LOCAL

Third generation revolution of Hong Kong’s Golden Goose

Melanie Cox meets Yvonne Kam, the granddaughter to the patriarch of Yung Kee who is leading the charge to make change as the first woman of three generations.

If the stars were to align, now would be the time. 2020 has seen a shift in a rise in women taking on influential roles in senior management, leadership and also traditional male-dominated workscapes. Yvonne Kam is one of these trailblazers, working diligently to break barriers on traditional conventions having taken the helm as the third generation founder of Yung Kee, as an Asian woman and the first female to take over the family business that is by tradition and trade, a male-dominated industry. Needing no introduction, the Kam name is a household one synonymous to many Hongkongers for one reason: charcoal-grilled roast goose from the award-winning, worldfamous restaurant Yung Kee. The restaurant has been the gold standard of Cantonese cuisine since its humble beginnings as a street booth vendor, to dai pai dong, to eventually owning the building where it currently resides.

she found academic and work success as a chartered accountant, she had a feeling to do more in life. Yvonne returned to Hong Kong to work in the banking industry. In 2000 and perhaps as the catalyst, the IT dot-com bubble crash took place, creating a shift in professions. Yvonne took reign at a startup company as the financial controller. “This is where it all began. You may say it was karma for me to return to my roots in the family business by 2005.”

At this time, the restaurant had no financial controller and the chief accountant was leaving the company. “In such a traditional business model, those who control the money have great power. My father was reluctant to let anyone outside the family take this role and he knew the juniors in-house were not able to run the business.” Yvonne began working part-time one day a week to oversee the department and began to see the inner workings of the family business. “Looking back, I can see how everything fell in place. This role opened up and was right for me to continue my family name and business.”

“You may say it was destiny, but all my work experiences prior to Yung Kee allowed me to manage some very tough situations in the beginning,” Yvonne says. “There was so much business development and dealing with investors. It was a male-dominated environment that involved decision making.”

Rising up the challenge, Yvonne trained herself to adopt an entrepreneurial mindset to take on any challenge. She knew she might not be suited to certain operations and roles within the company, but by finding her niche, she could find her feet to make waves.

Perhaps the biggest hurdle, though, was the long way up to reshape the minds of employees, customers and the general public

alike, all the while upholding culinary heritage. “When I first joined the company, people had formed their own impressions of who I was and what I would be like to work with.” There were a lot of people who did not want me to find success and were waiting to say “I told you so”. This only reiterated Yvonne’s belief in finding her calling. “Hongkongers relate Yung Kee to the Kam family name. With such a rich family history, someone cannot speak highly and authentically about Yung Kee’s DNA without being within the family. We are not just any restaurant, but a restaurant representing Hong Kong.”

Yvonne knew she needed to develop patience and perseverance by working harder to gain trust and respect over time. “Yung’s Bistro is the first concept since 1942, so there is always some pressure but it depends on how you see what comes at you. I find opportunities to take joy daily since I’m passionate about entrepreneurship and business development. This journey gave me a unique opportunity to train my thoughts and keep my mind strong.”

Once respect and trust were earned, Yvonne focused on her vision to continue the family legacy while sustaining their business into the next generation. “I know that Yung Kee is a classic Cantonese restaurant. In order to uphold the culinary heritage of Cantonese cuisine, I could not just use the Yung Kee name, I needed to create a new platform that would impress the mindset and perception of those who knew our brand. The challenge was how to position myself, dancing between old and new.” This is where Yung’s Bistro was born. Yvonne knew the family’s success came from their grandfather setting such a strong foundation. “In his street booth days, he would watch the customers and observe who was

having the next plate. If it was a woman, he would offer leaner cuts. He was meticulously customer orientated. It is vital we carry on these traditions that made us, and preserving our history to the next generation is vital.”

“At Yung’s Bistro, I want to inspire a new audience to explore, understand and appreciate the art and heritage of Cantonese cuisine by celebrating its authentic flavours and Hong Kong’s local food culture in a new way, ” says Yvonne. “Cantonese cuisine is not only diverse but rich in tradition, craftsmanship and philosophies. We hope to showcase this through the four key pillars that are featured on the menu at Yung’s Bistro: classic dishes with a modern twist, rare dishes from the past, recipes that tap into childhood memories, and familystyle cooking.”

