153 - Why Sugasini Kandiah Left a High-Paying Job to Start Her Own Business

Sugasini Kandiah is the founder of Hidden Gems Talent, a platform that helps Singapore startups tap into top-tier remote talent from Malaysia and Indonesia. She is passionate about helping young professionals across the region build rewarding careers while enabling startups to scale with the right people. Before launching Hidden Gems Talent, Suga spent a decade in private equity and impact investing, working as an investment officer at EMIA, a Mekong-based development fund, and Creador, a leading regional private equity firm. She partnered closely with founders to scale their businesses, gaining firsthand insight into what drives growth. Suga holds a degree in Economics from Yale University. 00:00 Introduction 01:12 Career Beginnings and Journalism Aspirations 02:46 Transition to Investments and Private Equity 04:19 Becoming an Entrepreneur 07:35 Balancing Parenthood and Entrepreneurship 12:03 Building a Business and Team Culture 21:29 Importance of Numbers in Business 25:59 Navigating the Hiring Landscape 27:37 Targeting the Malaysian Market 30:57 Cost Comparison Across Countries 32:26 Effective Recruitment Strategies 39:16 Setting Clear KPIs for Remote Employees 47:01 Working with Different Generations 50:17 Final Thoughts and Contact Information The Hidden Gems Talent https://www.hiddengemtalent.com/ Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe