After more than two decades of investing...
I believe we’ve found the next big hidden opportunity:


Most LPs exploring venture capital funds as an investment vehicle are concerned with media sentiment.

"Capital at risk"
"Growth at all costs"
"Long-term"

The numbers don't lie. If well managed, venture investing reaps very attractive ROI versus most other alternatives.

And, you won't even need to find the next unicorn to do that.

Today, sustainable, sticky growth is the holy grail for any investment office looking for longevity with attractive returns.

Some years ago my partner, Murli, and I started Tin Men Capital in pursuit of that.

Our fund's unique focus:
- B2B and Enterprise Tech Startups
- With a strong focus in Southeast Asia
- Who are in Series A stage and beyond

Our thesis:
SouthEast Asia's legacy industries are still largely undigitised.
B2B tech in large TAM > High-gross margins > Sticky recurring revenue > Quicker pathway to profitability

We've already proven that these ideas our sound with measured results from our inaugural fund.

Family offices and institutions that work with us appreciate our ethos in running the fund:

⚙️ DISCIPLINED DEAL-SOURCING : 
Carefully scrutinising every deal for the right valuations, founder mix, and expertise. No exceptions.

⚙️ HIGH-CONVICTION: 
We only invest in a handful of teams that apply. Sounds counterintuitive, but It's seeing above-market returns with below-average failure rates.

⚙️ EXPERIENCED B2B OPERATORS AT THE HELM: 
Murli and I bring collectively more than 40 years of experience in investing and management, having sat on boards and brokered large M&As. Our thoughts have also been featured on TechInAsia, Peak Magazine, and more.

Some of our portfolio companies:

🔵 Hubble (Series B)
Resource management platform for parties in the construction value chain to track and optimise processes

🔵  Zipline (Series A)
Australia's #1 workplace management platform for the aged care and health sectors

🔵  GlobalTix (Series A)
Software and marketplace software for tourism attraction operators and travel product distributors 

We’re always on the lookout for new partners and startups to join us.

If keen to chat, shoot me a DM/email or head over to our website to drop us a line.

Jeremy Tan

Hepmil’s exit has been in the headlines for weeks.

They just minted a 20x win in SEA.
Yet, many people are asking the wrong questions.

A homegrown SEA company acquired by Publicis Groupe.
Its earliest angels reportedly walked away with 20x+ returns.
That doesn’t happen often in our region.

Interestingly, in offline circles, many were quick to focus on “how much.”

I think the first instinct should be simpler:
🔸Celebrate the success.

A win for a homegrown company is a win for the ecosystem.
And this one carries an important signal.

It shows younger, aspiring founders:
You don’t need to build a unicorn to build something meaningful.

Too many give up because they feel they can’t match the glamorous stories they see online.

Hepmil built a business that achieved a very respectable exit.
It also nudges the ecosystem toward something we need more of.

Confidence in M&A as a viable exit pathway.

Selfishly as a VC, I hope this encourages more people to take the leap.
To build, to create jobs, and to bring new growth back to the region.

Will every company be VC-backable?
Probably not.

And that’s perfectly fine.

Every solid company created, VC-funded or not, adds resilience to SEA’s economy .

We should celebrate that.
And we should still encourage them to try.

A win is still a win.
And the ecosystem needs many more of them.

Backing brilliant B2B founders 🦓 in Southeast Asia | Co-founder at Tin Men Capital | Linkedin Top Voice

I just got into KL.

The last time we were here together was five years ago,
Right after we led Hubble’s Series A at Tin Men Capital

We flew in to meet a co-investor and closed the round on that trip.

When we headed back to Singapore in Feb 2020,
We didn’t know it would be our last time travelling for a while.

Today, I got to travel with SJ Lin again.
We chose to drive in this time.

It’s cathartic to spend some quality, uninterrupted catching up and dreaming up the future of Hubble.Build.
Five years felt like a lifetime.

A pandemic.
A funding winter.
More ups and downs than we expected.

And I’m thankful for the friendship and partnership we’ve built through all of it.

I’ve learnt a lot from founders like SJ.
I admire the way they stay steady under pressure, even when the environment is tough.

This time, we’re meeting investors and customers.
Wish us luck.

Hello KL, looking forward to building with you!

Valuation is not validation. 
It never was.

Years ago, I found myself increasingly irritated by one thing:
SEA’s obsession with unicorns.

At the height of the last VC boom, we started treating valuation as validation.
If you weren’t a unicorn, you weren’t “winning.”

That mindset did real damage.

It really pressured founders to grow at all cost.
Pushing investors to raise too much capital and overpay.

Worse, the ecosystem began to equate success with size.
And apply a playbook unsuitable for this region.

A billion-dollar label does NOT make a company valuable.

The irony is, some of those “unicorns” weren’t built on the strongest foundations.
They grew fast, often without the fundamentals to sustain it.
Burning through capital and momentum along the way.

Then the layoffs and contagion ensues.

What’s worth celebrating are quieter, steadier outcomes.