Having overcome many challenges from SARS, bird flu to the coronavirus, Yvonne shares her secret recipe to overcome unprecedented times. Patience, listening to others in similar situations and learning tactics from likeminded go-getters has allowed her to see how small her problems are. “Once you see this, you can overcome any obstacle and hurdle that comes your way on a daily basis.”

Yung’s Bistro

With social distancing rules being relaxed this month, it’s the ideal time to reunite with family and friends to enjoy Yung Kee’s legendary dishes, which customers have come to trust over its history spanning nearly 80 years, in a modern way at Yung’s Bistro. Shop 701, 7/F, K11 MUSEA, Victoria Dockside, 18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui.

Facebook: YungsBistro

Run the world

Meet the women who are reshaping business and paving the way to enhance the personal and professional lives of all women.

2020 has been a groundbreaking year for women in business with an inspiring bottom line message: you’re never too young to dream big.

With decades of efforts to close the gender equality gap, particularly those that challenge power relations and are most influential in actually achieving true equality, a rise in female empowerment demonstrations worldwide, energised by young feminists, signifies a desire to bridge this gap and create a different world today. Women worldwide continue to make significant strides in the business world, founding innovative companies, introducing revolutionary new ideas and building a path to workforce equality.

At such a significant time in history, Hong Kong Living is tipping its hat to the city’s very own trailblasing women in business who serve as a reminder to us all that anyone can go after their passions in life and overcome daunting challenges, both personal and professional.

Founder

Rupert & Bird

Edwina is the visionary behind Rupert & Bird, an eco-friendly beach towel that doesn’t cost the earth.

The future matters

As a Hong Kong-based Australian with a background in management consulting, we have been blessed spending our holidays scuba diving, hiking, boating and ‘beaching’ across Asia. When our baby girl “Birdie” was born in 2019 it became evident conservation was key in order to keep our oceans and backyard for the generations to come. Plastics are a huge threat to the environment and our wildlife. It is unfair to leave this problem for our next generation to fix. This is when Rupert & Bird was born. I found a creative outlet to fuel my passion in creating an eco-friendly product that would further drive Hong Kong’s movement towards conscious consumerism. Rupert & Bird is a vibrant collection of eco-conscious towels. Each towel consists of fabric made primarily from recycled plastic bottles, equal to twenty-two bottles saved from the ocean or landfill. We recycle single-use plastics, through the creation in our towels. I work in every aspect from design and packaging, managing quality, driving business development and partnerships.

More than a trend

It’s getting easier and easier to integrate sustainable and organic products into everyday life. Our towels are compact and convenient to suit a dynamic, outdoor lifestyle. Whether it’s hiking, diving, camping or general beaching; the lightweight, quick dry and sand free nature of Rupert & Bird towels makes it the perfect companion for any adventurous soul. They are compact enough to travel with ease, without sacrificing on size and the soft comforting traits of the beloved beach towel. Locally inspired; our first range is inspired by Hong Kong - majestic black kites soaring the harbour; multi-hued shipping containers; the beauty of Chinese calligraphy seen across the city. A challenge with environmentally conscious products is the price point can be significantly higher than their plastic alternative. We have many eco conscious alternatives available, but the price point limits change in mass consumer behaviour. At Rupert & Bird we are focused on being truly competitive from a price point perspective so we are accessible to most consumers who can shop happily knowing they hold 22 plastic bottles as they use their towel.

Plenty to gain

Nature is the new luxury. The most precious commodity we have is our natural environment. We are blessed in Hong Kong to have such an incredible landscape, only to be spoiled by litter, particularly plastic bottles and bags so we need to do better for our next generation. Our mission is to address the issue through recycling plastic and supporting local charities to raise awareness. We will announce our local partnerships shortly. Launching a new business in this environment has been a challenge from a supply chain perspective. With the shutdown of factories and flights we experienced many delays. The catch-22 was the overwhelming local support for a product like this. We saw great interest in our range given this is the first summer where all Hongkongers are on lockdown to enjoy their own ‘backyard’. There has been a feeling of

Edwina Barrington

camaraderie among local businesses who overcame these difficult times.

