Better Business Founder

Leekei Tang

Purpose-driven creative businesses can Do Well while Doing Good. Better Business Founder is an exploration of the journeys of Founders that are developing their business to become the catalyst for the change they want to see in the world. Learn more at betterbusinessfounder.com read less
BusinessBusiness

Episodes

Finding Who You Are By Serving Someone Who Needs You By Shawn Askinosie
Mar 17 2022
Finding Who You Are By Serving Someone Who Needs You By Shawn Askinosie
ON figuring out what to do next before starting a new career (4:42)ON this murder trial that made Shawn realize he couldn't do it anymore (6:48)ON  visiting serving others, revisiting an old wound, soul searching and creating emotional space  (11:34)ON  silence, connection, transcendence, finding solace  (18:46)ON  vocation and the framework of the business of Askinosie Chocolate (24:20)ON  the ugly truth behind the global cocoa trade (29:02)ON  direct trade, community development and doing business differently (38:22)ON the power of small companies to do much more than fair trade (42:13)ON  Shawn's definition of success and how much is enough  (46:00)ON  the fallacy of the "social" enterprise, the need to some make sacrifices and our relationship with money (48:35)ON  finding someone who needs you, go serve them and ask yourself who you really are  (58:01)===========CONNECT WITH Shawn Askinosie / Askinosie ChocolateWeb: https://askinosie.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/askinosie/ BUY Shawn's Book: Meaningful Work: A Quest To Do Great Business, Find Your Calling, and Feed Your Soul===========MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:Mitch Albom author of Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man, and Life's Greatest LessonKhalil Gibram, on SorrowJohn O'Donohue on Thresholds Thomas Merton on AwarenessMichael A. Singer on SoulThe Harkin-Engel ProtocolNestle and Big Chocolate Can Keep Using Enslaved Childree ... For now - So Says the U.S. Supreme CourtTerry Collingsworth, Human Rights LawyerAri Weinzweig, Founder of Zingerman Deli===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic
Handcrafting Slippers For The Love of Africa and Nature with Walk The Talk Africa
Oct 28 2021
Handcrafting Slippers For The Love of Africa and Nature with Walk The Talk Africa
ON Capetown and Daniela's father moving to South Africa (3:13)ON  how Daniela "stumbled" upon slippers and how she perfected shoemaking skills during the pandemic (6:03)ON Daniela's childhood in the wilderness of South Africa and how it shaped her quest for a simple lifestyle and sustainable living (12:07)ON finding the name of the brand WALK THE TALK AFRICA (17:25)ON creativity in South Africa (20:14)ON getting the shoes made in South Africa (22:47)ON Daniela's previous career and why she decided to launch WALK THE TALK AFRICA (26:33)ON selling and finding resellers for WALK THE TALK AFRICA (31:53)ON life slowing down during lockdown and how Daniela used this time for her business (36:12)ON measure of success for WALK THE TALK AFRICA 1) job creation and Daniela plan to take part of the business online  (39:37)ON measure of success for WALK THE TALK AFRICA 2) daring to dream, stepping out of your comfort zone (44:14)ON measure of success for WALK THE TALK AFRICA 3) money in the bank and Daniela's "business plan" (45:47)ON how to connect with Daniela's and WALK THE TALK AFRICA (47:31)===========CONNECT WITH Daniela / Walk The Talk Africahttps://walkthetalkafrica.comIG @walkthetalkafrica===========MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:Cape Town“(Getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me.) The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again. (It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.)” (Steve Jobs)===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic
When Mission-driven Business Founders Discuss Success
May 19 2021
When Mission-driven Business Founders Discuss Success
Definition of success can change over time:(2:33) David Nebinski(4:02) Bai ZahmriSuccess is beyond Founders' personal goals, it's more about connection, about adding value to the lives of others, inspiring others to do things differently:(5:03) Shivani Patel(5:59) Nan & Carl(8:20) Pola  Stępień(8:40) Bai Zahmri(9:10) Ihita ShandilyaOn  privilege, freedom, and exploration of new possibility:(10:04) Mati Ventrillon(10:46) Pola  Stępień(11:44) Josie MackenzieOn the sustainability components in the business created:(16:07) Ihita Shandilya(16:50) Bai Zahmri(10:03) Josie MackenzieOn being lean, on growing, and being close to the core of what the brand stands for:(20:39) Jennifer Myers Chua(22:51) Mati Ventrillon===========CONNECT WITH DAVID NEBINSKIDavid is the host of Portfolio Career Podcast: https://www.portfoliocareerpodcast.com/===========CONNECT WITH BAI ZAHMRIBai is the Founder of Nazkids https://www.mynazkids.com/===========CONNECT SHIVANI PATELShivani is the Founder of Arture https://myarture.com/===========CONNECT WITH NAN & CARLNan & Carl are the Founders of  Seeker x Retriever https://www.seekerxretriever.com/===========CONNECT WITH POLA STEPIENPola is the Founder of  MODAPOLKA https://modapolka.com/===========CONNECT WITH IHITA SHANDILYAIhita is the Founder of  MithilaSMITA https://www.mithilasmita.com/===========CONNECT WITH MATI VENTRILLONMati is the Founder of  Mati Ventrillon  https://www.mativentrillon.co.uk/===========CONNECT WITH JOSIE MACKENZIEJosie is the Founder of  AMMA Sri Lanka https://www.ammasrilanka.com/===========CONNECT WITH JENNIFER MYERS CHUAAt HIP MOMMIES: https://hipmommies.ca/Buy products that are useful, well-made, thoughtfully designed that are responsibly from suppliers that are good people, supporting good causes, and that are doing business ethically Jennifer's podcast: COST OF GOODS SOLD===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic
