• From handling failure to seizing the moment: 5 crazy-smart insights from Crazy Smart Asia Season 10
    Feb 5 2025

    This week, we present five motivating quotes from the guests of Season 10 of Crazy Smart Asia. From understanding what real confidence looks like to grasping every opportunity that comes your way, these mind bombs tackle what it means to build a better world, better business or better you.


    If you enjoyed these short clips, why not go back and listen to the full episodes:

    • Tech founder and ex-Green Beret Gene Yu on his journey from fighting terrorists to fighting online crime
    • Building an empire inspired by the K-pop business model, with Tier One Entertainment’s Tryke Gutierrez
    • 20,000 customers in 48 hours: YouTrip’s Caecilia Chu on nailing product-market fit
    • Putting the Philippines on the global stage, with event and PR maestro Tim Yap
    • Beating death while building an eco empire, with Christophe Bariou


    Timestamps

    00:00 Introduction and Season Reflection

    00:14 Real Confidence: Handling Failure

    00:53 Long-term Problem Solving

    01:52 Achieving Product-Market Fit

    02:41 Mastering Networking Skills

    03:21 Seizing the Moment: No Regrets

    04:14 Season Finale and What's Next


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    5 mins
  • Beating death while building an eco empire, with Christophe Bariou
    Jan 31 2025

    “In many ways, we are eating ourselves to our own extinction,” says Christophe Bariou, the co-founder of Dehusk, Maison Bukana and Maison Bukana Wines, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Filipino-French entrepreneur discusses overcoming a life-threatening cancer diagnosis in his twenties, living life with no regrets and his passion for veganism.


    00:21 Meet Christophe Bariou: building a sustainable empire

    01:08 Quickfire questions

    02:28 Christophe's early life and influence

    06:52 Building a sustainable resort in the Philippines

    08:39 Facing a cancer diagnosis at 26

    16:39 Leadership lessons and business insights

    22:02 Advocating for veganism and sustainability

    25:34 Conclusion and final thoughts


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    27 mins
  • 20,000 customers in 48 hours: YouTrip’s Caecilia Chu on nailing product market fit
    Jan 24 2025

    “The most important quest of an entrepreneur is to focus on your customers,” says Caecilia Chu, the co-founder and CEO of Singapore-based fintech company YouTrip, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, she discusses building Southeast Asia’s first multicurrency mobile wallet, nailing product market fit, perseverance as a business non-negotiable and the thought of her kids following in her footsteps.


    00:27 Meet Caecilia Chu: Founder of YouTrip

    01:30 Quickfire questions

    04:22 Cecilia's early life and inspiration

    10:51 Founding YouTrip

    14:54 Challenges and growth of YouTrip

    18:52 Navigating COVID-19 and business adaptation

    25:06 Future of YouTrip and fintech insights

    30:22 Leadership reflections

    36:09 Final thoughts


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    37 mins
  • Celebrated chef Mathew Leong eats stress for breakfast
    Jan 15 2025

    “To do something great, you need to have focus, discipline and consistency,” says Mathew Leong, executive chef of the award-winning restaurant Re-naa, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Stavanger-based Singaporean chef opens up about moving to Norway with just $500 in his pocket, how competition is key to being your best self and why he rarely cooks at home.


    00:34 Introducing Matthew Leong

    01:17 Matthew's early culinary start

    02:27 The path to becoming a chef

    03:54 A competitive streak

    04:42 Working at world-renowned Re-naa

    07:45 Chef life lessons

    11:05 Preparing for Bocuse d'Or

    12:56 Future goals

    18:31 Final thoughts


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    21 mins
  • Fintech founder Nikhilesh Goel on hearing everyone but listening to no one
    Jan 8 2025

    “Until the time it's profitable, what’s the hoo-ha about? There is no achievement,” says Nikhilesh Goel, co-founder and group CEO of Singapore-based startup Validus, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, Goel shares his journey from the son of a tea taster in Kolkata to fintech founder, his quiet leadership style and the honest feedback he’s gotten for it, and the difference between seeking collaboration and seeking consensus.


    Show notes

    00:23 Introduction

    01:23 Quickfire questions

    05:37 Growing up in Kolkata

    07:36 The evolution of Validus

    13:27 Challenges and strategies in SME lending

    19:55 The future of Validas

    20:56 Scaling the business

    22:16 Doubling down on key markets in Indonesia and Thailand

    23:14 Being an introverted CEO

    28:15 Fundraising challenges and triumphs

    33:41 How to collaborate with co-founders

    38:02 The toll of entrepreneurship

    39:33 Final thoughts




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    40 mins
  • Putting the Philippines on the global stage, with event and PR guru Tim Yap
    Dec 16 2024

    “You have to know yourself well,” says Tim Yap, the co-founder and CEO of events and PR agency, Yaparazzi, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Filipino Chinese shares his incredible career through showbiz to events and PR, why he’s passionate about putting the Philippines on the world stage and why knowing yourself is key to being a better networker.


    Show notes

    00:00 Introduction

    02:33 Tim Yap's early life and career

    05:09 Journey int theatre and acting

    09:20 Transition to hosting and event production

    19:28 Building Yaparazzi events and PR

    25:00 Tim Yap's networking and party tips

    27:34 Challenges and positivity in business

    33:03 Final thoughts




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    34 mins
  • Cybersecurity founder and ex-Green Beret Gene Yu on his journey from fighting terrorists to fighting online crime
    Nov 21 2024

    “I wanted to do something so hard that people could not ever talk shit to me ever again,” says Gene Yu, co-founder and CEO of cybersecurity firm Blackpanda, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, the Taiwanese American shares the scary hostage rescue of a family friend that got him into cybersecurity, why military school was more traumatising than war and why Asian founders should holiday in Europe if they really want a break.


    Show notes:

    00:00 Introduction to Crazy Smart Asia

    00:22 Meet Gene Yu:

    01:07 Quick fire questions

    04:06 Gene Yu's childhood and early influences

    14:48 The West Point experience

    22:11 Transition to civilian life

    29:45 A life-changing decision

    30:30 The rescue mission that changed everything

    32:59 From the military to cybersecurity

    34:24 Building Blackpanda

    36:57 The evolution of cybersecurity

    43:16 Setbacks and insights

    54:02 The importance of relationships

    55:20 Final thoughts



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    56 mins
  • Game entrepreneur Vince Siu on gamifying education, business pivots and being a solo founder
    Nov 13 2024

    “Innovation is supposed to be fun,” says Vince Siu, founder and CEO of Press Start Academy and Press Start Studios, on the Crazy Smart Asia podcast. In conversation with Tatler Gen.T’s Chong Seow Wei, Siu shares why education needs a shake up, how his business started as “board game socials” he hosted for friends and how he navigates being an introverted CEO.


    Show notes:

    00:00 Introduction

    01:01 Meet Vince Siu: gamifying education

    01:17 Quickfire questions

    02:49 Vince's childhood and early influences

    04:24 From business school to board games

    07:00 The birth of PressStart Academy

    14:19 Challenges and setbacks

    20:37 Launching Fiero and future plans

    29:11 Reflections on leadership and being a solo founder

    34:39 Final thoughts


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    35 mins