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What does it take for creativity and culture to take shape in the digital sphere?
As a fresh alum of the esteemed HKU MBA programme at the University of Hong Kong, Yuta Shirahata had launched Web3 projects META AKITA Inc. with a fellow CBS (Columbia Business School) student from during his exchange study, and Cyberport-funded NFT and fashion project named "Not That Bad" alongside his classmate.
Crediting his success to rich partnerships, and a year-long study as part of the HKU MBA Programme to effectively establish and operate a thriving company in an industry full of up-and-coming potential, The Beat Asia chats to Yuta to learn how his experience in amassing his entrepreneurial toolkit through working with others has offered him the multidisciplinary framework to venture forward in developing his projects.
Stoking his entrepreneurial spirit, Yuta was drawn to Hong Kong by way of its reputation as a glittering cosmopolitan hub for international finance and business. With one of the most diverse student bodies in the city, the HKU MBA programme presented a broad opening to connect with a cohort from backgrounds and industries far from Yuta’s own. Plus, guaranteed exchange partnerships with the London Business School or Columbia Business School in New York, the latter where he also studied at.
Having a background as a producer, writer, and editor in the field of publishing for print and web media, video games, and video; as well as experience working in a consulting firm, Yuta is a specialist in offering the strategic and entrepreneurial vision required to help catalyse new projects across the creativity and entertainment industries. Still, he felt he could take his career further, diving into wholly new arenas.
“I personally had experience helping the management of a company as a consultant, but I didn't have any opportunity to start all my business from zero,” he explains. Encounters with classmates who shared his career passions catalysed his goals into motion, with Yuta recounting that “we had a designer, entrepreneurs, marketers from fashion, and many other industries – in addition to consultants and bankers, of course.” He found that his partners’ respective strengths resulted in unique ways of compatibility across his different projects.
Likening group endeavours to the intersecting of dominantly left brained and right brained capabilities, the types of working knowledge and real-life experiences Yuta had privy to, helped lend him sharper insight on how to fit his specific skills in different contexts.
“[For META AKITA] I can share the creative knowledge to [my partner], and he can share the tech part to me. For Not That Bad, my co-founder is actually an interior designer. So, in that case, I can share how to run a company, how to do business, as another kind of knowledge to her, and then she can share the more creative ideas.”
Frequenting HKU’s networking events and expert-led keynotes, he had a multifaceted cohort of people to learn from and share his inspirations with. As part of his business development process, Yuta shares that “what I have done is, I write down my idea on paper and share it with my classmates and other great people [who] think this kind of activity is quite important.”
“When getting feedback, any way of improving was shared with you by people who might help you as well. In my case, I had a partner familiar with the tech part, but by doing this kind of activity, I could meet the engineers, and other kinds of people [who can help].”
Launched in August 2022, META AKITA spotlights the longstanding traditions of the historical Akita prefecture through Web3 concepts, and is fronted by adorable artistic renderings of its titular Akita dogs. The first NFT was limited to 100 and immediately sold out within 5 minutes.
Joining efforts with the 100-year-old Akita-Inu Preservation Society (AIPS), META AKITA has since become involved with over 20 companies and organizations, launched the country’s first XRPL NFT, and introduced values added to the token itself in different ways, such as in the form of ticketing functionality, and using it as a tax return prize as part of the Furusato-Nozei system.
Glancing back at his business journey so far, Yuta recounts the combination of know-how gleaned from his MBA study, his collaborators, and the convergence of his creative mindset and entrepreneurship as crucial to fuelling his first steps towards success.
He advises startup hopefuls to “just do it — that will be the key part. I'm not from the tech industry and [did] not have any professional tech [experience]. I believe what you want to achieve is more important than the knowledge itself. Why you want to share [your project] is really important.”
Accompanying the growth of META AKITA, Yuta is setting his sights on expanding the reach of his home nation’s products and culture to Hong Kong and potentially beyond. Here’s to 2023, where he hopes to further the range of Japanese imports to our local market, as well as introduce traditional Japanese festive events both online and offline, by continuing to weave together his own network of international collaboration.
You can connect with and keep updated with Yuta and his projects here.
To learn more about the HKU MBA Programmes, click here.
Join in at the HKU MBA Open House this Feb. 18 to get more insight first-hand to see how you can gain new experiences to help you reach your potential, click here to sign up now.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
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Following the success of its debut event last year, LOUDER Connectis set to return on Oct. 23, 2024 at the Hong Kong Maritime Museum and Star Ferry. This year’s event will focus on responsible technology and its potential to shape a more sustainable and equitable future. Bringing together industry leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators, LOUDER Connect aims to spark meaningful conversations about how technology can serve the greater good.
The event will open with welcoming remarks from Yamilette Cano, Founder of LOUDER Global. With over two decades of experience in the entertainment industry and a passion for empowering momtrepreneurs, Yamilette will share her journey of balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship while advocating for global communication and purpose-driven leadership.
One of the event's major highlights will be the debut of the STAR FERRY RADICAL DEBATE PITCH™, which will challenge startups to present bold ideas in a high-stakes, competitive setting.
On the Main Stage, we haveCasey Lau, Founder of HKG DAO & co-host RISE, Web Summit, Collision, who will start off the RADICAL DEBATES™ on "AI and I: What is AI Doing to Me?" in the morning. Later in the day, while Hong Kong's iconic ferry traverses Victoria Harbour, Adam Thacker, Co-founder of PAKT, will lead thought-provoking discussions on "Responsible Tech: Should Social Impact Be Our First Priority?". With a diverse career that spans education, sustainability, and creative design, Casey and Adam bring a wealth of experience to the table, ensuring dynamic and insightful exchanges.
