EP.IC - Edric Poon In Company

Episode OverviewKelvin Tjia is the founder of 3Degrees - a TikTok-style social impact platform that helps people discover charitable causes through immersive short videos. He shares insights about startup challenges, overcoming donor fatigue in the philanthropic space and the need to change the way social impact is seen and done.Connect with KelvinFor more, visit https://www.3degrees.app/Connect with Kelvin on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelvin-tjia/Need help with your podcast or events?If you'd like to setup your own podcast, or seek a consult, reach out to us at [email protected] We'll support your podcast journey from end to end.We offer podcast coaching, workshops and even hosting services for your events and podcasts!www.kaleoscopic.comKey Timestamps0:00 - 0:17 - Opening: The reality of startup life - you don't always get what you want0:42 - 2:31 - Introduction to Three Degrees and the social impact focus3:44 - 4:55 - COVID-19 origins and the difficult journey5:07 - 5:53 - Launching too soon: lessons learned6:02 - 6:63 - The four miracles of startup success8:57 - 9:50 - Steve Jobs wisdom: Success is saying no 99% of the time12:20 - 13:02 - Why a digital platform instead of building schools?13:56 - 14:42 - Starting from scratch16:41 - 17:17 - Previous ventures: Hawaii bike sharing company20:01 - 20:26 - Work-life balance: Missing 3 World Cups23:28 - 24:12 - Donor fatigue: The challenge of sad stories25:00 - 25:38 - Three Degrees approach: Educational and inspirational content26:45 - 27:28 - Monetization and transparency in social impact28:48 - 29:28 - Rewarding those who contribute to society31:35 - 32:02 - Corporate partnerships: Understanding unrestricted funds34:05 - 34:26 - Ambassador program in development36:22 - 36:50 - The Four T's: Time, Treasure, Talent, and Ties38:27 - 45:10 - EP.IC Questionnaire

Hi everyone, I wanted to share a heartfelt review of 2025, divided into three chapters: Chapter: 1: My journey as a podcasterAs a podcaster, I've heard so many founder and leadership stories, but something about impact-driven content drew my attention - much more than before. Why? Simply because I can finally say that I am in a position to share these stories that can make an impact. In turn, this also led to unexpected opportunities and reaffirmed the value of our small but engaged audience.Chapter 2: Pivots as a small business ownerLong ago, Haoming Lee shared some sage advice about branding - "If no one knows you, you can rebrand in any way you want." This meant that I didn't need to fit any type of mould or business structure. I could pivot, and I did. From 100% podcast-related efforts, to talent-based effort. I'm not just producing podcasts - I'm hosting events, emceeing Gala dinners, launches and even moderating panel sessions!Chapter 3: Growth as a human being. Finally, on a personal note, embracing compassion and patience has transformed my approach to life and work. I no longer feel guilty for not working 8-10 hours a day. I am instead, grateful for this privilege, and will continue to see how I can help others in their work, businesses and lives.Thank you for your continued support. Here's to an impactful 2026. Keep listening and moving forward.

Purpose-Driven Tourism: A Conversation with Raj KumarIPC Group: https://ipcgroup.com.sg/More about The Rotary Club Singapore: https://www.rotary.org.sg/Connect with Raj on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raj-kumar-19074552/Hosted & Produced by Edric PoonProduced by Kaleoscopic CommunicationsIn this episode of the EP.IC podcast, we speak with Raj Kumar, Managing Director of IPC Group and a board member of the Rotary Club. Raj shares his extensive experience in global travel and tourism, emphasizing how tourism can make a meaningful impact through education, community engagement, and fostering entrepreneurship. He delves into his journey of starting community-based tourism, the challenges faced by the travel industry, and the integration of technology like virtual reality to adapt and thrive amid global crises. Raj also discusses his role as an advisor to startups, his passion for mentoring youth, and how businesses, especially SMEs, can creatively leverage their resources for social good. The conversation wraps up with reflections on maintaining purpose over profit, the importance of community involvement, and Raj's aspirations for lasting impactful work.00:00 Introduction and Guest Overview01:15 Raj Kumar's Journey into Tourism02:28 Community-Based Tourism and Its Impact04:01 Corporate Involvement and Educational Programs08:24 Adapting to Challenges with Technology09:05 Expanding into Technology and Mentorship09:49 Wellness Programs and Scam Prevention16:07 Leveraging Rotary Club for Greater Impact19:56 Corporate Social Responsibility: Beyond Donations20:25 The Importance of Volunteer Hours21:09 Addressing Dementia and Loneliness in Seniors23:25 Philanthropy and Community Engagement25:24 Innovation in Philanthropy28:45 Personal Reflections and Rapid Fire Questions32:56 Final Thoughts and Contact Information#impact #edricpoonincompany #podcast #asia

