The Startup Turning Coconut Waste Into Homes

The Startup Turning Coconut Waste Into Homes

What if coconut waste could become something people live in? In this episode of Before the Lights Go On, I speak with Charmaine Cu-Unjieng from NaturLoop about building a startup that turns coconut waste into sustainable building materials — and why this work is about more than innovation. It is about waste becoming value. Local materials becoming opportunity. And communities being part of the solution. We talk about the journey behind Cocoboard, the challenges of building in the sustainability space, and what it really takes to turn a bold idea into something useful for people, homes, and communities. If you are interested in startups, sustainability, circular economy, social impact, or the messy reality behind building something meaningful, this conversation is for you. Before the Lights Go On is a podcast about founders, builders, and creators before success looks clean. Subscribe for more honest conversations with people building before the world fully sees it. Chapters 00:39 Introduction to Charmaine's Journey 01:59 Transition from Public Health to Entrepreneurship 04:01 Embracing Challenges and Learning 05:22 Balancing Motherhood and Entrepreneurship 07:18 The Importance of Purpose in Business 09:30 Navigating Family Dynamics in Entrepreneurship 09:42 Understanding Nature Loop's Mission 10:42 Challenges in Manufacturing and Funding 12:38 Global Supply Chain Management 14:01 Defining Success as a Founder 16:10 Engaging with Governments and Communities 17:46 Cultural Differences in Business 18:37 Personal Life and Advocacy Charmaine Cu-Unjieng is the Co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer of NaturLoop, the Swiss green-tech company behind CocoBoard — a bio-based board made from coconut husk waste and natural adhesives. Before NaturLoop, Charmaine spent over 25 years working across global health, international development, and social impact with organisations including the Asian Development Bank and the United Nations. Her work connects circular innovation with real community impact, especially in places where coconut waste can become both a material solution and an economic opportunity. Connect with Charmaine on LinkedIn: https://ph.linkedin.com/in/charmaine-cuunjieng [https://ph.linkedin.com/in/charmaine-cuunjieng]

Changing Careers Is Scary. Staying Stuck Is Worse

Maria got rejected from a job. But instead of feeling disappointed, she felt relieved. That moment made her question everything. In this episode of Before the Lights Go On, Maria shares how she went from working as a translator and content creator to starting her own studio after a long, frustrating job search. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Maria's Journey 01:54 From Translator to Entrepreneur 02:47 The Challenges of Freelancing 04:46 Balancing Family and Business 06:49 Redefining Success 08:15 The Role of Failure in Growth 10:09 Finding Your Niche 12:05 Creating Value for Clients 14:05 Pricing Strategies and Client Relationships 14:55 Skills for Entrepreneurial Success 16:22 Looking Ahead: The Future of Work This episode is for founders, freelancers, solopreneurs, job seekers, introverts, parents, and anyone trying to build something while carrying doubt in the background. About Maria: Maria is the founder of Vocaturo World Studio, where she helps B2B founders and solopreneurs clarify their messaging and become more visible online. Linkedin Maria: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-vocaturo/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/maria-vocaturo/] Website: https://www.vocaturowordstudio.com/ [https://www.vocaturowordstudio.com/] Watch the full conversation and subscribe for more stories from before the lights go on. Know someone that has a story to share about the entrepreneurial journey, write the name in the comments section!

