• A Podcaster/Small Business Owner's Year in Review
    Dec 8 2025

    Hi everyone,

    I wanted to share a heartfelt review of 2025, divided into three chapters:

    Chapter: 1: My journey as a podcaster

    As a podcaster, I've heard so many founder and leadership stories, but something about impact-driven content drew my attention - much more than before. Why? Simply because I can finally say that I am in a position to share these stories that can make an impact. In turn, this also led to unexpected opportunities and reaffirmed the value of our small but engaged audience.

    Chapter 2: Pivots as a small business owner

    Long ago, Haoming Lee shared some sage advice about branding - "If no one knows you, you can rebrand in any way you want." This meant that I didn't need to fit any type of mould or business structure. I could pivot, and I did. From 100% podcast-related efforts, to talent-based effort. I'm not just producing podcasts - I'm hosting events, emceeing Gala dinners, launches and even moderating panel sessions!

    Chapter 3: Growth as a human being.

    Finally, on a personal note, embracing compassion and patience has transformed my approach to life and work. I no longer feel guilty for not working 8-10 hours a day. I am instead, grateful for this privilege, and will continue to see how I can help others in their work, businesses and lives.

    Thank you for your continued support. Here's to an impactful 2026.

    Keep listening and moving forward.

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    14 mins
  • EP.IC079 - Purpose Driven Tourism | Raj Kumar, IPC Group
    Nov 24 2025

    Purpose-Driven Tourism: A Conversation with Raj KumarIPC Group: https://ipcgroup.com.sg/More about The Rotary Club Singapore: https://www.rotary.org.sg/Connect with Raj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-kumar-19074552/Hosted & Produced by Edric PoonProduced by Kaleoscopic CommunicationsIn this episode of the EP.IC podcast, we speak with Raj Kumar, Managing Director of IPC Group and a board member of the Rotary Club. Raj shares his extensive experience in global travel and tourism, emphasizing how tourism can make a meaningful impact through education, community engagement, and fostering entrepreneurship. He delves into his journey of starting community-based tourism, the challenges faced by the travel industry, and the integration of technology like virtual reality to adapt and thrive amid global crises. Raj also discusses his role as an advisor to startups, his passion for mentoring youth, and how businesses, especially SMEs, can creatively leverage their resources for social good. The conversation wraps up with reflections on maintaining purpose over profit, the importance of community involvement, and Raj's aspirations for lasting impactful work.00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview

    01:15 Raj Kumar's Journey into Tourism

    02:28 Community-Based Tourism and Its Impact

    04:01 Corporate Involvement and Educational Programs

    08:24 Adapting to Challenges with Technology

    09:05 Expanding into Technology and Mentorship

    09:49 Wellness Programs and Scam Prevention

    16:07 Leveraging Rotary Club for Greater Impact

    19:56 Corporate Social Responsibility: Beyond Donations

    20:25 The Importance of Volunteer Hours

    21:09 Addressing Dementia and Loneliness in Seniors

    23:25 Philanthropy and Community Engagement

    25:24 Innovation in Philanthropy

    28:45 Personal Reflections and Rapid Fire Questions

    32:56 Final Thoughts and Contact Information#impact #edricpoonincompany #podcast #asia

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    39 mins
  • EP.IC078 – Social Impact, Empathy, and Entrepreneurship with Maggie Dumra (Jaedals)
    Oct 6 2025


    Episode Summary:
    In this episode of the EP.IC Podcast, we chat with Maggie Dumra, founder of Jaedals, a socially conscious footwear brand.

    Maggie shares her journey from a career in media production to building businesses that create positive social impact, including supporting women in need and giving back to communities in India and Singapore.

    Support Jaedals and their mission by checking out their products, following them on social media, and sharing this episode with friends who care about social impact and entrepreneurship.

    Chapters & Timestamps

    • 00:00 – Introduction & Overview
    • 00:54 – Meet Maggie Dumra: From Media to Social Impact
    • 01:32 – The Jaedals Story: Comfort, Style, and Doing Good
    • 02:32 – Building a Socially Conscious Business
    • 03:50 – Balancing Corporate Life, Family, and Entrepreneurship
    • 06:38 – Early Ventures: Baby Boo and Giving Back to India
    • 08:05 – COVID’s Impact and Supporting Local Women in Singapore
    • 09:16 – The Birth of Jaedals: Empowering Women Through Work
    • 10:42 – Product Introduction: Jaedals Sandals
    • 12:01 – Building a Local Production Ecosystem
    • 13:21 – Finding and Training Sewing Communities
    • 15:06 – Why Focus on Low-Income Women?
    • 16:41 – Government Support and Scaling Social Impact
    • 18:24 – Community Support and Corporate Partnerships
    • 20:19 – Wins, Rejections, and the Long Game of Social Impact
    • 22:06 – Expanding Overseas and Sustainable Collaborations
    • 24:00 – Family, Empathy, and Upbringing
    • 26:01 – Empathy vs. Business: Can You Have Both?
    • 28:34 – Lessons from Family Business and Marketing
    • 31:10 – Growing the Team and Scaling Up
    • 33:20 – Letting Go: When to Move On from a Business
    • 36:00 – Creative Ventures in Hong Kong and Melbourne
    • 40:00 – Advice for Aspiring Social Entrepreneurs
    • 41:50 – Paying It Forward
    • 42:40 – Rapid Fire Q&A: Inspirations, Routines, and Legacy
    • 47:20 – Final Shoutouts & How to Support Jaedals