Among the featured speakers is Mandy Pao, Founder of Eloquence International and an award-winning entrepreneur. Known as the "Woman of Wellness," Mandy has worked with renowned brands like LVMH, UNESCO, and Forbes. She will share her holistic approach to brand-building and business growth, helping entrepreneurs align their ventures with purpose and values.
Naman Tekriwal, the Co-founder of Breer, a Hong Kong-based food upcycling startup, will discuss how his company transforms surplus bread into craft beer. Recognized as a Forbes 30 Under 30 Asiahonoree, Naman’s story of using sustainability to drive impactful change will resonate with those looking to turn challenges into opportunities.
Also joining the speaker lineup is Rasheed Shroff, Founder of Banyan Workspace, Hong Kong’s most eco-friendly coworking space. With over 25 years of experience in building brands and businesses across Asia-Pacific, Rasheed will share his insights on creating socially conscious enterprises that prioritize community and sustainability.
New to LOUDER Connect this year is Jessie Li, CEO and Co-founder of Relief X. A former investment banker turned AI health entrepreneur and social media influencer, Jessie is dedicated to philanthropy, empowering young girls, and challenging gender biases and has gained recognition from Insider's International Women's Day Campaign and Vogue China.
Similarly, Jodie Chan, a Google Women Techmaker Ambassador, is a SaaS product developer at Chinafy, which aims to support companies entering China markets. By night, she becomes "Joya," a Hong Kong-based independent artist and Spotify Radar HK Artist for 2024, with her music featured in major media and performances across Asia.
With a mix of networking opportunities, mentorship sessions, and engaging debates, LOUDER Connect 2024 promises to be an inspiring platform for those passionate about driving responsible tech and ethical innovation.
We're offering our readers 70% off on tickets with code LOUDERTHEBEAT. Get yours now!
For tickets, more information, news, and updates, you may visit LOUDER Connect's official website.
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ReThink 2024,Hong Kong’s most well-attended and ambitious business event for sustainable development, truly lived up to its reputation in its fifth edition this year.
Held on the 12 and 13 of September, 2024 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, the Sustainable Business Forum and Solutions Expo drew more than 8,000 attendees over two days, including over 6,000 in-person participants from 2,255 organizations, making the event a smashing success.
This year also marked the event's fourth yearofpartnership with the Business Environment Council (BEC), continuing their exclusive co-organizer role. It was inspiring to see nearly 41% of delegates involved were in board-level or sustainability lead roles, all committed to making transformative investments for their businesses.
But ReThink 2024 wasn't solely focused on business—it also supported local nonprofits, with all delegate proceeds directed to NGOs chosen by The ReThink Foundation.
Over the two days, the business ecosystem event was a hive of activity, spanning eight theatres and stages, deep-dive workshops, and stimulating roundtable discussions. Over 500 experts contributed to the sustainability discourse across more than 120 sessions.
From fresh-faced startups to Hong Kong’s largest sustainable corporations, the expo offered a rich variety of showcases, providing eco-friendly solutions by 250+ companies, and featuring a diverse range of products and services.
We chatted with many innovators, like UNIFi3D, a fashion digital transformation company reducing carbon footprints, and Materials Creation, which recycles and repurposes materials for buildings, furniture, lighting, and accessories, showcasing the diverse, sustainable, and forward-thinking approaches to community functionality in Hong Kong.
The eight theatres and stages highlighted key facets of sustainable development, addressing issues specific to various industries and job functions. This year, ReThink also launched a Smart Mobility and Transportationsection, showcasing cutting-edge low-carbon fuel solutions and innovations in sustainable infrastructure and vehicles.
A standout was Alexander Dennis’zero-emission bus, the Enviro100EV. This bus was not only roomy and modern but also boasted a small vehicle footprint, making it an excellent choice for urban environments.
Another highlight of the event was the closingGreat Debate on achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. Moderated by Brian Wong, the debate featured six guest speakers from corporates, NGOs, and business associations, and was entertaining throughout, while rigorously scrutinizing current business policies, technologies, and collaborative efforts.
ReThink concluded with a heartfelt message from Founder Chris Brown, who brought his child with him to the stage. Together they were a poignant image, aptly emphasizing the importance of taking better care of our planet for the sake of future generations.
Looking ahead, ReThink 2025 will return on September 11-12 with exciting new developments, including PAC Pavilion Roundtable Luncheons, an Innovation Pitching Stage, and an expanded Smart Mobility & Transportation sector.
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With sustainability at the forefront of discussions on Hong Kong’s development, multiple drivers have always worked to promote solutions amongst key stakeholders in the city. These efforts, however, are often solely comprised of individual parties’ objectives, lacking a unified stance and the collaboration needed to build that sustainable future we all dream of.
After arriving in the city and recognizing this gap, Chris Brown, the Founder of ReThink Hong Kong, set out on a mission to unite Hong Kong in its sustainable development efforts.
Since he founded the conference in 2019, successfully maintaining its growth throughout the global pandemic, ReThink has now become the largest sustainable business event in Hong Kong. Its 2024 edition, however, was even bigger, welcoming over 8,000 attendees to the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, Wan Chai. The event aims to not only act as a platform to support cross-business collaboration, but also support local nonprofit organizations — all proceeds from attending delegates go towards NGOs carefully selected by the ReThink Foundation.
Building on his background working in the events industry for 23 years, Chris found his calling in Hong Kong, which he has now made his lifelong mission. Facilitating discussions on sustainability is no easy task in one of the world’s financial centers which prioritizes convenience over anything, but Chris and his team have effectively engaged Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs), multinational corporations, and the local government from day one of ReThink, supporting each step the city takes towards building a circular economy.
