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 Introduction01:12 Career Beginnings and Journalism Aspirations02:46 Transition to Investments and Private Equity04:19 Becoming an Entrepreneur07:35 Balancing Parenthood and Entrepreneurship12:03 Building a Business and Team Culture21:29 Importance of Numbers in Business25:59 Navigating the Hiring Landscape27:37 Targeting the Malaysian Market30:57 Cost Comparison Across Countries32:26 Effective Recruitment Strategies39:16 Setting Clear KPIs for Remote Employees47:01 Working with Different Generations50:17 Final Thoughts and Contact InformationThe Hidden Gems Talent https://www.hiddengemtalent.com/ Get full access to Will That Work? at www.adriantan.com.sg/subscribe