The Business of Keeping Things Fresh in the Philippines [TBS 52]

What if the reason your food isn’t fresher isn’t the farm, but everything in between?In this episode, we dive into a business almost nobody dreams of starting, yet it quietly powers entire cities. Think traffic jams, melting margins, broken fridges, and a problem so hidden that most consumers never even notice it.Here’s what we’re unpacking:Why traffic in Metro Manila became a business opportunityThe surprising gap in the “invisible road” your food travels before it reaches youHow a 40% energy efficiency breakthrough sparked something much biggerThe pivot that changed everything, from selling cold rooms to renting them by the boxWhy small businesses were willing to pay before the product even landedThe harsh lessons of trying to sell to big corporations, and why it nearly didn’t workWhy the Philippines, not Singapore, became the launchpadAnd joining us are:Jonathan Harvey, a food industry veteran who’s spent over 15 years across Southeast Asia uncovering gaps in the region’s cold chain infrastructureJoe Khoo, a former early-stage tech employee with a six-figure exit, who pivoted from VR hardware and sustainability projects into building energy-efficient, self-serve cold hubsTogether, they’re building something deceptively simple, but potentially game-changing for SMEs, food security, and climate tech.It’s scrappy.It’s technical.It’s capital-heavy.And it almost didn’t work.If you’ve ever wondered how real founders navigate pivots, funding trade-offs, family responsibilities, and finding product-market fit in an unsexy industry, this episode is for you.Tune in.---🎧 The Financial Coconut: Your weekly source for empowering financial knowledge and unlocking possibilities. We explore personal finance, investing, and entrepreneurship to help you build a richer life. Join us as we explore personal finance, investing and more.Get ready to take control of your financial future and live your best life, financially wise: https://linkin.bio/thefinancialcoconut📍 LISTEN & SUBSCRIBESpotifyApple PodcastYouTube🔗 CONNECT WITH USGet daily tips, insights, and community:InstagramTikTokTelegramWhatsappNewsletter📺 MORE FROM OUR NETWORKDiscover our other shows and deep dives on YouTube⚠️ Disclaimer:The content discussed in this episode is intended for educational purposes only and should not be considered as financial advice. The information provided is based on our understanding at the time of recording and may not reflect the current regulations or market conditions. The opinions expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily represent those of The Financial Coconut. Please do your due diligence before making any investment or financial decisions.Learn about our eventsHelp us get to know you better: http://bit.ly/thefinancialcoconut-survey Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.