Ever wondered what it takes to own and operate beloved food franchises like Marrybrown and A&W? Join our dive deep into the world of franchise opportunities with two industry heavyweights:

• Kairul Azman - International Director Marrybrown, overseeing expansion across 16 countries

• Andrew Khoo - CEO of The MUI Group, managing popular brands including A&W Malaysia and Benjamin Barker

Key discussion points:

- The real costs and investment needed to own a franchise

- How beloved brands stay relevant in today's competitive market

- Innovation strategies in the fast-food industry

- The truth about franchise operations and management

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or simply curious about the business behind your favorite food chains, this episode offers valuable insights into the franchise world.

"An investor or franchisee shouldn't go in there thinking it's a hands-off investment. Go in there, fully understand the business, get your hands dirty." - Industry insight from this eye-opening discussion.

Tune in to learn more about the opportunities and challenges in the franchise business landscape!

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Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. 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

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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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Join us for a power-packed discussion with four industry veterans who know the ins and outs of business financing:

- Dennis Poh (Legacy Consulting LLP) - Corporate services and fundraising strategist

- Eldred Wee (Edenity M&A) - SME acquisition specialist

- Waltson Tan (28 Falcon Law) - Legal expertise in business financing

- Jeremy Au (BRAVE Southeast Asia Tech) - Tech ecosystem insider

Our expert panel dives into:

- The overlooked questions you MUST ask before seeking funding

- Why your best source of capital might be hiding in plain sight

- Strategic approaches to grants, debt, and equity—and when to use each

- The smart way to build banking relationships (before you need them)

- Real talk on funding pitfalls and how to avoid them

This isn't your typical funding advice—our experts share candid insights from years of helping businesses navigate the capital landscape in Singapore and beyond. Whether you're running a traditional SME or a high-growth startup, you'll get practical strategies for making smarter financing decisions.

Ready to master the funding game? Tune in for game-changing perspectives from those who've seen it all! 🎧

00:00 - Intro

02:48 - What has been your experience helping founders and owners looking for capital?

06:23 - How have you seen people approach that question of sizing that quantum?

10:10 - Fundraising as a process, any order or sequence? Gov grants first?

15:27 - Debt vs Equity Fundraising

20:08 - How much money should I borrow from bank and at what rate?

22:52 - What should be the minimum gauge to consider invoice financing?

25:34 - What is the horror story and preventing them?

31:37 - When should people choose equity?

37:01 - Timeline for fundraising

39:48 - Panel contact

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. 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

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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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered how traditional businesses stay relevant in today's digital age? In this episode, we dive into fascinating stories of transformation with two entrepreneurs who've mastered the art of digitalizing "old-school" businesses:

Key Guests:

• Zames - Founder, CEO of [Repair.sg](http://repair.sg/), a tech-enabled handyman service with 17,000+ customers

• Hoe Yeegn Lougn - Sales Director of CityMusic, a 55-year-old musical equipment business

What You'll Learn:

- How a handyman service became an SEO powerhouse

- The surprising shift in consumer behavior post-COVID

- Why physical stores still matter in 2024

- Creative ways to blend digital innovation with traditional service

- The evolution from selling products to providing solutions

Curious how these entrepreneurs are defying industry stereotypes and growing their businesses? Tune in to discover their practical insights and transformation strategies.

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. 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

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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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From Sound of Music to supply chains, this episode takes you behind the scenes of European business expansion with a fascinating twist.

Industry insiders reveal:

- The hidden connection between Singapore and Austrian markets

- Surprising cultural insights that most consultants won't tell you

- Real stories of market entry victories (and failures)

- The unexpected role of airports in European business strategy

Plus: Learn why that "obvious" expansion strategy might be your biggest mistake!

Whether you're:

- Planning to take your business to Europe

- Curious about international market dynamics

- Looking for authentic insights beyond the tourist facade

...this is the raw, unfiltered conversation you need to hear before making your next move.

00:00 - Intro

02:17 - What makes the Spanish and Austrian market interesting to Singapore Businesses looking to expand abroad?

06:19 - What are some of the policies in place or resources available for business owners with products for the Spanish and Austrian market?

16:34 - What are some hurdles/ issues for Singaporean businesses when entering the market?

18:10 - Are there any localisation requirements for businesses entering?

21:32 - Is there any institutions Singaporeans should reach out to if they are interested to venture into the Spain or Austrian markets?

24:29 - What are the typical paths for business owners in expanding?

27:16 - What industries tend to do better in the EU?

30:42 - What would you advise Singaporean firms entering Spain or Austria?

