The Financial Coconut Podcast

What makes a character truly unforgettable? How do you take your favourite designs and turn them into an iconic brand that resonates globally? In this episode, we're diving deep into the world of merchandising, licensing, and the evolving journey of character-based businesses.Meet:- Wang Shijia, founder of the beloved Singaporean brand Ang Ku Kueh Girl, a true pioneer in bringing local culture to the global stage.- Chanel Lee, founder of Tasty Toasty, who has transformed her digital characters into a merchandise empire, combining NFTs with physical products for a new-age spin on branding.What we’ll cover:- The secrets behind turning a quirky character into a cultural icon.- The challenges of balancing creativity and business while maintaining authenticity.- How both of our guests navigated the world of licensing, marketing, and international expansion—and how you can, too.- Plus, we’ll touch on the role of NFTs, the future of physical merchandising, and the unexpected successes of viral moments.Ready to hear how two entrepreneurs cracked the code for turning characters into global phenomena? Tune in and get inspired for your own journey into the world of character merchandising.---Unlock global business potential with WorldFirst:Your all-in-one business account for global payments. Pay in 100+ currencies, collect in 20+ currencies with local bank details including USD, MYR, THB, CNH and more by opening a zero-cost multi-currency account. No minimum balance required. Enjoy unlimited 1.2% cashback on business expenses with their World Card!Act now to claim exclusive rewards: New users receive a USD100 sign-up bonus with code “EXCLUSIVEOFFER” (valid until 31 Dec 2025). Dive into effortless global transactions today:🔗 Explore the World Card🔗 Claim Your USD100 Sign-up Bonus---🎧 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🔗 CONNECT WITH USGet daily tips, insights, and community:InstagramNewsletter⚠️ 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.

Feeling like you’re behind in your 30s or 40s… even though, on paper, you’ve done everything “right”?Dive into that quiet mid-career ache: when the promotions, pay raises, house, family and “LinkedIn wins” still don’t stop you from feeling… not enough.🎧 Tune in if you’ve ever caught yourself scrolling LinkedIn thinking,“Everyone else is sprinting ahead. What am I doing with my life?”Here’s what we’ll explore:- Why mid-career success can still feel strangely empty – even when you’ve ticked most of society’s boxes.- The invisible pressure of LinkedIn & humblebrags – and how constant comparison messes with your self-worth.- Internal vs external success – are you chasing your own definition… or a script handed to you by parents, school, or culture?- When your job title is your identity – what happens when retrenchment, restructuring, or redundancy hits.- How to start decoupling your worth from your work – small mindset shifts to move from “never enough” to more grounded contentment.- Why life purpose often gets louder in your 30s & 40s – and how to listen to it before burnout forces you to.👥 Our guests this week:- Michelle Mah – a psychotherapist and coach in her second career, who works with high performers that “look like they’re winning” on the outside but struggle with meaning and self-worth on the inside.- Esther Koh – a senior HR leader in the financial services industry, as well as an ontological coach, parenting coach and counsellor, who’s led transformation at work while navigating caregiving, loss, and redefining success on her own terms.If you’ve ever wondered, “Who am I without my job title or my pay slip?”…this episode is your permission slip to find out.---🎧 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🔗 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.

Are you paying for sophistication… or just complexity?Structured products. ILPs. The industry calls them “innovative.” Some call them “expensive packaging.”In this week’s episode ft. Tim Phillips from TimTalksMoney, we dive into how these products really work — what value they can offer, and where investors often get misled.From fees that compound quietly, to the psychology behind why people still buy them — it’s a candid look at the tension between advice, incentives, and outcomes.Tune in now for a no-drama, data-driven take — minus the sales pitch.---🎧 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.

They didn’t set out to build a business — just to prove their tech worked.But one experiment turned into 300 screenings, a thriving B2C arm, and government contracts.Cinewav co-founders, Jason Chan and Christian Lee, share how staying curious and saying “yes” led to a whole new business model.Takeaway:- Build before you brand — let results speak.- Stay flexible; your audience may find your product’s true use before you do.- Solve real problems and community will follow.- Growth doesn’t always mean hiring fast — sometimes lean is powerful.🎧 Tune in to learn how they built a business where emotion is the product.---🎧 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.