Founders who build sustainable businesses.
Teams that get acquired / exited for the right reasons.
Companies that scale responsibly and stay alive through cycles.

Those outcomes compound.
Exits brings about DPI and capital recycling.
They build the foundation of a resilient ecosystem.

Years later, that obsession has started to fade.
And that’s a good thing.

I’m much more optimistic now.
With our region setting up better benchmarks,
And founders embracing audacity and confidence to build for this region.

It’s a healthier kind of ambition.
That’s what will define this next cycle.

—
P.S. This is a snippet from our Unfair Advantage podcast. 

🎧 Now streaming on all major podcast platforms:
🟢 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gEig_89f
⚪️ Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gECJhtSS
🔴 YouTube: https://lnkd.in/g8bfShYA

I’ll be in KL, Malaysia this week - looking to connect with founders/ investors.

Tin Men Capital will host a casual networking drinks session on Wednesday evening. (19th November)

I’ll be sharing some thoughts about the evolving Southeast Asia startup ecosystem with a focus on the big part Malaysia plays in it.

It’ll be a great opportunity to trade insights and stories with other folks in the space to learn and unwind. 

You’ll get to hear from both founders on the ground and investors to get a pulse of where things are heading.

Possibly get inspired on new directions before the year’s out to set 2026 strong.

I expect some really great conversations and a fun evening.

Will be joined by a friend: First Move’s GP - Audra Pakalnyte.

There are limited slots - so I’d recommend applying early.
(Will attach the link in the comments.)

Looking forward to seeing you there!

Last week, I had the privilege of meeting several KL-based founders over drinks.
I came away genuinely excited.

They possessed this maturity, grit, and quiet confidence.
A quiet confidence powered by their conviction: 
“I’ll focus on what works, instead of chasing valuations or unicorn labels.”

I’ve always felt that the lack of a “safety net” is a crucible that forges strong founder mentality.

And you see this in many of Malaysia’s homegrown companies.
Sunway, Dialog Group, OSK.

I can’t wait to see the next crop of founders rising from Malaysia.
From what I’ve seen, the ones I met are already setting the pace for their tech ecosystem.

Singapore was built to avoid failure.
But our progress - our very survival depends on it.

Yet, we still treat failure like a scar.
Here, it’s partly culturally ingrained.

We were raised on the idea that we’re a small island,
With no resources and can’t afford to fail.

That mindset made sense when survival was top priority.

But over time, it manifested into something else.
A quiet fear of getting things wrong.

Across the region, failure is viewed very different.

In Malaysia, for instance.
Many built their businesses without the safety nets we have.

No government backing.
No currency stability.
No guaranteed support.

For them, the only path was forward.
Failure wasn’t shameful.

It was part of the process.

I’ve seen the same pattern with founders too.
The resilient ones study their missteps.
Every failed pilot, missed forecast, or wrong hire becomes data for the next decision.

That rhythm of trial and error builds staying power over time.

We should see it that way.
Failure can be a stepping stone to greater things.

It's proof of learning.
It's a showcase of progress in motion.

Don't shy from failure. Accept it as a part of the journey.

---
🎧 From Unfair Advantage with myco-founder Murli Ravi
(a Tin Men Capital Podcast)

We bring voices from across the ecosystem to understand what drives the region’s B2B growth.

Now streaming on all major podcast platforms: 
🟢 Spotify: https://lnkd.in/gEig_89f 
⚪️ Apple Podcasts: https://lnkd.in/gECJhtSS
🔴 YouTube: https://lnkd.in/g8bfShYA

Talks about #startup, #investing, #fundraising, #familyoffice, and #venturecapital

Ingrained in Tin Men Capital's mission is to play a key role in building a thriving eco-system.

For SEA and for many generations to come.

It is that north star that fuel's Murli and my conviction and provides light at the darkest moment.

Earlier this week, I had the great pleasure of being invited to a small VC roundtable led by MOS Dinesh Vasu Dash,
together with other Singapore-based VCs.

We were invited to share views on the recommendations being shaped for the Economic Strategy Review.

I hope the candid views of all the VCs attending is useful for the policymakers in attendance.

Stoked that we can play a part in shaping vital policies.

What I appreciated most was how seriously the government is taking this role.
And I hope we’ll see more of these discussions happening even after the recommendations are announced and rolled out.

If we want founders to feel confident building here,
The right policies and financial infrastructure need to be in place, with frequent calibrations.

Whilst we are going through a reset now, we are starting at a higher base and that should be celebrated.

And I’m optimistic.

I believe we’ll get there at a much faster pace, with Singapore well-positioned to lead.

Big thanks to MOS Dinesh, Cindy Khoo, Heng-Tong CHOO, Emily Liew, Alvin Cai for the kind invitation.

And great catching up with friendly faces too:
Jixun Foo, Edgar Hardless, Arrif Ziaudeen, Jeremy Loh PhD Shailendra J Singh, B. Paul Santos and Dickson Loo.

Onwards!

Founders, don’t trade “nice” for “formidable.”

You can be both.