Quiet Disruptors: Creating Change Without Shouting by Sue Heatherington
Mar 24 2021
Quiet Disruptors: Creating Change Without Shouting by Sue Heatherington
===========The Manifesto for Quiet DisruptorsHave you noticed? We’re shifting from one era to the next.From the modern, industrial age where there were linear and predictable answers, to a complex, interconnected and volatile world. Where what we do affects who others become and impacts our whole environment, without us fully realising it.We need different voices. People with fresh things to say who don’t need to shout.Not just super-heroes with confident gestures. Nor the loud, always-on culture, with quick answers that offer attractive sticking plasters, yet fail to see what comes next or why we are doing it anyway.But the thoughtful and creative change-makers who look from the edge and craft their responses, who want to make a difference, differently. Not just for today.Because more of the same won’t do.So now is our time to shift the conversation by becoming the change we want to see. Owning our voice, finding the others and having the courage to speak softly about things that matter.Because only people make change. And change emerges with those who have the courage to be different:who think before they speak;who ask questions we’d sometimes rather not face;who create solutions we hadn’t expected;who see more from the edge, than the centre, and make connections that surprise us;who are driven to make a difference, but want to do it differently, with grace;who get their energy from calm reflection, beautiful ideas, and taking the long view;who exercise kindness, generosity and stubborn courage in pursuing a different way of looking, being and doing that can turn our world upside down – for the better.It’s time for the new change-makers. The quiet disruptors with the courage to speak softly about things that matter.Sue HeatheringtonThe WatersideNovember 2020===========CONNECT WITH Sue Heatherington / Quiet DisruptorsWeb: https://quietdisruptors.com/Daily poetry: https://sueheatherington.com/twitter @SueWaterside===========MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:University of East AngliaSusan CainSimon SinekPatagonia "DON'T BUY THIS JACKET"Josie Mackenzie / AMMA Sri Lanka🎤 🎧 episode with Josie Mackenzie ===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic
Creating a New Category in Fashion and Empowering Women with Baby Clothing by Bai Ahmad Zahmri
Feb 11 2021
Creating a New Category in Fashion and Empowering Women with Baby Clothing by Bai Ahmad Zahmri
ON Malaysia, its lush forests and Bai’s future vision for the world  (2:43)  ON the reason why Bai created Nazkids, a social business that provides jobs for women and particularly mothers in Jitra, Kedah (4:30)  ON providing training as the hiring process of the makers (8:27)  ON how Bai created a new category in baby clothing by developing Malay traditional outfits for babies’ Aqiqah and how it landed in the hands of celebrities and royal families (10:02)  ON the power of the pictures to launch the brand (12:11)  ON why it is so important to build the brand first (13:44)ON Bai leaving a corporate career to start her own company (15:02)  ON losing most of her savings and bootstrapping (17:10) ON the philosophy behind training programs, why Nazkids focuses on training even if the women do not end up working with the business (20:23)  ON the longer vision: to provide business training so the women can start their own business (22:41)ON Bai’s definition of success: how many people Bai can bring to achieve greater things in life (24:50)ON why Bai decided to register her company on Dec 12, 2012 (26:40)  ON challenges and learnings from running a social business (27:53)ON where you can find Nazkids and the new products launching since the start of the pandemic (beyond masks!!!) (29:33)  ===========CONNECT WITH Bai / NazKidsWeb : www.mynazkids.comInstagram : https://www.instagram.com/nazkids/  Shopee in Malaysia :- http://shopee.com.my/starzgate23 (or search for Nazkids)Shopee in Singapore :- https://shopee.sg/starzgate23 (or search for Nazkids)Lazada in Malaysia :- https://www.lazada.com.my/shop/nazkids (or search for Nazkids)===========MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:Jitra KedahRainforest in MalaysiaAqiqah or AkikahKuala Lumpur===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic
