Best Qwork™ Podcasts (2025)

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Tackling 3D Jobs: Qwork's New Manpower Playbook 35:59

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3d ago35:59

35:59

Having built a successful gig platform for e-commerce and retail, Qwork is now taking on a bigger challenge: solving the talent mismatch in Malaysia's heavy industries. They're launching the Qwork Manpower Hub (QMH), a new subsidiary focused on building a skilled local talent pipeline for "3D" jobs. Co-founder and Chief Strategy & Financial Officer…

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26 Years, 32 Restaurants, RM100M+: The Olive Tree Group 35:19

1d ago35:19

35:19

From a single outlet in 2003, The Olive Tree Group has grown into a hospitality empire with 30 restaurants and bars across seven states and two countries. At the helm is Founder and Managing Director Leslie Gomez, whose vision has been to serve not just food, but experiences that bring people together. In this conversation, Leslie reflects on the c…

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Rotiboy: From Near Failure to 800 Million Buns Sold 38:15

2d ago38:15

38:15

For almost 30 years, the smell of a freshly baked Rotiboy bun has been an iconic part of the Malaysian food experience, but behind this is a story of near-failure, resilience, and a "last stand" that involved selling a family car to survive. Founder Hiro Tan joins us to share his incredible journey. From making pau as a child and struggling with RM…

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Why FusionQB Pivoted from PropTech to Building B2B SuperApps 42:21

5d ago42:21

42:21

A shareholder clash sparked a 7-figure Superapp pivot? What started in 2016 as a niche proptech company has evolved into FusionQB, a mid-7-figure business that builds customer data platforms and super apps for over 60 enterprise clients. Now managing over a million customer profiles, what's the story behind their successful pivot? Co-founders Alvin…

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From Food Truck to RM10M+ Social Enterprise: Pepper Labs 36:51

2d ago36:51

36:51

What started as a single food truck to help one person in need has evolved into Pepper Labs, an eight-figure social enterprise that has impacted over 400,000 lives. But how do you scale social impact while remaining a commercially viable, profitable business? Managing Director Thanaselan Rajendran joins us to share their incredible 10-year journey.…

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New CEO, New Name: Razorpay Curlec’s Post-Founder Chapter 33:56

11d ago33:56

33:56

Fresh off its rebrand, Razorpay Curlec is navigating a critical new phase: the post-founder, post-acquisition era. With a new CEO at the helm, the fast-growing payment gateway is now tasked with leveraging its parent company's global scale to win in Malaysia's hyper-competitive fintech market. New Country Head and CEO Kevin Lee joins us to discuss …

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Leading with Heart in the City Centre 34:02

8d ago34:02

34:02

From breakfast tables in Germany to boardrooms across Asia, Sebastian Krack’s journey with Hyatt Hotels has been one of passion, innovation, and leadership. Now stepping in as General Manager of Hyatt Centric City Centre Kuala Lumpur, he shares how bold ideas like Le Petit Chef are reshaping dining, why hotels must go beyond room nights to deliver …

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Stories, Soil, and the Spirit of Adventure 26:54

12d ago26:54

26:54

What started as a passion project in 2022 has since grown into By The Billions (BTB), a platform that blends automotive storytelling, 4x4 expeditions, and lifestyle festivals that bring together adventurers, car enthusiasts, and brands. Ned Nazlan, Founder of By The Billions, reflects on evolving a community into a business, the challenges of scali…

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Vibefam: The Answer to Spreadsheet Hell For SMEs? 43:56

17d ago43:56

43:56

For many service-based SMEs in the health and wellness space, managing operations is a chaotic mix of spreadsheets, WhatsApp messages, and manual payment tracking. Singapore-based startup Vibefam is on a mission to fix this with its AI-powered "growth operating system." Co-founder and CEO Serene Lim joins us to share their journey of building a pla…

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Netflix-style Personalisation for Banks. But Why? 34:55

14d ago34:55

34:55

While our favourite apps know what we want to watch next, our banking apps often remain transactional and impersonal. Singapore-based Fintech Moneythor is on a mission to change that, providing an AI-powered engine to transform the customer experience into what they call "deep banking." CEO Martin Frick joins us to share their journey of building a…