The Beat Asia sat down with Chris to reflect on five years of positive influence in Hong Kong, celebrating progress made along the way and highlighting the important work yet to be accomplished, ReThink HK 2024, and how everyone has the power to make an impact.
Can you start off by sharing more about ReThink HK with our readers?
Rethink Hong Kong is now Hong Kong's largest, but more importantly, most ambitious and impactful business event for sustainability.
Our job is to design and host a platform that brings together the full business and impact sustainability ecosystems, like a melting pot of ideas and inspiration, to share best practices, and try and overcome challenges. To build partnerships and collaboration that support the
triple bottom line: the planet, people, and profit.
It's been a crazy journey to get to where we are. It's been hugely rewarding, creatively challenging, and stressful, but ultimately, we provide something totally different and unique that genuinely helps individuals, businesses, and the wider community to make progress towards a cleaner, greener, more equitable Hong Kong.
What led you to found ReThink HK – the city’s largest sustainable conference?
I've been working on business events for 23 years and I feel very privileged to be able to take all that experience and put it towards something good. I've done [events] for the nightclub industry, dentists, bulk transportation, and theme park owners, but to be able to do it for something so important, for a city that I absolutely love and that I want to continue to call home in the future for me and my little family, I honestly never dreamt that I'd be responsible for something like that.
I just really enjoy working on events, but it's evolved into something really special, and it's given me a purpose. This is what I might be here [for]; I've never felt so passionate or determined.
When I first came up with the idea [for ReThink] and was soliciting ideas and feedback, there were comments like ‘Oh, we don't need another sustainability event,’ and that was in 2019. What people really meant to say is ‘We just don't want another [bad] sustainability event.’ So we broke down [what was going wrong and] identified what people want and need from a sustainability event.
Right from the beginning, it was designed and influenced by heavyweight sustainability leaders or practitioners, and some very influential Hong Kong organizations. A lot of them are now our big sponsors, partners, and strategic advisors.
[ReThink is] their annual festival for everyone who is either directly or indirectly connected to sustainability or sustainable transition for their business.
Our event provides an open, accessible, neutral platform, and people see a lot of value in [that]. There are no barriers. If you’re able to contribute, doesn't necessarily mean financially, then there's a seat for you at the ReThink table. If you can help raise awareness, help people understand how to really prove that business case, you can demonstrate that you're doing it, how you've done it, and the difference it's making, then we will find a seat for you somewhere in the event.
Can you share more about the ReThink Foundation?
The first two years [of ReThink HK] was [during] COVID-19 and [we received] cash donations for charities who needed extra [funds] to keep supporting [their causes].
Then the projection for the delegate revenue as we moved to the Convention Centre, started to get quite [substantial]. Alongside that, I was getting approached by NGOs [asking to be a] charity partner. So, we decided that we would set up a separate entity which is called the ReThink Foundation.
So that is a not-for-profit [and] the custodian of all the delegate fees. [When] they get paid to ReThink, we transfer that to the Foundation. We have a separate board for the Foundation, and they help us assess the impact projects that get submitted. Going into our second cohort of projects, we had 84 project submissions which went down to three, so, those projects were announced at ReThink [2024].
We've already started funding them and announced them on the keynote stage. In a way, everyone in that room has contributed towards the funding of those projects, whether that's because they bought a ticket, are a sponsor, or a speaker. Everyone contributed towards the overall ReThink proposition that people want to pay to come to an event [where their] money goes to fund those projects.
Have you always had an interest in promoting circular solutions? Can you share more about your sustainability journey with us?
We always knew that running big events is inherently wasteful, but when [we were] running those events in the past, did we really think about it? [When] I moved to Hong Kong in 2015 to launch some events and that project finished, I did a bit of consultancy work in Kuala Lumpur and Shanghai, and was [using] that as an opportunity to keep working and have a rethink about what did I want to do?
I was back in Hong Kong for a couple of weeks from traveling and there were about four different things that happened over three months that if I look back, all contributed towards me going [into sustainability].
I just talk about one of them because it's slightly funny. Every Tuesday or Wednesday morning, I’d go into a restaurant for their breakfast offer. I went to the toilet [one morning] and the tap in the sink was running water. I went back and [told the server] and he said, ‘I know we're going to get it sorted out.’ I went back in the next week [and the] tap was still running. I said [to him again], ‘Has this tap been running [all week]?’ He said, [he’d] spoken to management but [they] just don't care. Me and my partner went back a few weeks later, and it had been fixed.
Reflecting on five years since you founded ReThink HK, what sustainable development have you observed in the city?
I think ReThink is a pretty useful barometer of what's happening in the sustainability space. Our job is to be near the forefront of what's happening: discussing and debating what's actually happening, as well as what should and could be happening. I hope that people see a reflection of reality in ReThink.
This core vision around proving the business case for sustainability has been challenging over the last five years; COVID-19 and the impact it had on global economies. I read a phrase recently that says we're in a sustainability recession, so that is people pulling back on investments, delaying projects, and cutting head count.
Ultimately, I think [the pandemic] was probably a good thing for sustainability awareness. Most people, and hopefully most businesses, are more aware of the fragility of existence. I hope it never happens again, but if you do want to take some positive out of it, there was a shift in human consciousness.
In addition to that, let’s celebrate some of the direct impact ReThink HK has had on the city. What are some notable milestones for you?
