I’m Carmen, host of Asian Business Owners (ABO) — a podcast featuring honest conversations with entrepreneurs across Asia.
We dive into the real journey of building a business: the wins, the struggles, and everything in between.
⭐ If you enjoy the show, subscribe and leave a review
🎧 Follow @abo.pod on Instagram for behind-the-scenes
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
I’m Carmen, host of Asian Business Owners (ABO) — a podcast featuring honest conversations with entrepreneurs across Asia.
We dive into the real journey of building a business: the wins, the struggles, and everything in between.
⭐ If you enjoy the show, subscribe and leave a review
🎧 Follow @abo.pod on Instagram for behind-the-scenes
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Happy New Year!
To kick off this new year, (re)listen to these two Quick Wins episodes that focus on making your marketing clearer, lighter and more effective.
What it covers:
But also:
Start the year focused, sharp and aligned.
For more content, follow me on LinkedIn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's the beginning of a new year, are you secretly dreaming of switching careers, changing life, reinventing yourself?
In this special medley episode of Asian Business Owners, listen to stories of reinvention from founders who chose alignment over comfort.
What's covered:
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast
(01:10) Reinvention Stories: From Banking to Influence with Jessie
(04:23) Personal Branding and Influencer Marketing
(08:09) From Corporate Life to Entrepreneurship in Hong Kong with Carmen
(14:11) Rolex to Retail: A Journey of Humility and Family Business with Renaud-Louis
(19:06) Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Listen to the entire episodes:
Follow the journey:
💬 abo.pod
📲 Find me on LinkedIn
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this Quick Wins episode, revisit two powerful lessons many founders miss when it comes to marketing.
1/ Let's break down how to collaborate with KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders) without a big budget
2/ Let's uncover the most common social media mistakes that hurt your growth
Short, practical, easy to apply: don't miss this special episode, especially if you're reconsidering your marketing strategy for 2026.
For more content, follow me on LinkedIn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As the year comes to an end, I wanted to pause and revisit the advice that stayed with me the most.
I've put together this special medley episode of Asian Business Owners, you'll hear some grounding and inspiring pieces of advice by business owners I invited on the podcast.
Hit play and listen to them as you slow down, reflect and close the year. To listen to the whole episodes with the guests, tap the links below.
(00:00) Introduction and Welcome
(00:31) Reflecting on the Year
(01:03) Gabriella Montandon: Why Fun Matters
(03:22) Allen Law: Stress, Purpose & Sustainability
(04:27) Gianne Chan: Gratitude & Personal Happiness
(05:32) Conclusion
Listen to the entire episodes:
Follow the journey:
💬 abo.pod
📲 Find me on LinkedIn
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
As the year comes to an end, I’ve curated a Best of Quick Wins 2025 episode with some useful and practical tips shared this year on Asian Business Owners.
In this episode, we cover three areas many founders struggle with:
For more content, follow me on LinkedIn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
2025 didn’t come with a big breakthrough moment.
Instead, it quietly taught me lessons that reshaped how I think about business, creativity and myself as a founder.
In this solo episode of Asian Business Owners, I reflect on:
These lessons didn’t arrive loudly but they made me more confident, more aligned and more resilient.
I hope these lessons will help you too and I'd love to know what you learned this year. Tell me on IG (@abo.pod) or LinkedIn (link below).
Timestamps:
(00:00) Welcome To Asian Business Owners
(00:32) Reflecting on 2025: Key Lessons Learned
(01:25) Lesson 1
(05:05) Lesson 2
(07:37) Lesson 3
(09:29) Conclusion
Follow the journey:
💬 abo.pod
📲 Find me on LinkedIn
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Cold emailing makes you uncomfortable? You’re not alone.
In this new Quick Wins episode, I walk you through 3 practical ways to attract new clients organically without sending a single cold email.
We’ll break down:
• How to pick ONE platform and own it
• How to partner with complementary businesses & influencers
• Why events still work and how to use them to your advantage
Plus, a bonus pro tip that instantly makes your brand more relatable and memorable.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:40) Understanding Your Audience
(01:24) Balancing Educational and Emotional Content
(02:06) Consistency with a Content Calendar
(02:56) Conclusion and Final Tips
(00:15) You Hate Cold Emailing?
(00:43) #1 Pick One Platform
(01:29) #2 Partner With Local Businesses
(02:10) #3 Host Events
(02:39) #4 Paid Ads & SEO
(03:20) Bonus Pro Tip To Make Your Brand Relatable
(03:41) Final Tips & Conclusion
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In this solo episode, I share about my bandwidth limit and what happens when I ignore it.
What are the early signals your brain sends when it needs a break?