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Ritestream’s Shift from Television to Web3 Entertainment 36:11

15d ago36:11

36:11

Riaz Mehta, Founder & CEO of Ritestream, an International Emmy-nominated producer turned Web3 entrepreneur shares how his journey from creating global TV hits like The Contender Asia to joining the CryptoKnights collective inspired him to build Ritestream, a decentralised platform where creators can fund, distribute, and monetise content using bloc…

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Machino: From RM100K & Family Ties to Budding 8-Figure Biz 43:13

20d ago43:13

43:13

Launched in the midst of the 2020 pandemic, Malaysian footwear brand Machino is on a mission to prove you don't have to sacrifice comfort for style. Now a seven-figure business with ambitions to hit eight figures this year, what's the story behind these two sisters and their shoe brand? Co-founders Esther and Amy Tai join us to share their journey …

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Asian Flavours, Italian Craft, and a Healthier Scoop of Gelato 36:12

23d ago36:12

36:12

From Musang King durian to Vietnamese coffee, XO-ice have blended the best of Asia with the craftsmanship of Italy, creating gelato that’s lower in calories, lower in sugar, and higher in protein, and yes, you can eat it straight from the freezer. Jennifer Lee and Donatien Monod, the co-founders of XO-ice, join us to talk about turning an indulgenc…

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LIGNO Biotech’s RM60M Goal, Powered by Tiger Milk Mushrooms 39:38

24d ago39:38

39:38

What began as a PhD project inspired by Tun Dr. Mahathir has grown into a profitable biotech firm with over RM13 million in annual revenue. By successfully cultivating the once "uncultivatable" Tiger Milk Mushroom, Ligno Biotech has turned a Malaysian national treasure into a patented and commercial success story. Co-founders Ng Szu Ting and Dr. Ta…

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The 'Crazy' Story of How 2 Flight Attendants Built a Circus 33:14

25d ago33:14

33:14

What started as a chance meeting between two flight attendants has grown into an 11-year journey of producing circus shows in Malaysia. This is the story of the Swiss Dream Circus, a bootstrapped, passion-driven venture in the high-stakes world of live entertainment. Co-founders Marco Baumgartner and Ismail Stork join us to pull back the curtain on…

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Making Tempeh a Truly Gourmet Brand 28:55

26d ago28:55

28:55

Tempeh and gourmet — not a pairing you’d expect. Yet Ethan Wong, Founder of Truly Gourmet, has turned a humble Malaysian staple into a thriving premium food brand. From perfecting a seven-day fermentation process to creating products that feel indulgent yet accessible, Ethan shares how he’s redefining what "gourmet” can mean in a diverse, price-sen…

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57 Pitches, 3 Years, $14M: Inside Naluri's Series B 41:13

27d ago41:13

41:13

After a grueling three-year journey involving 57 investor conversations, digital health startup Naluri has closed its $14 million Series B round. Now covering over 1 million lives across Southeast Asia, what does this hard-won capital mean for their future, and what lessons did their founder learn along the way? CEO and Co-founder Azran Osman-Rani …

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Diolko’s Vision To Simplify Urban Logistics and Last-Mile Delivery 27:34

1M ago27:34

27:34

Last-mile delivery is the invisible backbone of city life. But it’s also a major source of congestion, noise, and carbon emissions. Yoann Gueguen and Onno Pfeiffer, co-founders of Diolko, a Klang Valley-based startup and Southeast Asia’s first urban logistics-on-rail solution join us to discuss the origins of their idea, the challenges of integrati…

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Batik Boutique: From ‘Naive’ Side Hustle to 7-Figure Biz 44:16

1M ago44:16

44:16

How does an American expat become the founder of Malaysia's only B Corp-certified batik brand? For Amy Blair, what started as a project to help one woman has grown into Batik Boutique, a multi-million ringgit social enterprise on a mission to take Malaysian heritage to the world. Founder and CEO Amy Blair joins us to share her 12-year journey. She …

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Leveraging Uncertainty To Build Your Entrepreneurial Act2 36:14

