Cover story

Apple Lee meets the fearless heroines of Hong Kong. Photography by Graham Uden The adventures of the supermoms

18 expat-parent.com Step aside, Spiderman and Batman. There’s a new breed of superheroes in town. Their superpowers? They are experts at multitasking. They are trusty organisers. Most importantly, they keep the whole family afloat while taking charge of their own businesses and careers. Just in time for International Women’s Day, we chat with nine inspiring mums in Hong Kong about juggling and finding balance in their work, family and personal time.

Tracy Fitzpatrick came to Hong Kong in 1996 – the year before the handover. At the time, she was working for a logistics company and moved abroad for a job opportunity to transfer to an overseas office. The New Zealand native made her mid-life career switch when her friend John McLennan, founder of Indigo Living, introduced her to the home design and furniture business as a consultant. She went on to become the CEO of Indigo Living, overseeing their international operations across Hong Kong, China and the

UAE. A mum of two boys, both born in Hong Kong, Fitzpatrick became a single parent when they were in early primary. Both her boys are now

embarking on the next stages of their studies while she has recently remarried, opening up a whole new chapter of her life.

What is your superpower? My ability to create order out of chaos. This starts in the morning with getting myself sorted either by running in the hills or taking a yoga class. Now that I have moved to Shek O, a swim in the ocean is an additional luxury to wake up to. Once I have a clear head, I feel ready to tackle the day ahead and face any challenges that come my way.

What is one thing that you always prioritise doing with your kids? Spending time with my boys has always been a priority. One of my fondest memories we share is our love for rugby. I remember taking them to rugby training at the crack of dawn every Sunday since they were four. I loved watching them develop their skills and teamwork over the years. And of course the Hong Kong Sevens has always had a special place in our hearts, especially watching our teams Hong Kong and the All Blacks play.

What was one thing you wish you had known when you first became a working mum? If I could go back in time when I first started working, I’d tell myself to let go of the mum guilt! While it may look like others have it all down pat, most of us feel we’re not doing enough or could be doing better. So to working mums, single mums and even stay-at-home mums out there, I’d say we are all doing the best we can, there is no singular right way and no one has it down perfect, despite what social media tells you. Let the stress and anxiety go and focus on being present. Do what is right for you and your family because we are all different and just know that you’re doing the best you can – and that’s all that matters.

Michelle Chen Founder of RARE SkinFuel

Michelle Chen launched Australianmade natural skincare brand RARE SkinFuel in 2018. Her line offers small batch skincare products made with organic ingredients that are cold-pressed for maximum potency. Chen is a lifelong beauty junkie who started using skincare products when she was 13 years old. Now at 37, she is more confident than ever going make-up free and is inspired to help other women gain confidence as they age. Born in Taiwan and raised in the US, Chen moved to Hong Kong in 2011 and lives with her husband Danny, five-year-old daughter Danica and their furry child Dan Dan.

What does your skincare routine consist of? I swear by the six holy grail products from my “Daily Ritual” set. I start by cleansing my face to remove any impurities. I refresh my skin with a light toning mist and apply serum to my eyes, lips and all over my face and neck. I use the eye and lip contouring cream and the anti-aging face cream for hydration that lasts up to 72 hours. In addition to my daily morning and night routine, I alternate between using the Detoxifying Australian Clay Mask and Restoring Australian Clay Mask to give my skin some extra love.

How do you build up your selfconfidence? Like many women, I used to be concerned about aging, but now I see age only as a number. I believe that having a good skincare routine can help boost your confidence. It helps your skin to maintain its natural glow, so you can feel good about revealing your bare skin instead of covering it up with make-up.

Can you give one piece of advice to other mums who are starting their businesses? Trust your instincts! Throughout your entrepreneurial journey, it’s easy to get distracted by negative comments about your business ideas. By staying centered and focused, you would be able to overcome the obstacles on your way towards your goal.