I talk through my own recent experience of pushing too far, what it taught me and how I created the space I needed to reset.
You’ll hear:
– The difference between being tired and being mentally overloaded
– Practical ways to recharge quickly
– Why recovery is actually a business skill
– How to stay grounded while juggling multiple roles
Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast
(00:28) Personal Struggles and Realisations
(01:11) Signs You Need a Break
(01:52) Lessons Learned from Exhaustion
(04:02) Creating Space for Recovery
(05:16) Practical Tips to Recharge
(07:41) Final Thoughts
08:29 Closing Remarks and Call to Action
Follow the journey:
💬 abo.pod
📲 Find me on LinkedIn
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How to get repeat customers who love your brand?
This Quick Wins episode is here to help. Learn how to:
Grow your online community, not just traffic and build an engaged audience with brand ambassadors.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:39) Personalise Your Customer Experience
(01:33) Create a Simple Loyalty Programme
(02:16) Engage Customers on Social Media
(02:50) Conclusion and Final Tips
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What does it really take to leave a stable corporate career and finally bet on yourself?
In this episode of Asian Business Owners, I sit down with Renaud-Louis, founder of Amplitude, a Hong Kong watch atelier born from 18 years of experience at Rolex and a lifelong passion for craftsmanship.
Renaud-Louis shares the pivotal moments that pushed him from corporate comfort to entrepreneurship.
What you’ll hear:
Timestamps:
（00:00）Introduction to Asian Business Owners
（00:33）Meet Renaud-Louis: From Rolex to Entrepreneurship
（01:36）Early Career and Passion for Horology
（03:50）Journey to Hong Kong
（06:12）Balancing Rugby and Watch Repairing
（10:02）Climbing the Ranks at Rolex
（14:57）This or That Questions
（15:48）The Pivot Moment: Founding Amplitude
（19:10）Finding the Perfect Shop Location
（20:43）Setting Up the Shop and Initial Challenges
（22:58）The Importance of Customer Relationships
（23:36）Learning from Mistakes and Managing Cash Flow
（24:28）Transitioning from Corporate to Entrepreneurship
（25:36）Family Support and Humility in Business
（26:18）Teaching Kids the Value of Hard Work
（28:00）Creating a Community of Watch Lovers
（30:06）The Art and Craft of Watchmaking
（33:46）Future Goals and Aspirations
（37:03）Final Thoughts and Advice for Business Owners
👉 To find out more about Amplitude:
The website
On Instagram
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You don’t have a big marketing budget? No problem.
Listen to this Quick Wins episode where I cover:
This is perfect for early-stage founders, small teams and solopreneurs looking to grow with creativity, not only with cash.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:14) Marketing Budget Challenges
(00:40) Hack #1: Leverage User-Generated Content
(01:38) Hack #2: Use Free Tools for Content Creation
(02:25) Hack #3: Collaborate with Local Communities
(03:00) Conclusion
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
A bit of naivety might be the reason you became an entrepreneur and the reason you’ve kept going.
In today’s solo episode, I explore why I needed a certain naive spirit to jump into the unknown, take risks, build something from scratch and keep moving when everything feels uncertain.
I share the realities I didn’t know when I started: the pressure, the mental load, the instability, the silent phases where nothing moves. And how naivety helped me see things with fresh eyes, stay connected to my vision and push through the hardest chapters of entrepreneurship.
You’ll hear about:
You might need a little more naivety than you think.
Timestamps:
(00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners
(00:31) Why naivety matters more than we admit
(03:59) Seeing opportunities with fresh eyes
(05:15) Staying motivated when nothing moves
(06:56) Naivety vs. discernment
(07:50) The value of staying naive as you get more experience
(09:10) Final thoughts
Follow the journey:
The Mental Load of Doing Everything
💬 abo.pod
📲 Find me on LinkedIn
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You want to grow without the cost of full-time staff?
In this Quick Wins episode, learn how to:
These tips are ideal for founders in Asia (or elsewhere) who want to scale fast and smart with limited costs.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:15) The Challenge of Scaling in Fast-Paced Markets
(00:38) Strategy 1: Hiring Freelancers for Specialised Tasks
(01:20) Strategy 2: Leveraging Freelancers for Email Marketing
(02:07) Strategy 3: Building a Virtual Team with Freelancers
(02:44) Conclusion
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
If you’re building a business alone, you know this feeling:
the pressure, the responsibility, the constant mental load that never really switches off.
In this solo episode of Asian Business Owners, I talk about what the mental load actually feels like when you’re the one making every decision, solving every problem and keeping things moving even on the days where you feel like slowing down.
