Hello Mentor

Hiredly
  • 5.0 (1)
  • CAREERS
  • TWICE MONTHLY

Hello Mentor is a show where we have raw conversations with successful individuals from various industries as they share their stories with all their ups and downs, along with practical advice, to help you succeed in your career.

  1. 2 DAYS AGO

    S3, E28 | From RM300 Gigs to Earning More Than An Engineer: The Business of Content Creation.

    The Engineer Who Quit His "Iron Rice Bowl" Before he became famous on TikTok, Chris MJ (Christopher Mathews Jacob) had the life every Asian parent dreams of. He had a Master’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering and a steady job at Sony. But deep down, sitting in the office wasn't making him happy. He wanted to tell stories and make people laugh. So, he did something shocking: he quit his stable job to chase a dream with no guarantee of success. Starting with Just a Spoon (Sudu) When he started, Chris didn't have a big budget for expensive microphones or cameras. So, he just used what he had—a metal spoon from his kitchen! That is how "Sudu on the Street" was born. It turns out, the spoon was magic. It made people feel comfortable and ready to joke around. Combined with his funny "Cicak" sound and his "Chindian" style, he quickly became a favorite on social media because he was real and relatable. From TikTok to TV Host. Today, Chris isn't just a guy with a spoon. He has proven that content creation is a real career. He went from making videos on the street to hosting shows on DidikTV (NTV7) and MC-ing big events. In this episode of Hello Mentor, we talk about the real struggles—dealing with worried parents, managing money, and working hard to turn a hobby into a full-time business 🎙️ Watch the full episode on Hello Mentor to hear the full story (Link in Bio) Follow us on Social Media: XiaoHongShu: https://shorturl.at/uVBZO Instagram: https://shorturl.at/hT6wQ TikTok (Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/0gum2 TikTok (Grow With Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/gAObT Dou Yin: https://v.douyin.com/uQlXc4X0vaY/0@9.com 🎧 Listen and follow Hello Mentor!: http://hiredly.com/hellomentor

    1h 17m

  2. 20 JAN

    S3, E27 | Don't Start A Business With Family? How We Built An 8-Figure Empire Against The Odds.

    In 2016, Jake Yap and his brother Chris launched Lifely (originally E-Living) with a singular mission: to democratize interior design for the "renter generation." Identifying a massive gap between cheap, disposable furniture and unaffordable designer pieces, Yap built what he calls the "Zara of Furniture"—a fast-moving supply chain that delivers on-trend aesthetics at accessible price points. Starting on marketplaces like Catch.com.au and eBay to validate demand without heavy overhead, the brothers rapidly scaled the business from a garage operation to an eight-figure revenue empire, growing their team from two to 50 employees and capitalizing on a 300% growth surge during the pandemic. By 2023, Yap spearheaded the strategic pivot from a transactional reseller to a distinct lifestyle brand, rebranding the company as Lifely to better serve their core millennial persona, "Ashley." This transition wasn't just cosmetic; it was built on Yap’s unique operational philosophy of "Firm Empathy." By cutting out middlemen and maintaining direct, emotionally intelligent yet uncompromising relationships with manufacturers, he ensured high-quality control that allowed the brand to survive early supplier boycotts. Today, Lifely stands as a major player in the Australian home sector, integrating social impact by pledging 1% of profits to Habitat for Humanity. 🎙️ Watch the full episode on Hello Mentor to hear the full story (Link in Bio) Follow us on Social Media: XiaoHongShu: https://shorturl.at/uVBZO Instagram: https://shorturl.at/hT6wQ TikTok (Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/0gum2 TikTok (Grow With Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/gAObT Dou Yin: https://v.douyin.com/uQlXc4X0vaY/0@9.com 🎧 Listen and follow Hello Mentor!: http://hiredly.com/hellomentor

    1h 28m

  3. 13 JAN

    S3, E26 | The Psychology of 'Cool': How Dayang Syafiqah Made Gen Z Obsessed With Tradition

    Long before she became the face of a modern Batik revolution, Dayang Syafiqah was a musician at heart. She didn’t study fashion, she studied music and she brought that same soulfulness to the world of textiles. When she looked at the Batik industry, she didn't see heritage, she saw boundaries. To her, Batik felt trapped, stuck in the realm of stiff formal wear and government uniforms that didn't resonate with her generation’s desire for freedom. She realized that for this art form to survive, it couldn't just sit in a museum or a bridal suite, it needed to flow, move and feel alive, just like music. That feeling became the heartbeat of Oh Dayang. Trading instruments for a canting (wax pen), Dayang set out to make tradition feel cool again. She threw out the old rulebook of rigid cuts and embraced the imperfect beauty of hand-drawn art, creating oversized, earthy pieces that you’d actually want to live in. Today, she hasn’t just designed clothes, she’s changed the conversation. By treating Batik as wearable art rather than a uniform, she proved to young Malaysians that honoring your roots doesn't mean looking old-fashioned, it can be the most stylish thing you own. 🎙️ Watch the full episode on Hello Mentor to hear the full story (Link in Bio) Follow us on Social Media: XiaoHongShu: https://shorturl.at/uVBZO Instagram: https://shorturl.at/hT6wQ TikTok (Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/0gum2 TikTok (Grow With Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/gAObT Dou Yin: https://v.douyin.com/uQlXc4X0vaY/0@9.com 🎧 Listen and follow Hello Mentor!: http://hiredly.com/hellomentor