How we measure success [is because] we're still traditional in terms of what we are, a big expo conference. So, how many people attend, how many sponsors there are, and what do the surveys say? But alongside that, and this is difficult to measure, is what impact does ReThink HK really have?
The more people that attend, the bigger the pot that goes to the Foundation [to support local sustainability projects], so there's an impact there, and of course, we ask our stakeholders how has coming to the event changed the way you're going to do things, but that's all pretty subjective.
So where can we make a real difference? What I really want to do is change the way events are run in Hong Kong. I want to put pressure on my peers within the trade and expo industry and hold the lens up to them.
We try to be this best example; we have our own internal sustainability expert who's helping to run the event as sustainably as possible, measure everything, rapport, and disclose everything. Our goal is that, after this year's event, we will set our first [sustainability] targets.
A major barrier to Hong Kong’s sustainability journey is its import dependent economy. How do you foresee the city working to transform into a more circular model?
The way Hong Kong is traditionally operated is it’s market-led, so business leads the way, and at the point where they need or require government intervention or government support policy, the government will respond and provide that pathway forward. From a sustainability perspective, five years ago, that was still very much the way things were working. But with the government setting a 2050 Target, that really put the focus on the four key areas of the decarbonization of Hong Kong: buildings, transport, energy, and waste.
There’s been a lot of media in the last weeks from South Korea about how they now recycle 97% of their food waste. It is phenomenal. Now, it didn't happen overnight, but a clear vision and investment [was required] for that to happen. And I think that's what the sustainability sector is looking for here.
An impressive achievement at ReThink has been your continued partnerships with large corporations, including HSBC, JLL, Lufthansa Group, etc. Although their participation is crucial, how do you hold these large businesses accountable for their greater impact or lack of sustainability initiatives compared to the scale of their operations?
Fundamentally, I believe that the impact, the outcomes, and the progress that ReThink helps to facilitate is real. In order for us to do that and continue to build on it, we need commercial support.
What we can do is ensure that those sponsors do not use the platform to gloss over the issues that they're facing. You can probably imagine that some financial institutions have to be very careful about who they put on stage and who can say what. But we make them very aware that we are not going to control or restrict the discussion to protect them.
Because we're not a membership organization, we have editorial neutrality. Our job is to host the discussion. And we've done a good job of that.
What were the highlights of the 2024 edition of ReThink HK?
This is a really hard one because we put so much time, effort, and care into designing [the event]. It’s like going to a one-day conference but there's eight of them happening in the same room at the same time. The highlight, hopefully, is that someone came for half a day, a day, or two days, and built their own snapshot of sustainability in Hong Kong. I truly hope that everyone took at least something away with them.
If [I were] to pick one thing, I'm going to have to go with something that was totally new this year: the closing debate.
All the programs ended earlier than normal, and we closed the event on the main stage with a debate. Hopefully, that provided an element of ceremony and provided the audience with something lively, but thought-provoking. There was also a live vote before and after the debate on whether the attendees at ReThink believe that we have a credible path to carbon neutrality.
What is an effective and achievable goal businesses can start to apply today to become more sustainable in their operations?
If you are thinking about it, and you're starting to put the wheels in motion to do something about it, there is probably someone else who is either in exactly the same position as you, or a few steps ahead.
There will be others, in very close proximity to you, that will have already started that journey. They may not have made much progress, or they could be a step ahead of you, and I promise, if you reach out to them, they'll be very grateful that there's someone else out there who's thinking about the same challenges that they are.
You know who your competitors and suppliers are, you know your customers are all interlinked. You all have this Venn diagram of challenges, and it's so much easier than doing it on your own.
What’s next for Hong Kong?
Hong Kong has a proven history of being able to adapt and I don't think that'll be any different for sustainability. The pace of transition might be slower than is required, but there will be an inflection point, and I think as Hong Kong has proven many times in in the past throughout its history, there will be a real call to arms from businesses if Hong Kong starts losing out in certain areas.
You'll get a response. It will all come together, and there will be a point when it will change, and when it does, it will change quickly.
That's why, I'm committed to Hong Kong. That's why I'm hugely excited about the future for ReThink, and to be a key touch point in that transition process around sustainability, but also other areas of transformation as well.
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Here in Hong Kong, where everything is constantly moving, finding the right workspace can be a game-changer. Whether you're on the lookout for quiet spots to focus or a dynamic environment to meet people and build connections, the city always has something to offer.
Curious to find your next workspace? Here's a guide to some of the best co-working spaces in Hong Kong:
The Hive
One of Hong Kong’s most popular co-working networks, the Hive boasts multiple locations across the city. Known for its creative, laid-back vibe, it caters to entrepreneurs, digital nomads, and freelancers. Members can access spacious workstations, meeting rooms, and even rooftop lounges. the Hive also organizes regular social events and workshops, making it easy to connect with like-minded professionals.
Location: the Hive, Multiple Locations in Hong Kong
Eaton Club
Seeking a more upscale and professional setting? Eaton Club offers a unique “work club” environment. This hybrid co-working space is perfect for executives and businesses looking for private offices and meeting rooms. Its elegant design, professional services, and networking opportunities make it stand out. Eaton Club is especially popular among financial and legal professionals.
Location: Eaton Club, Multiple Locations in Hong Kong
The Women's Lounge
The Women's Lounge, a female-focused co-working space was co-founded by Sarah Vee, offering an empowering community to women entrepreneurs and professionals. The space features a contemporary design that offers both private and shared workspaces. They also host networking events, workshops, and wellness programs aimed at supporting women in business.