When Dr Alane moved to Hong Kong in 2011, she was the first and only specialist in small animal surgery to live and work in Hong Kong, a city with almost half a million pets. In the US where she was from, a city with a similar pet population has dozens of veterinary specialists across multiple disciplines. Cahalane saw the opportunity to introduce and develop specialised medicine within the pet community in Hong Kong. In 2014, she co-founded VSH with her husband Andrew to offer specialised veterinary care in surgery, internal medicine, ophthalmology and

Dr Alane Kosanovich Cahalane CEO and co-founder of Veterinary Specialty Hospital of Hong Kong

more. They have a daughter who is 11 and a son who is nine.

What inspired you to start your business?

When I first came to Hong Kong, specialised medical care hardly existed for pets. There were lots of veterinary clinics that provided a high level of care and had great equipment, but I knew that what specialists do could only complement and help to elevate the pet care that already existed here. Pet medicine is similar to human medicine. If you needed a major surgery, or had a complicated illness, you’d want to have the option of seeing a specialist for your illness or surgery, right? Well, now pets in Hong Kong can seek the same level of specialty care as humans. With a true specialty and 24-hour emergency centre in VSH, I’m excited to elevate the veterinary profession in Hong Kong and beyond through expertise, science-based medicine, open communication, honesty and trust. Any advice to someone who is thinking of getting a pet? Find a family veterinarian who you truly trust and build your relationship with them. You will need them for the lifetime of your pet to provide proactive, prophylactic healthcare – but don’t be afraid to ask for referral to a specialist if your pet is ill. Know where to find a quality 24-hour emergency care, like VSH provides. No one wants their pet to get sick, but every pet owner should know what resources they have, just in case!

What is one thing you always prioritise doing with your kids? Bedtime and wake-up time. I still snuggle them to sleep, sometimes with a book or an episode of Modern Family, sometimes to the slight detriment of their sleep time when I’ve had a late day at work, but it’s worth it, I think. And I still snuggle them awake in the morning. Even though I miss out on things as a full-time-andthen-some working mum, I bet they’ll remember all the snuggles!

Noeleen Armstrong Kish Founder of Noeleen Millinery

Irish milliner Noeleen Armstrong Kish first started making hats in 2004 when she was living in Western Australia. She often wore her own designs to horse racing events and received many high praises for them. When she moved to the US in 2009, she started taking hat-making courses and her passion for design grew from there. She founded her own millinery brand in Hong Kong in 2014 and later opened a studio and showroom in Kowloon Bay, where she makes bespoke and ready-to-wear hats for all occasions. Her plans for 2020 involve hosting more workshops. Armstrong Kish met her husband Andy in Hong Kong during the Dragon Boat Festival. They now live with 10-year-old twins, Patrick and Maggie, and a rescue dog Chieftain.

What is your best-selling hat? My local clientele prefers small to mediumsize headpieces and the silk beret style has been very popular as of late. Expats on the other hand usually go for crown and brim hats like fedoras, sailor, bowler and trilby hats. Everyone loves custom-made pieces that are one-of-a-kind!

What are your superpowers and kryptonite? I thought it might be better to ask the kiddos that question! According to them my superpowers are: I have eyes in the back of my head and apparently I can also read minds. These superpowers are essential for all mums and seem to be built in. As for my kryptonite, my daughter says it’s brushing her thick curly red hair and my son says I’m too over cautious. I’d say it’s time management; trying to fit everything in while striving for balance.

When you start a small business, you need to be able to wear different hats at different times. You have to be adaptable and be able to switch from one task to another quickly. Whether it is designing, meeting customers, handling logistics, ordering materials, doing finance, marketing, setting up a website, going on photoshoots, the list goes on. When you don’t have staff in all of these areas, you need to be hands-on.

Yvonne Ang is the chairperson of a Chinese confectionery manufacturer. In her spare time, she volunteers at LAP (Lifelong Animal Protection Charity) to help rehome rescued dogs. A passionate animal welfare advocate, Ang founded Scarlette & Pam, an organic dog food brand, in 2019 to offer a healthy alternative to mass-produced processed dog food. For every product sold, Ang donates a portion of her proceeds to support animal rights groups. She lives with her husband Jerry, daughter Nastassja,

son Caden and three rescued dogs (Scarlette, Pam and Dudley) in Hong Kong.