    1h 31m

  4. 6 JAN

    S3, E25 | The Art of Less: How Nicole Chia Built Meaning into Minimalist Lab

    Before Minimalist Lab became a staple in Malaysia’s jewelry scene, Nicole Chia was already navigating the retail world with her first venture, Vintage 1988. While that brand celebrated the charm of the past, Nicole noticed a quiet but powerful shift in what modern women actually wanted. They weren’t just looking for accessories; they were seeking clarity, quality, and pieces that could survive the daily grind without losing their shine. Recognizing a gap between cheap "fast fashion" jewelry and inaccessible luxury, Nicole took a leap of faith. She pivoted from the busy aesthetics of vintage to the clean, disciplined philosophy of "less is more," launching Minimalist Lab (MNML) in a small lot at Pavilion’s Tokyo Street. For Nicole, Minimalist Lab was never just about selling necklaces or rings; it was an "emotional calling." She realized early on that jewelry is rarely bought without a reason, it is almost always a "signifier of an important moment," whether it’s a self-love treat, a birthday, or a relationship milestone. This insight drove her to obsess over the unboxing experience and the quality of materials, focusing on Sterling Silver and Gold Vermeil that could last a lifetime. She wasn't just building a shop, she was building a sanctuary for memories, fighting the industry norm that "affordable" had to mean "disposable." Today, Nicole’s journey from a small pop-up to commanding presence in premium malls like The Exchange TRX is a masterclass in quiet resilience. Balancing the demands of motherhood with the pressures of retail expansion, she has proved that soft power can build hard results. Her leadership style mirrors her jewelry, understated but enduring. By stripping away the noise and focusing on "little things with big meaning," Nicole Chia has turned Minimalist Lab into more than a brand, it is a reminder to Malaysian women that in a loud world, the most powerful statements are often the quietest ones. 🎙️ Watch the full episode on Hello Mentor to hear the full story (Link in Bio) Follow us on Social Media: XiaoHongShu: https://shorturl.at/uVBZO Instagram: https://shorturl.at/hT6wQ TikTok (Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/0gum2 TikTok (Grow With Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/gAObT Dou Yin: https://v.douyin.com/uQlXc4X0vaY/0@9.com 🎧 Listen and follow Hello Mentor!: http://hiredly.com/hellomentor

    1h 19m

  5. 30/12/2025

    S3, E24 | How Abang Brian Found His True Purpose and Calling Through a Family Crisis

    Abang Brian’s journey into the culinary world began with a deeply personal and emotional catalyst. Originally trained in accounting and finance, his life took a drastic turn in 2012 when his father was diagnosed with cancer. Faced with his father’s specific and strict dietary needs, Brian stepped into the kitchen for the first time, not as a chef, but as a caregiver. This period of selfless service became a profound discovery; through cooking meals that were both nutritious and comforting for his father, Brian found a hidden passion and a sense of peace that he had never experienced in the corporate world. This transformative experience propelled him from the boardroom to the set of MasterChef Malaysia, where he became a national favorite. His background in health-focused cooking for his father stayed with him, shaping his professional philosophy of "healthy-fied" comfort food and his commitment to education. Today, he is widely known as "Abang Brian," a relatable mentor who teaches that cooking is more than just a skill, it is a powerful way to show love, preserve health, and care for those who matter most. Follow us on Social Media: XiaoHongShu: https://shorturl.at/uVBZO Instagram: https://shorturl.at/hT6wQ TikTok (Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/0gum2 TikTok (Grow With Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/gAObT Dou Yin: https://v.douyin.com/uQlXc4X0vaY/0@9.com 🎧 Listen and follow Hello Mentor!: http://hiredly.com/hellomentor

    1h 25m

  6. 23/12/2025

    S3, E23 | From Corporate Safety to Global VC: How Sarah Chen-Spellings Built a Billion-Dollar Ecosystem

    Sarah Chen-Spellings is a Malaysian-born investor based in America, working at the intersection of women, wealth, and innovation. She works with family offices and institutional investors globally on capital allocation, portfolio construction, and long-term value creation. She is the co-founder of Beyond The Billion, which mobilized over $1 billion into women-founded companies through a global consortium of venture funds. Partner funds within this ecosystem have backed 16 unicorns, including Canva and Airwallex, giving Sarah a rare vantage point into how early-stage capital compounds into category-defining global platforms. Earlier in her career, Sarah was a corporate venture capitalist at a $13B Asian conglomerate, where she helped build a venture arm from the ground up and supported multi-million-dollar investments, gaining deep experience in underwriting, governance, and institutional decision-making. She is also the creator and host of Billion Dollar Moves, part of the HubSpot Podcast Network, where she sits down with billionaires, unicorn founders, and global investors to unpack how capital, power, and influence actually move behind the scenes. She is also a co-founder of Lean In Malaysia, one of Malaysia’s leading nonprofit platforms advancing women in leadership, convening senior executives, founders, and decision-makers across sectors. Learn more about Sarah: www.sarah-chen.com /  Instagram : https://instagram.com/sarahchenglobal LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/sarahchenglobal 🎙️ Watch the full episode on Hello Mentor to hear the full story (Link in Bio) Follow us on Social Media: XiaoHongShu: https://shorturl.at/uVBZO Instagram: https://shorturl.at/hT6wQ TikTok (Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/0gum2 TikTok (Grow With Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/gAObT Dou Yin:  https://v.douyin.com/uQlXc4X0vaY/0@9.com  🎧 Listen and follow Hello Mentor!: http://hiredly.com/hellomentor