Location: The Women's Lounge, 12/F, 88 Des Voeux Road, Central, Hong Kong
ATLASPACE
ATLASPACE, a premium workspace located where the heart of Kowloon is, boasts a panoramic view of Victoria Harbour. While they offer flexible membership plans for teams of all sizes, their state-of-the-art conference rooms and communal lounges make it an ideal shared workspace for those looking for high-end facilities.
Location:ATLASPACE, 10 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong
Banyan Workspace
A boutique co-working space known for its sustainability initiatives; Banyan Workspace offers an escape from the hustle of the city. Located in Quarry Bay, this co-working space is filled with natural light and greenery, creating a calm and inspiring environment. Beyond the aesthetics, Banyan Workspace champions social enterprises and sustainable practices, making it the perfect choice for those who value both productivity and purpose.
Location: Banyan Workspace, Suite 1204, Eastern Harbour Centre, Quarry Bay, Hong Kong
Garage Society
A trendy shared space with both locations in Hong Kong Island and Kowloon, Garage Society caters to freelancers, start-ups, and established businesses alike. It offers flexible hot desks, dedicated desks, and private offices and also host community events, including networking nights and industry talks.
Location: Garage Society, Multiple Locations in Hong Kong
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Hong Kong is a foodie’s paradise. At every street corner, diners are enticed by degustation: from the nondescript mom-and-pop bakery to the dynamic neon signages of bars at Lan Kwai. Shirley Kwok, who has managed to find her own niche as an F&B “momtrepreneur,” is among the many Hong Kongers who love to eat – but Shirley approaches this differently, and much more mindfully.
“[Becoming a mother] made me even more passionate about healthy living and nutrition,” she mused. “I wanted to ensure my daughter had the best start in life, which meant focusing on what we ate.” Since then, she’s shifted careers, willfully focusing on baking while taking a step back from her former position as a banker.
Though she describes the decision as a “difficult” one, it seems to have been well worth it. Since her default to baking, Shirley has founded White Owl Group, under which she helms four brands. There’s The Cakery, a “wellness-forward bakery” in Hong Kong, Keeping It Real & Raw (KIRR), an e-commerce platform for plant-based food, skincare, and sustainable fashion, Maya, a vegan bakery and bar in Quarry Bay (with a new joint story with The Cakery at IFC), and Cultured, a brand that offers fermented vegan cheese and pantry staples.
Her offerings are unique and exciting. Take Maya’s egg tarts, which have been renamed as "Not Egg Tart," come in flavors such as classic and milk tea, or Cultured’s fermented vegan cheese flavors that include smoked applewood cheddar. Each of these is not only delicious, offering complex flavor profiles that are as delightful as they sound, but they’re also a great alternative for the health-conscious.
“Sustainability and health have become increasingly important to Hong Kongers,” observed Shirley. “But there can be some confusion between the two concepts. Many assume that plant-based products are inherently healthy; however, it’s essential to recognize that not all plant-based options are created equal. In fact, some are highly processed.”
Her promise then, becomes this: honest ingredients, customizable products, and plenty of support for those on their wellness journey. “I love to push the boundaries of traditional recipes, especially when it comes to creating healthier and more sustainable options or incorporating Asian ingredients that are close to my heart,” she added.
Aside from sheer talent, Shirley credits her team as a huge factor in her success. All her team members are passionate about wellness and committed to excellence. “This keeps customers happy and coming back,” the leader noted. “It's also important to build a team that works well together, supports each other, and is creative.”
Of course, balancing all her responsibilities as an entrepreneur has come hand-in-hand with raising her two daughters. Arguably, her children are the reason she’s built such a solid entrepreneurial foundation. They are, after all, her raison d’etre. Currently, she’s been getting her girls to be more involved in the businesses.
“I involve my older daughter in some design and tasting work,” Shirley said. “We’re also working on a project with her on sustainability, to be launched soon. I want them to start learning from a young age while I’m also working. One stone hitting two birds!”
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Commemorating its 15th
anniversary in Hong Kong and Macau this year, gourmet food supplier Plantin Kaviari has long been a household name in the region’s finest Michelin-star and fine dining establishments, supplying only the highest quality ingredients. From truffles and caviar, to seafood
and artisanal cheeses, the brand’s portfolio represents only the most premium vendors.
Always placing the quality of their products and service to their prestigious clientele first, 2024 marks 15 years of culinary excellence for Plantin Kaviari.
Diving into the gourmet brand’s path to success, The Beat Asia sat down with General ManagerMickael Riou to explore their luxury product range, important milestones, and core values, and look toward an exciting future for Hong Kong’s Food and Beverages (F&B) industry.
Boasting a 10-year history with Plantin Kaviari himself, Mickael first came to Hong Kong in 2014 as an intern, and today leads the company by example through his commitment to the quality of their products and premier service offerings.
Mickael’s strong relationship with Plantin Kaviari’s vendors and clientele is evident as he looks back on his favorite memories personally bringing chefs from Asia to France to meet the eponymous founders behind the brand.
He speaks highly of his team, vendors, clientele, and shareholders, placing hospitality and relationship-building first. This way, Plantin Kaviari has been able to continue to grow its reputation as a premier curator of luxury food and beverages, artfully expanding their offerings through a small number of handpicked vendors.
Read on to explore Mickael’s journey growing Plantin Kaviari, sustainability initiatives, advice for F&B professionals, and a vibrant future ahead for the gourmet supplier.
Can you share your journey coming to work with Plantin Kaviari?
I was in business school in my hometown in France [where] I studied for a Masters in International Business Development and had the chance to join Plantin Kaviari for my last internship of six months. I was feeling really good in Hong Kong and loved the company since the beginning, [so] this is how [I] started.