Find out more about Rupert & Bird and kickstart your eco-friendly lifestyle today by visiting rupertandbird.com

Julianna Yau Founder Ampla Education

Ampla Education is a premium service provider, specialising in afterschool tuition and admissions consulting services for students applying to boarding schools and universities.

Inspired education

I spent my childhood in Canada, adolescence in Hong Kong, boarding school and university in the UK, followed by a teaching course in the US. I incorporated this vital insight in understanding students with the different teaching modalities I learnt worldwide, providing the perfect blend of knowledge, flexibility and interaction. Upon graduating from the UK, it only made sense I was working as an education consultant in Hong Kong. I was meeting students who had great academic potential, but lacked opportunities to fully realise their skills. I love working with children

I established Ampla Education in 2016 with the goal of helping children aged 6 to 18 years achieve their academic goals through speciality mentorship programmes that cater to the needs of each child. Additionally, our mission is to make quality education more widely accessible by implementing projects such as free university application workshops for under-resourced students and girls literacy programmes. We hope that more children can be nurtured and encouraged to fulfil their full potential.

East meets West

We have a unique model in Hong Kong for providing all-inclusive services. We combine the best teaching methods worldwide through our specialty consultants - all of who graduated from top boarding schools and universities worldwide. Our aim is to inspire and empower the next generation, while understanding the gaps of education through experience. Tailor-made classes are developed to individual student needs, optimising their performance inside and outside school. We specialise in school admissions and after-school tutorial services enabling students to achieve their academic goals through quality teaching.

Democratising education

Ampla ensures that under-resourced students will be on equal footing with more financially capable students when it comes to university applications. We believe that every child deserves a quality education. To democratise education and enhance lifelong learning opportunities for less fortunate children, Ampla created supportive learning environments by constructing two school buildings in Cambodia last year.

In Hong Kong, we have partnered with YMCA Boundless for the past three years to help under-resourced local students accomplish their goals by providing workshops on personal statement writing, interview skills and university application guidance. Due to the situation this year, we have switched to one-on-one online sessions to provide targeted advice.

Surviving uncertainty

Living in a fast-changing world with social and political uncertainties, adapting creatively is key. We are constantly modernising our teaching methods to prepare students for the future and equip them with the ability to think critically and independently. Since the end of January, we have been evolving our company and conducting most of our lessons and meetings through our online platforms, with a focus on promoting mental well-being by offering a ‘Fun Activity Challenge’ on social media. This has kept our students and tutors connected with a sense of support, allowing creativity to blossom through other forms such as writing songs, starting YouTube channels, to baking and making instruments - all from scratch.

With most public exams being cancelled, we encourage our older students to think about university applications and make the most of this downtime to enhance their profile by offering personal project guidance, head start IB/ A-Level courses and an online Oxbridge research summer programme that will keep our students motivated while enriching their CV.

Despite all the pros of online learning, children need human interaction. This summer, we will launch the edu-tainment programme until social-distancing measures ease. We will combine education and entertainment to transform children’s parties (at a venue of their choice) into a thrilling adventure.

To learn more about the services or to book a consultation please visit ampla-edu.com

Dr. Emilie Berthet Clairet

Founder Holistic Nutrition

Nutritionist Vitality Centre HK

A registered medical doctor in her native France, Dr Emilie Berthet Clairet works as a nutritionist and holistic practitioner at the Vitality Center, in Central.

Amy Kwan Founder Good Wills

Good Wills is a will writing and consulting services provider with the belief that every person has the right to have a say in where their assets should go to let their love last

A holistic journey

I was a medical doctor in France and have worked as a fitness instructor and nutritionist in Hong Kong. Two years ago, despite upholding what is considered a healthy lifestyle, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. I realised then that there was so much more to a healthy lifestyle than exercise and calories and began to search for what was missing in fundamental wellbeing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. I turned to my three greatest passions: nutrition, fitness and holistic health. This is where I began my work as a nutritionist and holistic practitioner. I am a model of my own approach and believe this is integral for my patients to see it so they can believe it, because I practice what I preach. I found out the hard way that there was not one recipe or lifestyle that worked for everyone to be healthy and disease free. I recognise that everyone is different, with varying genetics, tastes and lifestyles and that each person has their own.

The bigger picture

Holistic nutrition is a holistic health approach that is often part of a comprehensive healthcare plan. It can be understood as a more conscious and comprehensive approach to your diet, taking into account all the factors that can influence what you eat and how you live your life while understanding that everyone is different and there is no pre-made protocol to stay healthy. Listening to ourselves, our body and our needs is key to finding our own healthy diet and lifestyle. Adopting a holistic health approach can empower one to uncover their own healthy lifestyle. No one knows you better than yourself, so my role is simply to accompany you on the journey of finding your own healthy lifestyle.

I believe everyone should know that there are different types of health and that there is no one-size-fits-all diet or exercise regime. The

Learn as you go

After spending more than 10 years in the legal industry in Hong Kong and Australia, I founded Good Wills in 2018 as a will writing company based in Hong Kong. This was my first shot at being my own boss. Working in the legal industry taught me many things. After drafting wills and working on estate administration and estate disputes, I moved to corporate law to specialise in initial public offering and compliance for listed companies. During my time in corporate law, I was able to gain a lot of insight into running your own business and knowing what it takes to be successful.

Understanding this has been a key factor in my own success.

It was always my dream to become an entrepreneur doing what I love. I felt empowered because of my belief that every person has the right to follow their dreams. Good Wills strives to provide the best will writing and consulting services for our clients. More importantly, we understand the significance of having a Will ready at all stages of life, it is our mission to educate people that a Will is for everyone, not just older generations or the wealthy. I strive daily to remove this misconception about a will because everyone deserves and should have a Wills.

Good will hunting

Everyone needs a Will. If you pass away without a Will, the law dictates who is to get what, in other words, you have no say and the law makes the decision for you. We all own assets, be it your bank account or MPF, which need to be dealt with. If you die without a Will, not only do you have no say in the distribution of your estate, you are also causing unnecessary stress and uncertainty to your loved ones. As people are usually not familiar with the law, it is normal for the deceased’s family to seek legal advice and find out what happens to the deceased’s estate. philosophy of holistic nutrition is that there is an interaction of these factors that interplay with one another (physical, mental, emotional, spiritual, economic, environmental) that affect our general wellbeing. Taking into consideration one only - often it’s the physical health - is only part of the problem and why your health can be affected immediately and over the long term. I recognise in my practice that everyone is different, with varying genetics, tastes and lifestyles and that each person has their own healthy way of life to find.

Optimum health

While holistic nutrition is new and well recognised in Canada and USA. There are already few practitioners in Hong Kong. I am lucky to work at the Vitality Center, which is a well established medical center in Central. The most rewarding part (and what I love most about my job) is I can enable people to positively discover their own methods to live a healthy lifestyle and eat well. These steps are not short term solutions like most diets and trendy practices, but are life-long habits you can incorporate into your daily practice.

Adopting a holistic health approach will emphasize the connection between spirit, body, and mind since the goal is to achieve maximum well-being, so everything is functioning in the very best that is possible. Additionally, I have seen people who take on a holistic health approach are also more likely to accept responsibility for their own level of well-being, but also the everyday choices that are used to take charge of one’s own health.

Find out more about starting a healthy lifestyle and book a consultation today by visiting holisticnutritionhk.com

As you can imagine, the cost of obtaining such advice could easily be higher than if the deceased has set up a will during his or her lifetime. Not only is it also more expensive in the administration of the deceased’s estate if someone dies without a Will, the procedure tends to be more complicated and lengthier. The delay can also cause financial problems to the deceased’s dependants. Awareness about this is somewhat limited and I have made it my mission to educate the world.

