TFC Business Show

The traditional marketing funnel, awareness, consideration, conversion, is dead. Real buyers don't move in straight lines. Some jump straight to purchase. Others sit on the bench for six months. And some only buy because their friend did.Recorded live at the UOB FinLab SME programme, we dig into what actually moves people from curious to converted.From community-led growth to founder content, nano influencers to post-purchase loyalty, this episode covers the full picture.Meet the GuestsLaura Kantor Hero Marketing, Southeast Asia, Canva - Building community without a single paid ambassador, and why Canva's growth engine isn't ads, it's people.Vanessa Tan CMO, STRYV - From launching POCO phone at Xiaomi Indonesia to competing with Dyson and Philips, lessons in brand-building for challenger brands.Don Siah Founder, Diamond Ateliers - From random Instagram videos to a flagship store on Orchard Road, how radical trust-building converts high-ticket buyersKey Takeaways:The 3 things buyers always look for before they pull the trigger (it's not more information)The trust formula for big-ticket purchasesWhy nano influencers (under 5,000 followers) can outperform celebrity endorsementsThe difference between content that attracts and content that converts, and why you need bothFounder-led content: why putting your face on the brand is your biggest unfair advantageHow to extend customer lifetime value even for products people only buy onceWhether you're running a small business, scaling a startup, or trying to compete against the giants, this episode is packed with real, battle-tested strategies you can steal today.If you're still marketing like it's 2015, this episode will change everything.Enjoyed this episode? Leave us a review---🎧 The Financial Coconut: Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBESpotifyApple PodcastYouTube🔗 CONNECT WITH USGet daily tips, insights, and community:InstagramTikTokTelegramWhatsappNewsletter📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORKDiscover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube⚠️ Disclaimer:The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Most Singaporeans don't realise our neighbour up north has been quietly building a franchise empire for over three decades, and 2026 might be the biggest edition yet.We sit down with Kairul Azman Mohd Yusoh, Secretary General of the Malaysia Franchise Association, at the Marrybrown Sentosa flagship to unpack why FIM (Franchising International Malaysia) 2026, happening 21–23 May at KLCC, is officially the longest-running franchise event in the region. We're talking 150+ companies, 250+ exhibitors, and a 70/30 local-international mix.From homegrown icons like Marrybrown (45 years strong), Manhattan Fish Market, US Pizza, Global Art and Smart Readers, to the National Franchise Policy 2030 with its five strategic pillars, this is a masterclass in how a country systematically scales SMEs into global brands.If you've ever wondered whether franchising is a smart, lower-risk way to start a business, this conversation is your starter pack. Watch now.---🎧 The Financial Coconut: Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBESpotifyApple PodcastYouTube🔗 CONNECT WITH USGet daily tips, insights, and community:InstagramTikTokTelegramWhatsappNewsletter📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORKDiscover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube⚠️ Disclaimer:The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

After nearly a year of conversations with founders, creators, and entrepreneurs, the TFC Business Show is wrapping up its current format.But before we move into the next phase, we’re looking back at the most memorable stories, unexpected insights, and biggest lessons from the journey.From founders who built businesses from scratch to creators turning passion into thriving ventures, this episode reflects on what it really takes to build something meaningful.Expect honest reflections, behind-the-scenes moments, and a few unfiltered thoughts about entrepreneurship.🔔 What’s NextThe TFC Business Show isn’t ending—it’s evolving into something new.Make sure to follow the show so you don’t miss the next chapter.If you enjoy conversations about business, founders, and entrepreneurship, like the video and subscribe for more.---🎧 The Financial Coconut: Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBESpotifyApple PodcastYouTube🔗 CONNECT WITH USGet daily tips, insights, and community:InstagramTikTokTelegramWhatsappNewsletter📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORKDiscover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube⚠️ Disclaimer:The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

