From a Mercato Kid to a Next Big Food Entrepreneur

From a Mercato Kid to a Next Big Food Entrepreneur

Some entrepreneurial journeys come full circle. When Simon Dayrit was growing up, he watched his parents build their business at Mercato Centrale. It wasn't just a weekend market—it was where they learned invaluable business lessons, grew as entrepreneurs, and helped provide for their family. Years later, Simon returned to the very same community—but this time as an entrepreneur himself. Armed with an engineering background, endless curiosity, and countless hours of self-study and experimentation, Simon created Agepan Fried Japanese Bread, a product that quickly became a viral sensation. His innovative take on Japanese fried bread not only won over customers but also earned 2nd Place at the Next Big Food Entrepreneur competition at Mercato Centrale. In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, Simon shares how he turned research into a remarkable food business, why understanding systems and continuous experimentation gave him an edge, and what it feels like to return to the place that first inspired his family's entrepreneurial journey. If you've ever dreamed of turning a simple idea into a thriving business, this is an episode you won't want to miss. Watch now on The RJ Ledesma Podcast. For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

How do you turn your personality into a business?

In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, I sit down with creator-entrepreneur, content creator, and fellow podcaster Acushla "Killa Kush" Obusan—who also happens to be my niece. After building a sizable social media following and launching her own podcast, The Bad Bitch Bible, she transformed her personal brand into a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem. What started with buying and selling clothes from Thailand has grown into multiple successful ventures, including Good Media Agency, a 360-degree influencer marketing and events agency; Good Gang, the team behind popular flea markets, thrift events, and community experiences; and Another Tub, her viral pudding business that now sells around 1,000 tubs every month. In our conversation, she shares how she built her audience, turned followers into customers, leveraged social media to grow real businesses, and the lessons she's learned scaling multiple brands in today's creator economy. Whether you're an entrepreneur, business owner, or aspiring content creator, this episode is packed with practical insights on building a personal brand, creating community, and turning influence into a sustainable business. Watch the full episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast and let us know your biggest takeaway! For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

From Hustle Culture to Million Dollar Naps

Can taking a nap actually make you a better entrepreneur? For years, we've been told that success belongs to those who hustle the hardest, sleep the least, and stay busy around the clock. But what if that's exactly what's holding us back? In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, I sit down with Dr. Shakti Katyal, founder of Real n Royal, former finance professional, entrepreneur, author, and advocate of what he calls the "Million Dollar Nap." We discuss why so many entrepreneurs end up becoming prisoners of the very businesses they built, how burnout quietly affects decision-making and business growth, and why strategic rest may actually be one of the most underrated competitive advantages in entrepreneurship. More importantly, we explore the difference between making money and achieving true financial freedom, why some high achievers never feel wealthy despite their success, and how entrepreneurs can build sustainable businesses without sacrificing their health, relationships, and peace of mind. Whether you're a founder, executive, business owner, or simply someone striving for success, this conversation may challenge everything you thought you knew about productivity, wealth, and performance. Watch the full episode now. For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

FROM BUILDING COMPANIES TO BUILDING TRUST

What if the most valuable currency in the future isn't money, data, or even AI? What if it's trust? In an age of misinformation, digital fraud, deepfakes, and AI-generated content, the ability to verify what is real may become one of the most important challenges of our time. That's exactly the mission behind BYC Ventures. In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, I sit down with Paul Soliman, one of the country's pioneers in emerging technologies, and Gelo Wong, recently recognized in the Forbes Asia 30 Under 30 Class of 2026, for a fascinating conversation about building the infrastructure of trust in a digital world. Together, they share how they are helping governments, institutions, and enterprises verify information, improve transparency, and create systems where truth can be independently proven rather than simply assumed. But beyond the technology, this is really a story about entrepreneurship. Why dedicate your life to solving a problem that most people don't even realize exists? How do you build a company around a mission that is bigger than profits? And what does leadership look like when you're not just building a business, but helping shape the future of trust itself? This conversation goes beyond startups, blockchain, and technology. It's about vision, impact, and the courage to tackle some of society's most difficult problems. Because while technology will continue to evolve, trust will always remain the foundation upon which progress is built. Catch my conversation with Paul Soliman and Gelo Wong on The RJ Ledesma Podcast. #RJLedesmaPodcast #PaulSoliman #GeloWong #BYCVentures #Forbes30Under30 #Entrepreneurship #Innovation #Leadership #StartupPH #Technology #Trust For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.

FROM BUILDING FINTECH GIANTS TO REVIVING ONE

Most executives spend their careers looking for the next sure thing. Jojo Malolos did the opposite. After helping build some of the most important names in digital banking and fintech—from Smart Money (now Maya) to Wing Bank and GoTyme Bank—he made a surprising decision: to take over PayMongo at one of the most challenging moments in its history. Why would a veteran fintech leader leave a comfortable position and walk straight into a turnaround situation? What did he see in PayMongo that others didn't? And how do you rebuild a company when the market, your customers, and even your own team are looking for reasons to doubt? In this episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast, Jojo shares the inside story behind PayMongo's transformation—from stabilizing the organization and rebuilding confidence to creating a roadmap for sustainable growth in one of the country's most competitive industries. This isn't just a conversation about fintech. It's a masterclass in leadership, resilience, change management, and making bold bets when everyone else is running the other way. If you're a founder, entrepreneur, executive, or anyone leading through uncertainty, you'll want to hear this one. Because great leaders don't inherit perfect situations. They build great companies from imperfect ones. 🎙️ Watch the full episode of The RJ Ledesma Podcast now. #RJLedesmaPodcast #JojoMalolos #PayMongo #Fintech #Leadership #TurnaroundStory #Entrepreneurship #DigitalBanking #BusinessPodcast For any collaboration, brand partnership, and campaign run inquiries, e-mail us at info@thepodnetwork.com. ---------------------------------------- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy [https://acast.com/privacy] for more information.