entrepreneur, the challenges and hurdles he faced to not only to start a business in a very underrated industry here in Malaysia but also to stay unique and relevant with their target audience as well as their ambitions ahead in 2025.

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Founded in 2018, Singapore-based Portcast leverages AI and machine learning to optimize global supply chains through real-time transportation visibility and predictive analytics. By processing over 5 million data points daily from 370 carriers, 800 ports, and sources like geolocation and ERP systems, Portcast wants to deliver actionable insights that drive efficiency and transparency.

Led by Nidhi Gupta, Portcast recently raised $6.5 million in Series A funding to accelerate its mission of transforming global trade. With clients like Sumitomo Warehouse, FreshCo, and AIT Corp, Portcast is positioning itself as the go-to platform for supply chain efficiency in a competitive landscape.

In this episode of Open For Business, Nidhi Gupta, Founder and CEO of Portcast, shares her journey from working at DHL to launching her own venture. We delve into the company's origins, the challenges of scaling a data-driven business, and its future ambitions. Discover how Portcast is redefining logistics with AI-driven insights, tackling inefficiencies, and building a global moat.

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From bean to cup, cafes are more than just spaces to enjoy coffee — they are stories waiting to be told. Today, we sit down with the co-founders of Flint Cafe & Roastery, Azri Jamaludin and Daniel Fleischer, on how they are carving a niche in Malaysia’s vibrant and highly competitive cafe culture. Launched with a passion for coffee, Flint integrates a coffee bar, roastery, and artisanal western and local cuisine within a modern courtyard gallery. In this conversation, we discuss the origins of Flint Cafe & Roastery, explore the challenges of building and running a cafe and roastery, and what keeps them ahead of the curve.

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From baking at home with limited resources to navigating factory spaces and certifications, what started as a personal mission to address her own health challenges has turned into a full-time business for Ramya Ragupathi, Founder and Director of Oh My Goodness!

Specialising in foods free from gluten, dairy, and refined sugar, Ramya has built a brand that caters to consumers seeking allergen-friendly, accessible, and delicious alternatives.

Oh My Goodness! is now entering the Malaysian market with a partnership with The Food Purveyor, targeting customers through premium stores like Village Grocer and Ben’s Independent Grocer.

Here are some highlights from the conversation:

- Personal Health Journey: Ramya's health issues led her to a food elimination diet, sparking her passion for allergen-friendly foods.

- Founding Story: Oh My Goodness! started as a personal baking experiment and grew into a full-fledged business, with initial products like the signature dark chocolate cake.

- Challenges of Starting Up: From baking at home to shared factory spaces, Ramya navigated regulatory hurdles and financial challenges while staying true to her vision.

- Product Philosophy: A focus on natural ingredients, consumer transparency, and food safety certifications, including Muis Halal and ISO 22000.

- Malaysian Market Entry: Partnering with The Food Purveyor, the company is expanding into Village Grocer and Bens Independent Grocer with plans to grow its product range.

- Entrepreneurial Resilience: Overcoming pandemic setbacks, balancing personal consultancy work, and reinvesting into her business to achieve profitability.

- Future Goals: Scaling regionally, introducing new products like a gluten-free pandan cake, and staying committed to creating accessible, delicious allergen-free food.

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Katrine Cheong, Founder and Director of Little Precious Postnatal Care, wants to redefine postpartum recovery in Malaysia by offering a hotel-like experience combined with expert-driven care, featuring customised confinement meals, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) practices, professional staff, and even mental health support.

Since its establishment, Little Precious has prioritised both comfort and professionalism, and wants to set itself apart from conventional confinement centers. Despite launching during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the center has steadily grown, earning trust for its holistic approach to mother and baby care.

In this episode of Open for Business, we dive into Katrine’s journey from architect to entrepreneur, how Little Precious stands out in the postnatal care landscape, and her vision for shaping postpartum experiences in Malaysia.

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Food isn’t just about feeding people — it’s about connection, community, and stories. We sit down with Chan Yilyn and William Cheah, the co-founders of Santapan, a social enterprise born from a passion for simple, heartfelt cooking and a mission to uplift communities.

From their journey of turning a dream into reality to the challenges of balancing purpose with profitability, we explore how they’ve crafted a brand that resonates with people. Learn how they keep quality and heart at the centre of everything they do, while paving the way for a more inclusive and impactful food industry. It’s a conversation about food, resilience, and the power of bringing people together.

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“Just keep swimming”, in this episode of Open For Business, we explore how SEA Games medalist Ryan Kee turned his passion for swimming into a thriving business.

Sailfish Swim Academy was established in 2016 by SEA Games medalist Ryan Kee to tackle multiple challenges: reducing drowning incidents among children, creating career pathways for ex-athletes and fresh graduates, and discovering talent for Selangor through Persatuan Renang Amatur Selangor (PRAS).