Ihitashri Shandilya on Preserving the Heritage Art Form of Mithila Paintings (Madhubani Paintings)
Jan 28 2021
Ihitashri Shandilya on Preserving the Heritage Art Form of Mithila Paintings (Madhubani Paintings)
ON Madhubani Paintings also known as Mithila Paintings, an Ancient Art Form practiced by Women  (2:59)  ON Ihita’s late Grandmother using this form of Art as a tool to bring a change in this part of the world (4:24)ON learnings from spending childhood at Grandmother’s NGO (4:53)ON the realization of the challenges of being women and continuing the work of her Grandmother (5:55)ON looking for more sustainable sources of revenue (8:18)ON the idea of evolving from an NGO to a Social Enterprise in order to help the system support the artisans in a way that they support our existence on this planet (9:07)  ON adding value and meaning to corporate gifting (10:25)  ON using artisans work onto fashion items (12:16)  ON the challenges of switching from NGO model to a social business model & change of mindset (15:19)  ON a hybrid model to support the vision (19:03) ON MITHILAsmita international expansion (21:00)  ON Ihita definition of success: creating a system that holds the vision of creating sustainable livelihood for artisans and their creativity (22:45)  ON Ihita’s vision of the world for her children: knowledge and appreciation of traditional art forms as the expression of timeless beauty and emotion (24:29)  ON MITHILAsmita near future development: international expansion  (26:48) ===========CONNECT WITH Ihita ShandilyaMITHILAsmita: https://www.mithilasmita.com/Connect on WhatsApp: +91 9901187800 BUY from MITHILAsmita: ArtnHer https://www.artnher.com/===========MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:Madhubani is a town municipality and headquarter of Madhubani district. Madhubani is situated in the Indian state of Bihar.Mithila PaintingsACUMEN fellowship UN Women Empowerment Principles award===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Ukulele Fun by Liosound Music / Wooden Xylophone by Floraphonic
Making Change Happen With Intention and Integrity by Scott Perry
Dec 3 2020
Making Change Happen With Intention and Integrity by Scott Perry
ON Scott’s Vision of the World (5:50)  ON Why Scott transitioned from a music career to creating Creative on Purpose (6:13)  ON Trusting ourselves when starting something new (8:37)  ON Scott’s definition of Creativity (12:22)  ON Integrity (15:03)  ON Introduction to Stoic Philosophy (17:18)  ON The Gift of Adversity (21:52)  ON Coddiwomple [to head confidently to an unknown destination] (26:04)  ON Values and Virtues (28:41)  ON Taking Action (30:47)  ON Being Part of a Community to Step into Possibility (34:15)  ON The Intention when Writing Onward (37:31)  ===========CONNECT WITH Scott PerryCREATIVE ON PURPOSE: https://www.creativeonpurpose.com/BUY ONWARD, When Certainty Ends, Possibility Begins===========MENTIONED IN THE CONVERSATION:Seth Godin and Akimbo: https://akimbo.com/ Some Stoic Philosophers & Historical Figures influenced by Stocism:Zeno of Citium: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeno_of_CitiumSeneca: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seneca_the_YoungerEpictetus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EpictetusMarcus Aurelius: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marcus_AureliusFounding Fathers of the United States: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Founding_Fathers_of_the_United_StatesNelson Mandela: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Mister Sunny Face by Wayne Jones / Blue Skies by Silent Partner / Happy Ukulele by Scott Holmes
Bridging the Past and the Future with a Fashion Brand by Pola Stępień
Sep 23 2020
Bridging the Past and the Future with a Fashion Brand by Pola Stępień
Growing up in Poland (2:05)Pessimism on the current environmental outlooks (3:43)  Why launching a fashion brand is Pola’s way of taking action and of spreading her message (4:54)  The Narciso collection, made with vintage fabrics dated back from the 90s (7:22)  Łódź and its textile industry history (10:00)  The urban Nomad collection,made with Polish denim dated back from the 80s (11:44)  Fashion Design as a branch of Product Design (13:48)  How Pola launched her first collection (15:15)  Why Pola sells her collection directly to clients (17:37)  Łódź Design Festival (18:22)  “I want to focus on the ergonomics. My clothes, most of all wearable and comfortable and made with sophisticated tailoring techniques” (19:25)  “My goal is to improve the quality of life with my brand” (21:52)  How Pola defines success (22:29)  Learnings from failures (24:28)  Trade-offs to be made and moral dilemmas (25:32)  The joys of running her brand (28:11)  ===========CONNECT WITH Pola StępieńMODAPOLKA: https://modapolka.com/en/shop/IG / FB===========MENTIONED  IN THIS EPISODEPolish former industrial city of ŁódźThe Film The Promised Land (1975) by  Andrzej WajdaŁódź Design Festival===========Host: Leekei TangContact: hello (at) betterbusinessfounder.comMusic credits: Mister Sunny Face by Wayne Jones / Blue Skies by Silent Partner / Happy Ukulele by Scott Holmes