Womenpreneur Asia

Marie Tuason, CEO, Adrenaline Marketers, The Philippines

From biomedical engineer to wellness entrepreneur, Marie Tuason has reinvented herself through burnout, bold choices and a passion for health. In this episode of Womenpreneur Asia, Marie shares her journey from interning in Germany to creating ventures that bridge wellness, community, and entrepreneurship. She opens up about the lessons of burnout, why she challenges common wellness myths, and how she’s building the Philippines’ first Longevity Social Club. This candid conversation dives into identity shifts, the importance of bio-individuality, and how personal struggles with self-worth and anxiety became stepping stones toward her mission to help others live healthier, more intentional lives. Marie’s story is a powerful reminder that reinvention starts with listening to yourself and daring to align your life with your values. In This Episode: [00:02] Growing up in the Philippines and finding resourcefulness without privilege[05:45] Moving to Germany: discovering slower living, balance, and holistic health[12:10] Burnout, gap year, and the unexpected pivot into entrepreneurship[18:50] Building Kaya Connections and the Longevity Social Club[27:00] Debunking wellness myths and embracing bio-individuality[35:20] How struggles with anxiety and self-worth shaped her mission[42:00] Marie’s advice for women on reinvention and health Key Takeaways Reinvention often starts with discomfort — burnout became Marie’s launchpad for transformation.Health is multi-dimensional — beyond food and fitness, it includes mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being.Sustainable change requires identity shifts — becoming someone who values movement, resilience, and balance. This episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio. Get the full article at WomenpreneurAsia.com

Gabriella Yan, Founder of TRAppe , Singapore

In this episode, Krista sits down with Gabriella or Gabby Yan, a hospitality industry insider turned startup founder to discuss her journey from luxury hotel marketing to founding TRAppe - a platform dedicated to making sustainable travel accessible, aspirational and impactful. Gabby shares the challenges she faced as a solo female founder, the problem of economic leakage in tourism and her vision for travel that benefits people and local economies. In this episode, you’ll hear about: Gabby’s background in hospitality and how that insider knowledge inspired her to start TRAppeThe problem of economic leakage and woefully underpaid local staff in tourismThe three pillars of sustainability: People, Planet, EconomyChallenges of fundraising as a solo female founder with no tech background and no tech co-founderHow TRAppe works in creating authentic, community-focused travel experiencesWhy sustainability isn’t one-size-fits-all and the importance of local context and nuances The business model: e-guides and a membership platformTips for travelers to make more conscious, impactful choices without the guilt The importance of amplifying Asian thought leadership and Asian perspectives in the Asian travel industry Practical Takeaways: Stay, eat, and buy local to ensure your travel spending benefits the communityBook accommodations and experiences directly, not just through online travel agents or commercial platforms Look for farm-to-table restaurants and artisan souvenirs that benefits the locals Ask locals for recommendations to discover hidden gems like restaurants, hotels and experiences that contribute to more local prosperity Take time to learn about the culture and needs of your destinationTraveling better is about thoughtful choices, not perfection Resources & Links: Trappe: trappetravel.com Shoutouts: Special thanks to Michelle Coulson of Remote Rebellion for connecting Gabby and Krista Connect with the host and the show: Host: Krista Goon on LinkedInFull article about this episode on: Womenpreneur Asia This episode is sponsored by Redbox Studio.

Rahel Podobsky-Stucki, Founder & CEO of BANTAYnet, Philippines

What if the path to your true calling isn't a straight line, but a winding journey across countries, cultures, and careers? For Rahel Podobsky-Stucki, embracing her Swiss-Filipino heritage became the key to unlocking her purpose, as she navigated from being a court interpreter in Zurich to founding BANTAYnet, an initiative that's revolutionizing digital literacy education in the Philippines. In this inspiring episode, Krista sits down with Rahel, a changemaker whose journey spans continents, careers, and cultures. From her early days as a court interpreter in Zurich to founding BantayNet—a digital literacy initiative in the Philippines—Rahel’s story is a testament to the power of embracing life’s nonlinear paths. She shares how her diverse experiences, struggles with identity, and mental health challenges ultimately led her to her true calling: empowering Filipinos to navigate the digital world safely and confidently. About Our Guest: Rahel Podobsky-Stucki is the Founder & CEO of BANTAYnet,, an initiative dedicated to promoting digital literacy and online safety in the Philippines. Drawing on her Swiss-Filipino heritage and a background in law, interpreting, and digital communication, Rahel creates accessible educational content and leads community workshops to help people of all ages stay safe online. What We Discuss: Rahel’s multicultural upbringing and the contrasts between Switzerland and the PhilippinesThe challenges and strengths of a nonlinear career pathOvercoming identity crises and mental health strugglesThe founding story of BantayNet and its missionDigital literacy challenges in the Philippines: scams, fake news, and online safetyStrategies for effective digital education and community engagementThe realities of building a nonprofit and exploring social enterprise modelsLessons in resilience, reinvention, and finding purpose Key Takeaways: Your path doesn’t have to be linear to be meaningful or impactfulEmbracing your unique background and experiences can become your superpowerDigital literacy is essential for everyone, especially in a rapidly changing online worldVulnerability and openness about challenges can empower othersSustainable impact often requires creative approaches and community involvement Connect with Rahel & BantayNet: Facebook: BantayNetWebsite: BantayNet.org If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and review Womenpreneur Asia on your favorite podcast platform. Share this episode with friends who might be inspired by Rahel’s story, and join us next week for more empowering conversations with Asian women entrepreneurs! Sponsor: This episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio. For more inspiring stories and resources, visit Womenpreneur Asia.

Fumiko Inada, Founder & CEO, Bee Informatica, Malaysia & Japan

How does a Japanese entrepreneur transform her passion for social impact into a cutting-edge fintech company in Malaysia? In this episode, Krista Goon sits down with Fumiko Inada, founder and CEO of Bee Informatica, to explore her inspiring journey from volunteering in Vietnam and Bangladesh to building a digital microfinance business that’s changing the game for small and micro-entrepreneurs. What You’ll Hear in This Episode: Fumiko’s early experiences with NGOs and what sparked her interest in economic empowermentThe challenges and lessons learned from starting over in a new countryHow Bee Informatica is using technology to make microfinance faster, fairer, and more accessibleThe realities of raising funds as a woman founder in fintechWhy Fumiko chose business over the NGO route for sustainable impactThe importance of resilience, mission, and community in entrepreneurshipPractical advice for women entrepreneurs and anyone looking to make a difference About Fumiko Inada: Fumiko is the founder and CEO of Bee Informatica, a digital microfinance company based in Malaysia. With a background in finance and a passion for social impact, she’s dedicated to empowering small businesses—especially women entrepreneurs—through innovative financial solutions. Connect with Fumiko: Website: fundingbee.my About Your Host: Krista Goon is the creator and host of Womenpreneur Asia, a podcast that uncovers the stories and strategies of Asian women entrepreneurs to inspire and guide you on your own entrepreneurial journey. Enjoyed this episode? Subscribe, rate, and review Womenpreneur Asia on your favorite podcast app. Share this episode with a friend who needs some inspiration!

Mench Dizon, Country Head of YGG Pilipinas, Philippines

What does it take to run seven marathons on seven continents in just seven days — and then return home to lead a movement transforming the future of work in the Philippines? In this episode of Womenpreneur Asia, I talk to Mench Dizon, marathoner, changemaker, and Country Head of YGG Pilipinas. Mench shares her incredible journey of completing the World Marathon Challenge, a test of endurance, resilience, and grit that pushed her to her limits both physically and mentally. She reflects on what it taught her about facing life’s literal and metaphorical climates, from minus 25-degree chills to the tropical heat, and how those lessons carry into her professional life. As the leader of YGG Pilipinas, Mench is committed to empowering Filipino talent by creating opportunities in gaming and technology, building communities, and helping Filipinos thrive in the digital economy. In this episode, you’ll hear about: The mindset that helped Mench conquer the World Marathon ChallengeWhy she believes “how you do one thing is how you do everything”How she’s building opportunities for Filipinos through YGG Pilipinas and MetaversityThe importance of leaning into discomfort and seizing opportunities before you feel ready Mench’s story is a powerful reminder that the limits we set are often the ones we choose to accept — and that growth comes from daring to push beyond them. Links & Resources: Visit: WomenpreneurAsia.com This episode is brought to you by Redbox Studio — helping entrepreneurs grow with strategy-first marketing.  Do you know that Krista’s From Vision to Voice program is now open for enrollment? Check it out here.  Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share this episode with someone who needs a dose of encouragement and clarity on their entrepreneurial journey.