⚠️ Limited Retreat Slots available - seats sell fast! ⚠️
✦ calling sga students ✦
2026 Side Gig Accelerator Retreat to Connect, Learn and Grow Alongside Digital Marketing Experts
SGA-ians! This is your opportunity to meet each other in person! 😄
SGA's exclusive year end 2-day private retreat takes place this year at Courtyard by Marriott, Setia Alam, Malaysia. Here, we look forward to seeing you in person, and also celebrate those who are getting their certifications.
Every year, the team puts a lot of effort into organising these events, and we want you to have the best experience!
When We Say Retreat, We Mean A Retreat.
We don't put you in groups and make you present on stage.
We don't make you play ice-breaking games and come up with group chants. Yikes. 🫠
You'll REALLY be getting a retreat. You'll sit through the day, gossiping, eating, snacking, and watching speakers speak.
Now that's what we call a retreat! Heehee.
We also are here to answer your questions, of course, so bring them all.
You've joined SGA, you want to get a strong headstart, and you're probably hoping this retreat will be the impetus you need to kickstart your SGA journey properly.
You're right. Most of our students end the retreat absolutely on fire and motivation. 🔥
The SGA retreat will give you a first-hand and intimate look into the world of freelancing and what opportunities await you. How to get started and how to find clients. How to grow a successful online business, something you can do for years and years to come.
You also get to meet people like you - who are now actively freelancing successfully.
This retreat exists for one beautiful reason: to celebrate our Side Gig Accelerator (SGA) students who've transformed their lives from zero knowledge to successful freelance funnel builders earning more than their corporate jobs.
Even though planning this yearly event legit drains our energy, brainpower, and company funds (ahem), we love it.
I jump through lots of hoops to get you good speakers yearly, pay through my nose for them, and hope you will be truly inspired, motivated, and have lots of action steps you can take immediately.
However, we're intentionally keeping this retreat exclusive, with limited spots available, to ensure intimate networking, personalized attention from speakers, and meaningful connections that actually turn into business relationships.
Yes! You get to meet speakers up close and personal, and take pictures with them, and create memories! ❤️
And we want you to witness these incredible transformations firsthand and realize that if they can do it, so can you.
✦ all the exciting details ✦
The 2026 Side Gig Accelerator Retreat in Courtyard by Marriott, Setia Alam
(20-21 November, 2026)
What You’ll Get from This Once a Year Transformational Event
Value: $10,000
Get direct access to ask questions about freelancing, scaling your business, overcoming client challenges, pricing strategies, and building your personal brand.
Plus, get real answers from our invited speakers who are experts in their fields.
Value: $5,000
Meet other freelancers, business owners, world-class mentors and industry experts who become your referral partners, collaborators, and friends. These are real relationships that lead to real opportunities.
Value: $3,000
Learn the exact methods that successful freelancers use to land quality clients. Our goal is for attendees to get new clients during the event itself. Imagine walking away with your next project already lined up!
Value: $4,000
Get strategies directly from speakers who've built successful careers and businesses in different industries. These are not theories from people who've never done it, but real tactics from people earning millions and billions of money.
Value: $10,000
Break free from the "employee mindset" and start thinking like an entrepreneur. This mental shift alone is worth more than the ticket price.
Value: $4,500
Get access to strategies and tactics that successful mentors use but rarely share publicly. The kind of knowledge that usually costs thousands in consulting fees.
Value: Priceless
Stop feeling like a fraud or an amateur. You'll leave knowing you belong in rooms with successful people because you ARE one.
Total Value: Over $36,500
Early Bird Price:
Just RM397 only!
Get your ticket now - it'll be completely worth it to learn firsthand the world of online freelancing and its possibilities!
01
When & Where:
Dates: November 20-21, 2026 (Friday-Saturday)
Times: 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM daily
Location: Courtyard by Marriott, Setia Alam
Address: No. 6, Jalan Setia Dagang AH U13/AH, Setia Alam, Shah Alam, Selangor
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What Your Ticket Covers:
Your ticket includes everything you need for an amazing two-day experience - two full days of sessions with expert speakers, buffet lunch both days, morning and tea breaks with snacks, unlimited coffee, tea, and water throughout the event, a special team dinner, and your very own SGA t-shirt to remember this incredible weekend.