Mean founders might win once.
Nice founders win every round after.

I’ve been around this ecosystem long enough to see both.

Some founders think you need to squeeze every deal, underpay talent, or push for harsh terms to get ahead.
Some are unnecessarily antagonistic.

And yes, they might capture a little value in the moment.

But over time, it backfires.

In startups, the game is compounding.
🔸Company value ≈ Initial value × (1 + growth rate)^t

Shave a little off your growth rate every time you mistreat a hire, frustrate a partner, or shortchange a customer.
And those “wins” quickly turn into losses.

On the flip side, I’ve seen founders who:
✅ Pay fairly and on time
✅ Fix customer problems without excuses
✅ Treat partners like long-term allies

They build reputations that compound.

Hiring gets easier.
Deals close faster.
Investors lean in.

And in Southeast Asia, backchannels travel faster than revenue.
Your reputation is often the first due diligence that gets done.

The point isn’t to be “soft.”
Or to just to protect your growth rate.
It’s more basic than that.

Really, just don’t be a jerk.

Being decent should be the default.
Being formidable makes it  even more powerful.

That combination wins almost every time.
That’s how you compound.

What goes around comes around. 
Costs nothing to be nice.

They say Cash is the lifeblood of any startup. There's a good reason why.

As the ecosystem matures, founders have become much more financially aware.

They’re reading their numbers better.
Tracking recurring revenue, churn, ACV, margins.
That progress matters.

But I still meet teams who aren't as aware of cashflow management.

Take this example:

🔸A company doing $10M ARR, growing 100% YoY, with 80% gross margins.
Everything looked solid.

🔸Then the finance lead pulled up their collections report.
Only $2M had been collected at the gross profit level.

🔸Most customers paid every six months, with 90-day terms.
Several invoices were still overdue.

✅The books said healthy growth.
❌The bank account told another story.

This is probably an extreme example, but the point still stands.

Cashflow management may seem as a afterthought as we prioritise booking revenue,
Yet it often decides survival.

-Trading off contract size for faster payments
-Appointing someone accountable for collections
-Negotiating better terms with suppliers

Each move compounds over time.

More predictability.
More breathing room.
More control.

Good cash discipline rarely makes headlines. 
That is… until you run out of money.

But it keeps companies alive long enough to earn them.

Cash is king.
Founders should treat it that way.

Several years ago, I attended a course that asked us to “be unreasonable.”
That didn’t sit well with me at first.

In my upbringing, being “unreasonable” meant being difficult.
But that was NOT what they meant.

Starting a company is not for the faint-hearted.
It is REASONABLE for most people to not try, or to give up.

If you want to be a constructive disruptor and a changemaker, you have to be UNREASONABLE.

If we want different results, we have to take unreasonable actions.

Becoming an entrepreneur helped me understand this fully.
And embrace it.

I know many of us are going through a tough time right now.
For the trailblazers out there, you know who you are, keep going:

🧲 Make that cold call you’ve been dreading
🧲 Open your mouth and ask for the funding you need
🧲 Quit that job (the safety blanket) that’s holding you back

What’s one UNREASONBLE action you can take today?

For years, we’ve glorified one outcome for startups of any size.

Going public. Listing on a major stock exchange.

I get why this was the case.
It’s what most of us grew up reading about.

The glorious bell-ringing and confetti.
Those splashy headlines.
It felt like the mark of success.

But Southeast Asia doesn’t quite work that way.

Public liquidity lives offshore.
Markets are much more fragmented.
It takes longer to build scale needed for IPO.

Trouble is, when everything revolves around IPOs as the only option,
Other good outcomes get overlooked.

Founders keep building for windows that don’t open.
Funds hold on for longer than they should.
And solid M&A paths get ignored, even when they make perfect sense.

The truth is, M&A has driven a significant part of returns .

Done right, it rewards founders, recycles talent and capital,
And keeps momentum in the ecosystem.

We don’t talk about it enough, because it’s less flashy.
But we’re seeing it start to take off.

What would help now are doable fixes.

Building bridges with acquirers' corp dev team.
Cleaner cap tables.
Shift in local corporate mindset of "I will build it myself"

None of that’s out of reach.

We don’t need to chase Silicon Valley’s version of success.
We can design our own.

With the founders and investors already here,
Building outcomes that actually fit this region.

How do you define a good outcome in SEA today?

Startups are told to move fast.
(But they shouldn’t be doing so blindly.) 

In our region, we’ve seen this happen too many times.

A company raises a big round.
Expands into three countries at once.
Hires 40 people in six months.

And for a while, it looks like progress.
But when you zoom in:

🚩 Unit economics were never validated
🚩 GTM wasn’t repeatable
🚩 Cash burn scaled faster than revenue
🚩 Leadership was running on “hope loops” 

In isolation, each decision looked reasonable.
Together, they formed a straight line to trouble.

And the ending is familiar.

Teams downsized. 
Markets exited. 
“Strategic reviews.”

None of them failed because they were slow.
They failed because they were accelerating in the wrong direction.

