Womenpreneur Asia

Hosted by Krista Goon

Business Marketing

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166

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Jun 2026

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About the show

Womenpreneur Asia is a podcast for women entrepreneurs in Asia to share what they have learned with other women who are in business or aspire to start businesses. The Womenpreneur Asia podcast is hosted by Krista Goon, a Malaysian entrepreneur, author. communicator and marketer. Each season features 14 heartwarming and inspiring stories of Asian women entrepreneurs across Asia. Each episode is a conversation between Krista and her Asian guest, filled with valuable insights and strategies. All episodes are sponsored by Redbox Studio , a company that uses its own game, Big Timer, to train and teach entrepreneurship through workshops.

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June 11, 2026Episode 1043 min

Solopreneur Turbulence, Identity and Growth with Wahn Punnapha, Thailand

Wahn Punnapha of Thailand came from a secure FMCG corporate role. She is now a mindset and leadership coach who courageously and openly shares her bold journey from corporate leadership to solopreneurship. She explains how her identity crises and emotional turbulence became catalysts for growth—and she generously shares her four-part framework to guide women through the transition. From navigating family expectations to building trust and marketing a non-tangible service such as coaching, Wahn offers grounded, Asia-focused insights on turning personal disruption into personal impact. Tune in for honest reflections, actionable steps, and a reminder that fulfillment arises from aligning inner purpose with outer progress. 00:00–00:04: Wahn’s focus on mindset coaching and location independence00:04–00:08: Leaving a secure corporate life; first steps into solopreneur role and the shift from marketing product to service00:09–00:12: Marketing herself and learning from different coaches (and one key thing she learned the hard way) 00:13–00:22: Identity crisis, embracing emotional upheavals and the importance of a support system 00:27–00:34: Balancing Asian family expectations with personal goals; understanding your love language 00:36–00:40: Redefining success as a coach and solopreneur; internal metrics vs. external milestones; how to connect with Wahn online 3 Key Takeaways Identity crises are powerful catalysts for growth when met with a four-part framework: vision, why, tiny steps, and support.Service-based businesses rely on trust and personal transformation, not just features—build credibility with clear outcomes and empathetic communication.Balancing family responsibilities with entrepreneurship requires realistic planning and transparent conversations with loved ones; fulfillment matters as much as numbers. This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com Sign up for new episode alert plus regional news and women-friendly opportunities:

June 4, 2026Episode 946 min

Amplifying Lawyers’ Expertise and Voices Through Digital Content with Bhavya Bhatt, India

In this episode, I speak to Indian entrepreneur, Bhavya Bhatt. Based in Bangalore, this former lawyer shares how she transformed a legal career into a thought-leadership amplification business for the Indian legal industry. From battling imposter syndrome to embracing a bold pivot during the pandemic, Bhavya reveals how personal branding—built on lived experience rather than a polished fantasy—can unlock opportunities, even in industries wary of change. She discusses the power of allyship in content creation (helping clients preserve their voice), the evolving role of AI in legal branding and the importance of showing up with your own language and tone. Whether you’re a lawyer or legal consultant, Bhavya’s story offers insightful approaches for developing content that resonates. Listen to learn how to turn your unique experiences into impact. Show Notes 00:00: Welcome and Bhavya’s journey from law to ClausePlay; the core idea of personal-brand amplification.00:11: Pandemic pivot, freelancing vs. entrepreneurship and the decision to run an organization on her terms.00:22: Building client relationships, content collaboration and preserving a client’s voice in branding.00:27: AI in the legal industry—opportunities, limits and the importance of human-authored content.00:35: The move from freelancing to a structured company, lessons learned and advice for women entrepreneurs in Asia.00:42: Bhavya’s current work with ClausePlay, how to connect online, and final thoughts on personal branding. 3 Key Takeaways Your voice is your differentiator: define and share your lived experiences with authenticity. Content doesn’t have to be created alone - it can be a partner process: get someone to handhold you while you’re starting but remember to preserve your voice.AI is a tool, not a replacement: use AI to enhance or finetune your storytelling while always retaining your humanity and credibility. This episode is sponsored by RedboxStudio.com For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com Sign up for new episode alert plus regional news and women-friendly opportunities.