Here’s what I cover:
• What the mental load looks like behind-the-scenes
• How constant responsibility affects my mind and energy
• Why overthinking shows up so strongly when you’re the only one in charge
• Practical strategies I use to cope with the pressure
• How to reframe responsibility so it empowers me instead of draining me
You may be tired, overwhelmed, determined: I know you're doing your best. Keep going, we're all in this together, building our dreams and reaching our goals.
Timestamps:
(00:00) — Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast
(00:32) — The Mental Load of Entrepreneurship
(02:18) — Daily Responsibilities and Pressures
(03:49) — Effects of Mental Load
(06:27) — Managing and Coping Strategies
(11:56) — Conclusion and Final Thoughts
Follow the journey:
💬 abo.pod
📲 Find me on LinkedIn
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Creating content for Asian audiences requires nuance and real understanding.
In this Quick Wins episode, you’ll learn how to:
Use these tips to grow your business' presence online and let me know how it goes.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:40) Understanding Your Audience
(01:24) Balancing Educational and Emotional Content
(02:06) Consistency with a Content Calendar
(02:56) Conclusion and Final Tips
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What happens after a decade building a career to realise it doesn’t feel like you anymore?
In this episode, Jessie Li — entrepreneur and content creator with over half a million followers — talks about reinvention. She left a stable career that ended up with burnout, to build her own businesses in the lifestyle, fashion and luxury space.
Jessie opens up about:
If you’ve ever wondered what it really takes to build a brand that feels true to who you are — this conversation will remind you that reinvention isn’t just possible; it’s necessary.
Content:
(00:00) — Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast
(00:32) — Meet Jessie Li: From Finance to Influencer
(01:36) — The Journey to Instagram Fame
(04:14) — Turning Influence into a Business
(05:38) — Crafting a Personal Brand
(07:24) — Expanding Beyond Influencing
(16:36) — Navigating Social Media and Public Perception
(17:55) — This or That with Jessie Li
(18:34) — Balancing Time and Priorities
(19:23) — The Journey of Relief X
(23:06) — Personal Branding vs. Influencing
(25:25) — Overcoming the Fear of Online Presence
(29:00) — Staying Authentic in the Luxury Fashion World
(32:23) — Marketing Insights for Business Owners
(34:45) — Lessons Learned and Final Thoughts
👉 To find out more about Jessie:
On Instagram
On LinkedIn
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
VC money isn’t your only option.
In this Quick Wins episode, learn how to:
Especially useful for mission-driven founders who want to stay in control.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:25) Creative Funding Methods
(00:40) Bootstrap with Pre-Sales
(01:15) Launch a Crowdfunding Campaign
(01:56) Tap into Local Grants and Competitions
(02:34) Conclusion and Final Tips
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You know those days when you feel down, have doubts and you wonder if it’s all worth it.
I feel like that sometimes, I feel down and in this solo episode, I open up about my emotional ups and downs and when I feel disconnected.
I've learned to reset and embrace it. These moments are part of my growth.
What you’ll hear:
Take a breath, you're not alone.
Timestamps:
00:00 Intro
00:28 Feeling Down as a Founder
01:37 Navigating Highs and Lows
05:15 Coping Strategies
07:16 Finding Inspiration
09:07 Creating a Plan
10:37 Final Thoughts
12:11 Outro
Follow the journey:
💬 abo.pod
📲 Find me on LinkedIn
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
In Asia, your customers are on WhatsApp. Are you?
This Quick Wins episode shows how to:
Turn daily chats into consistent business growth.
Content:
(00:00) Introduction to ABO Quick Wins
(00:15) The Power of WhatsApp for Your Business
(00:48) Personalised Updates with WhatsApp Business
(01:29) Exclusive Offers via WhatsApp Status
(02:02) Creating a VIP Broadcast List
(02:43) Conclusion and Next Steps
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After years in the corporate world in Paris, I hit a wall: burnout, lack of meaning and the feeling that something had to change.
In this solo episode, I share my story and how I went from being a corporate employee in marketing to becoming a business owner in Hong Kong.
I talk about what it took to rebuild my career and start over:
– Making the leap to move abroad
– Finding my first clients and building my marketing agency
– Launching the Asian Business Owners podcast
– Learning patience and self-trust along the way
Content:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:27) My life in Paris before COVID
(03:17) Burnout and losing motivation
(06:17) The decision to move to Hong Kong
(07:33) Starting over and finding purpose again
(11:05) Launching my podcast
(14:10) Lessons learned & reflections
(18:18) Closing thoughts
Follow the journey:
💬 abo.pod
📲 Find me on LinkedIn
🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it!
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.