In Asia and across Hong Kong, people avoid talking about death. It’s taboo and may bring misfortune. However, we all know that this is not the case because death is a stage that we all go through in life. It is unfortunate that people seem to only realise and appreciate the necessity of a Will only after death occurs. This is why I work hard to educate people that your loved ones will appreciate designating and assigning all matters prior to death. A Will significantly reduces grief and stress, from carrying out their funeral wishes to avoiding conflict about valuable assets.

What I love most

When I see my clients’ smile upon signing their Will, I see a sense of relief and peace of mind on their faces. I appreciate clients who take the time and effort to leave us such positive reviews and feedback while experiencing loss to reinforce my belief in why I created Good Wills. This is my fuel to continually improve, but provide job satisfaction to keep me motivated. This also makes me love what I’m doing knowing that I am at the right place doing the right thing in life.

To learn more about the services or to book a consultation please visit goodwills.com.hk

Best known as producer and host of Wok and Gong, Debbie was an actress before becoming a TV host on the Asian Food Channel. She has also launched her own IGTV platform @ms.debbiewong

An unconventional star

I never went to culinary school, I simply learned on the job and was obsessed watching cooking shows growing up. I began at Whole Foods Market, being in charge of their prepared foods department. You could say my background is vegetables, organic and natural foods. I also worked as a private chef, however, prior to entering the world of food, my career was in the performing arts, I went to school in NYC majoring in Musical Theatre, spending several years as a full time actor in the US and Canada. I wanted to combine my two life passions which were: performing arts and food. Not your average combination. This is when in 2012, I began a channel noticing a huge gap in the market for non-Caucasian chefs in media who cooked with a global approach. As a child of immigrants, having been raised (Canadian) in an urban, multicultural environment, I knew this was my chance to showcase food that would resonate to many who grew up like myself in this age.

Food Hero

In Wok and Gong’s fourth year, I was able to bring my culinary passion as a television host on Asian Food Channel and was announced ‘Food Hero’ in 2015. Since becoming a food TV host, I have seen my audience grow organically, motivating me daily. I got to travel across Asia with unimaginable opportunities. I am grateful daily for all the opportunities that TV has brought me, and inspired to keep on climbing. It’s so important to keep adapting and changing in a fast-revolving world, especially in this modern age, so I am now focusing on making content on my IGTV based on my understanding that more and more people are wanting content that is raw and real. My YouTube show “Wok and Gong” was personality-driven, but had a more polished approach that required more resources during production. However my IGTV content is more true to my nature, and much easier to produce. My IGTV platform will be where I launch two new series, “Daily Deb’’ and “A la Minute”, where I feature other F&B personalities. It’s truly freeing to be a ‘one woman band’. I am in charge of production from conception to editing, and have received great feedback so far.

Storytelling through food

Many people feel that cooking is a chore and can be time consuming as well as complicated. My cooking philosophy is about very few ingredients, mostly veggies, seasoned with care and finesse, and minimal equipment. This job has allowed me to meet other inspiring people who have a passion for storytelling through food. To learn more

Debbie Wong TV, YouTube and IGTV producer and host

about Debbie’s work please visit Instagram. Youtube (Wok and Gong)

Leigh Powrie Co-owner and CFO Double Haven Brewing / Dragon Water

Summer has arrived and is the perfect time to enjoy Hong Kong’s very own naturally brewed spiked seltzer; Dragon Water, made from Double Haven Brewery.

The birth of locally-crafted, spiked seltzer; Dragon Water

One thing to share about me is that apart from some time spent slinging drinks in college, most of my professional life has been in manufacturing.

However, as an outdoor enthusiast, I spend a lot of time exploring Hong Kong’s backyard which is incredibly rich and diverse with its sandy beaches, natural reserves and geoparks. My partner and I wanted to create a beverage that complimented this side of Hong Kong and the lifestyled lived by many. We wanted a drink that we could come home to and enjoy, that was light, refreshing yet health-conscious. This was when Dragon Water was born with the aim to be the go-to drink for those seeking a healthier alternative to heavy beers and mixed cocktails but still want to join the party without sacrificing flavor.