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Hotel Accommodation (Optional):
Hotel accommodation is not included in your registration fee, but we promise you'll get exclusive rates that you won't find anywhere else. Once you register, we'll send you a special link with discounted rates for Courtyard by Marriott's rooms (breakfast is included).
You'll get the best prices available, and everything is just steps away from the conference venue. Of course, you're welcome to stay wherever you prefer - this is just for the convenience of people traveling from far places who want hassle-free accommodation close to the event.
Meet Your Host & Keynote Speaker
Kristy has founded two six and seven-figure agencies that have allowed her to build funnels for some of the biggest names in the world and transformed the lives of hundreds of students building an online freelancing career worldwide.
Knows the secrets to running profitable ads that are low in cost and high in returns
Gone from a complete beginner to COO to one of the biggest agencies in the world
Grown her brand from new to dominating social media and the first few pages of Google
Worked with some of the biggest brands in the world and joined amazing masterminds
Meet Your Guest Speakers
Jordan Lim
Entrepreneur & Founder of Intellia
Jordan Lim is a Malaysian content creator, entrepreneur and founder of HeyFood Malaysia.
Known for his news, safety and awareness content, he has built a strong social media presence by turning important issues into relatable, engaging stories.
Beyond creating content, Jordan also helps founders and business owners build their personal brands through content strategy and storytelling.
Sean Tan
Property Investor & Content Creator
Sean Tan, better known as @iherng, is one of Malaysia's most followed voices in property investment. He started out as an architecture student, then became a real estate agent right after graduation to fund his studies overseas, bought his first investment property at 23 and never stopped.
Today he runs @iherng, a YouTube channel and Instagram account built to close the knowledge gap between property "noobs and veterans."
His mission: help every Malaysian own their first (and next) property with real numbers.
He's built a large following across YouTube, Instagram, and podcasts, and now runs an active property investment club and courses teaching buyers how to build a portfolio the smart way, from first home to long-term rentals and flips.
Tim Tiah
Co-founder & CEO, Colony · Entrepreneur · Content Creator · Speaker
Tim Tiah is a Malaysian entrepreneur, content creator and speaker who has spent more than two decades building businesses across media, technology and the future of work.
He is the Co-founder and CEO of Colony, one of Malaysia's leading premium coworking and events space brands, and Jerry, an automated workspace concept built around technology and lean operations.
Earlier in his career, Tim co-founded Nuffnang, one of Asia's pioneering influencer advertising networks. He
grew the business across multiple countries and later took the company public through an IPO on the Australian
Securities Exchange.
Today, Tim is building Timmeh Media Sdn Bhd, an AI-driven media and education business designed around an unusually lean operating model.
Bibiana Tang
SGA Student
Bibiana is a digital marketer, aspiring funnel builder and copywriter with a unique background in healthcare.
With 20 years of experience as a sonographer, she is expanding her expertise into digital marketing, content strategy, copywriting and AI, while exploring how these tools can help businesses communicate and grow online.
Rasvinder Kaur
SGA Student
Rasvinder spent over 15 years in accounting and finance before stepping away to build a new chapter on her own terms.
What started with learning digital marketing soon opened the door to funnel strategy, automation, and building systems for businesses.
But starting again meant becoming a beginner again and for a perfectionist, that came with its own lessons.
Today, she’s learning that progress doesn’t require having everything figured out.
Hear from Rasvinder as she shares her journey from perfectionism to progress, and how a willingness to keep learning has kept her moving forward.
Gan Kher Chia
SGA Student
Kher Chia (KC) has been in the corporate world for over a decade and always expected to stay until retirement.
Becoming her own boss was never part of the plan! Now, she is balancing both corporate life and freelancing.
Today, she is sharing her honest journey with SGA about her ups and downs, what worked, what failed, and how she makes it all work.
Kenneth
Founder of Zapeus Marketing
Kenneth is the founder and Head of Growth at Zapeus, a performance marketing agency based in Subang Jaya that specializes in Meta, Google and TikTok campaigns. Zapeus has delivered up to 46X ROI for clients across 50+ industries in 8 countries, working with B2C and B2B brands from local SMEs to global names.
He spent 19 years in marketing and ran several businesses of his own before Zapeus, which is why he views marketing from the point of view of a business owner rather than a media buyer.
