In this episode, we explore the future of retail with Shaji Rajappan, COO and Co-founder of Retailetics — the startup behind ezyCart, an AI-powered self-checkout solution aiming to transform the supermarket experience. Born in 2018 from a vision to solve inefficiencies in traditional retail, Retailetics combines machine learning and computer vision to bring smart, seamless shopping to brick-and-mortar stores. Shaji shares the journey behind building a retail tech startup in Southeast Asia, the challenges of scaling hardware and software in tandem, and how Retailetics is shaping the next wave of consumer experiences through automation.

In this episode, we explore the future of retail with Shaji Rajappan, COO and Co-founder of Retailetics — the startup behind ezyCart, an AI-powered self-checkout solution aiming to transform the supermarket experience. Born in 2018 from a vision to solve inefficiencies in traditional retail, Retailetics combines machine learning and computer vision to bring smart, seamless shopping to brick-and-mortar stores. Shaji shares the journey behind building a retail tech startup in Southeast Asia, the challenges of scaling hardware and software in tandem, and how Retailetics is shaping the next wave of consumer experiences through automation.

The flagship entrepreneurship show on BFM, featuring personal business stories from early stage start-ups, all the way to billionaire octogenarians in Malaysia and abroad. Notable guests include Martin Cooper (father of the mobile phone), Julian Assange (founder of WikiLeaks), Ralph Henry Baer (father of video games), Tony Buzan (Mindmap Guru), Isaac Tigrett (Hard Rock Cafe founder), Robert Kiyosaki (Financial Guru), Nick Vujicic (motivational speaker) and more. Tap into this valuable resource of shared experiences for the SME industry, which also touches on news, issues and trends affecting the business community and beyond.

Open For Business

Discover fresh concepts, tackle obstacles, and unleash growth - Open For Business is the dynamic show where BFM engages with entrepreneurs, business leaders, and industry trailblazers, igniting inspiration, sparking success, and exploring new business models.

SmartCarts and Smarter Stores: The Retailetics Vision

When the pandemic decimated the events industry in 2020, Melissa and Ethan found themselves retrenched. With just RM500 and no grand ambitions, they banded together to survive. Six years later, their survival plan has evolved into MET Communications (MetComms)—a highly profitable, mid-to-high six-figure boutique marketing agency. Their specialty? Putting "bums on seats." Unlike general creative agencies that focus on vanity metrics, MetComms specializes exclusively in driving targeted registrations, delegates, and sponsors for large-scale B2B business events, conferences, and exhibitions across Southeast Asia.



Co-founders Melissa and Ethan join us in the studio to discuss the ups and downs of running a lean agency, the mechanics of marketing to highly niche B2B audiences, and the psychological battle of trusting junior staff so the founders can finally stop "doing the work."

When the pandemic decimated the events industry in 2020, Melissa and Ethan found themselves retrenched. With just RM500 and no grand ambitions, they banded together to survive. Six years later, their survival plan has evolved into MET Communications (MetComms)—a highly profitable, mid-to-high six-figure boutique marketing agency. Their specialty? Putting "bums on seats." Unlike general creative agencies that focus on vanity metrics, MetComms specializes exclusively in driving targeted registrations, delegates, and sponsors for large-scale B2B business events, conferences, and exhibitions across Southeast Asia.Co-founders Melissa and Ethan join us in the studio to discuss the ups and downs of running a lean agency, the mechanics of marketing to highly niche B2B audiences, and the psychological battle of trusting junior staff so the founders can finally stop "doing the work."

Marketing The MICE Industry: Why General Marketing Fails B2B Events

For over two decades, Joo East has been the silent architect behind Malaysia’s vibrant pasar malam and street food scene. Founded in Kuantan by a former pasar pagi trader, the bootstrapped family business fundamentally changed the local landscape - convincing local councils to mandate standardized square canopies and transitioning night markets from messy, makeshift stalls into structured retail hubs.



Now, second-generation leaders Kalsey Tan, Managing Director and Bobby Tan,  Marketing & PR Director join us to share the unvarnished reality of dragging a 20-year-old traditional business into the digital age. They unpack their father’s grueling early hustle—which involved selling the family car to fulfil a massive corporate order for Milo—and how their recent pivot to TikTok effectively doubled their revenue to RM1.6 million.

For over two decades, Joo East has been the silent architect behind Malaysia’s vibrant pasar malam and street food scene. Founded in Kuantan by a former pasar pagi trader, the bootstrapped family business fundamentally changed the local landscape - convincing local councils to mandate standardized square canopies and transitioning night markets from messy, makeshift stalls into structured retail hubs.Now, second-generation leaders Kalsey Tan, Managing Director and Bobby Tan,&nbsp; Marketing &amp; PR Director join us to share the unvarnished reality of dragging a 20-year-old traditional business into the digital age. They unpack their father’s grueling early hustle—which involved selling the family car to fulfil a massive corporate order for Milo—and how their recent pivot to TikTok effectively doubled their revenue to RM1.6 million.

How To Sell Canopies On TikTok: Joo East’s RM1.6M Hustle

In January 2026, Series A digital health company Angsana Health executed a strategic move - they acquired MiyaHealth's subsidiaries and its Managed Care Organization, MiyaCare. This move instantly gave them a network of over 4,000 providers across Malaysia, the Philippines, and Poland. But how does a startup turn a massive legacy network into a modern, data-driven health ecosystem?



Angsana Health CEO Dr. Khor Swee Kheng, and Director of Business Development Aisha Adam join us in the studio to discuss the leap from health policy to private enterprise, the trials of selling digital health to the gig economy, and how they plan to leverage their Series A war chest to rebuild the "front door" of primary care.

In January 2026, Series A digital health company Angsana Health executed a strategic move - they acquired MiyaHealth's subsidiaries and its Managed Care Organization, MiyaCare. This move instantly gave them a network of over 4,000 providers across Malaysia, the Philippines, and Poland. But how does a startup turn a massive legacy network into a modern, data-driven health ecosystem?Angsana Health CEO Dr. Khor Swee Kheng, and Director of Business Development Aisha Adam join us in the studio to discuss the leap from health policy to private enterprise, the trials of selling digital health to the gig economy, and how they plan to leverage their Series A war chest to rebuild the "front door" of primary care.

SmartCarts and Smarter Stores: The Retailetics Vision

In 1 playlist(s)

Open For Business

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips