Posts by Yurie Miyazawa
Stop Chasing Funding, Start Chasing Customers
There’s a lie many founders hear on day one: you need outside money to build a real business. You don’t. The first step isn’t a pitch deck. It’s a customer. My stance is simple and firm. Funding should not be your default plan—revenue should. This matters because chasing investors sends many founders down the wrong…
Read MoreWall Street slides at open as investors assess results from big banks
[NEW YORK] Wall Street’s main indexes fell at the open on Wednesday (Jan 14) as investors digested earnings from Bank of America and Citigroup, while retail sales and producer price data did little to alter expectations for interest-rate cuts later this year. The Dow Jones Industrial Average fell 103.7 points, or 0.21 per cent, at…
Read MoreLuxury retailer Saks Global files bankruptcy after turnaround fails
US$1 billion debtor-in-possession financing, pending court approval, will fund Saks’ operations and turnaround [NEW YORK] Saks Global Enterprises filed for bankruptcy to address mounting losses and a substantial debt load that has weighed down the iconic luxury retailer. The company, which operates its Saks Fifth Avenue stores along with Bergdorf Goodman and Neiman Marcus, entered…
Read More‘Are you dead?’ Chinese app for single living goes viral
[HONG KONG] An app called “Are you dead” targeted at people living alone has gone viral in China, with surging downloads and widespread commentary on social media, prompting the company to introduce a subscription fee and change its name for a global audience. The app called Sileme in Chinese, which translates to “Are you dead?”…
Read MoreStop Accepting “Agency Horror Stories” As Normal
I hear the same story from founders and CMOs every week. A smooth pitch. Big promises. Then missed deadlines, vague reports, and vanishing accountability. That shouldn’t be the standard. Great work and a great experience should go hand in hand. As a serial entrepreneur, I’ve been on your side of the table. I’ve built and…
Read MoreF&N unit prices S$125 million in fixed-rate notes due 2033 at 2.6%
The notes are payable semi-annually in arrears and will be issued in denominations of S$250,000 each [SINGAPORE] Beverage maker Fraser and Neave (F&N) has priced S$125 million in fixed-rate notes due Jan 20, 2033, at 2.6 per cent per annum. The notes, which will be issued by its wholly owned subsidiary F&N Treasury, are part…
Read MorePower crunch, red tape forcing Asia’s data centres out of hyperscaler hubs
Operators are pivoting towards a ‘decentralised’ model – which places data centres in ‘Tier-2’ cities [SINGAPORE] Operators are starting to move data centres out of metropolitan hubs and opting for a more decentralised model as the sector experiences record-high demand. Citing reasons such as straining power grids and intensifying regulatory friction at traditional hyperscaler hubs,…
Read MoreProactive tax strategy in a shifting global landscape
As OECD rules redefine the game, Singapore’s tax and business leaders are pivoting from compliance to strategic foresight THE global tax landscape is undergoing its most significant transformation in a century, and the reverberations are being felt keenly in Singapore’s boardrooms. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD) Pillar Two framework, which sets a…
Read MoreAsia markets extend gains on ‘Sell America’ inflows, despite Trump’s Iran tariff threat
[SINGAPORE] Asian markets extended gains at market open on Tuesday (Jan 13), as the momentum from a global rotation out of US assets continued despite fresh geopolitical warnings from US President Donald Trump. While the Sell America” trade lifted regional indices on Monday, sentiment was tested this morning by Trump’s vow to impose a 25…
Read MoreEssential Questions to Ask Before Signing an Internet Contract
When choosing an internet provider, it is rarely as simple as comparing prices. Many people forget to read the fine print or ask important questions. You should understand the terms and conditions before signing any internet contract. It is always better to ask the right questions to avoid unexpected expenses or disruptions later on. A…
Read More