Reuben Ch'ng
Founder, Daily CMO
Reuben Ch’ng is a marketer and entrepreneur with over 12+ years of experience working & training brands such as TNB Malaysia, Sony, Nandos, UEM, and Media Prima Digital, History Channel, and Pacific West.
He started his entrepreneurial journey as a founder of a music and dance school, Cat Studio – before moving into media, working on several documentaries and broadcast projects.
With his media experience, Reuben then took the position of business director in the Adtech and mobile advertising industry, working with FMCGs and corporates on advertising and marketing campaigns.
His past achievements as a marketer include growing a tech school, LEAD to RM2 million in revenue and driving millions in revenue for brands like Q-dees, HOMA2u and Proton. Today, he runs a Daily CMO – a marketing company focused on helping businesses grow.
Alvin Teoh
Classical Chinese Metaphysics Practitioner
A lifetime practitioner of Classical Chinese Metaphysics, trained under The Joey Yap Academy and a specialist in Organizational Change Management since 2010.
With a former professional background in Sales & Marketing at Cycle & Carriage, the pioneer that introduced Mercedes-Benz into Malaysia, and Proton Edar, Alvin cultivated a deep appreciation for precision, discretion, and the expectations of high-calibre clientele.
This foundation allows him to translate Classical Feng Shui principles into highly bespoke residential strategies, thoughtfully designed to complement exceptional homes and refined lifestyles.
Today, as a full-time Chinese Metaphysics practitioner and private consultant, Alvin advises select homeowners, families, and property custodians who place great importance on privacy, continuity, and long-term stewardship. His methodology emphasises meticulous environmental Qi calibration within exclusive residences to support well-being, clarity, generational stability, and enduring prosperity.
Above all, Alvin is a devoted husband and proud father of two, grounded by family values that shape his holistic approach to life, leadership and work.
Chris Phang
Entrepreneur, AI Educator & SGA Student
Chris Phang is an entrepreneur and business builder with more than 26 years of experience across pharmacy, retail and healthcare. He spent over two decades leading 51 Avenue Pharmacy Group, growing the business from a single outlet into a multi-outlet operation before stepping away from its day-to-day management in 2021.
Rather than settling into retirement, Chris chose to become a beginner again. He began exploring digital marketing, AI, websites and funnels, eventually founding Lobang Media, where he now builds websites, funnels, copy and AI-driven systems for business clients.
As an SGA student, Chris has delved headfirst into learning the designing and building of funnels, securing paying projects within his first few months while continuing to sharpen his skills.
A self-described perfectionist, his journey is proof that experience and age don't have to hold you back from learning something new, starting again and building your next chapter.
Your 2-Day Agenda
Here's a breakdown of the 2-day event in detail for you so you know exactly what you're getting, and more!
**agenda may be subject to change
Day 1:
09:30-09:45 - Opening and welcome
09:45-10:30 - From A Side Hustle To Bigger Dreams: Making Hard Decisions - Kristy
10:30-11:15 - Starting Again When You're Already Good at Something Else: The Identity Transition - Bibiana Tang
11:15-11:30 - Tea break
11:30-12:15 - From A Musician To a Marketing Agency - Reuben Ch'ng
12:15-13:00 - The Business of Trust: Building a Premium Practice Around Your Expertise - Alvin Teoh
13:00-14:30 - Buffet Lunch
14:30-15:15 - What 20 Years of Building Businesses Taught Me About Winning, Losing & Staying in the Game - Tim Tiah
15:15-16:00 - The Overthinker's Cure: Small Steps, Daily, Until It Compounds - Chris Phang
16:00-16:15 - Tea break
16:15-17:15 - Graduation ceremony and photo taking
17:15-17:30 - Wrapping Up Day 1
19:00-20:30 - Dinner
Day 2:
09:30-09:45 - Opening and welcome
09:45-10:30 - Done Beats Perfect: What Entrepreneurship Taught a Perfectionist - Rasvinder
10:30-11:15 - The Accidental Entrepreneur: Building Something You Never Planned For - Ker Chia
11:15-11:30 - Tea break
11:30-12:15 - From Zero to Seen: How Businesses Get Traffic & Grow Online - Kenneth Tan, Zapeus Marketing
12:15-13:00 - How I Turned Passion Into an Audience, a Brand & a Business - Sean Tan
13:00-14:30 - Buffet Lunch
14:30-15:30 - If I Had Zero Followers and Had To Start Again Tomorrow, This Is What I'd do For The Next 90 Days - Jordan Lim
15:30-16:30 - The Yellow Brick Road - Kristy
16:30-16:45 - Tea break
16:45-17:15 - Wrapping Up Day 2 and Bonus Clips - Kristy Ting
17:15-17:45 - Group Photos & Farewell
Have Friends And Family Members Who Are Also Interested In Learning Freelancing And Digital Marketing Online?
