Painting Bold Futures: How 17-Year-Old Danya Adriana Feri Is Redefining Malaysian Art

At just 17 years old, Danya Adriana Feri who is from Malaysia has already turned her passion for painting into a thriving art business. From discovering her style during lockdown to completing large-scale commissions for clients like YTL and Marriott, Danya is proof that age is no barrier to pursuing your creative dreams.

In this conversation, she shares how she balances school with entrepreneurship, the role her mother plays as her manager and biggest cheerleader, and why she’s committed to showcasing Malaysia’s cultural heritage through her bold, vibrant abstract art. Danya also opens up about her vision to inspire other young people to create and her dream of building a community art studio.

• [00:02] Discovering art during lockdown – How Danya began experimenting with abstract painting and found her unique style.
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• [00:08] First sale beyond family – The thrill of selling her artwork at Art Market Malaysia.
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• [00:12] Commissions with major brands – Working with YTL and Marriott on large-scale pieces.
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• [00:16] Balancing exams and entrepreneurship – How she manages schoolwork alongside her art career.
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• [00:21] Dreaming of a community art studio – Why she wants to teach and inspire young people through art.
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• [00:25] Staying rooted in Malaysian heritage – How her culture shapes her art and sense of purpose.
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Key Takeaways

• Passion can start small – Even simple experiments can lead to discovering your creative style.
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• Support matters – Having a champion, like Danya’s mom, can make all the difference in building a creative career.
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Heritage is powerful – Embracing your culture can give your art and business a unique voice.

This episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio.

Find all links and show notes at Womenpreneur Asia.

From biomedical engineer to wellness entrepreneur, Marie Tuason has reinvented herself through burnout, bold choices and a passion for health.

In this episode of Womenpreneur Asia, Marie shares her journey from interning in Germany to creating ventures that bridge wellness, community, and entrepreneurship.

She opens up about the lessons of burnout, why she challenges common wellness myths, and how she’s building the Philippines’ first Longevity Social Club.

This candid conversation dives into identity shifts, the importance of bio-individuality, and how personal struggles with self-worth and anxiety became stepping stones toward her mission to help others live healthier, more intentional lives.

Marie’s story is a powerful reminder that reinvention starts with listening to yourself and daring to align your life with your values.

In This Episode:

• [00:02] Growing up in the Philippines and finding resourcefulness without privilege
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• [05:45] Moving to Germany: discovering slower living, balance, and holistic health
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• [12:10] Burnout, gap year, and the unexpected pivot into entrepreneurship
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• [18:50] Building Kaya Connections and the Longevity Social Club
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• [27:00] Debunking wellness myths and embracing bio-individuality
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• [35:20] How struggles with anxiety and self-worth shaped her mission
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• [42:00] Marie’s advice for women on reinvention and health
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Key Takeaways

1. Reinvention often starts with discomfort — burnout became Marie’s launchpad for transformation.
2. Health is multi-dimensional — beyond food and fitness, it includes mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.
3. Sustainable change requires identity shifts — becoming someone who values movement, resilience, and balance.

This episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio.

Get the full article at WomenpreneurAsia.com

In this episode, Krista sits down with Gabriella or Gabby Yan, a hospitality industry insider turned startup founder to discuss her journey from luxury hotel marketing to founding TRAppe - a platform dedicated to making sustainable travel accessible, aspirational and impactful.

Gabby shares the challenges she faced as a solo female founder, the problem of economic leakage in tourism and her vision for travel that benefits people and local economies.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Gabby’s background in hospitality and how that insider knowledge inspired her to start TRAppe
• The problem of economic leakage and woefully underpaid local staff in tourism
• The three pillars of sustainability: People, Planet, Economy
• Challenges of fundraising as a solo female founder with no tech background and no tech co-founder
• How TRAppe works in creating authentic, community-focused travel experiences
• Why sustainability isn’t one-size-fits-all and the importance of local context and nuances
• The business model: e-guides and a membership platform
• Tips for travelers to make more conscious, impactful choices without the guilt
• The importance of amplifying Asian thought leadership and Asian perspectives in the Asian travel industry

Practical Takeaways:

• Stay, eat, and buy local to ensure your travel spending benefits the community
• Book accommodations and experiences directly, not just through online travel agents or commercial platforms
• Look for farm-to-table restaurants and artisan souvenirs that benefits the locals
• Ask locals for recommendations to discover hidden gems like restaurants, hotels and experiences that contribute to more local prosperity
• Take time to learn about the culture and needs of your destination
• Traveling better is about thoughtful choices, not perfection

Resources & Links:

• Trappe: trappetravel.com

Shoutouts:

• Special thanks to Michelle Coulson of Remote Rebellion for connecting Gabby and Krista

Connect with the host and the show:

• Host: Krista Goon on LinkedIn
• Full article about this episode on: Womenpreneur Asia

This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio.