Chong Ing Kai: How I secured USD1 million in funding for my startup

Chong Ing Kai: How I secured USD1 million in funding for my startup

This week, I’m joined by Chong Ing Kai, co-founder of Stick 'Em, a Singapore-based edtech startup with a social mission to make STEAM education more accessible and affordable for students worldwide. We talked about how last year during his National Service, Kai took a huge risk by secretly going to London to pitch at the prestigious Hult Prize competition (dubbed as the Nobel Prize for students) to secure a USD1m in funding knowing full well he could get in serious trouble if things went wrong. We also got into the realities of building a startup — whether press coverages matter, the art of cold emailing, and being shameless to ask for opportunities. A lot of practical lessons in this one, whether you’re an entrepreneur, creator, student, or someone wanting to build something. *** 💡Izzy Does It is free to watch and if you believe it brings value, please consider helping us keep the show going by contributing to the bank account below. BIBD: 00-001-01-0086040 The amount can range from the least transferable amount (BND1.01) to however much you are willing and capable. Other ways you can support us is by following, subscribing, liking, commenting and sharing this with your friends and family! Thank you so much! An Izzy Does It Media Production. Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/iskandarkarim_/ [https://www.instagram.com/iskandarkarim_/] https://www.instagram.com/theizzydoesit/ [https://www.instagram.com/theizzydoesit/] https://www.tiktok.com/@theizzydoesit?_r=1&_t=ZS-943JPYDBcpg [https://www.tiktok.com/@theizzydoesit?_r=1&_t=ZS-943JPYDBcpg] https://www.instagram.com/izzydoesitmedia/ [https://www.instagram.com/izzydoesitmedia/] Business: izzydoesitpodcast@gmail.com

Iqmal "The Eniqma": I made $6000 from one video on YouTube

This week, Iqmal “The Eniqma” shares how creators in Brunei can monetize on YouTube, sparked by his viral Threads post sharing step-by-step guidance. He recounts starting seven years ago from podcast-style horror storytelling without showing his face, then pivoting as he learned his audience preferred factual topics like dark psychology and philosophy. He discusses learning editing from scratch, going full-time after YouTube earnings surpassed his job during COVID, and setting goals to decide when to commit. The conversation covers key metrics (CTR, average view duration, retention graph), thumbnails/titles, targeting audiences beyond Brunei for higher RPM, video length and ad placements, sponsorships (Surfshark, others), posting frequency, and his plan to offer consultations to help others start and persist. *** 💡Izzy Does It is free to watch and if you believe it brings value, please consider helping us keep the show going by contributing to the bank account below. BIBD: 00-001-01-0086040 The amount can range from the least transferable amount (BND1.01) to however much you are willing and capable. Other ways you can support us is by following, subscribing, liking, commenting and sharing this with your friends and family! Thank you so much! An Izzy Does It Media Production. Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/iskandarkarim_/ [https://www.instagram.com/iskandarkarim_/] https://www.instagram.com/theizzydoesit/ [https://www.instagram.com/theizzydoesit/] https://www.tiktok.com/@theizzydoesit?_r=1&_t=ZS-943JPYDBcpg [https://www.tiktok.com/@theizzydoesit?_r=1&_t=ZS-943JPYDBcpg] https://www.instagram.com/izzydoesitmedia/ [https://www.instagram.com/izzydoesitmedia/] Business: izzydoesitpodcast@gmail.com

A candid conversation about psychosocial health at the workplace with SHENA & MOH

