Sustainability is often treated as a corporate branding exercise, but in reality, it is a deeply operational, systems-level problem. Replacing plastic sounds great in a boardroom, but making sustainable materials perform, scale, and integrate into real-world supply chains is notoriously difficult.



After spending 20 years in the oil and gas sector, Rajes Kandasamy left the corporate world to tackle this exact problem. She founded Bina BioX, a Petaling Jaya-based startup developing high-performance biomaterials—like mycelium packaging and coffee-based composites—from agricultural waste.



Currently in the prototype-to-pilot stage, Bina BioX is navigating the gruelling journey of scaling physical manufacturing without a massive VC war chest. Rajes joins us in the studio to discuss the unglamorous reality of material science, why true sustainability doesn't have to carry a "green premium," and how they are convincing luxury hotels and corporate brands to adopt their circular materials.

Sustainability is often treated as a corporate branding exercise, but in reality, it is a deeply operational, systems-level problem. Replacing plastic sounds great in a boardroom, but making sustainable materials perform, scale, and integrate into real-world supply chains is notoriously difficult.After spending 20 years in the oil and gas sector, Rajes Kandasamy left the corporate world to tackle this exact problem. She founded Bina BioX, a Petaling Jaya-based startup developing high-performance biomaterials—like mycelium packaging and coffee-based composites—from agricultural waste.Currently in the prototype-to-pilot stage, Bina BioX is navigating the gruelling journey of scaling physical manufacturing without a massive VC war chest. Rajes joins us in the studio to discuss the unglamorous reality of material science, why true sustainability doesn't have to carry a "green premium," and how they are convincing luxury hotels and corporate brands to adopt their circular materials.

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.

The Science Of Waste: How Bina BioX Is Replacing Plastic With Coffee And Mushrooms

Gu On is not your average Korean BBQ joint. Launched in July 2023, the brand specialises in traditional Korean smoked meats, rich bone broths, and modern interpretations of Korean classics. But what truly sets Gu On apart is its rapid growth model. By leveraging a strategic "intrapreneurial" partnership and utilising a pre-existing central kitchen, founder Shuen Kuan bypassed the gruelling early-stage operational hurdles most F&B startups face. In less than two years, Gu On has scaled to three premium locations—including The Exchange TRX and The Starling—and generates combined annual revenues in the 8-figure range.



Shuen Kuan joins us in the studio to unpack the realities of scaling a multi-million ringgit restaurant group at lightning speed, as well as the massive roadblock currently paralysing their growth: Malaysia's severe F&B labour crisis. With foreign worker quotas frozen and local hiring pools shrinking for non-halal establishments, we explore what happens when a highly profitable brand has the capital to expand, but literally cannot find the manpower to do it.

Gu On is not your average Korean BBQ joint. Launched in July 2023, the brand specialises in traditional Korean smoked meats, rich bone broths, and modern interpretations of Korean classics. But what truly sets Gu On apart is its rapid growth model. By leveraging a strategic "intrapreneurial" partnership and utilising a pre-existing central kitchen, founder Shuen Kuan bypassed the gruelling early-stage operational hurdles most F&amp;B startups face. In less than two years, Gu On has scaled to three premium locations—including The Exchange TRX and The Starling—and generates combined annual revenues in the 8-figure range.Shuen Kuan joins us in the studio to unpack the realities of scaling a multi-million ringgit restaurant group at lightning speed, as well as the massive roadblock currently paralysing their growth: Malaysia's severe F&amp;B labour crisis. With foreign worker quotas frozen and local hiring pools shrinking for non-halal establishments, we explore what happens when a highly profitable brand has the capital to expand, but literally cannot find the manpower to do it.

The 8-Figure K-BBQ Empire: How Gu On Hacked The F&B Growth Curve

Malaysia is sitting on a goldmine of natural biodiversity, yet local functional foods often suffer from a massive "trust deficit" due to adulterated products and poor branding. Tengku Ariputra decided to change that. Armed with RM5,000 crowdfunded from friends and family, he started handwriting labels and selling wild Tualang honey at local street markets.



Today, his bootstrapped brand, Honey I'm Home, has transitioned from street-selling to securing high-volume B2B corporate partnerships with heavyweights like Sunway Medical Group, Starhill, and Traders Hotel. By partnering with indigenous Orang Asli communities, such as the Batek Tribe in Taman Negara, they source 100% pure, seasonal wild honey, positioning it as a premium lifestyle superfood.



Ari joins us in the studio to discuss his street-selling hustle, the logistical nightmare of shipping a "sticky" product, and his ambitious plan to integrate clinical biotech testing to put Malaysian honey on the global map.

Malaysia is sitting on a goldmine of natural biodiversity, yet local functional foods often suffer from a massive "trust deficit" due to adulterated products and poor branding. Tengku Ariputra decided to change that. Armed with RM5,000 crowdfunded from friends and family, he started handwriting labels and selling wild Tualang honey at local street markets.Today, his bootstrapped brand, Honey I'm Home, has transitioned from street-selling to securing high-volume B2B corporate partnerships with heavyweights like Sunway Medical Group, Starhill, and Traders Hotel. By partnering with indigenous Orang Asli communities, such as the Batek Tribe in Taman Negara, they source 100% pure, seasonal wild honey, positioning it as a premium lifestyle superfood.Ari joins us in the studio to discuss his street-selling hustle, the logistical nightmare of shipping a "sticky" product, and his ambitious plan to integrate clinical biotech testing to put Malaysian honey on the global map.

The Sticky Business Of Scaling: From Pasar Malam To 7-Figure Corporate Gifting

Since 1985, Litt Tak has been the silent engine behind Malaysia’s toy industry. As the official distributor for global giants like Bandai, Takara Tomy, and Spin Master, they are responsible for putting everything from Gundam model kits and Tomica diecast cars to Cocomelon and Shopkins on the shelves of major retailers nationwide. But the toy industry is undergoing a massive shift. Toys are no longer just for children; the "Kidult" market has transformed collectibles into a lifestyle necessity. To capture this demographic, the 41-year-old legacy business is helping global brand owners pivot toward experiential retail. In December 2025, Tomy and Toys "R" Us launched Southeast Asia’s first TOMICA Brand Store in Suria KLCC, with Litt Tak serving as the crucial local distribution anchor. Now, they are gearing up to facilitate Malaysia’s first-ever Gundam Base Store.



Tan Ee Chian, Executive Director of Litt Tak, talks to us about surviving as a "middleman" for four decades, the economics of these new experiential toy stores, and the challenge of managing a sprawling portfolio of global IP rights.

Since 1985, Litt Tak has been the silent engine behind Malaysia’s toy industry. As the official distributor for global giants like Bandai, Takara Tomy, and Spin Master, they are responsible for putting everything from Gundam model kits and Tomica diecast cars to Cocomelon and Shopkins on the shelves of major retailers nationwide. But the toy industry is undergoing a massive shift. Toys are no longer just for children; the "Kidult" market has transformed collectibles into a lifestyle necessity. To capture this demographic, the 41-year-old legacy business is helping global brand owners pivot toward experiential retail. In December 2025, Tomy and Toys "R" Us launched Southeast Asia’s first TOMICA Brand Store in Suria KLCC, with Litt Tak serving as the crucial local distribution anchor. Now, they are gearing up to facilitate Malaysia’s first-ever Gundam Base Store.Tan Ee Chian, Executive Director of Litt Tak, talks to us about surviving as a "middleman" for four decades, the economics of these new experiential toy stores, and the challenge of managing a sprawling portfolio of global IP rights.

The Science Of Waste: How Bina BioX Is Replacing Plastic With Coffee And Mushrooms

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