10 years later, I'm still here, the General Manager of the company, thanks to the trust that our shareholders in France have in us in Hong Kong! I love Hong Kong and really wish to stay for 10 more years.
What initial market gap was Plantin Kaviari trying to fill?
I think “market gap” is a big word because Hong Kong food lovers have the chance to travel a lot and discover [many] products. But we understood 15 years ago that the truffle market and caviar were really interesting to chefs, and there was demand. Of course, this was 15 years ago, and now it’s not the same. Now, the demand is growing because people are more familiar with our products.
So, to be humble, we didn’t try to fill any market gaps. We understood that there is a market and from the beginning, we tried to import a beautiful product to Hong Kong [and] give good services to our customers. This is very important, from how we started to how we [operate] today.
Plantin Kaviari has legendary status in Hong Kong and across Asia, distributing to many of the city’s renowned fine dining and Michelin-star establishments. How did you build these relationships over the years?
Again, it’s the trust that we got from chefs that built our reputation. We had the chance to build trust with many Michelin-star, fine dining, private clubs, and also casinos because we export to Macau. The most important thing is when you say something, you do it, and it's the philosophy of this company: it’s very important for us to deliver the best service in town.
Everybody can have beautiful products, in France, Japan, Australia, etc., but in the end, the strength of a company is to be reactive, flexible, and work closely with our chefs. And that is how we built a relationship over the years, because we are known to do what we say.
Chefs and private customers know us thanks to our products, but also thanks to our team who is very involved; everybody is very important and gives the best to the company.
What is Gourmet en Provence, Plantin Kaviari’s parent company’s mission?
The vision is clear [for] Plantin Kaviari and the shareholders of the company: we want to push across all the brands, and we want to be known for truffle and caviar first. The vision is to continue what we [have been] doing for 15 years.
As we see, Hong Kong’s F&B market is changing, so the vision is to keep our market share and our level of service, and let's see what [more] we can bring.
This is the most important, then we’re going to launch a sustainable program to recycle our caviar tins, give [them] a second life, [give] back to our customers, and then once a month we collect [them] back.
Then we want to do something as they do in Paris at Plantin Kaviari, build art with the tins. Our target is to organize a charity dinner and give the money collected from the dinner to a charity in Hong Kong.
What steps do you take to guarantee the quality of products provided by your vendors?
There are two things, there is the ISO certificate that we got for the past six years, then also the relationship we have with our suppliers — this is very important.
The reason that we don't have 100 suppliers: our philosophy is to work with one supplier for one family of products. If possible, visit them in France, understand how they work, and select the products together for the Hong Kong market. Also, welcome them to Hong Kong to promote their products. We are the middleman, but we want our suppliers to work very closely with our customers.
With ethical sourcing and sustainability in mind, what does Plantin Kaviari do to enforce conscious practices throughout your supply chain?
We do our best at all levels, from recycling paper at the office to using recycled paper to make our business cards. But also when we do our daily deliveries to our private customers, we use recyclable cartons, and all the customers are invited upon the delivery to give us back [the boxes] to give [them] a second life.
Of course at our level, it is very important to [lead] our team by example. So we do a lot of internal training to teach and educate our team that we need to respect the world's nature as much as we can.
Congratulations on Plantin Kaviari celebrating its 15th anniversary in Hong Kong this year! What was a challenge you overcame along the way?
The main challenge I would say is logistics, to be different with our services, and consistency.
The challenge, as always, is to build trust with our customers. In France, service makes a difference. You have many food suppliers in Hong Kong from everywhere in the world and if you want to make a difference, it’s flexibility and reactivity.
Of course, we have some challenges with logistics, because the only things we cannot control are flights, sometimes they can be delayed or canceled. But in the end, the restaurants and our private customers still need the food.
On top of that, what’s a memorable experience in Plantin Kaviari’s rich history you’d love to commemorate?
In our industry, we have a lot of moments of sharing products and nice [memories]. We call F&B a “sharing industry.” We have a lot of moments, but I think [a memorable] experience is when we bring Hong Kong and Macau chefs to Paris to visit our Caviar Museum and be welcomed by Raphaël Bouchez, the Founder of Kaviari with Jacques Nebot.
And also taking the train together [afterward] with the chefs, to go to Plantin, in Provence and be welcomed by Christopher Poron
and Nicolas Rouhier to visit the truffle market.
So in five days, you are in Hong Kong, a city of seven million people, then you arrive in Paris, also a big city, and then you end up in a village of less than one thousand in the middle of nowhere to visit the truffle [market]. This is one of the best moments that we share with our customers.
After, it means a lot when there is a 50 Best
and Michelin-star Gala because we know that it's very important for chefs but also even if on a small level, we are a part of the team.
We have to deliver the best products to them to make sure that they can elevate their cuisine.
Do you have a main takeaway to share with aspiring F&B entrepreneurs?
I think it’s only one word: consistency.
When you are consistent, you get the trust of your guests, and the guests will come back to you. I think all industries are like this, but particularly in F&B, if one day you like one dish, you will want to come back and have the same memories you had the first time you had been to the restaurant, so consistency is the key to success.
For chefs and restaurant owners, what advice do you have for sourcing the finest quality ingredients?
While advice [should not come from] me because it’s a chef’s job to find the best products, I would say that the trust you have with your suppliers is very important. When you have trust, build a relationship, and have clear communication, this is very important.
Personally as the supplier, never let down your customers. If there is any issue, always find a solution and take care of the customer. We have one philosophy at Plantin Kaviari — when there are people who contact us to get our catalogue, we never send the catalogue. We are always delighted to catch up for a coffee and explain what we do, [who we are], and it's always nice to put a face to your supplier.
