BFM 89.9

HIGHLIGHTS 
Podcast  >  Enterprise  >  Open For Business  >  Why A Student Quit Uni To Turn Ugly Fruits Into (TUG) Gelato

Why A Student Quit Uni To Turn Ugly Fruits Into (TUG) Gelato

Hailey Yong, CEO and Founder, The Unusual Greens

02-Sep-24 10:00

Why A Student Quit Uni To Turn Ugly Fruits Into (TUG) Gelato

Could turning ugly fruits into gelato be worth quitting university? For Hailey Yong, it was.

At just 20, Hailey, CEO and Founder of The Unusual Greens, left her studies behind to pursue TUG Gelato full-time, an enterprise that transforms imperfect and surplus fruits into delicious gelato. What began as a student competition idea in the HULT Prize has grown from a home kitchen project to a 123 sqft central kitchen, and now to two outlets, including a fully-equipped central kitchen.

Among other things, Hailey discusses the early challenges of convincing others—starting with her own family—of her vision, the R&D process that began in her own kitchen, and how she eventually transitioned her project from a side hustle to a full-time business.

She also delves into the importance of staying true to her mission while continuously innovating to stand out in a crowded market. Finally, Hailey talks about her future plans, including potential expansion and the possibility of external funding, all while staying committed to the cause of food sustainability.

Produced by: Roshan Kanesan, Kishan Sivaswamy

Presented by: Roshan Kanesan


This and more than 60,000 other podcasts in your hand. Download the all new BFM mobile app.

Categories:  Women in Businessmarketsmanagingenvironmentfoodentrepreneurs

Tags:  TUG gelatofood waste preventionsustainability





Play / Pause

Listen now : BFM 89.9 -- The Business Station

Today’s Shows



11:00 AM

Best of Enterprise

(REPEAT) For the last decade, Qualgro has quietly focused on the "boring back end of the internet", B2B software, data, and AI. General Partner Weisheng Neo joins us to explain why this approach is paying off.

12:00 PM

Popcorn Culture

(REPEAT) We review Noah Baumbach's Jay Kelly, which stars Adam Sandler and George Clooney.

1:00 PM

Cruise Control

(REPEAT) Suzuki returns to Malaysia with the Fronx, a compact crossover that's pretty solid. But what's the catch? Daniel Fernandez shares his thoughts.

2:00 PM

Matt-Splained

(REPEAT) We look back at some of the incredible and amazing breakthroughs in science we’ve seen in 2025.

3:00 PM

Earth Matters

(REPEAT) Selangor’s proposed Batu Arang waste-to-energy incinerator has sparked major community concern. Two residents explain the risks, the lack of official response, and why safer alternatives are needed.

4:00 PM

Bar None

(REPEAT) Aftar Singh, sports journalist at the New Straits Times join us to talk about our hockey team, the Speedy Tigers and how they're doing at the moment.

5:00 PM

BBC World Service

How do you separate fact from fiction when it comes to food? This episode of The Food Chain finds the answer.