May 28, 2026Episode 826 min

Transitioning with Clarity and Compassion: with Nguyen Long Chau Sa

This episode is with Nguyen Long Chau Sa,, co-founder of Live in Flow, a coaching business and former TikTok Partnership Manager in Vietnam. Sa shares a brave journey from corporate intensity to coaching, anchored in inner work, clarity, and community. She explains why transition is a daily practice, how to cultivate an environment that supports sustainable change, and how to live in flow by embracing stillness, compassion, and authentic self-discovery. Rich with personal anecdotes—from her thyroid cancer to career pivots—this conversation offers guidance and recommendations for women navigating transitions in Asia. 00:00: Welcome and episode overview00:01: Sa’s professional journey: branding, e-commerce, TikTok Vietnam00:03: Birth of Live in Flow and the focus on inner work00:04: Health wake-up: thyroid cancer and its impact on life choices00:05–00:06: Balancing corporate life with personal exploration00:07–00:08: Rethinking transition as a process, not a destination00:09–00:10: The trap of over-planning and the value of clarity00:11–00:12: From fear to clarity; stillness and self-compassion00:13: Discomfort and the personal journey of finding what you want00:14–00:16: Reframing self-introduction post-corporate life00:17–00:18: The importance of environment and immersion in a new role00:19–00:21: Live in Flow program structure: private coaching + group work00:22–00:23: One-on-one customization and “space + catalyst”00:24: How to connect with Sa and next steps 3 key takeaways Clarity is a journey, not a moment. Embrace stillness and self-compassion to reveal what truly fits.Transition is ongoing work. Environment, support, and a patient pace enable sustainable growthCommunity matters. A customized, supportive space helps you test, refine, and sustain your path. This episode is brought to you by RedboxStudio.com For the full show notes, visit WomenpreneurAsia.com

May 22, 2026Episode 751 min

ESG as a Growth Strategy for Asia’s SMEs: Practical Steps from Yvonne Au Yong

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 introduction00:06 – The urgency of climate action and the 1.5°C threshold00:12 – Four-step starter framework for ESG00:26 – ESG as a revenue and cost-saving lever for SMEs00:33 – Government procurement, climate reporting, and Scope 3 emissions00:41 – Communicating ESG commitments and stakeholder engagement00:47 – 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

May 15, 2026Episode 649 min

Education, Empowerment, Ecosystems: Stacie Phyo’s ASEAN Startup Path

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

May 8, 2026Episode 541 min

The Chapters of Fulfillment Through 80/20 and Photography Business with Tan Chi Yin

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

May 1, 2026Episode 453 min

Building An Asian Travel Platform: Residency, Mentorship and Human-Centered Travel Writing with Audrey Phoon

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

April 23, 2026Episode 31 hr 12 min

Anissa Safia: From Stroke to Storytelling with Purpose

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 work00:02 Stroke as turning point; leaving corporate life to become a stay-at-home mom and entrepreneur00:04 Self-publishing vs. traditional publishing; under-market pricing to reach more families00:12 The work behind signature book illustrations and a proposed series approach00:17 Adoption-themed book and the need for awareness and guidance for families00:28 Early marketing challenges and building a name through community and celebrity endorsements00:39 The value of a strong support system and NDAs for confidential discussions00:47 The role of partners and family in sustaining entrepreneurship00:55 How to connect with Anissa online and in her network00:57 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

April 17, 2026Episode 249 min

Marinel M. de Jesus Esq.: Empowering Porters and Women Guides In Mountain Tourism

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

April 10, 2026Episode 111 min

Krista Goon: One Step Forward: Building a Community of Asian Women Entrepreneurs

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 community00:08–00:10: 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 otherwiseSmall, 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