    • Connect with Maggie and support Jaedals:

      • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-dumra-922bb511/
      • Jaedals: jaedals.com
      • Instagram: @shopjaedals
      • Visit their store at Mandarin Gallery, Singapore


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    47 mins
  • EP.IC077 - Impacting Generations through Cultivate SG | Darius Lee
    Sep 10 2025

    Are you curious about how Singapore’s changing society will impact your family, career, or business?

    Darius Lee, Executive Director of Cultivate SG, joins the podcast! Listen in to a practical, eye-opening conversation about building a thriving, sustainable future for all generations!

    In this episode, we discuss:• How Singapore’s demographic shifts affect you and your loved ones—and what you can do about it• The real story behind nonprofits: how they operate, why transparency matters, and how you can get involved or support causes you care about• Actionable ways to strengthen family bonds, both at home and in the workplace• Fresh ideas for business owners and employees to create a more supportive, family-friendly culture• Inspiring stories and upcoming events where you can participate, learn, and make a difference• Personal routines and leadership lessons from Darius that you can apply to your own life

    Whether you’re a parent, professional, business leader, or just passionate about social impact, this episode will give you new perspectives and practical steps to help your community thrive.

    Timestamps• 00:00 – Highlights• 00:44 – Meet Darius Lee: What you can learn from a nonprofit leader’s journey• 01:43 – Discover Cultivate SG’s mission—and how it relates to your everyday life• 02:31 – Facing Singapore’s demographic challenges: What it means for your future and what you can do• 03:51 – How workforce changes and family pressures might affect you (and how to adapt)• 04:47 – Flexible work and parental leave: Solutions you can advocate for or implement• 06:07 – Why your attitude matters: Building a sustainable society starts with you• 07:07 – How Cultivate SG’s research can help you make informed decisions• 08:09 – Online harms and social harmony: What you need to know to protect your family• 09:12 – Rethinking success: How to define achievement beyond material wealth• 10:23 – Darius’ personal story: Find inspiration for your own leadership and impact• 12:02 – Understanding the nonprofit landscape: How you can get involved or support• 13:44 – How to spot transparency and accountability in organizations you support• 15:21 – “Grander Together” in action: How you can participate or start similar initiatives• 16:44 – Practical ways for businesses and individuals to make a difference• 18:11 – Real-life examples: How to bring family values into your workplace• 19:44 – Boosting morale and productivity: Why caring for families helps everyone• 21:23 – Building trust: What to look for in organizations you donate to or join• 23:12 – How oversight and audits protect your interests as a donor or volunteer• 24:08 – Upcoming events: Where you can learn, connect, and contribute• 25:51 – EP.IC Questionnaire• 28:00 – How to connect with Cultivate SG and take your next step

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    34 mins
  • EP.IC076 - Low Key Philanthropy with Impact with Dani Van De Velde
    Aug 24 2025

    Our guest: Danielle Van De Velde, is a public speaker, author, and expert in meditation and transformative practices. We discuss the concept of 'low key philanthropy' and how Dani's business practices, which include donating a substantial portion of her proceeds to over 40 causes and charities across Southeast Asia. The conversation explores the importance of businesses considering their 'double bottom line' — not just financial success but also social impact.

    How can small businesses start making a difference? On top of that, we also look into the tangible returns, and spiritual benefits of altruism, and practical tips for integrating philanthropy into business operations.

    The episode is packed with actionable advice for business owners on how to give back effectively and the importance of intention behind philanthropic efforts.