1M ago36:14

36:14

In an age of retrenchment tsunamis and career uncertainty, many midlife professionals are asking: what's next? For our guest, the answer isn't just finding another job, it's about embracing an entrepreneurial mindset to build your 'Act 2.' Dash Dhakshinamoorthy, Co-founder of Act 2, joins us to discuss his mission to help both individuals repurpose…

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Threading the Needle Through the Messy Middle 29:16

30d ago29:16

29:16

Needle, an AI-powered marketing platform from Singapore, starts by helping founders generate ideas and determine business and marketing priorities and then provides personalised recommendations for effective tactics. We speak with Kiyan Foroughi, CEO and Co-Founder at Needle about the rationale behind their inception and their fundraising journey, …

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Coffee Wars: Why Koppiku Stepped into a Crowded Battlefield 45:16

1M ago45:16

45:16

In Malaysia's crowded grab-and-go coffee scene, a new player has exploded onto the market, opening 50 outlets in under two years. Backed by $2.5 million in funding, Koppiku is betting it can win by targeting the often "underserved middle segment" of the market. Founder and CEO Rajiv Bhanot joins us to share the story behind their rapid growth. He d…

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Malaysia Vegfest - Growing Malaysia’s Plant-Based Movement 31:27

1M ago31:27

31:27

Plant-based living was once seen as a niche trend in Malaysia, a passing fad, or something at odds with our love for sambal and satay. But with VegFest now in its seventh edition, it’s clear that something deeper is taking root. Gulshan Kaur Rai and Mandeep Singh Sidhu share how Malaysia VegFest grew from a small idea into a thriving movement. We d…

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Why This US Aerospace Firm Chose Malaysia for Its Asian Hub 34:22

1M ago34:22

34:22

US-based Aircraft Propeller Service (APS), a leading independent propeller MRO company, has opened its first-ever Asian facility right here in Selangor. But in a competitive region, why did they choose Malaysia as the hub for their Asia-Pacific ambitions? Fergus Lopez, Managing Director for Asia Pacific at APS, joins us to detail the strategic rati…

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The Business of Belonging 29:51

1M ago29:51

29:51

What does a five-star hotel opening say about the direction of a city, or the confidence of a global brand? We speak with Till Martin, General Manager of the soon-to-launch Hyatt Regency Kuala Lumpur at KL Midtown. With over three decades at Hyatt and a career spent opening hotels across Asia and the Middle East, Till shares why KL Midtown was chos…

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How Confetto Scaled a 7-Figure Social Media Agency Without Funding 27:31

1M ago27:31

27:31

Confetto, a digital marketing agency from Singapore specialising in social media and content creation for brands targeting Gen Zs, has quickly become one of the region’s rising stars. Founded by fashion designer Silvia Teh and her husband, the company began as a tech platform helping SMEs automate brand visuals, but a bold pivot turned it into a fu…

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Beyond PT: Movement Dynamics’ B2B Push & KL Foodie Ambitions 37:19

1M ago37:19

37:19

What started with just RM1,000 and a stroke of luck during the pandemic has grown into a RM500,000-a-year fitness business. But for Movement Dynamics, the journey is about more than just personal training; it's about building a brand that people aspire to be a part of through content, events, and corporate wellness. Founder Kevin Khaandor joins us …

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How Inductiv Is Building GenAI from the Ground Up? 34:09

1M ago34:09

34:09

Just six months in, Singapore-based Inductiv is developing an enterprise-grade GenAI platform designed for startups and businesses in complex industries like finance and healthcare. Championing this is Saurav Dhungana, a data scientist with deep experience in U.S. healthcare, telecom, and fintech. This episode dives into how Inductiv is approaching…

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NALE: RM10M Selling Nasi Lemak in FY2024; RM20M Next? 33:43

2M ago33:43

33:43

Can a business built around Nasi Lemak become a global brand like Nando's? That's Nale’s ambitious mission, but their biggest challenge is convincing Malaysians to pay a premium for a beloved roadside classic. Founder and CEO Andreas Domingo joins us to share his journey of building a brand that has generated over RM36 million in revenue since 2019…

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How This Sarawak Startup's AI is Saving Elephants & Farmers 36:02

2M ago36:02

36:02

As palm oil plantations expand, the conflict between humans and wildlife escalates, often with tragic results. Sarawak-based AIoT startup Satok Bridge Digital was founded to tackle this critical issue, offering a technology-driven alternative to violence. CEO Tham Tat Wai joins us to share their story of building a sustainable, mission-driven tech …