Can technology make seasonal food available all year round without losing its freshness?We sit down with Christopher Quek, VC, entrepreneur, and founder of Spike Durian, to explore how a simple obsession with durian led to an unexpected startup opportunity.After two decades investing in startups, Christopher decided to jump back into the arena. What followed was a fascinating journey into food technology, AI-assisted freezing methods, and building a new kind of durian business.From finding suppliers in Malaysia to launching the company in just three months, this episode dives deep into the entrepreneurial mindset behind spotting opportunities others overlook.But the conversation goes far beyond durian.We explore:What investors really look for in startupsThe challenges of commercializing new technologyHow founders test product-market fitThe surprising customer segment that embraced this ideaAnd why Southeast Asia might be the next big growth story for entrepreneursIf you're a startup founder, SME owner, investor, or just curious about how businesses are built, this episode is packed with insights.---🎧 The Financial Coconut: Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBESpotifyApple PodcastYouTube🔗 CONNECT WITH USGet daily tips, insights, and community:InstagramTikTokTelegramWhatsappNewsletter📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORKDiscover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube⚠️ Disclaimer:The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

☕ Can a vending machine make café-quality coffee?In this episode of The Financial Coconuts Business Show, we sit down with the founders of Flow Coffee, a startup challenging Singapore’s coffee scene with an unexpected idea: coffee vending machines that serve café-grade drinks made with fresh milk.After noticing how expensive and inconvenient good coffee can be, Chang Wei Sheng (Founder & CEO) and Jarran Ng (Co-Founder & COO) set out to build a smarter solution, combining automation, technology, and clever operations to make quality coffee more accessible.In less than a year, they’ve deployed 20 machines across Singapore - but the journey to get there involved engineering challenges, manufacturing hurdles, and plenty of experimentation.In this episode, we talk about:🔹 Why good coffee is getting more expensive🔹 The idea behind café-style coffee vending machines🔹 How they went from concept to 20 machines in under a year🔹 The technology powering their automated coffee system🔹 Lessons from building a hardware + operations startup🔹 The challenges of scaling a physical product business🔹 What it takes to disrupt a traditional industryIf you’re an entrepreneur, SME owner, or startup builder, this episode is packed with insights about launching and scaling a real-world business.🎧 Tune in to hear the full story behind Flow Coffee.Guests:Chang Wei Sheng, Founder & CEO, Flow CoffeeJarran Ng, Co-Founder & COO, Flow Coffee👍 Like this episode?Subscribe to The Financial Coconuts Business Show for more conversations with founders, operators, and SME leaders.#startup #entrepreneurship #coffee #vendingmachine #businesspodcast---🎧 The Financial Coconut: Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBESpotifyApple PodcastYouTube🔗 CONNECT WITH USGet daily tips, insights, and community:InstagramTikTokTelegramWhatsappNewsletter📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORKDiscover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube⚠️ Disclaimer:The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.

What if the reason your food isn’t fresher isn’t the farm, but everything in between?In this episode, we dive into a business almost nobody dreams of starting, yet it quietly powers entire cities. Think traffic jams, melting margins, broken fridges, and a problem so hidden that most consumers never even notice it.Here’s what we’re unpacking:Why traffic in Metro Manila became a business opportunityThe surprising gap in the “invisible road” your food travels before it reaches youHow a 40% energy efficiency breakthrough sparked something much biggerThe pivot that changed everything, from selling cold rooms to renting them by the boxWhy small businesses were willing to pay before the product even landedThe harsh lessons of trying to sell to big corporations, and why it nearly didn’t workWhy the Philippines, not Singapore, became the launchpadAnd joining us are:Jonathan Harvey, a food industry veteran who’s spent over 15 years across Southeast Asia uncovering gaps in the region’s cold chain infrastructureJoe Khoo, a former early-stage tech employee with a six-figure exit, who pivoted from VR hardware and sustainability projects into building energy-efficient, self-serve cold hubsTogether, they’re building something deceptively simple, but potentially game-changing for SMEs, food security, and climate tech.It’s scrappy.It’s technical.It’s capital-heavy.And it almost didn’t work.If you’ve ever wondered how real founders navigate pivots, funding trade-offs, family responsibilities, and finding product-market fit in an unsexy industry, this episode is for you.Tune in.---🎧 The Financial Coconut: Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBESpotifyApple PodcastYouTube🔗 CONNECT WITH USGet daily tips, insights, and community:InstagramTikTokTelegramWhatsappNewsletter📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORKDiscover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube⚠️ Disclaimer:The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.