Most people wait until they’re fully ready to start a business. 23-year-old Amanda Cua didn’t.
At 19, she skipped university and launched Backscoop, a media startup covering Southeast Asia’s startup scene. No degree, little experience—just an idea, a problem to solve, and the determination to make it work.
Now, at 23, she’s a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia entrepreneur. But her biggest challenge? Managing herself.
In this episode, we talk about what it really takes to start a business, the hardest lessons in entrepreneurship, and how she’s navigating identity, growth, and being enough.
I hope this reaches you exactly when you need it.
00:00 Introduction
02:53 Amanda's Early Life In The Philippines & Exploring Identity
08:47 Understanding Her Heritage: What It Means To be Chinese Filipino
13:11 The Birth of Backscoop: Taking Risks
16:18 "The Third Door" In Life & Not Going To University
21:48 Going From Rejecting To Embracing Her Young Age
24:52 The Biggest Challenge As An Entrepreneur Is Yourself
25:57 Her Observations Dealing With VCs & Founders
31:06 Evolving Business Perspectives: At 23 vs. 19
34:20 Advice To Someone Thinking Of Starting A Business
36:09 3 Biggest Lessons From Running Her Own Business
41:10 Facing Insecurities, Disconnection & Feeling Not Enough
44:03 Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia: A Needed Recognition & Validation
47:03 Why Amanda Moved To Singapore
49:58 Living In Singapore vs. Philippines: Reconstructing Her Life
53:01 What She'd Tell Herself At 19
55:21 If Someone Is Thinking Of Starting A Business
56:00 The One Thing That People Get Wrong About Her
57:03 The Song That Best Describes Amanda
58:02 Favourite Foods After A Long Day In Singapore
❤️
Nicole
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👉🏼 Follow Amanda Cua on:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/itsamandacua?igsh=MWRjcWxvYWNyM21kbw%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@itsamandacua?_t=ZS-8utccs5EjmK&_r=1
Website https://www.backscoop.com
👉🏼 Follow Nicole Lee on:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/nicoleethisisme
YouTube: http://YouTube.com/@nicoleleethisisme
Spotify: https://creators.spotify.com/pod/show/youneverknowwithnicolelee
Instagram: http://instagram.com/nicoleleethisisme
TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@nicoleleethisisme
Website: https://www.youneverknow.co/
🎬 Filmed at: Poddster Singapore
#youneverknow #podcast #women #business #entrepreneurship #startup #transformation #freedom #abundance #growth #finance #crypto #viral #empowerment #dreambig #motivation
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