Operating across seven locations in the Klang Valley, the academy offers lessons tailored to children as young as four months old.

In this episode of Open for Business, we speak with Founder Ryan Kee and Managing Director Ethan Chew about Sailfish’s journey—from its humble beginnings to becoming a thriving academy. We discuss their approach to program development, building a mission-driven team, navigating the challenges of scaling, and their ambitious plans for expanding swim education in Malaysia.

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In today’s episode, Raymond Miranda, founder of Myhejo Method, shares how his personalised tool helps people turn fear into growth through storytelling, coaching, and community. Based in Berlin, Raymond rebranded his Malaysian startup, Laborastory, to Myhejo, after developing a framework from his script writing exercise, Fear and its Opposite. In our discussion, we’ll get into his entrepreneurial journey, thoughts on the future of scriptwriting, and the intersection of storytelling, psychology, and conscious tech in mental health and personal development.

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From 1 store to 86, Nini Tan of DobiQueen shares how she turned a family business pivot into a multimillion-ringgit laundry chain.

We dive into DobiQueen’s mission to redefine convenience, empowering busy professionals and families to “buy back time.” Co-Founder and Executive Director Nini Tan reflects on navigating an asset-heavy business model, the lessons learned scaling from 1 to nearly 90 outlets, and her ambitious plans for regional expansion and future growth.

Here are some key highlights from the conversation:

- Founding Story: Pivoting from the family photography business Foto-ZZoom to self-service laundromats, addressing the needs of time-strapped families and busy professionals.

- Business Model: Operating an asset-heavy business with a premium mass-market positioning. Providing added-value services such as crease-free drying, folding, and pickup delivery.

- Scaling Journey: Expanding from a single outlet in 2015 to nearly 90 outlets today. Overcoming challenges tied to scaling a capital-intensive business while driving operational innovation.

- Customer Focus: Educating customers on the benefits of outsourcing laundry. Leveraging strategies to encourage first-time trials and foster long-term brand loyalty.

- Future Ambitions: Exploring equity fundraising and IPO options to fuel regional growth. Innovating with digital-first solutions like pickup services and targeting markets beyond Klang Valley and Malaysia.

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From personal branding to professional empowerment, Ranukka Singham, Founder and Managing Director, Image Revamp, has built a niche in helping individuals and organisations refine their presence and elevate their influence. Starting as a side hustle in 2017, ImageRevamp has grown into a professional branding consultancy and training provider, with frameworks and customized programs that cater to individual and corporate clients.

Breaking new ground in 2023, ImageRevamp surpassed seven figures in revenue, achieving 80% year-on-year growth. Leveraging a unique branding framework that spans seven pillars—from appearance to growth—the business is scaling with a team of 30 trainers and expanding its footprint into regional markets like Singapore, Brunei, and beyond.

In this episode of Open for Business, we explore ImageRevamp’s journey from side hustle to 7 figure business, its approach to scaling, and how it’s carving out a unique space in the competitive world of professional training.

Key Highlights from the Conversation

- Origins: Ranukka’s career pivot from corporate training to launching ImageRevamp as a side hustle, eventually scaling it into a full-time business.

- Framework: The evolution of ImageRevamp’s branding framework from four pillars (ABCD) to seven, incorporating emotional wellbeing, financial literacy, and growth.

- COVID Pivot: How the pandemic accelerated ImageRevamp’s digital transformation, enabling global reach in markets like India, Uganda, and Southeast Asia.

- Scaling Strategy: Transitioning from a solopreneur to managing a team of 30 trainers, while maintaining the personalized touch ImageRevamp is known for.

- Market Positioning: Leveraging LinkedIn visibility, corporate expertise, and a niche focus on professional branding to stand out in a saturated training industry.

- Key Milestones: Surpassing seven figures in revenue with 80% year-on-year growth in 2023, marking the company’s strongest performance to date.

- Regional Expansion: Plans to grow its presence in Singapore, Brunei, and the Philippines, offering trainers international exposure and elevating ImageRevamp’s regional influence.

- Long-Term Vision: Empowering organisations and individuals while expanding the company’s footprint, with a focus on continuous innovation and relevance in an evolving professional landscape.

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We speak with Arieni Ritzal, founder of Gula Cakery, a homegrown bakery that has grown from humble beginnings into a beloved name with multiple outlets across the Klang Valley. Arieni shares her journey from baking with her grandmother’s recipe book to honing her craft in Paris and eventually building a thriving business despite the odds.

We’ll explore the challenges of running a bakery, how Gula Cakery continues to stand out with over 55 varieties of freshly baked goods daily, and the importance of family and perseverance in Arieni’s journey.

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