*Note: We've made some necessary adjustments to some typos.*
If you've been keeping up with our journey, you know that we're all about creating a vibrant and supportive community. Today, we want to take a moment to express our sincerest, deepest gratitude to our first-ever exhibitors who have showcased their amazing offerings in our Exhibitors Gallery 🥹. Their participation and support has truly made our gallery come alive with creativity, inspiration, and a celebration of women-led businesses. We believe that recognising and uplifting the achievements (plus their hard-work and dedication!!) of women entrepreneurs is crucial in fostering their growth and encouraging others to believe in themselves.
So, in true Women of Hong Kong fashion, we're tearing down the façade and diving headfirst into the depths of reality. We refuse to settle for surface-level narratives; instead, we're hungry for the raw, unfiltered truth, and to do so, we will be asking our exhibitors a series of thought-provoking questions. It is with immense pride and gratitude that we introduce you to our inaugural exhibitors—
Not the actual photo of me at this very moment, but close enough! - Faith Baguisa
The Exhibitors
CIRCLE - FRIENDS - DYNAMIC - EMPOWERMENT - SUPPORT - FUTURE - CONNECTIVITY - LEARN - INCLUSIVE - PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT - BEAUTIFUL - CONNECTION - PEOPLE-ORIENTED - FLOURISH - NURTURE - PASSION - BELONGINGNESS - ENERGY - GAME-CHANGER - CO-CREATION - SISTERHOOD - WELCOMING - CLARITY - GROWTH - COMMUNITY - HOME - SAFE - FAMILY - INSPIRATION - SUPPORTIVE - SOLIDARITY
For someone pursuing their passion, what advice would you give?
Trust your instincts and surround yourself with people who support you.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Supportive.
Teodora Lazarova
How do you maintain a positive mindset in challenging situations?
Show up and be your authentic self. Genuinely spend the time and actively listen, to get to know the individuals and at a meaningful level to built a rapport. It doesn’t always have to be transactional.
What's the best advice you can give for effective networking and building meaningful connections?
When a challenging situation arises, I will meditate - that helps me to eliminate any negativity, to reset and stay focused on my priorities. This state gives me a clean perspective to all the resources that’s available to me to tackle the challenges, giving me hope and inspiration for a new outlook. I also reflect on my achievements and I do give myself a tap on my shoulder to celebrate them 🥰.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
SOLIDARITY. ♥️
Samanthi Rambukpotha
What about your business do you love most?
What I love the most about my jewellery business is the ability to create pieces that hold sentimental value and meaning for our customers. Jewellery has the power to mark special occasions, celebrate milestones, and express emotions in a unique and timeless way. I love seeing the happiness that our creations bring to our customers. Additionally, I am passionate about the creativity and craftsmanship that goes into designing and producing each piece, ensuring that it reflects the beauty and individuality of the wearer.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Inspiration.
Hoey Ho
If you could share one crucial piece of advice with individuals who are dedicated to pursuing their passion, what would it be?
One piece of advice would be to ignore the noise and just GO for it! There should be nothing holding you back when you’re going after ur dreams
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
WOHK = Family ❤️ (safe, home, community, couldn't pick one!)
Natasha Moor
What's the most valuable lesson your parents taught you?
My parents taught me honesty, kindness and to work hard.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Growth.
Lidwina
What's the most valuable lesson you've learned about overcoming self-doubt?
How you talk to yourself and treat yourself can bridge the gap between self-doubt and self-confidence. Back then, if I get criticised or demotivated about something, I would often just agree to the feeling and continue that way. Now, I’m a work in progress. If my mind is giving up, I would try to argue or fight it. I would tell myself “This is possible and I can do it." I'm no longer letting my thoughts or other external factors control or consume me anymore. I am the one in charge here.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Clarity. 😊
Aisha Gul
What's the best advice you can give for maintaining motivation and resilience during tough times?
The best advice I can share is to be passionate about your work and believe in the power of positive thinking. Resilience in tough times can be challenging. But I believe it’s the perfect opportunity to innovate and think out of the box - unlearn and re-learn! For me, motivation and resilience have a special meaning. During the the pandemic, my business consulting work took a back seat. I embraced change with motherhood and also harboured a deep desire to create a sustainable product line that would celebrate my Indian heritage. My passion project - Meluha Home, was thus born. It is a brand that promotes and celebrates hand block printing master artisans of India.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
WELCOMING! WOHK is like a sisterhood of entrepreneurs. It is a welcoming platform that brings together a diverse set of professionals and entrepreneurs for a common cause - building brands, growing and supporting each other.
Manisha Sharma
What's the most valuable lesson you've learnt in business?