In this episode, in conjunction with the World Day for Safety and Health at Work, I sit down with Syahmun Matasan, clinical psychologist and mental health strategic lead at the Health Promotion Centre (Ministry of Health Brunei), and Muhammad Ihtishamuddin (Ihti), HR officer at the Safety, Health and Environment National Authority (SHENA), to unpack a term I have never heard of: psychosocial health. We get into why "just tough it out" doesn't work anymore, the warning signs of burnout we keep missing (spoiler: the loudest people aren't usually the ones struggling), why high performers tend to hide stress the best, and the real reason people delay seeking help. Whether you're an employee who's been quietly burning out, a manager trying to do better by your team, or a business owner figuring out how to lead with care without losing the plot, this one's for you. This episode is sponsored by SHENA. Thank you to SHENA for making this conversation possible and highlighting the importance of workplace well-being. Resources mentioned: • Talian Harapan 145 — National mental health helpline (free, confidential, 24/7) • @mindyourmindbrunei on Instagram — MOH's mental health platform • SHENA's website and channels for workplace safety guidance (www.shena.gov.bn) *** 💡Izzy Does It is free to watch and if you believe it brings value, please consider helping us keep the show going by contributing to the bank account below. BIBD: 00-001-01-0086040 The amount can range from the least transferable amount (BND1.01) to however much you are willing and capable. Other ways you can support us is by following, subscribing, liking, commenting and sharing this with your friends and family! Thank you so much! An Izzy Does It Media Production. Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/iskandarkarim_/ [https://www.instagram.com/iskandarkarim_/] https://www.instagram.com/theizzydoesit/ [https://www.instagram.com/theizzydoesit/] https://www.tiktok.com/@theizzydoesit?_r=1&_t=ZS-943JPYDBcpg [https://www.tiktok.com/@theizzydoesit?_r=1&_t=ZS-943JPYDBcpg] https://www.instagram.com/izzydoesitmedia/ [https://www.instagram.com/izzydoesitmedia/] Business: izzydoesitpodcast@gmail.com

Chiea Khai: I wanted to become a doctor but life happened

In this episode, I sit down with Chiea Khai — Life Advisor at AIA, fitness instructor at Titan X, husband, dad, and one of those people everyone seems to walk away from feeling good. We talk about choosing your hardships, finding confidence through conviction, and why "life happens for you, not to you" isn't just a quote on a wall for him — it's how he's lived the last decade. And lastly, Khai also recalls a tough time when he decided to convert to Islam. 💡Izzy Does It is free to watch and if you believe it brings value, please consider helping us keep the show going by contributing to the bank account below. BIBD: 00-001-01-0086040 The amount can range from the least transferable amount (BND1.01) to however much you are willing and capable. Other ways you can support us is by following, subscribing, liking, commenting and sharing this with your friends and family! Thank you so much! An Izzy Does It Media Production. Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/iskandarkarim_/ [https://www.instagram.com/iskandarkarim_/] https://www.instagram.com/theizzydoesit/ [https://www.instagram.com/theizzydoesit/] https://www.tiktok.com/@theizzydoesit?_r=1&_t=ZS-943JPYDBcpg [https://www.tiktok.com/@theizzydoesit?_r=1&_t=ZS-943JPYDBcpg] https://www.instagram.com/izzydoesitmedia/ [https://www.instagram.com/izzydoesitmedia/] Business: izzydoesitpodcast@gmail.com

Dr Shaikh Khalid: The Real Story of Serikandi

Before the titles, the boardrooms, and the 11 companies — there was a small kitchen, a hardworking mother, and a boy who learned everything about sacrifice just by showing up and helping cook. Dr. Shaikh Khalid, Chairman and Managing Director of the Serikandi Group of Companies, sits down with us to share the story he doesn't always tell. From helping his late mother prepare food orders to make ends meet, to taking over the family business and growing it into one of Brunei's most recognised groups — this one is personal, real, and genuinely worth your time. If you've ever thought your starting point was too small, press play. *** 💡Izzy Does It is free to watch and if you believe it brings value, please consider helping us keep the show going by contributing to the bank account below. BIBD: 00-001-01-0086040 The amount can range from the least transferable amount (BND1.01) to however much you are willing and capable. Other ways you can support us is by following, subscribing, liking, commenting and sharing this with your friends and family! Thank you so much! An Izzy Does It Media Production. Find us at: https://www.instagram.com/iskandarkarim_/ [https://www.instagram.com/iskandarkarim_/] https://www.instagram.com/theizzydoesit/ [https://www.instagram.com/theizzydoesit/] https://www.tiktok.com/@theizzydoesit?_r=1&_t=ZS-943JPYDBcpg [https://www.tiktok.com/@theizzydoesit?_r=1&_t=ZS-943JPYDBcpg] https://www.instagram.com/izzydoesitmedia/ [https://www.instagram.com/izzydoesitmedia/] Business: izzydoesitpodcast@gmail.com