📢 Fresh grads can’t find jobs. Mid-career workers fear AI will replace them.But what’s really going on in Singapore’s job market?Dive into the truth behind the headlines — where hiring freezes, AI disruption, and shifting work expectations collide.Featuring:- Nilay Khandelwal, Senior Managing Director at Michael Page, unpacking insights from their Compete on Clarity report.- Han Khim Siew, CEO and Executive Director of OUE REIT, sharing how employers are rethinking talent, adaptability, and workplace culture.Learn more:- The surprising truth about hiring trends and what fresh grads *really* need to know.- Why AI isn’t replacing everyone — but is quietly rewriting job expectations.- The mindset shift that separates adaptable professionals from those left behind.- The hidden growth industries no one is talking about yet.- Plus, what inclusivity and flexibility actually mean to employers in 2025.Whether you’re job-hunting, hiring, or just trying to stay ahead of the curve — this conversation will change how you see the job market.🎧 Tune in to find out what’s next for Singapore’s workforce — and how you can prepare for it.Learn more about Michael Page at https://www.michaelpage.com.sg/. and OUE REIT at https://www.ouereit.com/---🎧 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 national insurance scheme you’re paying into isn’t enough to cover your long-term care? Is it time to rethink your strategy?Here’s what you can expect:- Exclusive Insight from Alex Lee, Chief Actuary, a key figure in the insurance and finance world, as he walks us through the updates and changes to the Cash Life scheme.- The difference between ElderShield and Cash Life – and why these changes matter for your long-term care planning.- The big questions: Is the current payout enough? What about the gap in coverage for the younger generation? And, what’s the deal with premium fairness across genders?- Plus, we’ll be exploring the personal impact of these policies: Is this something you should be thinking about now, even in your 30s? You won’t believe the angles Alex brings to the table.Alex Lee offers some eye-opening insights that could change the way you think about insurance. Don’t miss this crucial conversation – tune in 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.

What do you get when two actors — one of them a former Green Power Ranger — decide they’re done waiting for scripts and start writing their own story… in tech?Sit down with Christian Lee and Jason Chan, co-founders of Cinewav, a world-first platform changing how audiences experience sound in films and live events.From life on film sets and struggles in the media industry to the “yes, and” rule that kept their partnership alive — this conversation is raw, hilarious, and full of lessons on reinvention, storytelling, and purpose-driven entrepreneurship.Tune in to hear:- How a Green Power Ranger ended up co-founding a tech company- The moment they realised their “failed” side project was actually genius- The acting principle that became their business superpower- Why storytelling might be the secret to raising millionsAll that and more in Part 1 of this inspiring two-part journey with the founders of Cinewav.It’s a wild mix of film, friendship, and fearless entrepreneurship — all told with the kind of energy only two storytellers could bring.Don’t miss it! this one’s for dreamers, doers, and anyone who’s ever asked, “what if we tried something crazy?---🎧 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.

Balancing career and family — can you really have both?Can stepping back from your career ever mean moving forward in life?Explore the real trade-offs behind choosing family over work — and whether it truly means falling behind.Joining two women who’ve lived it out in very different ways:👩‍💼 Sarah Wong — Healthtech leader, venture partner, and podcaster who took time off to rediscover her purpose before re-entering corporate life.🏡 Cheryl Liew — Chief Home Officer and former marketing & events professional, now navigating a season of caregiving while building a flexible, portfolio-style career.They unpack:• The identity crisis of stepping away from work• The fear of losing visibility and relevance• How to reframe a career break as growth, not failure• The mindset shift needed to thrive in a new season🎧 Does choosing family mean losing your edge — or finding a new kind of success?Tune in to find out.---🎧 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 would you do if your 12-year-old started making his own money — and then told you how he wants to invest it?That’s exactly what happened in this week’s episode.Host Reggie sits down with Alex Lee, better known as Familee Dad, and his son Daken from Familee.sg — one of Singapore’s most popular family creator.They open up about:Turning family content into a full-fledged business.How parents can teach kids the value of money without killing curiosity.What happens when kids start contributing to family finances (yes, really).And the emotional tug-of-war between saving, spending, and just living well in Singapore.It’s funny, raw, and unexpectedly wise — a real peek into how money conversations sound in a modern Singaporean household.🎧 Catch the full episode and maybe, just maybe, you’ll start talking money a little differently at home.---🎧 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.