The most valuable thing we learnt in business is that retail is not just about selling good products but also communicating & giving professional, caring service too. Customers may not remember what they bought but they will always remember the way you made them feel.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
WOHK means Co-Creating to us.
Cicy Qu (On behalf of the team)
If someone were looking into leaving the corporate world and start their own business, what advice would you give?
LOOK before you LEAP! Before you leave your stable job, it's important to thoroughly research the business you are considering. Allocate time to test your ideas and start it as a side hustle. Road to success is only possible with measured preparation and flexible planning.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Game-changer!
Jerwine Que
For aspiring entrepreneurs, what piece of advice would you give?
Partner with someone who shares your vision and goals, and possesses a skillset that complements your own. Partnership can create positive energy but also accountability.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Energy.
Nina Pahlman
What's the most valuable lesson you've learned from a setback?
Not everyone will behave the way you expect it. But be open-minded, cooperate, and then you will still reach the goal.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Belongingness.
Diamy Dong
What's the best advice you can give to someone starting their entrepreneurial journey?
My advice is to never give up. The entrepreneurship journey is not easy; it's going to test your limits but ultimately help you to grow as a person.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Women of Hong Kong is a passion.
Apeksha Mehta
What's the best advice you've received about embracing failure and learning from it?
Progress over perfection. That is the best advice I've ever received about embracing failure. Being a perfectionist, I always tend to doubt and second guess all my ideas. It was really hard for me to make progress because I had this narrative that if it is not perfect, then it is bound to fail. I lost count of the number of time I started all over because I wasn't satisfied with the results. However, In building mensō, I've learn that progress is better than perfection. Every single progress helps me acknowledge my effort, stay grounded and above all helps me be grateful for every little accomplishment, be it finishing an item on my to do list or completing a new product. I think it also boils down to balancing my expectations and the reality on the ground. I am still afraid to fail though, but now I try to give myself more grace by embracing it as part of my journey and I look forward to the lessons and funny stories.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
So many words come to my mind right now, because it is difficult to put in just one word what WOHK represents for me. But if I really have to choose only one, it will be NURTURE. I found WOHK to be like a garden with an excellent soil, full of good nutrients that help those who embrace it and are planted in it to grow and flourish.
Myriam Ouedraogo
What's the most valuable lesson you've learned about the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement?
The most valuable lesson learnt about the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement is to not be afraid to try something new and keep doing the hard stuff, whether it’s physical or mental. Also be vulnerable and ask for help, especially if you're a solo entrepreneur!
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Women of Hong Kong is inclusive. I felt this at every WOHK event and at the lounge.
Ivy Leung
What's the most valuable lesson you've learned about leveraging social media for business growth?
Social media is an essential channel for communicating our true identity to our customers. The Crystaling represents more than just selling jewelry; we are very proud of our traditional craftsmanship. Our jewellery pieces are 100% handcrafted, with natural gemstones hand-cut by our own factory
To promote the beauty of handcraft and gemstones to a wider audience, apart from locating our consignment points at hotels and private clubs, social media helps us share the stories, philosophies, values, and beliefs to our clients and receive genuine feedback from people around the world.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
In one word, I would describe WOHK as 'people-oriented’. It's a loving community that offers a lot of support, great friendships, and numerous opportunities. Every member is unique, beautiful, strong, and passionate in her own way; and WOHK always makes sure all the members feel respected and included. I feel incredibly honoured to be part of it.
Josephine Chui
What advice do you believe is the most vital for aspiring individuals to hear?
Dream big, and work hard. Cristiano Ronaldo once said in an interview “Talent is nothing without hard work.” and I’m a big believer of that.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Community. 💕
June Wong
For women navigating through industry challenges and changes, what's the best advice you could give?
My advice would be to build a strong network: Surround yourself with supportive and like-minded individuals who can offer guidance, mentorship, and opportunities. Networking can help you expand your connections, offer support and open doors to new possibilities.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Empowerment. 💪
Stephanie Zhu
What is the best thing about having your own business?
Having your own business offers freedom and flexibility, the ability to pursue your passions, unlimited potential for growth, the opportunity to make a positive impact, and personal and financial development. Though challenging, the rewards of business ownership often outweigh the difficulties.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
(Couldn't settle for one word) Being a part of WOHK means joining a supportive community that offers professional development, growth opportunities, empowerment, and advocacy for women-led businesses. It provides a platform to connect, learn, and inspire other women entrepreneurs while breaking gender barriers in entrepreneurship.
Manpreet Kaur
What's the best advice you can give for building strong professional relationships?