Dragon Water is the first of these releases through our flagship Double Haven Brewing: it is a spiked seltzer created through a unique, natural brewing process that provides the ultimate guilt-free indulgence. Our spiked seltzers fuel summery outdoor experiences with subtle sting of our innovative “dragon fire.”

Spiked seltzer

Spiked Seltzers are a new product category in Hong Kong. Despite looking similar to a Vodka & Soda, our spiked seltzers contain no distilled spirits. Instead, it is made in the same way as most beers. Utilizing sugar and a highly aggressive yeast, we brew and ferment our spiked seltzers in-house to a targeted 4.5% alcohol by volume before adding botanicals and natural flavors. By brewing with sugar instead of malts and grains, our spiked seltzers are naturally gluten-free and the aggressive yeast ensures that almost all of the sugars are consumed in the fermentation process leading to lower calories. They are crisp, light and refreshing making them the perfect sidekick for junk boat trips, BBQs or as a post hike reward.

Made in Hong Kong

Our Brewery, Double Haven is located outside of the city in Fo Tan. Named after an inlet in the GeoPark at Plover cove, I am proud to share that our brewery is made up of an incredible mix of 14 talented brewers, operators and liquid magicians and are excited at releasing new beers and beverages this summer. The people I work with. We are, at heart, a family business- if not by blood than by trust and shared experiences. As an alcohol brand, what we are really selling is an experience. Whether it is sharing time with friends and family, a postrace celebration or a quiet drink at sunset, our job is to infuse those memories with a splash of energy and a twist of fun.

Community action

The first three months of 2020 were tough as we faced disruptions in supply chain, drops in production and uncertainty in the market. We were only able to cope by relying on our community; our employees, suppliers and our customers. The community closest to us, our employees, were all asked to wear multiple hats, pitch in and be flexible in their roles. Brewers were sent on sales calls and technicians were asked to create graphics or work in the back-office. By doing this, we were able to keep the brewery alive with no cuts in hours or pay. We also forged stronger relationships with our suppliers who worked with us on deliveries and payment terms to prop us up through the slow months. And of course, we’ve been supported by our customers who have been incredibly encouraging, spreading the word, and introducing Dragon Water into their own social circles.

Find out more about Double Haven Brewery and treat yourself to some Dragon Water today by visiting dragonwater.com

Karena Belin Co-Founder, CEO WHub and AngelHub

Karena is the Founder and CEO of HK’s biggest startup platform and community builder WHub. (whub.io) and Founder and COO/CFO of AngelHub (angelhub.io)

#Passion into my Profession

The reason why I left my corporate career is the same as why I stayed in it for so long: making a positive impact on the community and the world. I worked 15 years for Procter and Gamble across Germany, France, North East Asia and Greater China. My co-founder Karen and I began to follow our passion for technology and entrepreneurship noticing our friends in the startup scene were looking to get help with recruiting. We launched WHub with its first service to help startups get access to great talent and then scaled it from there. I love working with like-minded, passionate people, all united and driven by this mission to make a positive impact on the ecosystem and the communities they live in. They are unstoppable and get involved with multiple initiatives to better communities, Hong Kong and the society at large.

How I made my #Passion into my Profession

Both sister companies share the same mission; that passion and belief drive innovation and economic growth. The hashtag of our logo #StartupPassion shows not only our desire to help startups grow and scale, but also the belief of upholding ‘Passion, Mission and Purpose’. It’s this inner drive to come up with an innovative solution to an existing problem you deeply relate to that differentiates them. I am proud to say that WHub is now the largest startup community proudly born in Hong Kong, showcasing more than 75% of the startup ecosystem, with over 3,500 startups, 500 partners globally and a reach of over 2 million stakeholders. AngelHub is HK’s first and still only SFC (Securities and Futures Commission, HK regulatory body) licensed Startup Investment platform for Professional Investors and Growth Stage Startups scaling in Asia and hence can play this role of making a difference in the fundraising ecosystem, by allowing potential investors to jointly benefit from a global deal flow and organise Startup Competitions around the world with a reach of over 40 countries.