Communication is the most important to find the finest products. If [your] supplier doesn’t understand you, you will never get what you want.
Alternatively, for those on a budget or just opening new establishments, how do you recommend they prioritize quality in their food whilst working within financial constraints?
Understand the market, how it works from the restaurant’s point of view, but also [on the other side, how to] get supplies.
Opening a restaurant is not easy. There’s a big effort [needed] to be ready for day one. I strongly believe that you need service people, choose the right partners, and in the end, don’t forget that as a chef or restaurant manager, to operate daily, think well in advance [when sourcing ingredients], because there is not too much production in Hong Kong.
What’s next for Plantin Kaviari?
First, sustainability, and working with the same team — we are growing together as the company is growing.
Hopefully, F&B in Hong Kong will shine again, we will be able to do more events or more projects, such as the recycled caviar tin sustainable [program].
But also, we have the chance to organize Four Hands with our chef partners that we have got the trust from for many years. Next will be more events, to [demonstrate] that we are really active in the Hong Kong market.
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In honor of Taikoo Place’s most recent exciting initiative– the installation of Hong Kong Island’s first full-scale professional padel court in the center of their global business district! We were fortunate to catch up with the development’s General Manager, Winsze Chung, to get to the heart of the PROJECT AFTER 6: Padel Tour 2024 program Taikoo Place launched in partnership with PADEL+ HK and adidas.
You may have heard of the popular up-and-coming sport but never had the chance to try it out – and this is your opportunity! Originating from Mexico in the mid-1900s, the racquet sport has grown in popularity across Asia post-pandemic. Loved for its social nature and accessibility, padel is the perfect sport for busy Hong Kongers seeking efficient and fun workouts.
Initiatives like the Padel Tour are what define Taikoo Place as an arts and culture hub in the city and spearheading countless wellness and culture initiatives driving not only tenant engagement, but also a growing community, is Winsze and her dedicated team. A surprising outcome for a commercial district, the clear effort they are putting into enhancing the lives of residents is evident.
So read on to hear from Winsze herself and learn about Taikoo Place’s latest initiatives, dive into PROJECT AFTER 6, more on her passion for her community, and personal advice for achieving the possible dream of work-life balance in Hong Kong.
Can you introduce us to the PROJECT AFTER 6 program?
As part of Swire Properties’ placemaking initiatives, PROJECT AFTER 6 was launched in Taikoo Place in 2014. It is a tenant engagement program offering a valuable platform that connects the office community through a series of specially curated activities at the doorstep of their workplace. The program offers a valuable platform with aims to strengthen connections between office executives by bringing art, music, sports, and entertainment into their work environments through a series of activities, while tapping into their unexplored talents.
How has Taikoo Place been working to bring more arts and culture initiatives to both tenants and the general public?
The Taikoo Place team has curated many different types of arts and culture programs over the years and we always make sure they are entertaining, engaging, and approachable to attract community members with different interests to take part.
One of my recent favorites was PROJECT AFTER 6: Mou Man Tai, a Hong Kong-themed original English musical production co-presented by Taikoo Place and the Hong Kong Youth Arts Foundation that debuted in ArtisTree in June 2023. What’s so special about the production was that through an audition, we carefully selected a cast of 33 working professionals who devoted their time and effort to be theatre-trained, and ultimately perform 11 professional live shows. In particular, Mou Man Tai was shown at the time when social distancing and pandemic measures were just lifted, so people were longing for a get-together. The story was also crafted around the enduring spirit of our Hong Kong community so it [resonated well with] the audiences.
Apart from PROJECT AFTER 6, Taikoo Place is also equipped with ArtisTree, a 7,000 sq ft multipurpose venue with professional theatre-standard lighting and audio, which has [showcased] a diverse range of original works since its launch in 2008. ‘ArtisTree Selects’ is a series of specially curated programs presented by Taikoo Place, showcasing unique works by local and international artists. A recent exhibition was ArtisTree Selects: Enchanted Forest, a site-specific collaboration with the internationally acclaimed artist Joana Vasconcelos, who is known for her traditional handicraft large-scale sculptures and installations and her collaboration with Dior’s Fall Winter 23/24 Haute Couture collection show.
What is the importance of such initiatives / How does Taikoo Place stand out because of this?
Our team is very motivated to introduce unique and exciting programs because Taikoo Place places a huge emphasis on work-life harmony and creating a vibrant community. We do not want to stop at just ‘promoting’ work-life harmony but want to go one step further by ‘empowering’ our tenants by giving them the right platform to achieve it as well, which in the long-run would have a positive impact on work productivity and a more integrated community.
We believe these beyond-the-office experiences set us apart as we continue to develop Taikoo Place into a Global Business District.
How would you describe the community you are building at Taikoo Place?
Taikoo Place is home to a vibrant, diverse, and well-rounded community of over 35,000 office workers. As a Global Business District, Taikoo Place hosts a wide range of tenants from various industries and sectors, including many local and international corporations and individuals.
Seeing the success and enthusiastic participation in our PROJECT AFTER 6 programs, I am so impressed with the many talents of our office community here in Taikoo Place, beyond their 9-to-5 roles. Furthermore, many of our community events are also organized in collaboration with charitable partners, enabling the community to give back while having fun. For instance, we held an 8-Hour Charity Spin last November to raise funds for the InspiringHK Sports Foundation, which I also participated in to lead our Taikoo Place team, and together we raised over HKD$300,000!
How does your community set itself apart from other business districts in Hong Kong?