Episode Summary:In this episode of the EP.IC Podcast, we chat with Maggie Dumra, founder of Jaedals, a socially conscious footwear brand. Maggie shares her journey from a career in media production to building businesses that create positive social impact, including supporting women in need and giving back to communities in India and Singapore. Support Jaedals and their mission by checking out their products, following them on social media, and sharing this episode with friends who care about social impact and entrepreneurship.Chapters & Timestamps00:00 – Introduction & Overview00:54 – Meet Maggie Dumra: From Media to Social Impact01:32 – The Jaedals Story: Comfort, Style, and Doing Good02:32 – Building a Socially Conscious Business03:50 – Balancing Corporate Life, Family, and Entrepreneurship06:38 – Early Ventures: Baby Boo and Giving Back to India08:05 – COVID’s Impact and Supporting Local Women in Singapore09:16 – The Birth of Jaedals: Empowering Women Through Work10:42 – Product Introduction: Jaedals Sandals12:01 – Building a Local Production Ecosystem13:21 – Finding and Training Sewing Communities15:06 – Why Focus on Low-Income Women?16:41 – Government Support and Scaling Social Impact18:24 – Community Support and Corporate Partnerships20:19 – Wins, Rejections, and the Long Game of Social Impact22:06 – Expanding Overseas and Sustainable Collaborations24:00 – Family, Empathy, and Upbringing26:01 – Empathy vs. Business: Can You Have Both?28:34 – Lessons from Family Business and Marketing31:10 – Growing the Team and Scaling Up33:20 – Letting Go: When to Move On from a Business36:00 – Creative Ventures in Hong Kong and Melbourne40:00 – Advice for Aspiring Social Entrepreneurs41:50 – Paying It Forward42:40 – Rapid Fire Q&A: Inspirations, Routines, and Legacy47:20 – Final Shoutouts & How to Support JaedalsConnect with Maggie and support Jaedals: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/maggie-dumra-922bb511/Jaedals: jaedals.comInstagram: @shopjaedalsVisit their store at Mandarin Gallery, Singapore

Are you curious about how Singapore’s changing society will impact your family, career, or business? Darius Lee, Executive Director of Cultivate SG, joins the podcast! Listen in to a practical, eye-opening conversation about building a thriving, sustainable future for all generations! In this episode, we discuss:• How Singapore’s demographic shifts affect you and your loved ones—and what you can do about it• The real story behind nonprofits: how they operate, why transparency matters, and how you can get involved or support causes you care about• Actionable ways to strengthen family bonds, both at home and in the workplace• Fresh ideas for business owners and employees to create a more supportive, family-friendly culture• Inspiring stories and upcoming events where you can participate, learn, and make a difference• Personal routines and leadership lessons from Darius that you can apply to your own lifeWhether you’re a parent, professional, business leader, or just passionate about social impact, this episode will give you new perspectives and practical steps to help your community thrive.Timestamps• 00:00 – Highlights• 00:44 – Meet Darius Lee: What you can learn from a nonprofit leader’s journey• 01:43 – Discover Cultivate SG’s mission—and how it relates to your everyday life• 02:31 – Facing Singapore’s demographic challenges: What it means for your future and what you can do• 03:51 – How workforce changes and family pressures might affect you (and how to adapt)• 04:47 – Flexible work and parental leave: Solutions you can advocate for or implement• 06:07 – Why your attitude matters: Building a sustainable society starts with you• 07:07 – How Cultivate SG’s research can help you make informed decisions• 08:09 – Online harms and social harmony: What you need to know to protect your family• 09:12 – Rethinking success: How to define achievement beyond material wealth• 10:23 – Darius’ personal story: Find inspiration for your own leadership and impact• 12:02 – Understanding the nonprofit landscape: How you can get involved or support• 13:44 – How to spot transparency and accountability in organizations you support• 15:21 – “Grander Together” in action: How you can participate or start similar initiatives• 16:44 – Practical ways for businesses and individuals to make a difference• 18:11 – Real-life examples: How to bring family values into your workplace• 19:44 – Boosting morale and productivity: Why caring for families helps everyone• 21:23 – Building trust: What to look for in organizations you donate to or join• 23:12 – How oversight and audits protect your interests as a donor or volunteer• 24:08 – Upcoming events: Where you can learn, connect, and contribute• 25:51 – EP.IC Questionnaire• 28:00 – How to connect with Cultivate SG and take your next step