How we steered through unprecedented times

Big shifts in market dynamics and forces, like in a crisis, always push us to cope with massive, sudden change. Change never comes easy, but simultaneously always offers an opportunity to seize the moment to take advantage and change the rules of the game. We are the anchor event of the StartmeupHK Festival with #SIS20 - Startup Impact Summit, and we feel like organising the same conference for the third time (the original Feb date was postponed to July and then recently moved to a fully COVID compliant online conference). But thanks to the move to online, we will have a strong global reach and can create even more and bigger impact. Especially in these interesting times, technology is even more than ever revolutionising the way we live, work and interact. And startups are best equipped to solve the new challenges we face and have the agility to adapt and cope quickly.

Kickstart your startup dreams and learn more about AngelHub and WHub by visiting angelhub.io and whub.io

Alethea Bleyberg Founder and Director The Learning Curve

The Learning Curve is a dedicated education consultancy that specialises in IB Diploma Core advisory and tutoring services and university admissions.

About me as an IB Educator

As both my parents were IB educators, I had the privilege of growing up on the campuses of international schools and am a graduate of the IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) myself. After graduating from Cambridge University, I moved to Beijing for my first international school teaching position before spending eleven years working at top international schools in Hong Kong and Singapore as an Extended Essay (EE) and Theory of Knowledge Coordinator (TOK), IB Diploma Coordinator and university guidance counsellor. I am also an IB examiner and a member of the IB’s curriculum review team for the Extended Essay. Currently, I am also a doctoral student in international education at the University of Bath. As an IB graduate myself, I understand both the transformative power of its curriculum, and its ability to open doors to the world’s most selective institutions thanks to its unique educational philosophy and approach to teaching and learning.

Why The Learning Curve goes above and beyond

While the Core components of the IBDP are intended to develop the high-level skills students need to thrive academically, they are also its most challenging, effectively demanding undergraduate level content and skills mastery from high school students. I found that even highly able students were often underprepared for the academic complexities of tasks. The Learning Curve was my solution to fill this void by offering a dedicated education consultancy that specialises in IB Diploma Core advisory and tutoring services and university admissions. I knew that as an Oxbridge application specialist, students applying to Oxford or Cambridge tend to have outstanding subject scores; that’s a given. So how could students make their applications stand out from the crowd? The answer is by writing and speaking eloquently about their experiences in the Core in their personal statements and at interviews. Therefore, in starting my consultancy I brought my experience in, and passion for, the IB Core and university guidance together in a way that I felt had coherence in supporting successful student outcomes and would meet the needs of underserved students and parents.

Students naturally form the core of my focus, so much of my time is spent delivering one-on-one support in the Core components as well as individualised guidance through the university application process. My work also involves more generalised consulting for students and families about a wide range of academic matters such as providing advice on choosing curricular pathways through secondary school including selecting appropriate IB diploma subjects to even how to move a student back from overseas in the middle of the academic year due to COVID-19.

I also work with international schools around the world to improve the way that the Core components are delivered and supported in schools through a combination of operational assessment, policy review, professional development courses, or implementation of new processes.

Having held a variety of roles in schools and with the IB, I am an ‘insider’ in a way that few other tutors or consultants can claim. I work with, not against, my students’ teachers and school counsellors and fully acknowledge that getting a student over the finish line successfully is a joint effort by their school, parents – and most importantly – the student themselves.

The best part of being an ‘edu-preneur’

My favourite part of my job now that I work for myself as an ‘edupreneur’ with the freedom to invest my time and efforts in areas that will have the most impact on students. This allows me to pursue my professional goals in more flexible ways and with a greater variety of stakeholders including parents, school administrators, teachers and education partners. I have also been able to expand my reach and develop new skills in the process, for instance through writing about education issues for publications and through starting my doctorate. Being a solopreneur means that while my job is different every day, I am able to work with more focus on my mission of raising awareness about the value of the Core in the IBDP.

To learn more about the services or to book a consultation please visit the-learning-curve-hk.com