As we wrap up the final morning of the Cross-Border Mastermind Pattaya 2025, I’m buzzing with energy from four incredible days of learning, sharing, and growth. This year, we extended the event to 4 days and 3 nights (up from 3 days and 2 nights), striking the perfect balance between intense mastermind sessions and unforgettable experiences in Pattaya, Thailand. The …
Startup Forest: The Lasting Impact of Startup Weekend in China
It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the enduring impact of the efforts we poured into building the startup community in China over a decade ago. This past weekend, June 27–29, 2025, Hangzhou, China, hosted the inaugural Startup Forest event, a testament to the legacy of those early initiatives. I learned about the event when Joey, a participant from a Startup Weekend …
Retreat & Recharge: Exploring the Open House at Pirom House in Chiang Mai
On Saturday, June 28, 2025, I had the privilege of attending the open house for Pirom House, a serene new venture by my friend and Chiang Mai business leader, Lone. Nestled in the tranquil jungle hills of Ban Pong, just off Samoeng Road, Pirom House is a haven designed for those seeking mindfulness and respite in an increasingly fast-paced, AI-driven …
Rekt Survivor: A Journey Through Web2 and Web3 Epic Fails
Fortune favors the bold—or perhaps those who get “rekt” and keep pushing forward. My name is Mike Michelini, and I’m thrilled to share my experiences as part of the “Rekt Survivor” group, founded by Mark Koh in Bangkok. This community brings together individuals who’ve endured the wild ups and downs of crypto and traditional business, yet remain standing. Today, I’m …
Uniswap Visiting Chiang Mai
Bridging some of the connections I’ve made over the years doing all these web3 events across Asia it was a pleasure to help out my friend James, APAC CM lead at Uniswap, to get the first Uniswap meetup here in Chiang Mai, Thailand. He flew up for a couple days and hit the ground running – Wednesday, May 28, 2025, …
Family Weekend For My Son’s Birthday
The birthday doesn’t seem to end! Got a lot of good feedback on the Waterpark birthday party – that was with his friends. And it was a week early (due to his best friend having a birthday that day). This weekend was the family weekend. We headed out to Nok Resort, a hotel resort in Chiang Mai. Funny story here …
Miles Turns 11 Years Old – Waterpark Birthday
Back in town – and of course need to be present for my son’s birthday party! Turning 11 years old, time is seriously flying by. We joined forces with Miles’s close friend Suan and his parents to have a joint party at one of their favorite places on earth – Grand Canyon Water Park! Join us at this Sunday’s birthday …
Hyper Networking in Hanoi, Vietnam – ICANN, GFA, Making Deals
The last leg of a recent 3 country Asia trip Singapore, Guangzhou China, and now Hanoi, Vietnam) where it was about attending my first ICANN (Domain) conference and also keeping things fresh with the ecommerce community hosting an ecommerce meetup. Arriving fresh off the plane from China, Monday night I attended the opening networking ceremony to kick off the ICANN …
10 Year Anniversary of FBA4U Amazon Seller Meetups in Canton Fair
My good friends Chris and Cindy have been putting together amazing meetups for the seller community at the Canton Fair since 2015! I have definitely been part of some of the earlier ones and many over the years. It was a pleasure to be there for the ten year anniversary and I took my new camera and asked people about …
Tariff Talks & Cantonese Cuisine with Wen Canton Gal
A week in Guangzhou, China for Canton Fair and business development and arranged a dinner meeting with content creator and local expert Wen (Canton Gal). It was an exciting evening of fire cooked food, and talks about cross border trade. Working on some new business deals with Wen Canton Gal – stay tuned! Fun time and learning – enjoy the …
Canton fair Spring 2025: USA Tariffs & Reactions
Back in Canton Fair, lost count of how many I had been. But laugh at the photograph that is still on my badge – was taken on a pixelated webcam in 2008 and is still used to this day. On this trip, I of course met some of my current suppliers, talked business, and discussed how to adapt to the …
Singapore Business Development Trip April 2025
Typing this up towards the end of this epic and intense Singapore trip. Story starts with one of my best friends from college, Ty, came to town from DC to speak at a legal / IP / lawyer conference and for months has been preparing me to come and hang out with him (as we haven’t seen each other in …
Spring Roadshow 2025: Re-igniting Connections in Singapore, China (Canton Fair), Hanoi, and Back to Thailand
“On the road again” – a nod to Uncle Bill (rest in peace). I can’t seem to stay still, and with Janette, my partner at Global From Asia, cheering me on, I’m embracing the hustle. Traveling, networking, and sealing deals – this is where the magic happens. So a week back home in Chiang Mai, soaking up the Songkran (Thai …
Snorkeling with Family in Pattaya, Thailand
Kids are always eager to make lasting memories, and this snorkeling trip will be one of them. Wendy and the kids wanted to escape the burning season in Chiang Mai, and were “bored” of the regular Hua Hin trip (where I did the mastermind) and picked Pattaya this time. Easy to get to with a 1 hour-ish ride from Bangkok …
Turning 44 Years Old, Decom Night Birthday Party Bangkok
The idea for this birthday party came when I was attending Hong Kong consensus and people were discussing the next round of crypto events – and Southeast Asia blockchain week was brought up. Looking at the dates, it fell right in the middle of my birthday – April 2. So in that moment at the side event afterparty on a …