Is your business ready for the future?

We dive into the 2025 UOB Business Outlook Study with a powerhouse panel of experts.

• Paul Kan, Country Head of UOB Business Banking Singapore, who sheds light on the financial landscape for SMEs and how businesses can adapt to thrive
• Joseph Soh, Founder of Xpressflower.com, offering his experience in scaling a retail business and the role of data and digitalisation in expanding regionally
• Desmond Goh, Managing Director of NETS, who shares how digital payment solutions are reshaping business operations.

You'll Discover:

• How business sentiment has evolved in 2025 amid rising costs, talent shortages, and global uncertainty.
• Real-world strategies for scaling regionally and innovating under pressure.
• The latest in digitalisation and AI: what’s actually working for customer engagement, automation, and growth.
• Tips for managing costs, increasing productivity, and staying nimble in the face of rising competition.

If you're an SME owner or entrepreneur, this conversation is a must-listen! Don’t miss out on the key takeaways that could define your next big move.

Watch now and discover how you can stay competitive, innovate, and grow your business.

And don’t forget to check out the full study in the link below!

• UOB Business Outlook Study 2025 (Regional): Tariff pressures test optimism in ASEAN and Greater China

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed belong to the guest/content creator, and do not represent the views of UOB. 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.

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🎧 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

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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.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

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We meet the guy who looked at Singapore’s brutal F&B scene and said…

“Yeah, sure. Let’s sell fresh pasta.”

Introducing Darren Tan, Co-founder & Brand Manager of PastaGo, the young entrepreneur who went from kneading dough in an abandoned kitchen during COVID to building one of the fastest-growing pasta brands around.

And trust us, nothing about this journey is “al dente.”

Think:

🔥 Opening-day chaos

🔥 The surprising science behind making pasta that survives delivery (AND picky customers)

🔥 The secret psychology behind portions, add-ons, and why you think you’re full

🔥 And why he refuses to offer discounts even on Day 1

This isn’t just a pasta story.

It’s a masterclass in product obsession, scrappy scaling, and breaking F&B “rules” one plate at a time.

🎧 Tune in to hear Darren’s full story — the risks, the realities, and the pasta revolution he’s trying to build.

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🎧 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

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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.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

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

Explore the world of startups, wellness, and genetic technology with Cedric Lee, the Founder, and Choo Ee Ting, as Chief Commercial Officer of Connecting DNA.

From corporate careers to entrepreneurship, they share their unique journey of launching a for-impact, for-profit business in the midst of a pandemic.

Here’s what you’ll hear:

• The Power of DNA: How Connecting DNA uses genetics to unlock personalised wellness solutions.
• Leaving Corporate Life: Why they took the leap from successful careers to build a business during the pandemic.
• Global Ambitions: Plans to expand worldwide, starting with their first overseas office in Australia.
• B2B & B2C: How they’re partnering with wellness providers and reaching consumers with trust-based solutions.

Tune in to get insights into the fast-moving world of health tech, the challenges of building a startup, and the mission that keeps them going! Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss out on more episodes like this.

Join us for this fascinating conversation about blending science with entrepreneurship – don’t miss it!

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🎧 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 & SUBSCRIBE

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Get daily tips, insights, and community:

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Discover 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.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

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

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 Toastys, 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.

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🎧 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 US

Get daily tips, insights, and community:

• Instagram
• Newsletter

⚠️ 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.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

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

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.

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🎧 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 & SUBSCRIBE

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Get daily tips, insights, and community:

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Discover 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.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

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

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 millions

All 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?

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🎧 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 & SUBSCRIBE

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Get daily tips, insights, and community:

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Discover 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.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

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

Think Europe is out of reach for Asian businesses? Think again.

We’re joined by Mr Péter Martonosi, Head of Trade, Embassy of Hungary in Singapore, to explore how Hungary is opening unexpected doors for investors and entrepreneurs across Asia.

Find out:

- The surprisingly low tax rate turning heads.

- Why major car brands and tech firms are already there.

- How Hungary acts as a launchpad into Europe’s massive common market.

A small country with big opportunities—don’t miss why Hungary might just be your next business move.

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🎧 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 & SUBSCRIBE

• Spotify
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🔗 CONNECT WITH US

Get daily tips, insights, and community:

• Instagram
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• Newsletter

📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK

Discover 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.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

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

What really powers Singapore after dark? Beyond the parties and bright lights lies a thriving ecosystem of creativity, culture, and commerce.

Our guests:

- Danny Loong, CEO, Timbre Group, a veteran shaping music and entertainment in the city

- Kent Teo CEO, INVADE, the festival agency championing thousands of micro-businesses and creatives

Together, we uncover:

- How Singapore’s night economy is changing, and what’s driving that shift

- Why community and creativity are key to getting people out again

- The new wave of experiences reshaping our nights: from late-night markets to unexpected collaborations

- What it really takes to build a sustainable business after dark

If you’ve ever thought nightlife was just about bars and clubs, think again.

Tune in to uncover how Singapore’s nights might just be its next big opportunity.

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🎧 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 & SUBSCRIBE

• Spotify
• Apple Podcast
• YouTube

🔗 CONNECT WITH US

Get daily tips, insights, and community:

• Instagram
• TikTok
• Telegram
• Whatsapp
• Newsletter

📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORK

Discover 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.

Help us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey

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