I believe in honesty and authenticity. Throughout my career, both as the founder of Ô Fil de Lau and in my previous life in the chemical industry, I have been able to build strong relationships with customers, suppliers, and colleagues by always being true to myself, telling the truth, and, last but not least, listening to understand their challenges or needs.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Hard to choose only one word but I finally decided to choose OPPORTUNITIES, as WOHK is the place I found the people I now work with! And they are not only my teammates, they became my friends!
Laurence Thiel
What's the most important piece of advice you would give to your younger self?
One important piece of advice I would give to my younger self is to never underestimate your worth and abilities. Believe in yourself and your dreams, and don't be afraid to take risks to achieve them.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
In one word, WOHK means "support" to me. This community provides encouragement, guidance, and a sense of belonging that empowers women to strive for their goals together.
Khristina KrasnoPolska
From your heritage, what's the most valuable lesson you've learnt?
I think being proud of my roots and showing the world who I really am, I strive to not only keep traditions alive through my designs but also through how I dress and treat people. As Colombians, we take pride in leaving a positive impression on anyone who comes into contact with us ❤️
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Future. For me, collaboration with other women and learning from all of them is the future. I think there were times when women didn't help each other, but witnessing what we can all achieve is truly inspiring and motivates me to continue doing more in the near future.
Ingrid Burgos
What's the best advice you've received about managing stress and avoiding burnout?
Having spent 30 years as a commodities broker in Singapore, I know a fair bit about stress. Now, as the founder of Chagaan Mongolian Cashmere, the stresses are different, but no less real. We are both a retailer and wholesale supplier to discerning establishments such as WOHK. I need to ensure the continued relationship with suppliers in Ulaan Bataar (including travelling to meet herders on the Steppes of Mongolia), as well as ensuring wholesale deadlines are met, as well as supplying my loyal direct customers around the world. This is not easy for a small enterprise. So, how do I de-stress?
Firstly, I do ensure that I have one day a week entirely to myself. I may go swimming and use the pool to do my stretching, or I may just tend my plants and cook - but it is my day. Secondly: Horses. I retired my polo ponies up to Thailand recently, and I go up regularly. I can work, but also I can ride on the beach and in the forest. Cantering along the sea edge at dawn is the most liberating experience and one can put aside those deadlines, for a short time at least. I can't think of a better way to start my day. Lastly - there is nothing more relaxing than to finish my day by wrapping myself in a Chagaan blanket, with a good glass of Shiraz!!
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
When thinking of Women Of Hong Kong, the word that always comes to mind is beautiful community. (Bojana - On behalf of Chagaan)
Yvonne Prendergast Twiss
CHAGAAN - Luxury Mongolian Cashmere
What's the most valuable lesson you've learned about the importance of continuous learning and self-improvement?
Meditation is medicine. Exercise is fuel. Self care recharges and restores. Learning enlightens and upgrades. Taking care of our inner world, and body as a temple, is pivotal to the quality of our life experiences and depth of connection to others.
When we learn to give to ourselves what we need from others and how to source-fully ground, we tune into a frequency of creation, setting in motion the manifestation of our dreams and reality.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
I have two words to describe Women Of Hong Kong: Connection & Contribution.
Sushma Zahira Gidwani
What's the most important piece of advice you would give to someone seeking personal growth and development?
Remember that you are more badass than you think.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Connectivity.
Selene Zie
What's the most important piece of advice you would give to someone seeking personal growth and development?
Surround yourself with positive people who lift you higher & never shy away to ask for advice.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Opportunity
Lisa Siemers
What's the best advice you've received from a mentor or role model?
Focus on your goal and truly think about it. Then plan accordingly to where you want to see yourself in the next 5 years. If something goes wrong along the way, stay on the path, pause and rethink, then start again! Give your 200%!
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Fempreneur, dynamic, vibrant.
Swati Bardia
What's the most important piece of advice you would give to someone striving for long-term business success?
When Carsten and I dreamed up Baumhaus 10 years ago, nothing like it existed in the market, and people told us it could not be done.
For the decade since then, we’ve undergone many changes and challenges, but we’ve proven that listening to YOUR instinct is important; After all, you take responsibility for your decisions, so you may as well make choices based on what you truly believe in. Having courage in your convictions and gut instinct is important; Along with your ethics and values, being brave about your choices goes a long way.
In one word, describe what Women Of Hong Kong means to you.
Does it make sense that I think of it as a “circle,” as in “a circle connecting thoughts, actions and visions within a community.”
Crisel Consuji
To explore and support our exhibitors' amazing products,
head over to our Exhibitor's Shop.
On behalf of the WOHK team,
With love and in support,
Faith Baguisa Community and Relationship Manager
Women of Hong Kong