153 - Why Sugasini Kandiah Left a High-Paying Job to Start Her Own Business

Sugasini Kandiah is the founder of Hidden Gems Talent, a platform that helps Singapore startups tap into top-tier remote talent from Malaysia and Indonesia. She is passionate about helping young professionals across the region build rewarding careers while enabling startups to scale with the right people.

Before launching Hidden Gems Talent, Suga spent a decade in private equity and impact investing, working as an investment officer at EMIA, a Mekong-based development fund, and Creador, a leading regional private equity firm. She partnered closely with founders to scale their businesses, gaining firsthand insight into what drives growth.

Suga holds a degree in Economics from Yale University.

00:00 Introduction

01:12 Career Beginnings and Journalism Aspirations

02:46 Transition to Investments and Private Equity

04:19 Becoming an Entrepreneur

07:35 Balancing Parenthood and Entrepreneurship

12:03 Building a Business and Team Culture

21:29 Importance of Numbers in Business

25:59 Navigating the Hiring Landscape

27:37 Targeting the Malaysian Market

30:57 Cost Comparison Across Countries

32:26 Effective Recruitment Strategies

39:16 Setting Clear KPIs for Remote Employees

47:01 Working with Different Generations

50:17 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

The Hidden Gems Talent https://www.hiddengemtalent.com/