Asian Business Owners - A.B.O.

Carmen Salameh
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I’m Carmen, host of Asian Business Owners (ABO) — a podcast featuring honest conversations with entrepreneurs across Asia. We dive into the real journey of building a business: the wins, the struggles, and everything in between. ⭐ If you enjoy the show, subscribe and leave a review 🎧 Follow @abo.pod on Instagram for behind-the-scenes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. QUICK WINS: When Clients Take Too Much of Your Time (3 Boundaries Every Founder Needs)

    1D AGO

    QUICK WINS: When Clients Take Too Much of Your Time (3 Boundaries Every Founder Needs)

    Do you have a client who pays relatively little but takes up a lot of your time? Constant emails. Extra requests. More reassurance than expected. If this sounds familiar, the issue usually isn’t the client, it’s the boundaries that were never clearly set. In this Quick Wins episode, I share 3 practical ways founders can build healthier client relationships while protecting their time and focus. We talk about: Defining scope clearly at the start of a projectWhy over-delivering creates new expectations instead of gratitudeTurning boundaries into systems instead of awkward conversations Setting boundaries isn’t about pushing clients away. Timestamps: (00:13) Do You Have Very Demanding Clients Who Pay Little? (00:43) Define the Scope Super Clearly (01:26) Stop Over-Delivering (02:16) Turn Boundaries Into Systems (02:45) Don't Be Afraid to Set Boundaries Follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    3 min
  2. 5 Boundaries I Had to Learn as a People-Pleasing Founder [FOUNDER MINDSET]

    6D AGO

    5 Boundaries I Had to Learn as a People-Pleasing Founder [FOUNDER MINDSET]

    If you’re a people pleaser, being a founder can become even more exhausting. Saying yes too fast, replying instantly, overdelivering more than expected, explaining and justifying every decision. In this episode of Asian Business Owners, I share five boundaries I had to learn as a people-pleasing founder to protect my time, regain clarity and grow a more sustainable business. These shifts didn’t happen overnight, they took years of noticing patterns and learning to respond differently. What I talk about: why replying instantly can create unnecessary pressuretaking time before committing to requestsclarifying expectations instead of overdeliveringwhy you don’t need to overexplain your decisionsdeciding in advance who gets access to your time Timestamps: (00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners (00:31) Are you a people pleaser? (00:45) What being a people pleasing founder costs (01:36) Tip 1 Pause replies (03:15) Tip 2 Delay commitments (04:15) Tip 3 Clarify expectations (05:20) Tip 4 Stop overexplaining (06:42) Tip 5 Protect access (07:50) Wrap up (08:35) Outro Follow the journey: 💬 abo.pod 📲 Find me on LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 min
  3. QUICK WINS: Why You Keep Second-Guessing Your Decisions as a Founder

    MAR 2

    QUICK WINS: Why You Keep Second-Guessing Your Decisions as a Founder

    You make a decision. It feels right. And then doubt creeps in. You revisit it. Question it. Sometimes even consider undoing it completely. In this Quick Wins episode, I break down why, as founders, we second-guess our decisions so often and how to stop letting doubt take over our headspace. The way to overcome this isn't to become more confidence but rather to better understand what’s actually happening when we doubt ourselves. What you'll hear: Why most founder decisions are made in isolationHow lack of anchoring creates endless mental loopsEmotional discomfort vs real strategic riskReversible vs irreversible decisionsWhy clarity comes after commitment Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction to A.B.O. Quick Wins (00:13) You Make a Decision And Keep Revisiting It (00:39) Reduce Isolation Before Deciding (01:58) Don't Confuse Emotional Discomfort With Strategic Risk (03:06) Commitment Rule Over Certainty (04:15) Conclusion Follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    5 min
  4. You Sound Different Than You Think: Why Your Voice Shapes Confidence and Leadership [EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION]

    FEB 25

    You Sound Different Than You Think: Why Your Voice Shapes Confidence and Leadership [EXECUTIVE COMMUNICATION]

    You don’t need to say much for people to form an opinion. Your voice does it for you. In this episode of Asian Business Owners, we explore how your voice shapes confidence, credibility and leadership often before your words are fully heard. Together with executive voice coach David Pope, we unpack why many founders and leaders sound less confident than they actually are and how voice, presence and authenticity are deeply connected. We talk about: How people subconsciously judge confidence through voiceWhy leadership presence is often heard before it’s understoodThe difference between sounding confident and sounding authenticCommon voice habits that undermine credibilityHow founders and leaders can find a voice that truly reflects who they are ✅ Get your free day pass at Garage Society! Timestamps: (00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners (00:31) Meet My Guest: David Pope (01:41) Beginnings In the Media London (03:21) Working For the BBC (04:21) Hong Kong for Six Months (07:36) Founding All Voice Talent (09:51) From Producer to Voice Coach (14:12) This or That Quickfire (14:56) Voice Coaching Process (18:40) Confidence Tips and Programmes (20:52) Culture Accent and Intelligibility (23:31) Speak Up to Lead (24:23) High Pitch Voices and Credibility (26:30) Posture Breath and Resonance (27:35) Top Speaking Mistakes (29:37) Three Pillars of Communication (30:42) Record Review and Transcribe (32:13) Storytelling for Recall (33:09) Gender Patterns and Confidence (35:57) Authentic Feedback and Care (39:32) Lessons For Founders (43:13) Closing ✅ Get your free day pass at Garage Society! 👉 To find out more: David on LinkedIn All Voice Talent's website To follow my journey: 💬 abo.pod 📲 Find me on LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    44 min
  5. QUICK WINS: How to Turn Conversations into Clients (Without Being Pushy)