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. 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

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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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Direct from the Canton Fair in Guangzhou, discover how Mexico is becoming a game-changer in global trade amid US-China dynamics.

Meet Pablo Rocha, CEO of Tally Legal and former big law firm attorney turned entrepreneur. Learn why Mexico is attracting unprecedented foreign investment and explore the Mexican e-commerce boom and consumer market trends

Highlights:

- Discover untapped market opportunities in North America

- How Mexico is emerging as a key player in the US-China trade dynamics

- Strategic advantages for international businesses looking to enter the Mexican market

- Gain practical insights for business expansion

Perfect For:

- Entrepreneurs considering market expansion

- Business owners affected by trade tensions

- Investors seeking new opportunities

- International trade professionals

- Anyone interested in emerging markets

Join host Reggie as he uncovers why Mexico might be your next strategic business move in this candid conversation with a Mexican business expert.

03:01 - How are you looking at the US-China trade war?

05:06 - What are some of these Chinese companies doing in Mexico to route out of this situation?

07:13 - Is the Mexican gov doing something to welcome people in?

12:18 - What's the local market and economy like in Mexico?

20:13 - Are there any other big things that people care about venturing into Mexico?

24:14 - After visiting the Canton Fair, what are somethings you find interesting that could go into Mexico?

26:12 - Is Mexico safe? People have an impression of cartel etc. so how should we look at it?

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. 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

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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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are Chinese brands truly taking over global markets? Host Reggie and co-host Alex Low sat with marketing veterans and guests Lovie Li Account Director & Partner, Deren Marketing, and Xiao Saunders, Bilingual Fitness Franchise & Licensing Consultant to unpack the secrets behind successful cross-border brand expansion.

From billion-dollar Chinese tech companies to Western fitness franchises, discover why some brands thrive while others fail when entering new markets. Our experts share fascinating behind-the-scenes stories about brand localisation, marketing strategies, and the real costs of going global.

Whether you're a business owner looking to expand into China or curious about how Chinese brands are revolutionising customer experience worldwide, this episode offers valuable insights from industry insiders who've been in the trenches.

Don't miss this candid discussion about the future of global commerce and where the real opportunities lie. Listen now.

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. 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

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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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

They say the world is your oyster when you're a small business owner, but how do you actually crack it open? For savvy Singapore entrepreneurs, the answer may lie closer than you think - just a short hop across the causeway.

This week on the TFC Business Show, we're diving deep into the glocal talent strategies that are allowing our island's SMEs to punch way above their weight. From tapping into ASEAN's vast skilled labor pool, to strategic overseas stints for homegrown leaders, we'll explore how going regional is the new staying local.

Our guests? Two seasoned insiders who've helped SMEs of all sizes navigate this frontier. Yeo Puay Lim from HR tech firm Glints has facilitated cross-border team building for startups and MNCs alike. Meanwhile, Shirley Lim, Deputy Director at Workforce Singapore will share little-known government incentives to support your regional talent plays.

Supercharging your growth, maximizing your Singapore core's potential, and gaining a foothold in thriving ASEAN markets - it's all on the menu. Tune in as we undress the opportunities and challenges of becoming a true regional SME powerhouse.

So grab your coconuts and get ready to think global while acting natively local. This is the future of smart small business in Singapore - are you ready?

00:00 - Introduction

03:12 - In the talent pool space, what are the struggles SME bosses face?

06:57 - How are we keeping up to still land jobs here?

10:31 - In terms of helping Singapore companies place locals elsewhere, what do you want to achieve from that?

12:58 - What then is the Singapore Core?

25:10 - What processes can work?

28:01 - Tidbits for SME bosses/ Singapore Core for the next decade

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. 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

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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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Are you an entrepreneur seeking new frontiers? Or just curious about the Cambodia business buzz? Join us for a fascinating peek into why more and more Singaporean companies are venturing into the Kingdom of Wonder..

We chat with the President of Singapore Cambodia Venture Club, Executive Director of Hong Lai Huat Group and CEO of House of Brands to explore the appealing for sectors like F&B, retail, and property development, from its youthful workforce to investor-friendly policies.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. We’ll dive into the real challenges, including training needs and supply chain issues, and discuss how to effectively tackle them. Whether you're an entrepreneur or just intrigued by the Cambodia buzz, this conversation is for you!

Tune in for insights on the growing economic ties between Singapore and Cambodia and discover when you can also apply for the MRA grant for expansion to Cambodia.

---

Welcome to The Financial Coconut, your source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. 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

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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.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.