Where did the idea of your business come from? Scarlette and Pam are the names of my first two rescued dogs. I took Scarlette home after her mother passed away in a car accident; and I met Pam through LAP – she is the first puppy that the charity has rehomed. Both of them were quite frail when I first started caring for them. They were also picky eaters who refused to have store-bought food. To get them to have healthier eating habits, I started making my own food at home for them. I have always liked cooking, so I enjoyed learning about dog’s diet and experimenting with different recipes. When I shared some of my homemade treats with my friends, they all came back with incredible feedback and I was inspired to share my recipes with even more people – that’s how Scarlette and Pam came about.

Can you share some tips for raising kids with pets at home? The key is to start with proper pet training – and I don’t just mean training for the pets. Your children have to learn how to behave properly around the pets and vice versa. It may take some time for everyone to know how to get along with each other, but it is worth it in the end. There are so many benefits of getting a pet for the family. Your kids can build up self-esteem by taking responsibilities of looking after a pet. These furry friends also give us unconditional love and can help your kids develop compassion, empathy and nurturing skills.

Can you give one piece of advice to other mums who are starting their businesses? Follow your passion, know your limits and ask for support when you need it.

Selina Kong Founder of The Big Things

Born and raised in Hong Kong, Selina Kong opened The Big Things in 2019. Located at The Mills, The Big Things is a nature-themed indoor children’s playground, restaurant and cooking studio. Passionate about sustainability and the environment, Kong has designed the venue with eco-consciousness in mind. She furnished the play area with recyclable materials and created a healthy menu that features vegetables sourced directly from the onsite rooftop garden. Her latest endeavour is the launch of MasterChef Academy, a culinary programme at The Big Things Kitchen. Kong lives with her husband and two daughters Scarlett and Kayla, ages five and two.

What is your superpower? I always manage to stay level-headed even during stressful times. Problem solving is a significant part of running any business. Knowing that each day brings with it a new set of challenges and opportunities, I choose to accept and embrace these changes instead of running away from them. While sometimes I am able to foresee and prepare for a rainy day, other times I have to work out an unpredicted problem on the spot. No matter what the challenge is, I try my best to keep my calm and come up with different ways to fix the problem.

How do you want to make a difference in the world? I try my best to make a positive impact in my local community. Child development through play is very important to me, that’s why I opened The Big Things to provide a safe space for children in Hong Kong to engage in play-based learning. The environment is also something I care about and I strive to be eco-conscious in both my personal and business choices.

Can you give one piece of advice to other mums who are starting their businesses? The three most important things of starting a

new business are to innovate, have resilience and focus on executing your idea. The biggest challenge you will face is finding balance between having time for your business, your family and yourself. My advice is to try not to put too much pressure on yourself and understand that you will have to learn to prioritise different areas of your life at different times.

Dr Sonal Hattangdi-Haridas is a multiaward winning medical researcher and practitioner with 22 years of clinical experience in homeopathic treatments and nutritional medicine. She is a registered doctor of homeopathic medicine and has a Masters in Nutritional Medicine from the University of Surrey. She completed her masters degree

while she was in fulltime private practice and raising a child in primary school. She left her dual-city practice in India

and moved to Hong Kong with her

husband in 2006. She lives with her husband, 14-yearold son and her parents.

Has homeopathy made a difference to you and your family? Growing up, I was given homeopathic remedies for any illness I had. As a result, I rarely took chemical medications and antibiotic courses. Now whenever my son is feeling unwell, I give him nutritional medicine. We’ve only had to take him to see the doctor four to six times in all the years since he was born. Can you share some tips for keeping your family healthy? Having healthy homemade food, getting enough sleep, exercising and not forgetting to have a good laugh together now and then! We also have annual body check-ups and take appropriate supplements as suited to our own age and gender. I give my family homeopathic remedies at the first sign of illness, which helps, so we rarely have to go to the doctors.