Speed magnifies whatever foundation you have.
If your model works, it’s momentum.
If it doesn’t, it creates destruction.

🟢 Validate before hiring
🟢 Prove one wedge before expanding
🟢 Treat cash with intention
🟢 Earn scale, don’t announce it

Founders who work this way still move fast.
They just don’t confuse it for progress.

In a region where capital can tighten quickly and markets change fast, 
Discipline is an advantage.

Know what’s actually working before you pour fuel on it.

As this year draws to a close, I am reflecting on my 2025 including my LinkedIn journey.

In 2025, I’ve shared 144 posts that reached 1.3M impressions.

These are my Top 10 ones on investing, startups and life:

1/ How to know you’re fundraise-ready?
https://lnkd.in/gzEqzQjX

2/ Startups - legacy players are coming for your lunch
https://lnkd.in/gPzmk9av

3/ Smaller VC funds could be the future of VC
https://lnkd.in/gGg-fnfp

4/ A new exit lane for Southeast Asia’s startups
https://lnkd.in/gEfUezpa

5/ One of the toughest markets I’ve seen for raising venture capital
https://lnkd.in/gSW_ftFv

6/ A founder faked receiving a term sheet from us
https://lnkd.in/g_xyHH7D

7/ The sweet spot valuation for SEA exits
https://lnkd.in/g-HRXUcp

8/ I keep hearing founders say they'll NEVER raise from a VC again
https://lnkd.in/gyUdNCq5

9/ How to spot and avoid ‘Zombie VCs’ when fundraising
https://lnkd.in/g_sHx4z2

10/ Most call for startups to do the impossible
https://lnkd.in/g4pkykYB

I’ve had a great time meeting founders, investors, and other like-minded people through these conversations.

If you’ve been following along, thank you. 
I hope the posts helped you in some way.

Which one was your favourite?

Before you break for the year, if I can make one request.
If there’s a topic you want me to unpack next, drop it in the comments. I’m always looking for good questions to dig into.

I told myself “just one more push.” For weeks.

And that’s when my tank ran empty.

I started scrolling aimlessly through social media, more and more often.
That is a sign I’ve begun to recognise. Burnout is creeping in quietly.

Still, I kept pushing. Harder. Longer. 
Telling myself I just needed to “finish this one thing.”

Truth is, that finish line just kept moving.
And I could feel the exhaustion starting to take over.

And then I saw this photo.
Though the original context is about CoVid.
My takeaway from it is about how burnout ignites.

It was a powerful reminder to 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗯𝗮𝗰𝗸.

Building Tin Men Capital has been one of my greatest joys.
It gives me purpose and joy.

But recently, I’ve been running on fumes.
And clearly not operating at my best anymore.
If I don’t step back and rest, I won’t be much use to anyone. Not even myself.

Equally important: I needed to step back and let my team step up.
Tin Men Capital is where it is today because of the team we’ve built.

Yes, it’s tempting (and often faster) to do things myself.
But I’ve learned we go much further, with more clarity and longevity, 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺.

This year has been long. With great progress.
Not everything went the way I’d like but I’m content.
Because I know I gave it everything I had.

Now, it's time for some rest.

Wishing everyone in my network the same:
Some well-deserved time to pause, reflect, and recharge.

It’s not a sprint or marathon but a series of sprints, much like interval training.

Eric Feng

Experts in Asia

At Experts in Asia, we believe that the right speaker can do more than inspire—they can transform. That’s why we specialize in connecting organizations with some of the region’s most accomplished thought leaders, professional speakers, corporate veterans, successful entrepreneurs, TEDx speakers, and practitioners.  

What sets us apart is our commitment to delivering results that go beyond the applause. Here’s how we do it:  

Here’s what makes us stand out:

- Experts Who Happen to Speak: We represent true experts—leaders who bring deep knowledge, real-world experience, and practical solutions. Their authority comes from what they’ve accomplished, not just their ability to speak.

- Beyond the Keynote: We go beyond inspiration, offering speech coaching for other presenters, experienced emcees and moderators to theme-weave your event, and follow-up workshops to ensure lasting impact.

- Gamified Learning: Through interactive tools and gamification, we engage participants in ways that make learning fun, memorable, and actionable. From real-time challenges to leaderboards, we turn passive audiences into active participants.

At Experts in Asia, we’re not just about speeches; we’re about creating events that inspire action, foster engagement, and deliver results that last long after the applause fades. 

Book our experts here -> www.expertsinasia.com

Founder (representing 100+ Asia-based experts)

Known Loved Respected

I speak to advisors, experts and founders on personal branding, community building and content marketing to acquire customers of today.

Till date, I have spoken in 38 countries globally, to more than half a million salespeople and entrepreneurs. My speaking style is energetic and persuasive. I use a lot of stories and analogies in my speeches. My content can also be customisable to the theme of your event. 

My goal for every speech is to help my audience become their dream customers' number one choice.