Bring them along for the ride - nothing matters more than support from each other when it comes to succeeding!
Bring them along and let them join this amazing experience with you!
This is such a cool opportunity for your family or friends to learn freelancing and digital marketing while having an awesome getaway together.
Join the retreat as a team and sit through all the sessions, workshops, and networking events side by side. There's nothing quite like learning new skills together and sharing the excitement when new opportunities start opening up during these two jam-packed days.
It's going to be such a fun bonding experience while you're all learning! :)
Explore Courtyard by Marriott and Setia City Mall During Your Retreat Stay
Turn This Retreat Into An Unforgettable Experience For You And Your Loved Ones!
Just steps away from Courtyard by Marriott, you'll find Setia City Mall linked, one of Malaysia's most popular shopping malls. You'll discover trendy boutiques, endless amazing food options, lots of cafes to chill at, gorgeous huge parks for your kids to run around in, and is the perfect place to relax, shop, and recharge after a full day of learning.
There's Thai Odyssey if you're looking for a good Thai massage, branded hair salons, a super nice cinema, bookshops you can lounge in, and more!
Combine the best of learning and leisure in one awesome location, so you can grow your skills and make lasting memories with your family and friends. :)
Why This Retreat Will Change How You See Events Forever
Here's something you won't hear at any other conference: we're not making a single cent from this event.
In fact, we're paying out of our own pockets to make it happen.
Your registration fee goes straight to covering the venue, speakers, food, and everything else that makes this retreat amazing.
And whatever your fees can't cover, we happily pay for you.
This isn't a business venture for us but a celebration of our students’ milestones.
It's also our way of giving back to our community of freelancers, business owners, and entrepreneurs.
That's why we encourage you to bring your family along too.
We want this to be more than just another event.
We want it to be a celebration of what's possible when people genuinely care about each other's success.
It’s designed to open your eyes to what's truly possible for your business and your life.
When organizers aren't worried about profit margins, they can focus entirely on delivering real value and creating genuine transformation.
We're doing this because we believe in you and we want to show you what happens when an event is created with love and generosity.
Don't Just Take Our Word for It - See It Yourself
Watch how last year's attendees experienced the Side Gig Accelerator Retreat!
(Make it full screen for the best experience!)
Everything You Need to Know About the Retreat
Frequently Asked Questions
What's on the agenda?
It covers everything freelancers (new or seasoned) need to know about the journey of entrepreneurship. Why everything starts with the right mindset. You'll hear stories from fellow entrepreneurs and freelancers, ask all the questions you want, and get enough ideas to know exactly how you can kickstart your journey the correct way, successfully.
Can I bring my family or friends?
Absolutely. In fact, we highly encourage it, because family and friends coming increases memory retention (2 brains are better than 1) - discussions become more fruitful, ideas become more creative, and don't forget - you're getting access to some of the best speakers in Malaysia for a fraction of the price.
What if I'm an introvert and don't like networking events?
Perfect! There's no pressure to present or perform. You can sit back, learn, and connect naturally.
Is hotel accommodation included?
No, accommodation is separate, but we'll send you exclusive discount links for Courtyard by Marriott once you register. You can also stay wherever you prefer.
What if I have certain dietary preferences or food allergies?
Please let us know about any dietary requirements when you register. The lunch and breaks will have various options, but we can coordinate with the hotel to ensure you have suitable meals throughout both days. All meals will be halal.
✦ JOIN US NOW✦
Seats Fill Out Fast Every Year...
No Kidding. Our Students Are Absolute Heroes.
This SGA Retreat happens only once a year. When seats are filled, you’ll need to wait until end 2027 to join us. So, hop in - we can't wait to meet you in person!
Copyright © Side Gig Accelerator 2026. All rights reserved.