Taikoo Place not only provides premium office spaces, but also the unique physical connectivity among our buildings and amenities through air-conditioned elevated walkways. Furthermore, we have just completed the 70,000 sq. ft. central open green space with diverse species of trees and plants at the center of Taikoo Place, which is very distinctive in the urban landscape.
On top of that, setting a unique standard within Hong Kong’s business landscape, we care for our tenants not just in terms of professional success, but also in their personal and social pursuits. The placemaking initiatives as well as all the tenant engagement activities such as the Taikoo Place Business Network, PROJECT AFTER 6, Wellness Month, and ArtisTree Selects programs, etc. set us apart from other Hong Kong business districts. To us and our community, Taikoo Place is much more than a workplace, but a great place to be beyond work.
Congratulations on recently launching the Padel Tour 2024 initiative alongside PADEL+ and adidas! Not only is the pop-up court available for tenants to enjoy, but this generous program is also open to the public. What was the inspiration behind this?
The inspiration behind the Padel Tour 2024 was to introduce an exciting new sport to the community to promote a more well-rounded lifestyle, one that infuses wellness, social connection and a shared passion for this dynamic sport. Padel is a globally trending racquet sport that combines elements of tennis and squash. It is highly accessible and social in nature. It is also less physically demanding compared to similar sports and can be enjoyed by players of all ages and skill levels.
Installing the first professional padel court right in the heart of Hong Kong Island and our business district was no small feat, but we were determined to make this trending sport conveniently accessible to our community and inject a fresh, unexpected element into the neighborhood.
To give the most professional padel experience to our community, we also enlisted the expertise of professionals in the field including adidas, providing top-of-the-line sports gear for participants, and Hong Kong’s first premier padel club PADEL+, offering professional padel coaching services. Our partners’ generous support has helped enrich the overall experience and allowed us to reach a larger public audience.
How does your unique community make initiatives like Padel Tour 2024 possible?
The diverse talents and collaborative spirit of the Taikoo Place community are what make initiatives like Padel Tour 2024 possible. By working with a range of the city’s most professional partners such as adidas and PADEL+, we are able to bring fun and varied activities that cater to the varied interests of our tenants and visitors.
On a personal level, why do you believe in giving back to our community?
Taikoo Place is situated in Quarry Bay within which Swire Properties has a rich history in the area. We creatively transformed the area through our placemaking and place keeping strategies from the sugar refinery, to the dockyard, then to the Taikoo Shing residential estates, and the global business district of Taikoo Place.
For me personally, it was my first job in Swire Properties, and this district is also where I was born and grew up in. Hence, I have a strong emotional tie with the area as well as with all the developments here. It’s so amazing to see the areas being transformed gradually through the long-term strategic planning as well as detailed design to bring market leading best practices, premier quality infrastructures, ESG initiatives into fruition, and to operate and maintain them with the highest level of service. It’s exciting to be part of the team “running” the portfolio, and it’s equally rewarding to be a part of the community enjoying it. Hence, our team and I are really motivated in curating the best experience for our clients and the community.
How does Taikoo Place uphold CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) values both internally and externally?
The entire Taikoo Place project has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from a former sugar refinery, a dockyard, into a meticulously planned Global Business District with a heavy focus on sustainable development. To give a bit of background, the redevelopment involved converting three techno-centers into two Grade-A office buildings, while also introducing approximately 70,000 sq ft of expansive green open spaces.
As the General Manager, I'm committed to enhancing the overall well-being of the Taikoo Place community and fostering a sustainable, balanced workplace environment. We work to uphold these values across internal and external operations and strive to be responsible corporate citizens that create lasting, meaningful impact.
PROJECT AFTER 6 and art programs such as ArtisTree aim to create a positive impact on our community by encouraging social connections and holistic work-life integration. These programs not only enrich the experiences of our tenants, but also contribute positively to the wider Hong Kong community, aligning with Swire Properties' broader placemaking and Sustainable Development 2030 Strategy.
What advice do you have for busy Hong Kongers who are having difficulty separating from work and practicing self-care?
Hong Kongers are a hardworking bunch, so I know from personal experience that it is almost impossible to set clear boundaries between work and leisure. Instead, I would recommend trying to find leisure in your working environment. For example, in Taikoo Place, it’s easy to utilize your lunch hour for a quick workout if exercising is your way of destressing; take a walk in our open space to appreciate the greenery around you; join our lunchtime music performances, art exhibitions or urban farming workshops. What’s more, the many F&B dining outlets and alfresco options in Taikoo Place would also be perfect for a lunch, coffee catch up or happy hours! Even something as simple as dedicating just half an hour each day to a hobby can make a big difference.
Work-life harmony is not as far-fetched as it once was, as our community places more and more [emphasis] on holistic wellbeing. The key is to be disciplined about prioritizing that time, and with a little bit of planning and commitment, busy Hong Kongers can find ways to better balance the demands of their careers and personal fulfillment.
Thank you for sharing! What’s next for the Padel Tour 2024, PROJECT AFTER 6, and Taikoo Place?
Over the past months, we have been hosting some 101 Padel Discovery Workshops for our community with the coaching support from our partner PADEL+. In June, we launched our first Taikoo Place Padel Tournament exclusive to tenants. We will also be running workshops such asPadel with Beer to promote padel as a social lifestyle and appeal to our fun-loving community.
We have a lot of other out-of-the-box programs we will be rolling out later this year in Taikoo Place. I encourage everyone to stay tuned with us on our Instagram @taikooplace_hk!
The full-scale padel court is open to the public daily until mid-October 2024 and bookings can be placed via the Taikoo Place App.
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