Popular speeches:

- Known, Loved, Respected (based on my latest book)
- Future of Sales: what does it take to win over customers of today
- The Impact of AI on how we sell

Professional Speaker 

Charisma Academy (Asia)

Professional Speaker (represented by Charisma Academy)

Conference Moderator (represented by Charisma Academy)

Public Speaking Coach (represented by Charisma Academy)

NUS Business School

The module that I am lecturing is BFS1001: Personal Development & Career Management, focusing on interpersonal communication skills. I also teach once every semester on business presentation skills.

Lecturer

StarCite Inc.

My main role in StarCite was to assist in building a comprehensive help guide for the company's new software. On top of that, I also support the QA and training team in StarCite.

Executive | Intern

Singapore Philadephia Innovators Network

SPIN was established to be an exclusive channel and bridge for entrepreneurs, investors and academia in both Greater Philadelphia Region and Singapore, creating key opportunities for expansion into both regions.

Lead the creation of the board of advisors, including eminent names such as Josh Kopelman, well known VC in the web 2.0 space.

Helped built strategic alliances with University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School of Business and other entrepreneurial bodies in the Philadelphia region.

Student Body President

NUS School of Computing (Corporate Communications)

Maintain synergy and team work among 3 directorates: External Relations, Media and Web & Human Resource. Current strength: 80 associates.

Head the Media and Web team. Successful projects include faculty website (http://www.comp.nus.edu.sg) and SoC Information Portal which was awarded Dean’s Letter.

Led team to raise $30K worth of cash and product sponsorship for a three-day festival – Technology Lifestyle Conference.

Pioneered the Young Director’s Program, an elite HR program to groom potential leaders of the organization. First run on Feb 2005. Raised 20 leaders.

Managing Director

Conceptualized Chinatown Street Market 2003 with Singapore Tourism Board and Chinatown Business Association. Event featured in The Straits Times.

Headed project teams of more than 20 associates on high-profile projects including SoC Corporate Affiliates Tea & NUS Open House 2004.

Represented the undergraduates of School of Computing for International Academic Advisory Panel (IAAP) Tea Session.

Director of External Relations

Top Voice | I help trainers, coaches & entrepreneurs get paid to speak

Growing up, I was shy, scrawny, and super self-conscious. I didn’t get invited to birthday parties, didn’t have many friends, and was always overlooked when opportunities came.

And you’d think things would change when you grow up.

But no, nothing really did. Even in adulthood, I was still invisible. And my career suffered.

Until one day I found social media.

I started creating content, found my voice, built a platform… and that changed everything.

That platform opened doors to paid speaking gigs. I’ve now spoken in 38 countries and built a 400K following. It brought me wealth, freedom, and amazing people into my life.

But being an ex-nobody, I couldn’t just keep this to myself.

Now, I help founders, agents, and experts go from nobody to somebody because when you have a voice and platform, you don’t just change your life… you change the world.

Want to work with me? Here’s how:

✅ If you’re a corporate client or conference organiser:
Book me to speak on “From Invisible to Irreplaceable: How to Thrive in the AI & Attention Economy”, a keynote that will inspire and equip your audience to stand out and lead in today’s world.

✅ If you’re an expert or founder:
Join my free web class and discover how to get paid to speak. It’s one of the most powerful (and fun) ways to build your brand and grow your business.

✅ If you’re an agent or agency leader:
Message me directly. I’d love to send you a free copy of my latest book, “Known. Loved. Respected.” It’s written especially for you.

Content Creator

With 200K+ following on Facebook and 51K on Instagram, I have been using these platforms to share my knowledge on sales, marketing and branding. Target audience are service professionals who market directly to consumers (B2C).

Eric Feng (CSP) - Global Speaker

I thought I joined a leadership program.
Turns out, I signed up for a life reset.

When I enrolled into Deep Human Club Season 3 by Dr. Gregor Lim-Lange and Crystal Lim-Lange, I expected just insights and strategies.

What I didn’t expect was to cry.
To laugh.
To heal.
To meet the most extraordinary people.
And to come home to myself.

Here’s why this became one of the most transformative experiences I’ve had.

1. A powerful fusion of learning, mentoring and transformation

Every month was masterfully designed to combine teaching (workshops), application (mentoring), and embodiment (retreats).

Take Month 1 for example: “Nervous System Reset.” 

We started with an online workshop where I learned the science behind mindfulness. Then in group mentoring, Dr Greg guided us to apply mindfulness tools to real-life situations. 

We ended the month with a weekend retreat at Sentosa Capella with world-renowned psychotherapists Dr Robert and Leanne Robers. There, I learned techniques like havening and EMDR that have helped me calm my nervous system and feel all the nicer emotions like peace and joy.

2. World-class instructors who expand your mind and heart

Every session felt like a TED Talk meets therapy meets soul work!

We had Christel Buchanan (AI expert), Juliana Chan, PhD (LinkedIn expert), Zachary Young (scaling expert), Riyana Rupani (nutrition expert), Eric Lim (sleep expert), Anna Vanessa Haotanto 陳安娜 (super girl!), Craig Tunnell (love expert) and many more.