    For more information on Dani's work and her communities, visit : https://daniellevandevelde.com/

    Chapters

    00:00 Welcome to the Epic Podcast00:19 Introducing Our Guest

    01:20 The Importance of Double Bottom Lines

    02:15 Exploring Impact in Business

    04:55 Small Business Philanthropy in Action

    07:53 Creative Ways to Give Back

    12:55 Personal Journey and Altruism

    17:07 The Energy of Giving

    25:09 The Cycle of Intent and Action

    25:21 Impact of Small Acts of Kindness

    26:09 Reevaluating Life Post-COVID

    26:57 Finding Purpose and Meaning

    28:33 Supporting Small Business Owners

    29:26 Corporate Social Responsibility

    33:15 Spirituality and Altruism

    34:14 Quantum Entanglement and Interconnectedness

    39:08 The Evolution of Leadership

    41:57 Future Plans and Projects

    44:00 Epic Questionnaire

    48:29 Conclusion and Farewell


    #Business #People #Stories #podcast #Edric Poon In Company #EPICPodcast #Singapore #Asia #B2B #BusinessOwners #entrepreneur

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    49 mins
  • EP.IC075 - From Superminted to Sabbatical | Jeremiah Su
    Feb 4 2025

    Warning: Occasion Explicit language and schoolboy humour (Don't judge me) The big question - Is a Sabbatical good for you or not? In this episode of the Epic Podcast, Edric Poon interviews Jeremiah Su, a co-founder and community builder. They discuss the concept of the 'four P's' which include proficiency, profit, purpose, and passion. Jeremiah emphasizes the importance of purpose in life and shares his entrepreneurial journey, from founding Cinema Verite Pictures in 2014, merging into Superminted in 2021, to taking a sabbatical for self-reflection. He talks about the challenges of entrepreneurship, such as loneliness, burnout, and the value of a support system. Jeremiah's sabbatical has led him to focus on teaching and mentoring, finding passion and purpose in helping others. Key takeaways include the necessity of being obsessed for true business success and the importance of planning and trust when considering a sabbatical. Join the community: https://nas.io/beyond Develop your podcast: www.kaleoscopic.com Filmed at Poddster Singapore 00:00 Introduction to the Four P's 00:36 Welcome to the Epic Podcast 01:17 Jeremiah Su's Journey 05:08 The Four P's in Business 11:39 The Value of Money and Knowledge 15:49 Challenges of Entrepreneurship 18:51 The Obsession for Success 21:50 Reflecting on Sabbatical Fears and Realizations 22:22 Embracing Rest and Routine 23:18 Finding Purpose and Rejuvenation 23:36 Lessons from Disney and Personal Growth 25:32 Planning and Preparing for Sabbatical 26:35 Building Trust and Setting Milestones 28:44 Conversations with Mentors 32:06 Balancing Personal and Professional Growth 37:15 Quick Fire Questions with Jeremiah 39:34 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

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    41 mins
  • Podcasters Playbook 2: Coen Tan | Wholehearted Podcast
    Dec 11 2024

    In this episode of Podcasters Playbook, Coen Tan, a passionate podcaster known for his show the Wholehearted Podcast. They discuss Coen's journey in podcasting, touching on themes of self-discovery, authenticity, and the challenges associated with starting and maintaining a podcast. Coen shares his personal struggles and triumphs, providing valuable insights into overcoming fears, finding one's voice, and the importance of community in the podcasting journey.


    Get in touch with Coen : connect@coentan.com

    If you'd like more tips, or want to be on the podcast, email me: epicpodcasting@gmail.com 00:00 Introduction to Podcasters Playbook and Guest Coen Tan 00:56 Coen Tan on His Journey and Wholehearted Podcast 03:09 Overcoming the Fear of Starting a Podcast 08:22 Themes of Wholehearted Podcast 14:29 Advice for Aspiring Podcasters 21:46 Building Connections through Podcasting 22:26 Current Challenges and Future of Wholehearted Podcast 32:15 Budgeting and Resourcefulness in Podcast Production 36:23 Coen Tan: Offstage and Personal Interests 39:36 Conclusion and Contact Information

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    40 mins
  • EP.IC074 - Marketing Tips and Woes | Cassandra Ong, Otterhalf
    Dec 9 2024

    In this episode of the EPIC Podcast, Edric hosts Cassandra Ong, founder of Otterhalf, a fractional marketing agency. Cassandra shares her journey from being an employee to becoming a business owner, the challenges she faced in sales, handling dry months, managing finances, and valuable advice for budding entrepreneurs. Watch till the end and get some exclusive marketing tips for each stage of your business PLUS the importance of building partnerships! Please like, share, comment and subscribe! Filmed at Poddster Singapore Produced by Kaleoscopic Communications Hosted by Edric Poon Get in touch if you'd like to be on the podcast, or start one of your own! Kaleoscopic Communications is here to help! Timestamps 00:00 Introduction to Cassandra Ong and Otterhalf 00:00 Challenges of Starting and Growing a Business 06:25 Importance of Corporate Experience and Mentorship 12:07 Managing People and Delegation 16:42 Securing the First Client and Sales Strategy 18:08 Pro Bono Work and Strategic Partnerships 21:39 Cashflow Management and Handling Dry Months 31:43 Marketing Tips and Strategies 40:11 10 Questions with Cassandra Ong

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    43 mins