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How Two Malaysians Built Viral Skincare Brand, Dododots 32:21

2M ago32:21

32:21

What started as a shared skincare struggle between two young Malaysians has grown into Dododots, a pimple patch brand that’s caught the attention of TikTok and beyond. In just four years, the brand has sold over a million packs globally. To explore further into their inception story, the challenges the business has faced in a unique market and the …

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Strangers at 47: Turning Crepes into RM3.5M a Year 33:13

1M ago33:13

33:13

For 11 years, Strangers at 47 has been a beloved neighbourhood cafe, famous for its savory crepes. But behind the cozy vibes is a story of resilience, adaptation, and the relentless hustle of surviving in the tough F&B industry. Co-founders Lim Sing Yi and Sean Ooi join us to share their journey from "fearless" young graduates to seasoned F&B veter…

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How Pure Mylk Is Changing Plant-Based Beverages? 34:06

2M ago34:06

34:06

Marcus Khoo, founder and CEO of Pure Mylk, shares how they’re helping F&B brands bring clean-label products to life, what it takes to innovate in a crowded market, and why Malaysia could be a food-tech launchpad for the region. He also talks about the operational challenges faced by the business and their ambitions ahead. See omnystudio.com/listene…

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How This 'Vending Machine' Speeds Up & Shrinks Your Warehouse 33:00

2M ago33:00

33:00

Warehouse automation has long been seen as a multi-million dollar game reserved for giants. Backed by Pentamaster, Malaysian deep tech startup Pingspace is attempting to change that, making advanced robotics accessible to all businesses through a Hardware-as-a-Service (HaaS) model for its automated cube-based storage systems that function like "gia…

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RM500K a Month Selling Cold Plunge Tubs? 35:36

2M ago35:36

35:36

How does a magic producer pivot to the wellness industry and build a business generating nearly half a million ringgit in monthly revenue in just over a year? For David Lai, founder of Warrior Plunge, the secrets of the stage are the same secrets to selling high-ticket products. David joins us to share his entrepreneurial journey, from producing sh…

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From Clippers to Kings: The Kingsmen Barbershop Story 35:20

2M ago35:20

35:20

Co-owners Sam Fakhoury and Moustafa Elbaadwihi took over a struggling barbershop and transformed it into Kingsmen Barbershop, a premium grooming brand fit for kings. At their Bukit Damansara location, Kingsmen is redefining what it means to step into a barbershop, with an experience designed to relax, refresh, and recharge the modern gentleman. In …

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From 70 to 300 Machines: Inside Otter Barista's Growth Plan 33:27

2M ago33:27

33:27

What if your daily coffee was served not by a person, but by a vending machine? Malaysian startup Otter Barista is deploying its "cafe in a box" vending machines across the Klang Valley, aiming to solve the demand for affordable, consistent, and convenient coffee, especially in high-traffic locations like hospitals. Founder and CEO Eeyong Ho joins …

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MapleBear Canadian School 33:08

2M ago33:08

33:08

Bilingual education demand is surging and MapleBear is tapping into Malaysia’s multicultural market with its globally respected Canadian curriculum. With Malaysia’s growing parental focus on cognitive development and future employability, and government plans for a bilingual preschool curriculum by 2026, MapleBear’s entry is perfectly timed. This e…

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What’s Behind Aleta Planet's China-Centric Payments Edge? 44:30

2M ago44:30

44:30

Processing over $2 billion in annual transactions, Aleta Planet has carved out a powerful niche in the crowded fintech space. Their secret? A laser focus on solving the complexities of cross-border payments with China, particularly in the challenging perishable food and fruit sector. Founder and Group Chairman Ryan Gwee joins us to share his journe…

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Taming Enterprise 'AI Chaos': Inside Shieldbase's AI OS 36:57

2M ago36:57

36:57

As enterprises rush to adopt AI, many are inadvertently creating "AI chaos", a complex mess of disconnected tools, data silos, and major governance blind spots. Startup Shieldbase AI aims to solve this with a new kind of platform: a unifying operating system for enterprise AI. CEO and Co-Founder Diego Rojas joins us to explain his mission to provid…