People Asked to Buy Before He Had a Business

Most builders try to force demand. Theo discovered it by listening. He made sauces for himself at work. People tasted them. Then they asked to buy. That was the beginning. — In this episode, you’ll learn: • Why real demand starts before selling • How to validate a product without overthinking • Why customer feedback matters more than ego • How to balance a side hustle with real life • Why slow growth can be stronger than startup hype • The 3 skills every builder needs: ask for help, do the math, communicate — Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Theo's Journey 06:10 The Path to Culinary Passion 10:26 Overcoming Challenges and Finding Purpose 18:09 The Birth of a Side Hustle 22:16 Defining Success in Business 27:02 Product Development and Customer Focus 31:41 Balancing Business and Family Responsibilities 35:46 Future Aspirations and Long-Term Goals 37:48 Essential Skills for Entrepreneurs This episode is for: • Side hustlers • Early-stage founders • Food creators • Builders who feel pressure to scale too fast • Anyone turning a personal obsession into something real — Theo brings together food, research, customer service, IT, and lived experience. His sauces didn’t start as a brand. They started because he wanted better food. Then people kept asking for more. — Watch the full conversation. Connect with Theo & get a taste of his amazing hand made sauces: Linkedin https://www.linkedin.com/in/thevakorn-lauritsen-73005113b/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/thevakorn-lauritsen-73005113b/] Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thevakorn/ [https://www.instagram.com/thevakorn/]

Burnout Wasn’t the Problem. This Was.

Burnout is not the problem. It’s the signal you ignored for years. — In this episode, we break down: • What burnout actually reveals • Why pushing through can make it worse • The hidden cost of “being strong” • How pain forces clarity • The moment everything starts to shift Chapters: 00:00 Early Aspirations and Diverse Interests 03:33 The Entrepreneurial Spark 05:53 Navigating Career Challenges 08:33 Life Lessons from Loss and Burnout 10:41 The Journey of Self-Discovery 12:36 Embracing Change and Courage 15:15 Navigating Vulnerability and Trust 17:23 Finding Purpose and Perspective 19:30 The Value of Energy Exchange 22:44 Self-Worth and Integrity 25:05 Understanding Self-Worth and Value 27:34 Navigating the Challenges of Entrepreneurship 30:26 The Importance of Emotional Intelligence in Business 32:47 Mastering Personal Growth and Self-Love This is for: • Builders who feel stuck but keep going • Founders pushing through without questioning • Anyone who knows something isn’t working — About the guest: Louise Olsson is the founder of Crystalline Consulting AB, where she helps leaders and teams gain clarity, shift perspective, and navigate complex personal and professional challenges. With over 20 years of experience in business, combined with deep work in psychology, self-leadership, and personal transformation, Louise focuses on helping people reconnect with themselves — not just perform better, but operate from a place of alignment and truth. Her work sits at the intersection of leadership, emotional intelligence, and inner development — guiding individuals through burnout, identity shifts, and the deeper questions that often come before real success. Connect with Louise LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiseolsson78/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/louiseolsson78/] — If this resonates, subscribe. More real conversations coming

Why Most Founders Are Wasting Time Right Now | on OpenClaw, AI Hype, and Real Building

Most people are drowning in AI noise. This episode is about what actually matters. In this conversation with Emad, we break down what founders, builders, and curious operators are getting wrong right now — and how to think more clearly in the middle of the chaos. In this episode: Why chasing every new AI tool is a mistake Why the OpenAI vs Anthropic drama may be mostly noise What Emad learned from building, failing, and starting again Why the right co-founder matters more than people admit Why human connection becomes more important, not less The 3 skills builders need in the AI era Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Early Life 04:19 Entrepreneurial Journey and Lessons Learned 09:38 Current Projects and AI Innovations 12:53 The Future of AI and Its Implications 17:26 Human Connections in a Tech-Driven World 22:16 Skills for Future Founders 26:53 Personal Reflections and Identity This is for: founders operators startup builders creators trying to stay sharp in the AI wave Why listen to Emad: He has built across startups, tech, AI communities, and live events. He speaks from experience, not theory. Watch the full episode. Then go build. ClawCon Copenhagen 27th April 2026: https://luma.com/clawconcopenhagen [https://luma.com/clawconcopenhagen] Reach Emad: Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emadgnia/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/emadgnia/] X: https://x.com/emadgnia?s=21 [https://x.com/emadgnia?s=21] Website: maize.dk [http://maize.dk] ClawCon: https://luma.com/clawcon [https://luma.com/clawcon]