You Make It Look Easy Podcast

From an unexpected career path to getting acquired, Maria Li reveals what she's learnt about successful startups. In this episode, we talked about her journey from Apple's Silicon Valley HQ to leading Asia's top tech media platform. What You'll Learn:- Insider's perspective on the SPH acquisition- Understanding the pillars of a successful media company- Transitioning from a corporate job to startup founder- What it takes to start your own company- AI and tech trends in emerging markets in Southeast AsiaTimestamps:0:00:00 - Trailer0:09:02 - The world's fastest promotion0:16:02 - Detailed breakdown of SPH's acquisition0:26:22 - How did SPH convince you?0:39:19 - What are the traits of a successful business owner?0:47:20 - AI Agents for local solutions0:58:12 - Work-life balance??

I'm joined by the CEO & Cofounder of Hoolah (Stuart Thornton), a Singapore based payments company, last valued at over $100M after being acquired by ShopBack.In this episode, Stuart breaks down the brutal realities of startup life, how they got the idea for the business, and the process of raising more than $20,000,000. Learn how he transformed his corporate experience into a successful fintech business and the critical lessons about validation and entrepreneurial commitment.Beyond the glamorous startup headlines, this conversation offers practical insights for aspiring entrepreneurs. Stuart candidly discusses the tough sacrifices, explains why not everyone is suited to startup life, and shares how to validate business ideas with minimal resources. Discover the importance of finding the right co-founders and why solving a "burning house problem" matters more than technology itself.Chapters:0:00:00 - Trailer0:02:00 - Why Stuart is the right person to talk about startups?0:11:20 - How did Hoolah even start!0:19:58 - No one understood what we were pitching0:28:02 - How did you raise more than $20,000,0000:39:08 - Deciding between passion vs fund raising hype0:41:02 - Getting acquired by ShopBack (behind the scenes)0:49:34 - How do I start a business with $00:53:23 - Difficult sacrifices no one talks about0:59:23 - If you had $10k today, what business would you start

From founder to investor, and now a key player at Coinbase, David Tso is on a mission to help bring the global economy onchain. In this episode, we dive into his journey: from losing his sneaker business to finding conviction in crypto, and now supporting creators & founders build viral products in support of Base's 2025 goal of $100B AUM.We cover everything from $TRUMP, the memecoin craze, to the political tailwinds shaping crypto — including how Trump's pro-crypto stance is influencing sentiment and adoption. Tune in for a raw, insightful conversation with someone building at the frontlines of crypto adoption.Highlights:0:04:01 - First explanation of blockchain, discussing decentralization and removing intermediaries0:08:40 - Trump's memecoin and its impact 0:18:37 - David's personal story about being deplatformed from his Instagram sneaker blog0:23:10 - Connection between sneaker culture and early NFT adoption0:28:38 - Factors for builders to consider when choosing a blockchain protocol0:33:03 - Base's bold mission of 25 million users and 100 billion AUM by 20250:37:26 - How to go viral in crypto

In episode 10, I am joined by Joshua Wong, the founder & CEO of Hypotenuse AI. Theposter child of AI in Singapore, and a close friend whom I've known for over 10 years, it's my privilege to be able to share his story.If you're an aspiring entrepreneur, founder, or planning to be one, this episode would give you theraw perspectives of that journey. We covered:- how he learned coding from hackers- troubled teenage years with gangs & failed exams- choosing startups over corporates- getting snubbed by early investors- perks of being in Y Combinator- predictions on the AI landscapeHighlights:00:00:00 - Trailer00:07:19 - Striking the startup lottery with ShopBack00:09:01 - Why did you choose startups over corporate00:16:08 - Learned coding to seek revenge on a RuneScape hacker00:21:03 - Gangs & failed exams00:28:41 - Y Combinator, Sam Altman, snubbed by investors00:34:32 - When AI exploded00:43:59 - "Maybe slightly embarrassing..."00:54:26 - Foundational layer vs Application layer of AI01:04:00 - Prediction on the future of workHope you enjoy this, and be inspired to take that leap of faith in building the startup ecosystem in Southeast Asia. Thank you :)

