They didn’t plan to start a shoe empire. But five years, countless flower heels, and a few family fights later—Amy and Esther Tai have built one of the most recognisable homegrown brands in Malaysia: Machino.
In this episode, we sit down with the sole sisters to talk about what it really takes to build a business from scratch.
From awkward influencer meet-ups and trademark battles to family dynamics, burnout, and figuring out how to not kill each other at work—we covered it all.
💬 In this episode, you’ll learn:
How they turned a side hustle into a viral, full-time brand
Why building a business with family is both a blessing and a challenge
How they handled getting copied (again and again...)
What to actually look for in influencer marketing
The importance of boundaries, self-care, and community when growing something meaningful
Whether you’re dreaming of launching your own brand, or just need a dose of “holy shit they did it!” inspiration—this one’s for you.
Follow:
Machino: www.instagram.com/itsmachino
Amy: www.instagram.com/amytaiii
Esther: www.instagram.com/esthertaishenhui