Special mention on Craig who led Love Code, a retreat that helped me realize I needed to become “The One” for myself first to find love and guess what, I did found someone special shortly after (no app needed!).

3. A rare community where high-achievers feel safe to be human

I’ve been in many groups. But none felt like this. Many here are successful corporate leaders and founders yet they show up with such humility, kindness and openness to grow. 

One of my most vulnerable moments was during shadow work, an afternoon where we met our “dark side” and processed long-held shame. I felt really exposed but during a powerful closing ritual (no spoilers), the love and acceptance I received from the group floored me.

And none of this would have been possible without Crystal and Dr Greg.

Crystal made me feel so deeply seen. From personally introducing me at the welcome party to reviewing my LI posts to offering a personal word during a hard moment, I’ll always be grateful.

And Dr Greg? 

He’s smart, kind, warm and funny. He mentored me through some of my toughest moments and modeled the kind of man, leader and partner I aspire to be. (Seriously, he’s German yet so joyful - how??)

So if you’ve been feeling the nudge to grow… not just as a leader, but as a human being, can’t think of a better gift to give yourself than Deep Human Club Season 4.

Applications are now open.

Say yes to the most powerful transformation you didn’t even know you needed. This might just be your reset too!

Documenting my journey of scaling without losing my soul

I feel like I just stumbled upon some universal “secret.” Let me explain. 👇

We’ve been very, very lucky this work trip in Hungary.

Deals are coming in left, right, centre.
Problems are solved pretty quickly.
Team is doing well.

The only real difference I can think of is that we’re in a beautiful country with amazing autumn weather (see pics below for proof).

Most of the time, we are feeling grateful, happy and at peace. 

And that state - I suspect - makes us magnetic to good things.

To money. 
Opportunities. 
Even “good luck.”

Not saying you need to book a trip to Europe right away (lol) but I’m starting to believe that the inner state attracts the outer results. Not the other way round. 

When I go back home mid next month, I want to bring "autumn" back with me i.e. my happy and unhurried state of mind. 

To help me, I am asking these three questions before I write, meet or teach. 

☁️ Am I grounded or rushing?
☁️ Am I calm or stressed out? 
☁️ Am I creating from joy or pressure? 

Because if the state I’m in shapes the results I get, then maybe the best strategy isn’t what I do next... but WHO I AM when I do it.

Curious: what’s one thing you do to feel more grounded before the day begins?

#ScaleWithSoul #AwakeningAchiever

There’s a kind of tired no amount of sleep can fix.

That’s exactly how I felt last year.

From the outside, everything looked like it was working well.

Clients were coming.
Content was landing. 
Community was growing.

I should’ve felt fulfilled.
But I didn’t. 

Instead, I felt "off". 
And I didn’t know why.

These are the subtle signs, maybe you feel them too. 

1. My body felt tight when I think about work

I used to get excited about work but I don't anymore. In fact, when I think about work on Sundays, I feel my body tensed up. I hold my breath when I work and I frown a lot more too. 

2. My rhythm disappeared

I used to flow with ease. Ideas and solutions came naturally. But now, everything feels harder than it should be. It’s like I have to push a 100-ton truck just to get things moving.

3. My inner voice went quiet

The calm, steady knowing that used to guide me faded. In its place: doubt, comparison and anxiety. Very noisy. There is also a lot of negative talk in my head. 

At a recent retreat, I finally brought this up and one of the teachers said something that got me going AHHHH.

“Eric, maybe your soul is resisting the life you’ve built.”

As if she knew I would push back, she gently added,
"Not because it’s bad but because it no longer reflects who you’ve become."

Because of that conversation, it sparked a year-long journey of re-alignment.
Of coming back to myself.

As I write this, I’m grateful to say that I’ve found myself again.

And I’ve quietly been making changes to my lifestyle and even my career.
(More on that soon)

But if you’re feeling these signs too…

Maybe it’s time for your own heart-to-heart.

Take a slow walk.
Journal.
Breathe.

Ask your soul:
1. What are you trying to tell me?
2. What part of my life no longer fits who I’m becoming?
3. What would feel more true?

Sometimes, the most powerful thing you can do is pause long enough to listen.

Always here for you if you need a listening ear.

Just PM me.

P.S. Pics were taken last October when I had a health scare. It was during the few nights stay that inspired today's post. 

#awakeningachiever #scalingwithsoul

I used to think the universe rewarded hard work. Turns out, it rewards something else entirely.

Last week in Budapest, I met up with my friend Balázs Basky  after six years (see pic below).

We were catching up over Vietnamese pho (very on-brand for me) when he shared something that stopped me mid-chew:

“Everything you’ve ever dreamed of lives inside a grand mansion guarded by a bodyguard.

Every time you try to enter, he’ll ask one question:
‘Do you really want it?’

If there’s even a flicker of doubt, the gate stays closed.”

He continued:
“The universe doesn’t respond to hesitation.
 It mirrors your belief.
 