Alex Shin is a serial entrepreneur with a resume that’s hard to match. He was a cofounder of Blind, the anonymous workplace chat app used by employees at Uber, Microsoft, and Google, which raised over $50M. He also co-founded Hashed, one of Asia’s leading crypto venture capital firms, managing over $500M in assets. In this episode, Alex reflects on his early days at DocuSign and Google, where he honed his skills in sales, team building, and venture capital—experiences that paved the way for his success as a multi-time founder. In his own words: “I’ve never been at a company that didn’t do well. It’s not me, it’s the market.” We dive into the harsh truths of startup life, the hidden advantages of adversity, and Alex’s secret growth hacks for scaling companies and acquiring users. Whether you’re an aspiring founder or a seasoned entrepreneur, this episode is packed with lessons and insights to help you thrive. Alex credits his journey to luck, but we explore how you can create opportunities to position yourself for success—and maybe even make your own luck. Highlights: 00:00 - Trailer 03:56 - "Never spoke about this publicly, I grew up in a really rough background" 07:54 - Learning how to crush at sales 19:14 - Acquiring users through dating apps & buying shots 28:18 - Being told that Microsoft CEO uses your app! 30:46 - The initial Blind usage - salaries, cute girls and dating 44:03 - "Crypto was originally about common wealth" More: TikTok, Instagram, Full access

Explore the transformative journey of Jaeson Ma, co-founder of the acclaimed media company 88Rising. Discover how he overcame significant challenges, from growing up in a single-parent household to navigating the dangers of gang violence and petty crime. His turning point came with an unexpected awakening that reshaped his life’s direction. This episode delves into Jaeson’s unconventional rise, from aspiring rapper to working with the legendary MC Hammer. Through captivating stories, he reveals how he mastered the music industry, and ventured into the most valuable tech startups today. Along the way, he forged unique collaborations, including working with a young Bruno Mars before his global stardom. Jaeson’s resilience, vision, and unshakable purpose shine through as he shares his role in championing Asian representation in Hollywood, building entrepreneurial ventures, and making strategic investments in companies like Grab and TikTok. His story is a powerful testament to the impact of faith, adaptability, and the courage to pursue bold dreams, even in the face of overwhelming odds. Highlights: 00:00:00 - Trailer 00:08:31 - The chip on my shoulder 00:16:09 - I got caught 00:29:16 - 3 dimensions of life 00:44:13 - Investing in YouTube when they were 5 people 00:50:58 - Signing Bruno Mars for $1,500 01:05:26 - How Steph Curry, Kobe or MJ achieves success Full access: https://beacons.ai/ymile_podcast

How did a teenage obsession with Pokemon and Runescape spark a global movement to transform the $31B anime industry? In episode 7, I sit down with Alex Xu (aka Zagabond), founder of Azuki, the groundbreaking NFT project with over $2B in trading volume. We explore his journey from childhood hobbies to a career at Google and Amazon, and how he built one of the most innovative ventures in the anime and NFT space. Alex shares the highs and lows of his entrepreneurial path, including controversies that shaped him as a leader. We also dive into Azuki’s future plans, including the acquisition of Anime.com and his vision to democratize the anime industry. Whether you’re a fan of NFTs, anime, or entrepreneurship, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. Don’t miss it! Highlights: 00:00:00 - Trailer 00:10:47 - Correlation of childhood trauma & founder success 00:15:18 - How RuneScape & Pokemon cards made a difference 00:25:55 - Sparking a $1.9B dollars global movement 00:29:56 - "Now they want to see this character fail" 00:41:27 - Reinventing Anime.com 00:49:59 - What would you say to 20 year old Alex Xu? Full access: https://beacons.ai/ymile_podcast Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@youmakeitlookeasy

A startup idea born at a bus stop? In episode 6, I sat with the ex-COO of Traveloka, Alfan Hendro, to explore how identifying simple customer problems can spark game-changing businesses. Alfan shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting as a lecturer in Brunei, where he founded SG House, a real estate property portal later acquired by iProperty Group. From there, his journey took him to Indonesia, where he built Voucher Hotel, a hotel booking platform, before joining Traveloka, Southeast Asia’s leading travel tech unicorn, to scale its hotel booking business and tackle unprecedented challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now leading his latest venture, RevScaler, Alfan focuses on acquiring and supercharging enterprise SaaS businesses. In this conversation, he highlights the role of curiosity, adaptability, and mentorship in overcoming obstacles and building successful ventures. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned founder, this episode is packed with insights to inspire and guide your journey.

Spencer Yang shares his journey from co-founding multiple startups to becoming a venture builder and investor. We dive into his early struggles, growing up in an immigrant family, feeling outcasted in school, and finding his tribe in computer games and basketball. These experiences shaped his entrepreneurial mindset and relentless drive. It was fascinating to understand how Spencer treats life as a series of experiments, taking calculated risks, and embracing failure, helped him transition from startups to corporate roles to angel investing. Most notably, his big break when his previous company was acquired for a reported $400M by the largest crypto exchange. He credits much of his success to serendipitous meetups—what he calls “luck”—while showing us how we can make our own luck by staying open to opportunities. This episode is packed with insights on navigating challenges, identifying emerging trends, and building a fulfilling career. Whether you’re an aspiring entrepreneur or simply seeking inspiration, this conversation offers actionable lessons for success.

