In this captivating episode, Adrian and Amanda Cua discuss her unexpected decision to skip college and embark on an entrepreneurial journey during the pandemic.

Amanda shares how she utilised a gap year to create a successful newsletter company, BackScoop, in Southeast Asia.

She delves into the challenges she faced, the strategies she used to grow her subscriber base, her thoughts on the media landscape, and her experiences with impostor syndrome.

Tune in to learn about Amanda's inspiring journey and get valuable insights on building a startup from scratch.

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Amanda Cua is a Filipino entrepreneur known for founding Backscoop, a popular newsletter focused on Southeast Asian tech and business news. She started the newsletter after deciding not to pursue university, aiming to provide easily digestible information on startups in the region.

Backscoop has gained a significant following, including investors and startup founders. Cua has also hosted the podcast "One More Scoop" and has been featured on Forbes' "30 Under 30 Asia" list.

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This episode is brought to you by Deel‬, the all-in-one platform simplifying global team management with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance solutions, trusted by over 35,000 businesses worldwide. Learn more at ⁠⁠https://deel.com/adriantan⁠⁠.

00:00 Introduction

01:39 Who is Amanda Cua

02:00 The Evolution of BackScoop

02:48 Challenges and Inspirations

03:32 Skipping College for Entrepreneurship

04:11 The Decision Between UK and US Education

05:05 First Steps into the Startup World

08:16 Building a Network from Zero

11:23 Growth Hacking Strategies

14:16 Newsletter Evolution and Team Challenges

17:00 Challenges in Content Creation

17:59 Dealing with Imposter Syndrome

22:19 Daily Routine and Health Focus

24:00 Impact of Moving to Singapore

26:37 Opportunities in New Media

33:13 Advice for Aspiring Founders

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Where to find Amanda Cua:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-cua/

BackScoop: https://backscoop.com

Where to find Adrian:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠adriantan.com.sg⁠⁠

📕 No More Bosses: https://amzn.asia/d/abmPxU6

In this special in-studio episode of The Adrian Tan Show, I sit down with Sarah Wong, a former Silicon Valley professional, now a podcast host, a consultant, and a mom of two.

Sarah shares her personal journey from experiencing career burnout, transitioning to motherhood, and shifting to a portfolio career. She also talks about her podcast ⁨@makeitwork.podcast⁩ which focuses on inspiring stories of modern working moms in Asia.

Sarah covers her work as a venture partner, a real estate licensee, and her heavy involvement in mentorship programs aimed at helping women in tech and leadership.

Tune in to discover her strategies for balancing professional and personal life, her insights on overcoming career transitions, and her unique approach to integrating rest into her busy schedule.

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Sarah Wong is a mother of two and the host of Make It Work, a podcast sharing honest, inspiring stories of modern moms in Asia who have redefined success on their own terms. The show was born after Sarah’s return to Singapore from Silicon Valley, where she experienced burnout after six fast-paced years in tech. It is now one of Singapore's top podcasts for working mothers.

Today, she leads a portfolio career as a Venture Partner at Heal Venture Lab, a regional health tech accelerator, while also supporting her family’s real estate business.

Sarah is a long-time advocate for women’s mentorship, having founded the RockIT Women Mentor Program in the U.S., and currently mentors mothers returning to work through Return Ready.

She holds an MBA from INSEAD and has lived and worked in Singapore, the U.S., and India. Some fun facts: Sarah is married to a pastor (could be a podcast on its own!) and she loves both heights (rock climbing) and depths (swimming).

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This episode is brought to you by Deel⁩ ‬, the all-in-one platform simplifying global team management with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance solutions, trusted by over 35,000 businesses worldwide. Learn more at ⁠⁠https://deel.com/adriantan⁠⁠.

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00:00 Introduction and Personal Background

01:15 Welcome to the Adrian Tan Show

01:44 Meet Sarah: A Modern Working Mom

02:39 Sarah's Career Journey and Portfolio

04:30 The Shift to a Portfolio Career

06:50 Balancing Career and Motherhood

13:39 Starting the Podcast: Make It Work

17:27 Podcast Production Insights

22:57 Exploring the Power of AI

23:04 Mentorship for Women in Tech and Leadership

25:00 Starting a Mentorship Program

26:19 Motherhood and Career Mentorship

27:49 Networking and Career Advice

33:37 Managing Time and Energy

43:37 Advice to Younger Self

46:52 Where to Find More

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Where to find Sarah Wong:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/swongx/

Youtube: ⁨Make It Work Podcast⁩

⁠Instagram:⁠ https://www.instagram.com/makeitwork.podcast/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/78ulY0B27nYxGB6jPCABPI?si=abfc48d037d943be

⁠TikTok⁠: ⁠https://www.tiktok.com/@makeitwork.podcast⁠

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/make-it-work/id1701442085

Where to find Adrian:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠adriantan.com.sg⁠⁠

In this episode, Adrian brings you an unmissable conversation with Jason Ong, a Singaporean who has been living and working in China for the past 18 years.

Tune in as Jason shares his captivating journey from studying in the United States to navigating the corporate world in China.

Hear about the jaw-dropping tale of firing a Deputy GM while dealing with the local mafia, and the rigorous challenges of running a startup.

This episode is jam-packed with insightful advice for companies looking to explore the Chinese market, especially regarding the importance of company seals, trademarks, and choosing the right partners.

Whether you're an aspiring entrepreneur or a seasoned business professional, you won't want to miss this one! 🔥

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Jason is a pragmatic and results-driven international executive with 20 years of expertise in digital strategies, business growth, and operational improvement.

His leadership experience spans start-up, scale-up, multinational corporation, and global consulting firms, with a strong working knowledge across functions in diverse sectors such as retail, consumer products, medical devices, consumer health, and offshore & marine.

Jason is currently founder and Managing Director at LION Advisory, a cross-border advisory firm helping companies navigate the China market while helping Chinese companies expand globally.

He is also the COO of a multi-family office as well as a mentor with Singapore Leaders Network (SGLN). Jason embraces challenges and relishes operating in new environments. He is also an aspiring author and baking enthusiast.

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This episode is brought to you by Deel‬, the all-in-one platform simplifying global team management with payroll, HR, IT, and compliance solutions, trusted by over 35,000 businesses worldwide. Learn more at ⁠⁠https://deel.com/adriantan⁠⁠.

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00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

01:47 Jason's Background and Journey to China

02:56 Life and Challenges in the US

04:49 Transition to China and Early Experiences

09:50 Consulting and Career Shifts in China

11:11 Managing a Manufacturing Plant in China

14:13 Startup Ventures and Consulting Return

21:11 The Importance of Company Seals in China

24:29 Reflections on Management and Business Practices

27:57 Going Independent and Writing a Novel

29:24 Challenges of Going Independent in China

30:10 Starting a Cross-Border Advisory Firm

30:42 Navigating the Chinese Market

34:44 Core Services for Companies Entering China

37:34 Opportunities and Challenges in the Chinese Market

43:06 Protecting Your Brand in China

47:30 Daily Life of an Independent Consultant

49:42 Final Thoughts and Advice

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Where to find Jason Ong:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonong24/

Where to find Adrian:

LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/adriantanck/⁠⁠

Website: ⁠⁠adriantan.com.sg⁠⁠