How has your business made a difference to Hong Kong?

Humbly speaking, [the venues] had a small part to play [in the success of Hong Kong’s nightlife scene]. In the 1980s, all Hong Kong’s expats were bankers or CEOs, but in the early 2000s­—2005, 2006 and especially 2007— there was a big influx of different expats­, like hairdressers and fashion designers, who came here to stay. Champagne culture became a thing, and younger Hong Kong kids who studied abroad in London or New York and who vacationed in Mykonos and Paris were coming back to live in Hong Kong post-university. They already understood nightlife culture. So, we got very lucky. Everything just came at the right time.

Do you have any mentors? If so, who are they and what is the best piece of advice they have given you?

In the nightlife space, Allan Zeman has always been my mentor. Lincoln Cheng from Zouk inspired me a lot. I’ve been a big fan of his work since the mid-1990s. Alan Yau from Hakkasan was the one who put Chinese restaurants in a sexy sector. Back in the day, when you thought of Chinese food [outside Hong Kong], you’d think of a dirty Chinatown restaurant with a wet floor, but Alan put Chinese food on the map. Louie Vega is my favourite DJ.

If you're talking about life mentors, then it’d be my father Albert. He inspired me a lot. It takes vision and strength to be successful. You can only fluke success for a short period of time. With long-term success, there is no fluke.

What do you look for in a potential employee?

That they like me [laughs].

What has been your biggest career obstacle to date? How did you overcome it?

Obstacles? There have been many. Life is full of them and that’s part of life. In terms of hardship, we had a [robatayaki grill] project called Busy Suzy in Tsim Sha Tsui near 1881 Heritage that didn’t work. We invested a lot of time and love into it, and it was so painful. But no pain, no gain. I don’t want to sound like a grandfather, but I’ve always said that when you’re in your 20s and 30s, it’s really good to have hardship. It teaches you a lot.

Also, this pandemic has been the biggest obstacle. We are still trying to overcome it. During Covid-19, I learnt a lot. I became more humble, more grateful and more appreciative of what we have right now. When we are doing well, we always want more and more. But Covid-19 taught me to be content with what my career has offered me so far.

Do you have any business regrets? If so, what?

I don’t have any regrets. Whatever has happened in the past is a lesson.

How do you plan to develop your business over the next five years?

I have many ideas in my mind because I always like to be innovative and inspired. But at the moment, I have to stay put and not be too ambitious. The market is still uncertain in Hong Kong. When the timing is right and the opportunity arises, I will bring new concepts to life.

How have you evolved over the years?

I only started to change when my daughter was born seven years ago. I was standing at the back of the delivery room at Adventist Hospital and was speechless. Since that day, my lifestyle and values have changed. Instead of watching E! Entertainment, I started to watch the Discovery Channel, National Geographic and the BBC. It’s so funny! I started taking care of myself, too. I stopped eating beef and pork, and I learnt to be gentle with myself. In my opinion, the biggest issue right now is mental health. So many people are stressed and have anxiety. [Since her birth] I’ve become calmer, more content and more compassionate towards people.

What is one surprising thing about you that most people don’t know?

I love a good foot massage. Obviously at 10 Feet Tall because it’s mine [laughs].

 

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