Asian Business Owners - A.B.O.

Carmen Salameh

Asian Business Owners is the podcast that explores the real human journey behind building a business in Asia. Hosted by Carmen Salameh, each episode features honest conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders across Asia. I go beyond the highlight reel to talk about the parts of entrepreneurship people relate to most deeply: doubt, loneliness, pivots, identity shifts, pressure, resilience and the quiet wins that rarely make headlines. Through candid conversations with founders and solo episodes, you’ll hear the stories behind the businesses, practical lessons learned the hard way and the realities of building something meaningful without any guarantees. Whether you’re a founder, solopreneur or aspiring entrepreneur, this podcast will help you feel less alone, more inspired and better equipped to navigate your own journey. New episodes every week. 🎧 Follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram for more content and behind-the-scenes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

  1. She Finally Listened to Herself | Jerwine Bonafe Que

    Jun 24

    She Finally Listened to Herself | Jerwine Bonafe Que

    Growing up, Jerwine followed the path that made sense. A stable career, a secure future and a life that looked successful from the outside. But she had something else on her mind. There was always a creative side of her asking for more. In this conversation, Jerwine shares what it took to leave accounting behind, build THE BLOMSTRE in Hong Kong and trust herself enough to create a life that finally felt aligned. She also shares an exciting milestone exclusively in this episode, make sure you listen until the end! We talk about: Walking away from the "safe" pathStarting a creative business in Hong KongSelf-doubt and uncertaintyLearning to trust yourselfRedefining successThe exciting next chapter for THE BLOMSTRE ✅ Get your free day pass at Garage Society! Timestamps: (00:00) Teaser (00:57) Podcast and Guest Intro (03:24) Life as an Accountant (04:54) Creativity After Work (06:51) Planning the Exit (10:07) Pandemic Candle Pivot (11:58) Pitching Retailers (16:00) Workshops and Wellness (18:27) First Big Corporate Event (22:18) Motherhood and Identity (25:00) Mentorship and Systems (29:50) Overwhelm and Boundaries (31:23) Husband Joins Full Time (34:14) Partners In Business (36:37) Quitting The Day Job (38:04) Dream Clients Come True (39:37) Comfort Zone Breakup (41:59) Slow Sustainable Growth (46:01) Time Delegation Hiring (50:11) BIG ANNOUNCEMENT!! (52:07) Scenting Underrated Moods (54:26) Founder Mindset Shifts (57:57) Community Pay It Forward (01:00:59) Closing ✅ Get your free day pass at Garage Society! 👉 To find out more: The BLOMSTRE's website The BLOMSTRE on Instagram To follow my journey:📲 Find me on LinkedIn 💬 Follow abo.pod 🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    1h 2m
  2. He Walked Away From the Life He Was Supposed to Have | Aurelien Joly

    Jun 3

    He Walked Away From the Life He Was Supposed to Have | Aurelien Joly

    What happens when the life you imagined for yourself no longer feels right? Growing up in France, Aurelien Joly thought he would become a doctor. His family supported that path and his future seemed largely mapped out but as he got older, something didn't feel quite right. A decision to study languages, learn Chinese and move abroad eventually led him to Asia, where he would build a completely different life than the one he had originally planned. More than sixteen years later, Hong Kong has become home. In this conversation, we talk about identity, leaving behind expectations, building a business in Asia and the moments that shape the course of our lives. We discuss: Changing path and moving to Asia and embracing uncertaintyLearning Chinese and adapting to a new cultureBuilding his business Unlock APACEntrepreneurship, family and long-term thinkingThe decisions that change everything This is a conversation about choosing your own path, even when it looks very different from the one you were expected to follow. 🎙️ Welcome to Asian Business Owners, the podcast that explores the real human journey behind building a business in Asia. Timestamps:(00:00) Teaser (00:44) Podcast and Guest Intro (02:19) Changing Direction and Learning Chinese (05:28) Moving East (07:30) Staying in China Hustle (09:44) Native Union Hypergrowth (11:40) Distributor Pitfalls (13:36) People Management Philosophy (17:26) Founding his Business: Unlock APAC (18:36) What Unlock APAC Does (20:20) Starting Young Winning Clients (23:01) Early Solo Years (23:25) Sphero Meets Disney (25:38) Selling BB-8 Across Asia (27:45) Stepping Away from his Own Business (30:16) Pivot To Education (32:05) Back To Entrepreneurship During COVID (35:17) Scaling With A Team (37:04) Brand Architects Approach (40:41) Resilience In Asia Markets (42:33) Work Life Balance Lessons (46:06) Closing ✅ Get your free day pass at Garage Society! 👉 To find out more: Reach out to Aurelien Joly on LinkedIn Check out Unlock APAC To follow my journey:📲 Find me on LinkedIn 💬 Follow abo.pod 🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    47 min
  3. The Reality Behind Michelin Stars | Olivier Elzer On What It Really Takes to Build at the Highest Level

    May 20

    The Reality Behind Michelin Stars | Olivier Elzer On What It Really Takes to Build at the Highest Level

    Olivier Elzer returns to Asian Business Owners for a deeper conversation about what it really takes to build and sustain excellence over time. Known for earning multiple Michelin stars and building a successful restaurant group in Hong Kong, the Olivier Elzer Hospitality Group, Olivier shares the lessons entrepreneurship has taught him about pressure, humility, consistency and long-term thinking. In this episode, we talk about: The emotional weight of maintaining high standardsWhy success brings new challengesHow leadership changes as your business growsStaying grounded despite external recognitionWhat entrepreneurship teaches you about yourself An honest conversation about the pressure behind success and the mindset required to keep building at the highest level. Timestamps(00:00) Teaser (00:41) Podcast and Guest Intro (02:12) Why Cooking Became Olivier's Calling (03:29) Chef to Entrepreneur (05:00) Scaling to Ten Restaurants (07:30) Broken Canvas vs White Canvas Models (09:23) Making Restaurants Work (10:36) Building an Expert Team (11:29) Humbled by Entrepreneurship (14:30) Staying Centred Under Pressure (16:47) Hiring Beyond Experience (17:58) Meritocracy And Smarter Teams (18:59) Growing Without Breaking (19:47) Accountability And Risk (21:32) Hong Kong Market Reality Check (24:41) Social Media Trends Pressure (27:16) Winning Younger Diners (28:58) The Future Of Fine Dining (30:26) Scaling Consultancy And Franchises (33:21) Advice: Cutting Noise Saying No (35:03) Closing and Outro 👉 To find out more: Olivier Elzer Hospitality Group Check out Olivier on Instagram To follow my journey: 💬 abo.pod 📲 Find me on LinkedIn 🎧 Subscribe to Asian Business Owners Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    36 min

Trailers

About

Asian Business Owners is the podcast that explores the real human journey behind building a business in Asia. Hosted by Carmen Salameh, each episode features honest conversations with founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders across Asia. I go beyond the highlight reel to talk about the parts of entrepreneurship people relate to most deeply: doubt, loneliness, pivots, identity shifts, pressure, resilience and the quiet wins that rarely make headlines. Through candid conversations with founders and solo episodes, you’ll hear the stories behind the businesses, practical lessons learned the hard way and the realities of building something meaningful without any guarantees. Whether you’re a founder, solopreneur or aspiring entrepreneur, this podcast will help you feel less alone, more inspired and better equipped to navigate your own journey. New episodes every week. 🎧 Follow me on LinkedIn and on Instagram for more content and behind-the-scenes Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.