In this episode of Open For Business, we sit down with Ian Wong and Kimberly Law, co-founders of Uno Advisers, a financial planning firm with a mission to empower women through personalised financial planning. Founded in 2021 and officially launching in 2023, Uno Advisers says it is taking a fresh, client-focused approach to the traditionally product-pushing financial services industry.



Ian and Kimberly share how their backgrounds led them to start Uno Advisers, the challenges they’ve faced in building the business, and why their focus is on supporting women in their financial journeys. They also discuss how they differentiate themselves in a competitive market and their view on the future of financial planning in Malaysia.



In this episode, you’ll learn:

- How Uno Advisers is trying to fill a gap in Malaysia’s financial planning industry by focusing on holistic, client-first strategies.

- The importance of tailoring financial services to women and why they are their target demographic

- The challenges of launching a new financial planning firm in a market dominated by larger, more established players.

- Insights into Uno’s business model, growth strategy, and the potential future of financial planning in Malaysia.

In this episode of Open For Business, we sit down with Ian Wong and Kimberly Law, co-founders of Uno Advisers, a financial planning firm with a mission to empower women through personalised financial planning. Founded in 2021 and officially launching in 2023, Uno Advisers says it is taking a fresh, client-focused approach to the traditionally product-pushing financial services industry.Ian and Kimberly share how their backgrounds led them to start Uno Advisers, the challenges they’ve faced in building the business, and why their focus is on supporting women in their financial journeys. They also discuss how they differentiate themselves in a competitive market and their view on the future of financial planning in Malaysia.In this episode, you’ll learn:- How Uno Advisers is trying to fill a gap in Malaysia’s financial planning industry by focusing on holistic, client-first strategies.- The importance of tailoring financial services to women and why they are their target demographic- The challenges of launching a new financial planning firm in a market dominated by larger, more established players.- Insights into Uno’s business model, growth strategy, and the potential future of financial planning in Malaysia.

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.

Uno Advisers: The Financial Planning Firm For Women?

In this episode, we're joined by Ben Jihad, founder of Jeet Academy, a local martial arts training centre that offers techniques from Krav Maga and Jeet Kune Do to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Western boxing. Jeet Academy prepares individuals of all backgrounds with the skills and confidence to tackle life’s challenges—both figuratively and, as we’ll explore, quite literally.



Ben’s journey from a lawyer in Brussels to a self-defence expert in Malaysia was sparked by a life-changing experience in 2007 and now as an entrepreneur, Ben not only leads Jeet Academy but also consults for industries like filming and has expertise in fight choreography as well as stunt planning.



In our conversation, we dive into Ben’s personal journey, the founding philosophy of Jeet Academy, and what’s next for the academy going forward. 

In this episode, we're joined by Ben Jihad, founder of Jeet Academy, a local martial arts training centre that offers techniques from Krav Maga and Jeet Kune Do to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Western boxing. Jeet Academy prepares individuals of all backgrounds with the skills and confidence to tackle life’s challenges—both figuratively and, as we’ll explore, quite literally.Ben’s journey from a lawyer in Brussels to a self-defence expert in Malaysia was sparked by a life-changing experience in 2007 and now as an entrepreneur, Ben not only leads Jeet Academy but also consults for industries like filming and has expertise in fight choreography as well as stunt planning.In our conversation, we dive into Ben’s personal journey, the founding philosophy of Jeet Academy, and what’s next for the academy going forward.

Trading In A Suit, For A Gi

 “I wanted to create something out of nothing”. Starting with a relatively small RM50,000 investment, Leon Goh transformed a small soft-serve mix operation into Gourmet Ingredients, a multi-category manufacturer producing premix powders for beverages, soups, sauces, and more, that’s targeting RM100 million in annual revenue by 2029.



In this episode of Open For Business, we explore how Leon, founder and CEO of Gourmet Ingredients, built this premix powder powerhouse, now supplying F&B outlets nationwide and exporting to five ASEAN countries, as well as his ambitious plans to localise supply chains across ASEAN.



Key insights from the conversation include:

- Leon’s Entrepreneurial Path: From investment analyst to food manufacturing innovator, Leon shares the inspirations and challenges behind his transition to food manufacturing.

- Building from Scratch: Started with RM50,000, a single blender, and small batches for ice cream shops. Overcame early scepticism and barriers by focusing on product quality and consistency.

- Expanding Product Lines: How Gourmet Ingredients pivoted during the pandemic to add new product lines, making beverages a major part of their business.

- Menu Solutions Concept: Leon’s strategic shift toward becoming a “food menu solutions” provider, helping F&B clients with ready-to-use products across appetisers, main courses, beverages, and desserts.

- ASEAN Expansion Strategy: Plans to expand into new ASEAN markets, establish local factories in Vietnam and Indonesia, and increase exports from 30% to 70% of revenue.