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Building 'Giant Power Banks': A $50M Bet on Malaysia 32:48

2M ago32:48

32:48

Singapore-based SynVista Energy is investing US$50 million to build a large-scale energy storage manufacturing facility. But what makes Malaysia the right hub for their regional ambitions, and what does this mean for the future of clean energy in Southeast Asia? Executive Director Peter Phang joins us to break down the strategy behind this major in…

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Beyond Robo: Wahed's Bet on Real Estate & Active ETFs 43:37

2M ago43:37

43:37

Having surpassed $1 billion in assets under management and serving nearly 450,000 customers globally, Wahed is a key player in the Islamic wealth tech space. But as the company scales, how does its leadership team avoid common missteps while staying true to its core mission? Group CEO Mohsin Siddiqui discusses his role as the operator tasked with t…

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Stretch, Sweat, Scale: The Business of GLOW 34:54

2M ago34:54

34:54

Wellness used to be a yoga mat and a green smoothie. These days, it's a billion-dollar industry, a tourism strategy, and, in the case of one Singaporean festival, a full-blown fitness concert. Today, we’re talking about GLOW Festival, the wellness and movement event that’s grown from a niche fitness gathering to Southeast Asia’s biggest stage for s…

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Zoala: Building An Early Warning System for Mental Health? 34:50

2M ago34:50

34:50

After a personal family crisis involving his goddaughter's mental health struggles, this founder set out on a new mission. His startup, Zoala, built an AI-powered mental health platform to provide a crucial early warning system for schools and workplaces, backed by $1.5 million in funding. Founder and CEO Jeff Lee joins us to share his journey and …

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Is This the End of CVs? LeapIn's Bet on AI Hiring 34:55

2M ago34:55

34:55

Traditional hiring is broken, rewarding polished resumes over actual skills. Singapore-based startup LeapIn aims to fix this by replacing CVs with an "AI recruiter" that assesses skills and potential, not just keywords. Founder and CEO Sara Zhu joins us to share her journey of building a profitable, seven-figure HR Tech company. She explains how th…

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Inside Malaysia’s Dutch-Inspired School, Joy Comes First 34:25

2M ago34:25

34:25

Founded in 2004, Summer Academy has grown from a single learning centre into a full education network. And now, it’s launching Malaysia’s first Dutch-inspired secondary school, with happiness as the foundation for lifelong learning. We speak with its Directors, Yanesly Widjaja and Julie Lee, about the evolution of Summer Academy and the opening of …

1
How a Client Request Sparked a Multi-Million Ringgit Business 24:45

2M ago24:45

24:45

Angeline Mahsuri Cheah left a career in B2B tech sales to start her own venture from scratch, sparked by a single client request. Five years later, her technology consulting business, Citrus Cloud, is generating multi-million ringgit revenues serving major clients in the telco and financial sectors. Angeline shares her founder journey, from the ear…

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Reviving Malaysia’s Vanilla Legacy 31:29

2M ago31:29

31:29

Heirloom vanilla once grew in Malaysia, and Alfred Phua is on a mission to bring it back. Through Vanilla Impact Story, he’s building more than just a business — he’s restoring a forgotten crop, empowering rural farmers, and preserving a slice of agricultural heritage. In this episode, Alfred shares what drew him to vanilla, what it really took to …

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From $400 to $52K a Month: Healthpro's Winning Pivot 35:27

2M ago35:27

35:27

Indonesia's healthcare system faces a critical staffing gap, leaving hospitals under-resourced while many medical professionals seek flexible work. Healthpro.id, an on-demand platform connecting facilities with vetted healthcare workers, is tackling this challenge head-on, having already deployed over 32,000 shifts since its launch. Co-founder Rend…

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The KOL-OEM Bridge? Alt Synergy's AI & BioTech Play 34:08

2M ago34:08

34:08

After a family member fell ill from an unregistered supplement, Nash Mohamad set out to fix a broken industry. His biotech startup, Alt Synergy, is now building an AI-powered platform to help brands, especially micro-influencers, launch compliant functional food products without needing a scientific background. Co-founder and CEO Nash Mohamad joins…