At just 26 years old, Luca Netz has already achieved what most can only dream of. From living homeless and couch-surfing with his mom to becoming the CEO of Pudgy Penguins—a brand that has generated over $1 billion in trading volume—Luca’s story is one of grit, vision, and relentless determination. Known as the “Elon Musk of crypto,” he’s not just building a business; he’s setting the gold standard for innovation in the space. Before Pudgy Penguins, Luca built a resume that speaks for itself: scaling Gel Blaster into a $100M+ toy empire, playing a pivotal role in the rise of iconic brands like Von Dutch, and contributing to the success of tech giant Ring, which later sold to Amazon for $1B. These milestones are a testament to his ability to spot trends, build brands, and drive exponential growth. In this episode, Luca reveals his mindset for staying ahead, his journey from zero to millions, and what makes him the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in building both brands and communities. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a trend-spotter, or someone intrigued by the next big thing, this conversation will inspire you to think bigger and aim higher. Don’t miss this deep dive into the story of a leader reshaping the future of digital innovation. 

In this episode, I sat with Karl Mak, co-founder and CEO of Hepmil Media Group, who takes us through his surprising path from aspiring competitive swimmer to media powerhouse in Southeast Asia. If you're a fan of SGAG, MGAG, or PGAG, you have them to thank for! Karl opens up about his leap from a 6-digit real estate career into the startup world, inspired by none other than Jack Ma’s big-thinking philosophy. Things didn’t always go smoothly, though—Karl talks about the reality of his early startup life, like the data breach that nearly took down his first venture, Televate, and what it took to keep going. Karl dives into the ups and downs of building Hepmil, which started as a comedy platform and quickly expanded into a regional media brand reaching millions. He shares stories of resilience, his belief in the power of teamwork, and how he leaned on his core team to keep the company moving forward. We also talk about the value of mentorship, especially from his investor, Jeffrey, who’s been a solid guide during the company’s toughest times. In this episode, Karl gets real about what it takes to stay positive, build a trusted team, and create growth that actually lasts. His insights aren’t just about business—they’re about pushing through and finding purpose even in the toughest moments. If you’re curious about what goes on behind the scenes of building in Southeast Asia, this one’s for you. Karl’s story shows that sometimes, it’s the craziest setbacks that lead to the most valuable lessons. Tune in for a raw and inspiring chat on the realities of entrepreneurship. Follow our socials 👉 ⁠https://beacons.ai/ymile_podcast⁠

In this episode, I sat down with Adrien, co-founder and CEO of SaladStop!, Asia’s largest health food chain. With over 800 employees and more than 75 outlets globally, this was a highly anticipated episode, as SaladStop! is the only F&B company I’ve interviewed for Season 1. Adrien shares his unique background, growing up in a vegetarian household and traveling the world—experiences that deeply influenced his approach to food and business. We dive into the early days of SaladStop!, including the unwavering support of his family, who even mortgaged their home to help launch the venture. Adrien discusses SaladStop!’s focus on innovation, sustainability, and adapting local cuisines for a fast-casual setting. He reveals how the company’s use of technology and data has enabled them to scale while maintaining a strong connection with customers and employees. I hope listeners will gain insights into the challenges of running a family business, navigating the impacts of COVID-19, and Adrien’s vision for SaladStop!’s future growth across Asia. This conversation offers an authentic look at entrepreneurship, food, and building a purpose-driven brand. Full access 👉 ⁠https://beacons.ai/ymile_podcast

Ray Chan is the co-founder & CEO of 9GAG, one of the internet’s largest social platforms with over 200 million monthly users. Known for his fresh take on internet culture, Ray’s influence has expanded into Web3 with Memeland, which has hit a peak market cap of over $1 billion. From minimum wage to building 9GAG into a social media giant, who knew that Ray’s early odd jobs—working as a kitchen hand in a fast-food restaurant, a news anchor, and even an intern at a Taoist temple—would pave the way for his success? After building one of the world’s largest social platforms, he’s now venturing into the new internet frontier with Memeland. You won’t believe Ray’s unconventional advice that he credits for his massive success. Full access 👉 https://beacons.ai/ymile_podcast

This project has been on my mind since becoming a podcast fan back in 2019, and it’s heartening to see it finally culminate in Season 1—with 10 episodes launching over the next few weeks. Here's what to expect! Special thanks to my incredible guests & friends for being so open and real with me. In true start-up fashion, I’ve rolled up my sleeves to record, edit, and produce everything myself! So if you have any feedback, I’d love to hear it.