- Innovation and Consistency: Ensuring quality and food safety with international certifications (ISO, HALAL, HACCP) and ongoing R&D for constant product improvement.

- Future FMCG Ambitions: Leon’s vision to launch a consumer-facing line, leveraging experience from developing private-label products for established brands.

- Funding and Growth Outlook: Why Gourmet Ingredients remains self-funded through bank financing and potential considerations for M&A or an IPO as the business scales.

“I wanted to create something out of nothing”. Starting with a relatively small RM50,000 investment, Leon Goh transformed a small soft-serve mix operation into Gourmet Ingredients, a multi-category manufacturer producing premix powders for beverages, soups, sauces, and more, that’s targeting RM100 million in annual revenue by 2029.In this episode of Open For Business, we explore how Leon, founder and CEO of Gourmet Ingredients, built this premix powder powerhouse, now supplying F&amp;B outlets nationwide and exporting to five ASEAN countries, as well as his ambitious plans to localise supply chains across ASEAN.Key insights from the conversation include:- Leon’s Entrepreneurial Path: From investment analyst to food manufacturing innovator, Leon shares the inspirations and challenges behind his transition to food manufacturing.- Building from Scratch: Started with RM50,000, a single blender, and small batches for ice cream shops. Overcame early scepticism and barriers by focusing on product quality and consistency.- Expanding Product Lines: How Gourmet Ingredients pivoted during the pandemic to add new product lines, making beverages a major part of their business.- Menu Solutions Concept: Leon’s strategic shift toward becoming a “food menu solutions” provider, helping F&amp;B clients with ready-to-use products across appetisers, main courses, beverages, and desserts.- ASEAN Expansion Strategy: Plans to expand into new ASEAN markets, establish local factories in Vietnam and Indonesia, and increase exports from 30% to 70% of revenue.- Innovation and Consistency: Ensuring quality and food safety with international certifications (ISO, HALAL, HACCP) and ongoing R&amp;D for constant product improvement.- Future FMCG Ambitions: Leon’s vision to launch a consumer-facing line, leveraging experience from developing private-label products for established brands.- Funding and Growth Outlook: Why Gourmet Ingredients remains self-funded through bank financing and potential considerations for M&amp;A or an IPO as the business scales.

How RM50K Became RM24 Million: Gourmet Ingredients’ Story

How did Innov8tif transform from a bootstrapped startup to serving 70% of Malaysia’s telecommunications and banking sectors? In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with George Lee, Founder and CEO of Innov8tif Solutions, about the company’s journey, their groundbreaking innovations like IC microprint verification, and the announced RM40 million strategic partnership with Datasonic Group.



George has been nominated for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Malaysia awards in the Technology Entrepreneur Category.



George shares insights into the challenges of scaling a tech business, the evolving eKYC landscape, and Innov8tif’s plans to expand regionally while maintaining its leadership in secure digital onboarding. 



Among other things, we get into:

- Entrepreneurial Journey: How George Lee and his co-founder started Innov8tif with RM60K, and how they moved from software development and consultancy and into  the eKYC business.

- Innovation in eKYC: Innov8tif’s patented solutions, such as IC microprint verification, and their impact on secure digital onboarding.

- Market Leadership: Serving 70% of Malaysia’s telco and banking sectors and the strategies behind maintaining this dominant position.

- Strategic Acquisition: Insights into Datasonic Group’s RM40 million acquisition and how it will drive Innov8tif’s growth and innovation, as well as advice on strategic partnerships.

How did Innov8tif transform from a bootstrapped startup to serving 70% of Malaysia’s telecommunications and banking sectors? In this episode of Open For Business, we speak with George Lee, Founder and CEO of Innov8tif Solutions, about the company’s journey, their groundbreaking innovations like IC microprint verification, and the announced RM40 million strategic partnership with Datasonic Group.George has been nominated for the EY Entrepreneur of the Year 2024 Malaysia awards in the Technology Entrepreneur Category.George shares insights into the challenges of scaling a tech business, the evolving eKYC landscape, and Innov8tif’s plans to expand regionally while maintaining its leadership in secure digital onboarding. Among other things, we get into:- Entrepreneurial Journey: How George Lee and his co-founder started Innov8tif with RM60K, and how they moved from software development and consultancy and into the eKYC business.- Innovation in eKYC: Innov8tif’s patented solutions, such as IC microprint verification, and their impact on secure digital onboarding.- Market Leadership: Serving 70% of Malaysia’s telco and banking sectors and the strategies behind maintaining this dominant position.- Strategic Acquisition: Insights into Datasonic Group’s RM40 million acquisition and how it will drive Innov8tif’s growth and innovation, as well as advice on strategic partnerships.

Uno Advisers: The Financial Planning Firm For Women?

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