    FEB 24

    QUICK WINS: How to Turn Conversations into Clients (Without Being Pushy)

    People say they’re interested, they want to “stay in touch” snd then… nothing happens. In this Quick Wins episode, I share 3 simple ways to turn conversations into clients, without pitching, forcing, or sounding salesy. If this keeps happening to you, it’s usually because the conversation never actually moves forward. What you'll hear: why solving too early kills momentumhow to listen for signals instead of surface interestasking permission instead of pitching Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction to A.B.O. Quick Wins (00:13) People Are Interested But Nothing Happens (00:37) Stop Solving Too Early (01:14) Listen For Signals (01:52) Ask Before Pitching Follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    3 min
  6. 7 Ways I Use ChatGPT as a Founder [AI FOR ENTREPRENEURS]

    FEB 18

    7 Ways I Use ChatGPT as a Founder [AI FOR ENTREPRENEURS]

    ChatGPT won’t run your business for you but used well, it can save you hours and help you think more clearly as a founder. In this episode of Asian Business Owners, I share 7 concrete ways I use ChatGPT in my day-to-day as a founder to reduce mental load, save time and make better decisions. Spoiler alert: there's no magic prompts, no overnight success. I share real use cases from my work. You’ll hear how I use ChatGPT for: generating content ideas with context, not generic promptsorganising my thinking with one thread per topictranslating content accuratelyrefining strategy and turning ideas into next stepspreparing quotations and pricing with more confidenceimproving podcast metadatagetting an external perspective when things feel stuck Timestamps: (00:00) Welcome to Asian Business Owners (00:38) Why founders should use ChatGPT (and what this episode covers) (01:27) 1- Content ideas that actually match your niche (02:53) 2- One ChatGPT thread per topic to keep context (03:35) 3- Translating content (04:10) 4- Refining strategy: challenge assumptions & turn ideas into next steps (05:03) 5- Quotations & pricing: scope checks, benchmarks, confidence (05:53) 6- Podcast metadata, descriptions, thumbnails & SEO (06:43) 7- External perspective: stuck moments, client issues, hard emails (07:34) Wrap-up: ChatGPT doesn’t replace thinking + final piece of advice (08:29) DM me, subscribe and leave a review Follow the journey: 💬 abo.pod 📲 Find me on LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    9 min
  7. QUICK WINS: How to Prioritise When Everything Feels Urgent

    FEB 16

    QUICK WINS: How to Prioritise When Everything Feels Urgent

    Your to-do list keeps growing and everything feels urgent. You end each day frustrated, thinking about all the things you haven't done. In this Quick Wins episode, I share 3 simple prioritisation rules for founders who feel overwhelmed, reactive and stuck in constant urgency. When everything feels like a priority, nothing really is. What this episode covers: Why urgent doesn’t always mean importantHow to identify tasks that truly move the needleChoosing one or two real priorities per dayProtecting thinking and strategy time Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction to A.B.O. Quick Wins (00:13) How to Handle Endless To-Do Lists? (00:35) Urgent Doesn't Mean Important (01:42) Choose Your Priority Every Day (02:13) Protect Your Thinking Time (02:44) Important Reminder to Prioritise Your Work Follow me on LinkedIn and Instagram for more tips and behind-the-scenes! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    3 min
  8. From Burnout to Building a Wellness Company: Jasmine’s Founder Journey [CORPORATE WELLBEING]

    FEB 11

    From Burnout to Building a Wellness Company: Jasmine’s Founder Journey [CORPORATE WELLBEING]

    Burnout almost forced her to stop but it turned out to become the turning point of her life. In this episode of Asian Business Owners, I sit down with Jasmine Liu, a former banker who experienced burnout in 2017 while working in the fast-paced banking world in Hong Kong. What followed was not just a career change but a complete shift in perspective. After a transformative trip to Bhutan, Jasmine began questioning the corporate lifestyle she once embraced. She eventually founded Maestro Wellness, a B2B platform focused on improving corporate wellbeing and launched the Build Well, Live Well Summit to help organisations rethink performance, health and longevity. We talk about: What burnout really feels like behind closed doorsWhy high performers often ignore early warning signsTransitioning from corporate banking to entrepreneurshipBuilding a wellness business from scratchLaunching a B2B platformRedefining ambition and long-term success Get your free day pass at Garage Society! Timestamps: (00:00) Introduction to Asian Business Owners Podcast (00:30) Get a free day pass at Garage Society (00:49) Jasmine's Background (01:48) Experiencing Burnout and Its Impact (06:52) Journey to Bhutan: A Turning Point (09:20) Returning to Hong Kong: A New Perspective (13:59) Transition to FinTech and Learning (15:48) Building a Meaningful Business from Scratch (19:27) Starting an E-Commerce Platform (20:20) Sourcing High-Quality Products (21:06) Managing Logistics and Operations (22:24) Transition to MaestroWellness (22:51) Addressing Corporate Wellbeing (25:10) Building the B2B Wellness Platform (32:26) What Companies Get Wrong about Corporate Wellbeing (33:39) The Build Well, Live Well Summit (36:06) Lessons for Future Founders (37:56) Conclusion and Event Reminder Get your free day pass at Garage Society! 👉 To find out more: Jasmine on LinkedIn Attend the Build Well, Live Well Summit here To follow my journey: 💬 abo.pod 📲 Find me on LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners wherever you listen to it! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    39 min
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About

I’m Carmen, host of Asian Business Owners (ABO) — a podcast featuring honest conversations with entrepreneurs across Asia. We dive into the real journey of building a business: the wins, the struggles, and everything in between. ⭐ If you enjoy the show, subscribe and leave a review 🎧 Follow @abo.pod on Instagram for behind-the-scenes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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