The moment you choose your dream with absolute certainty, not wishful thinking, not half-belief, that’s when the doors open.

Not because the guard disappeared,
but because you finally walked in like you belonged.”

Trời ơi (omg in Vietnamese)

I’ve spent so many years hustling thinking that hard work is the key to success. 

But lately I learnt that hard work only takes you as far as your self-belief allows.

You can be doing all the “right” things on the outside...
... but if your inner posture says “I’m not sure I deserve this,”
the universe reflects that right back.

So here’s my Tuesday reminder (to you and to myself):

Before you grind harder…
Stand taller.
Walk in like you belong.
Because maybe that’s the real work.

#ScaleWithSoul #AwakeningAchiever

Things I’m learning to let go of (quietly, gently, but necessarily):

☑️ The idea that I must inspire every time I post (for example this post!)
☑️ The pressure to be impressive instead of just being honest
☑️ The identity of “the speaker” who always has something powerful to say
☑️ The guilt I feel when I’m not being productive 
☑️ The belief that rest needs to be earned
☑️ The impulse to fix myself before I share anything
☑️ The urge to turn every experience into a lesson
☑️ The old belief that love must be earned not received
☑️ The story that I need to be “more” to be worthy of love or attention
☑️ The voice in my head that says “don’t share this, it’s too messy”

Letting go of these doesn’t feel “freeing” yet.
Sometimes, it just feels weird, even unsettling.

For example, saying goodbye to the version of me who once believed he had to earn love.

But slowly, I’m starting to trust…
that I don’t have to perform to be seen.
And I don’t have to be impressive to be loved.

How about you? What are you gently unlearning this season?  Feel free to swipe from my checklist above.

P.S. This post was inspired by a late night heart to heart chat with my bestie. 

#ScaleWithSoul #AwakeningAchiever

⚠️ Trigger Warning: Suicide & Burnout
(Please read only if you have the emotional space today)

I lost a young student to suicide recently. 

Two years ago I lost a close friend the same way. 
And four founder‑friends to exhaustion.

They were high-achievers who looked “fine” on the outside but who knew the quiet battles they were fighting within?

Most experts would say it’s a mental health issue.
And yes, the mind plays a big role.

But what if it goes deeper than that?

What if what we call “burnout” or “depression” is really the soul crying out?

The more I study about inner work, the more I realise that suicide and exhaustion don’t start in the mind.

They begin when the soul feels unseen, unheard, and unable to keep going.

Allow me to elaborate. 

1. When the soul feels unseen...

This happens when you go so long trying to “be someone else” (the leader, the provider, the achiever) that you lose sight of who you really are underneath.

You get praised for your success… but no one sees your struggle.
You put on a smile… but no one notices your sadness.

And over time, you forgot who you are too. The part of you that’s vulnerable, playful, creative and kind. It gets buried under all the pretending.

2. When the soul feels unheard...

This happens when you stop listening to your own inner voice.

You start making decisions based on what others expect or what’s “practical" instead of what feels true to you.

You keep overriding that quiet nudge inside (some call it intuition), the one that says “This isn’t it” or “I need a break”.

3. When the soul feels unable to keep going...

This is when everything feels heavy.

You’re still showing up, still doing the work but it takes everything out of you.

You’re constantly exhausted. Even rest doesn’t help. You fantasize about disappearing. You feel like you’re breaking inside but don’t know how to stop.

If what I’ve shared resonates with you, maybe you were meant to see this today.

Maybe the Universe (or God if that’s your language) is gently reminding you that... 

you are loved
you are held, 
you are not alone. 

I was in your shoes once and I remember how heavy it felt. 
So if you are going through a hard season right now, HUGSSS!

And I want you to know that there is a way out of this. 
You can find your way back home! 

Some of the ways I have tried that worked for me:

 • Write a letter to yourself, say what you been wanting to say to yourself
 • Learn how to calm your nervous system down (ask me if you don't know how)
 • Let yourself rest without guilt
 • Release one expectation that no longer fits who you are
 • Do one thing that reconnects you to your soul (music, nature, prayer, art)
 • Sign up for a guided retreat (I can recommend)

Start small.
Start gently.
Start with one step.

You’re not lost, you’re just being called back to yourself.
My inbox is always open.
You matter more than you know.

#awakeningachiever #scalingwithsoul

The hidden cost of “being impressive”

Not sure if it’s a Type 3 Enneagram thing (anyone else?) but I’ve had an obsession with being impressive for as long as I can remember.

It doesn’t help that I was a speaker for 15 years.
We were literally paid to perform!

To razzle and dazzle.
To light up a room even when we felt like burning out inside.

But lately I’ve started noticing how this performance energy seeps into the rest of my life too.

With close friends, I say what they want to hear not what I really feel.

In social groups, I find myself scanning the room, thinking about how I’m coming across instead of actually connecting.

Even in therapy (help!) I sometimes catch myself trying to be “a good patient”
instead of telling the truth.

And I’ll be honest... it’s exhausting.

Every actor will tell you, "Staying in character for too long drains the soul."
And that’s how I’ve felt.

