Cover Cathy Feliciano-Chon (Photo: Supplied)
Cathy Feliciano-Chon (Photo: Supplied)
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In this edition of Tatler’s Secrets of Success series—the all-access pass to Hong Kong’s most notable business magnates and entrepreneurs—communications expert Cathy Feliciano-Chon spills the beans on what it takes to be successful
Cathy Feliciano-Chon admits to being an introvert, but you’d never know it. Her sharp wit, appetite for good conversation and no-nonsense approach to her work have made her a leader in world of public relations. Her organisation, CatchOn and Company, has helped shape some of the biggest brands in the city, including the Mandarin Oriental and Black Sheep Restaurants, among an array of others since its inception in 1997. From conceptualising brands to organising events, to conducting industry research, Feliciano-Chon does it all.
In 2019, CatchOn joined forces with Finn Partners, a global PR and marketing agency with a footprint in 19 cities across three continents. As well as offices in Hong Kong and Shanghai, her company opened a new outpost in Beijing this month. She tells Tatler about how her business influences public sentiment, and how diversity is key to her company’s success.
Describe what you do in one sentence.
I help people and brands tell their stories.
How does your business make a difference?
Whatever we read or react to, everything that happens around us, whether it’s some seemingly innocuous incident or a global event, has the hand of PR and communications behind it. That’s how pervasive and powerful our work can be, crafting narratives behind the scenes, communicating issues and influencing public sentiment. So if you’re not guided by ethics and a sense of moral purpose, it can be dubious or disastrous.
What do you put your success down to?
Grit, integrity and creativity.
What are the top three ingredients for a successful business?
A work culture that thrives on diverse talents. Bold leadership. And as we’ve learnt from this pandemic, operational practices that engender resilience and agility.
Do you have any mentors? If so, who are they and what is the best piece of advice they have given you?
My parents. My father was a deep thinker who had no patience for casual talk so you can imagine what our dinner table was like. He always encouraged us to speak with intention and choose our words carefully. I used to find this to be torturous but now appreciate the discipline it instilled in me. Then there’s my mom, who has imparted too many life lessons to fit on one page. I also had a law professor—not really a ‘mentor’ per se—but he said something that stayed with me: “Diplomacy is telling someone to go to hell and making them look forward to it.” How the most unsavoury news can have positive outcomes if relayed in the right context. And lastly, the founders of the company I worked for in Los Angeles, John Sebastian and Geri Cusenza, who always encouraged me to go bold, believe that anything is possible and not to fear failure. It sounds like a cliché, but this mindset is really the basis for inspiring leadership.
What qualities do you look for in a potential employee?
The same as the answer to question three: grit, integrity, creativity.
What has been your biggest career obstacle to date? How did you overcome it?
Not being able to speak Mandarin or Cantonese while running a business in Hong Kong and Shanghai. There’s no way to compensate for this, except that I’ve become really good at reading people.
Do you have any business regrets? If so, what?
No major ones; more minor ones. Like I wish I said “no” more often.
How do you plan to develop your business over the next five years?
Continue to develop and invest in the next generation of talent. Build Finn Partners’ China and Asia presence. We just opened our Beijing office this month, in addition to [our office in] Shanghai. We will grow our capabilities into new sectors like health and technology.
What is one surprising thing about you that most people don’t know?
Hold on to your seat but, deep down, I’m really an introvert although I’ve learnt to be a high-functioning social one.
See also: Secrets Of Success with Nicholas Ho, Chairman of Ho & Partners Architects
Learn more about Hong Kong's most influential individuals here.
As Content Director at Tatler Hong Kong, Tara shapes the brand's editorial vision across social, digital and print, and reports on Asia's most influential figures — from CEOs and leaders across business, style and the arts. In her dual role as Head of VIP, she also drives the planning and execution of Tatler's flagship IPs, curating star-studded events and building the relationships and communities that define the brand. Born and raised in the Middle East, she honed her craft in Dubai, crafting communication strategies for luxury brands across the Gulf. Follow her on Instagram @tarasobti.
