They didn’t plan to start a shoe empire. But five years, countless flower heels, and a few family fights later—Amy and Esther Tai have built one of the most recognisable homegrown brands in Malaysia: Machino.

In this episode, we sit down with the sole sisters to talk about what it really takes to build a business from scratch.

From awkward influencer meet-ups and trademark battles to family dynamics, burnout, and figuring out how to not kill each other at work—we covered it all.

💬 In this episode, you’ll learn:

• How they turned a side hustle into a viral, full-time brand
  

• Why building a business with family is both a blessing and a challenge
  

• How they handled getting copied (again and again...)
  

• What to actually look for in influencer marketing
  

• The importance of boundaries, self-care, and community when growing something meaningful
  

Whether you’re dreaming of launching your own brand, or just need a dose of “holy shit they did it!” inspiration—this one’s for you.

Follow: 

Machino: www.instagram.com/itsmachino

Amy: www.instagram.com/amytaiii

Esther: www.instagram.com/esthertaishenhui