But here’s what I learnt at a recent retreat:

The more you try to impress, the less connected you will feel...

To yourself. 
To others. 
Even to the work you used to love.

Why? 

Because performance creates distance.
People can’t connect with what’s polished.
They connect with what’s true.

So here’s a little fun assignment I’m giving myself this week (and you’re welcome to try it too if it speaks to you).

Post or say one thing that feels true even if it’s not impressive.
Just honest. Just human. No punchline. No polish.
Don't even try to get ChatGPT to improve it for you. 

If you’re up for it, share yours in the comments.
I’ll go first. 👇

See picture below: I decided to just paint to express rather than impress. No references, no Pinterest. Just painting by feeling. I admit, it wasn’t the prettiest piece in the room but it felt the most like me... and that felt surprisingly healing.
Now your turn. Post or say one thing that feels true even if it’s not impressive.

#UnmaskToConnect #ScaleWithSoul

A timely reminder I needed (and maybe you do too)

Last night’s reading really encouraged me, so I wanted to share it here with you too... 

... especially if you’re in a season where things aren’t going as planned or you feel like you’re falling behind.

“In life, sometimes things go exactly as planned and sometimes we make no progress at all.

Things we thought were terrible at the time often look like blessings when we reflect on them later.

In the long run, everything balanced out perfectly in the end.”

Then it said:

“I’d like you to consider the possibility that everything in your life has meaning and happens in order for you to be happy.”

And this final line made me sit up a bit. 
In fact, it was this line that inspired this entire post. 

“If you understand that everything happens will lead to your happiness, whether it’s something good or something you think is bad, what’s left for you to worry about?”

I don’t know about you but don’t you feel like your entire body, mind and soul just heave a big breath of relief?

Especially if you’re in a season where things aren’t going as planned or you feel like you’re falling behind.

What if you’re not behind at all?

What if life’s just rearranging things for your highest good?

Slow doesn’t mean stuck.
And quiet doesn’t mean nothing’s happening.
Sometimes, the most important work is happening beneath the surface.

So take a deep breath. 
You’re doing better than you think! (hugs)

P.S. Morning view from my bedroom 

#awakeningachiever #scalingwithsoul #Balatonfüred

“Is it okay to feel joy when the world is grieving?”

That’s the question I found myself asking this week. 
And maybe… you’ve asked it too.

My feed has been flooded with heartbreaking updates from the Hong Kong fire.

Many of my followers and friends were affected and I teared up watching some of the videos too.

One especially hit hard (see below): 

A father, trapped in the fire, thought he was going to die.
He texted his friends, asking them to take care of his children.
By some miracle, he was rescued - crawling out through a narrow window, across scaffolding, down a ladder.

When he finally reunited with his family, it was a sob fest.
His wife cried till no more tears came.
His daughter kept repeating, “Daddy didn’t die.”
And his little boy sat silently, tears just streaming down.

I can’t imagine the trauma.

And I know there were others… who didn’t make it out. 
Like the woman on the 17th floor who died trying to warn her neighbours.

Meanwhile... I was in Fukuoka, Japan.
Cold air, good food, peaceful work trip.
And I hesitated to post anything that week.

Is it inappropriate to share joy when others are in pain?

Does it come across as insensitive… or selfish… or disconnected?

Lately, I’ve found myself censoring wins.
Not posting successes.
Not sharing joy.

Because I worry:

Will it feel like I’m flaunting?
Will it make someone else feel small?
Will it seem like I don’t care?

In a world where so many hurt and where so many are fighting unseen battles, it’s hard to know when to shine and when to stay silent.

So I’m asking you too:
How do we share the good in our lives… without guilt?

Is there a way to honour our joy and the world’s grief at the same time?

Would love to hear your thoughts!

#taipo

I’ve never seen a year where SME owners are juggling so much.

If you want a clearer path into 2026, this private session will help.

Comment INFO below and I’ll DM you the link.

SME leaders are preparing for 2026 but not everyone is clear on how to strengthen their teams for the changes ahead.

Next week, we’re hosting a closed-door SME Growth & Prosperity Session designed to give business owners clarity and practical guidance for the year ahead.

Organised by Experts in Asia (EIA) in collaboration with BELLS Institute of Higher Learning, a WSQ-approved Training Provider with more than 150,000 learners trained since 2008.

What you’ll gain:
 • 2026 insights from BaZi & Feng Shui Strategist Paulynne Cheng on timing, energy and business decision-making
 • An overview of workforce upskilling pathways available through WSQ-certified programmes
 • A step-by-step explanation of how the SkillsFuture Enterprise Credit (SFEC) may be applied to eligible courses
 • Guidance on how SMEs can check their eligibility for support schemes
 • Networking with SME leaders preparing for 2026
 • A short leader wellbeing segment by Alpha Vitality

Seats are limited to keep the session interactive.
Comment INFO below to receive the registration link.

Or register directly here:
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taplio

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Eric Feng (CSP) - Global Speaker

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