Can you give one piece of advice to other mums who are starting their businesses? Plan ahead to manage your time effectively, but don’t expect your plans to be perfect. There will always be unexpected things that need to be done, whether it’s having to work from home or to go on school visits, so you have to be flexible with your time. Being a mom and a business owner is a constant juggling act and the support of family, good friends and the acceptance from your child goes a long way.

Kajal Naina started her fine jewellery business as an outlet for her creative passion. After being a dentist for 10 years, she decided to quit her job and follow her lifelong dream of becoming an artist. She went on to pursue a number of professional qualifications in jewellery design, pearl grading and metal smiting before launching her namesake brand in 2017. A true globe trotter, Naina was born and raised in Nepal and has lived in India, Singapore and Japan. She met her husband in 2008 and it was love at first sight. They got engaged after a month of meeting each other and were married in less than three months from their first date. In 2017, she settled in Hong Kong with her husband and three daughters Rina, Riya and Yana.

What is the biggest challenge of starting your own business? Having worked in a more conventional occupation as a dentist for 10 years, getting into fine jewellery was quite a big change for me. I have always been an artist at heart, so I transitioned smoothly as a designer; but I knew nothing about running a business and had to learn everything from scratch. That being said, the steep learning curve I took on has actually made my whole journey far more exciting. I’ve discovered an entrepreneurial side of myself and am constantly learning something new every day.

How do you make time for bonding with your kids? At least once a day I block out time just to be with my children, either to help with their homework, listen to their piano practice or to get them to show me their newest dance

Andrea Fessler Founder and executive director of Premiere Performances of Hong Kong A former corporate lawyer and Harvard Law School graduate, Andrea Fessler swapped her legal career for an opportunity to start Premiere Performances of Hong Kong in 2007. PPHK is a non-profit enterprise that organises solo recitals and chamber music concerts to promote classical music in the city. It also hosts the annual Beares Premiere Music Festival and an extensive community outreach and in-school education programme. Fessler moved to Hong Kong in 2004 and she lives in Hong Kong with her husband Davide and three daughters Alma, Stella and Daria. What is your superpower? I am a connector. I love bringing people together both professionally for interesting collaborations and socially for great parties and dinners. At PPHK, we reach around 30,000 people every year; almost 60 percent of whom are students who would otherwise not have access to the inspiration of a live music performance. What inspired you to start organising music concerts in Hong Kong? I have always been an avid consumer of culture, having lived in great cities like New York, London and Tokyo. When I first moved to Hong Kong, classical music was the one area of the cultural scene that I found lacking. At the time, I happened to attend a few concerts and they reminded me of an organisation from my childhood that held classical music recitals and chamber music concerts – and I thought that Hong Kong could really use an organisation like that.

Music can be an incredible creative outlet for those who play and an intense emotional release for those who listen. The problem in Hong Kong is that even though thousands of kids are learning musical instruments, there is very little joy or love of music being taught. We are trying to change that by inspiring kids through our interactive and engaging inmoves! Sometimes instead of going to the gym, working out at home can be a great way for all of us to spend time together. I always try to make exercising fun and like play. This way I can encourage my kids to develop an active and healthy lifestyle. We also love going on family hikes and we talk throughout. They love to take this time to tell me about their days, their friends and what they learnt at school. On Sundays, the kids have started helping out in the kitchen where we have a great time cooking and cleaning together.

Can you give one piece of advice to other mums who are starting their business? The most important thing is to create an environment for success, which also means asking for and receiving help where needed. As a mum in business, sometimes we feel like we can do everything alone, but that often leads to burnout. I struggled with taking on too much when I first started, but as my business started growing and I started building a team around myself and delegating the work out, things began to slowly fall into place.

school concerts – and it is working. After our concerts, 75 percent of kids who already play a musical instrument want to practice more and 70% percent who don’t play an instrument want to learn.

What is one thing you always prioritise doing with your kids? I absolutely love reading to my kids! I try to read to them before bed whenever I can or on the weekends. I read all seven Harry Potter books out loud to my middle daughter when our mommy-daughter book club fell apart.