Bringing you real, raw and relatable stories and insights from real-world entrepreneurs, recorded monthly in front of a live audience at Banyan Workspace in Hong Kong.
I dive into the lived experiences of founders who, despite any success to date, continue to push boundaries and feel like they're just beginning.
If you're starting-up, scaling, navigating tough decisions, or simply looking for a community of like-minded individuals who understand what it's like when your dreams feel invisible to everyone around you, welcome home!
Follow me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/rasheedshroff/
Ajmal Samuel has faced and overcome obstacles in his life that would destroy many of us, including a devastating spinal cord injury aged 22, a decade-long opioid addiction, extreme prejudice, and the loss of his company. Yet he’s gone on to become a fintech pioneer, endurance athlete and documentary filmmaker. Ajmal’s journey embodies resilience and boundary-pushing innovation, and offers profound lessons on adapting to change and redefining what is possible in both business and life
What you’ll learn:
- How he overcame a life-altering accident to soar personally, professionally & physically
- His steps to building & rebuilding himself, his career and his company
- The importance of goals, discipline and getting comfortable being uncomfortable
- How he replaced opioid dependence with endurance sports training
Connect with Ajmal: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajmalsamuel/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ajmalsamuel/)
Connect with Me (Rasheed Shroff): LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rasheedshroff/
Banyan Workspace: https://banyanworkspace.com/
Don’t forget to Like, Follow & Subscribe for more raw conversations with entrepreneurs and experts on building meaningful success.
1 Jul 2026
Mark Francis | Failing and Scaling - A Serial Entrepreneur's Playbook
What makes some start-ups succeed where others fail? What do you need to know to avoid the pitfalls that every new business owner has to negotiate? A serial entrepreneur shares hard-won lessons on building, scaling and leading businesses in Asia. Learn from hard-won experience in this unmissable conversation hosted Rasheed Shroff in front of a live audience of entrepreneurs at Banyan Workspace, Hong Kong.
Mark Francis is an exited founder with extensive experience in the HRTech, fintech, and executive search industries across Asia-Pacific since 2007. Currently, he is the CEO of Preferrd, an HRTech startup that leverages data-driven solutions to optimise hiring strategies while gamifying incentivised referrals to source accurate and relevant talent.
What you'll learn:
Scaling Smart - How to navigate the pitfalls of rapid growth and build a resilient business
Embracing Failure - How to turn setbacks into powerful pivots and future success
Mastering Capital - Learn what investors and financing providers really look for in scaling businesses
Future-proofing Talent - How leverage Tech and HR to build high-performing teams
Thriving as a Founder - Strategies for work-life integration with a young family
Connect with Mark:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-80337a8/ (https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-francis-80337a8/)
Connect with Me (Rasheed Shroff):
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rasheedshroff/
Banyan Workspace: https://banyanworkspace.com/
Don’t forget to Like, Follow & Subscribe for more raw conversations with entrepreneurs and experts on building meaningful success.
10 Jun 2026
Fai Chan | The Secret to Scaling a 0-1 Brand
From Corporate to Entrepreneur! Fai Chan is living proof that close to 15 years working in corporate (including Disney, Fossil Group and CASETiFY) is the perfect training ground for personal creative entrepreneurial revolution.
In 2019, Fai took a leap of faith and launched Pair Pair Full with a mission to promote positivity and pride in our city. Their playful mismatched socks depicting much-loved Hong Kong imagery were an instant hit, and the past 5 years have seen remarkable growth, with stores at IFC, K11 Musea, The Peak Tower and at HK International Airport. Today, Pair Pair Full isn’t just a sock brand – it’s a powerful homegrown icon in its own right, blending fashion with culture and art.
What you'll learn:
Why your corporate experience is your greatest entrepreneurial asset
The exact steps to turn a creative spark into a viable, scaling business
Why local heritage is the secret sauce for Pair Pair Full’s unique identity
How Fai navigated the transition from steady income to payroll responsibility
Scaling from weekend stalls to the IFC and HK International Airport
Raw reflections and insights for those ready to start their own journey
Connect with Fai:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fai-chan-a7566b13 (https://www.linkedin.com/in/fai-chan-a7566b13/)/
Connect with Me (Rasheed Shroff):
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rasheedshroff/
Banyan Workspace: https://banyanworkspace.com/
Don’t forget to Like, Follow & Subscribe for more raw conversations with entrepreneurs and experts on building meaningful success
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Spotify
5.0 / 5
20 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 28 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
36
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
51
Contact Entrepreneur Stories by Banyan Workspace
Guest appearances
Books guests
Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.
Host of Entrepreneur Stories by Banyan Workspace?
Claim your podcast to manage its listing and keep your show details accurate.
Pod Engine is an independent podcast discovery and analytics service and is not affiliated with or endorsed by this podcast. Artwork and show content belong to their owners. Full legal notice.
Explore this show Podcast research with Pod Engine