    1h 13m

  7. 16/12/2025

    S3, EP22 | The COCOdry Confidence Blueprint: Building the Beauty Brand That Empowers Women

    Kim May Chee’s journey with COCOdry began long before the brand existed, in her father’s small hair salon in Penang. As a child, she swept floors, helped customers, and quietly observed the beauty industry from the inside out. She saw how meaningful a simple service could be, but also how intimidating, inconsistent, and underserved the experience felt for many Malaysians. Years later, after hearing a podcast about Drybar in the U.S., everything clicked. Kim realised she could bring a localized, inclusive version of that experience to Malaysia, one designed for Asian hair textures, local culture, and the everyday woman who just wants to feel confident again. But building COCOdry wasn’t glamorous. Her first location fell through on signing day, industry veterans told her “a salon with no cuts and color will fail,” and even her dad doubted whether a blow dry bar could survive. Kim moved to KL alone, educated the market one customer at a time, and kept going even when COVID nearly wiped the business out. She delivered products herself, hosted scalp-education livestreams, and built trust the hard way. When lockdowns lifted, COCOdry bounced back stronger, fully booked for months, proving there was space for a modern, joyful, accessible beauty experience. Today, COCOdry has expanded into KL’s busiest neighbourhoods, serving women for everything from job interviews to birthdays to quiet personal resets. Kim designed the brand to feel safe, warm, and empowering, transparent pricing, laptop-friendly spaces, private rooms for Muslim women, and a team culture built on kindness. And in a full-circle moment, she even revived her father’s salon in Penang under the COCOdry name. From salon kid to beauty entrepreneur, Kim’s story is a reminder that innovation doesn’t always mean inventing something new, sometimes it means reimagining something familiar with more heart, more intention, and more courage. 🎙️ Watch the full episode on Hello Mentor to hear the full story    Follow us on Social Media: XiaoHongShu: https://shorturl.at/uVBZO Instagram: https://shorturl.at/hT6wQ TikTok (Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/0gum2 TikTok (Grow With Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/gAObT Dou Yin:  https://v.douyin.com/uQlXc4X0vaY/0@9.com    🎧 Listen and follow Hello Mentor!: http://hiredly.com/hellomentor

    1h 31m

  8. 02/12/2025

    S3, E21 | How Aunty HR Became the Voice of Malaysia’s HR Community

    Before she became known across LinkedIn as “Aunty HR,” Sim Ling Ku never planned a career in Human Resources. She didn’t study HR, she learned people. Growing up as the middle child in a humble family, she naturally stepped into the mediator role, the listener, the one everyone turned to. When she entered the working world in admin and support roles, the same thing happened: colleagues came to her with problems they didn’t dare voice elsewhere. Long before she held the title, she was already doing HR without knowing it. When she finally stepped into HR officially, she brought something most don’t learn from textbooks, a people-first instinct. HR wasn’t policies or paperwork to her; it was the emotional labour of caring for humans at their most vulnerable. She handled everything from workplace conflict to employees battling depression, often being the only safe person they could turn to. That empathy, mixed with her courage to say the unpopular but right thing, shaped her into the leader people trusted. That’s how “Aunty HR” was born, not from age, but from warmth, protection, and the belief that HR should be human. Today, Aunty HR is one of Malaysia’s most relatable and authentic HR voices. She speaks openly about burnout, toxic leadership, and the unseen weight HR professionals carry, topics many shy away from. Her story reminds us that you don’t need the “perfect” background to lead; you just need heart, resilience, and the willingness to stand up for people even when it’s hard. And in this Hello Mentor episode, she opens up about that journey, the truth behind the title, the battles no one sees, and why HR, to her, isn’t just a job but a calling. Follow us on Social Media: XiaoHongShu: https://shorturl.at/uVBZO Instagram: https://shorturl.at/hT6wQ TikTok (Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/0gum2 TikTok (Grow With Hiredly): https://shorturl.at/gAObT Dou Yin:  https://v.douyin.com/uQlXc4X0vaY/0@9 🎧 Listen and follow Hello Mentor!: http://hiredly.com/hellomentor

    2 hr
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About

Hello Mentor is a show where we have raw conversations with successful individuals from various industries as they share their stories with all their ups and downs, along with practical advice, to help you succeed in your career.

Information

  • Creator
    Hiredly
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    79
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2020 All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    Hello Mentor