The Rise of the Young Start-ups: James Thomson-Sakhrani and Ben Ross

The Rise of the Young Start-ups as seen in our May 15 Meeting 

James Thomson-Sakhrani of RX Fashion

James presenting how and why he started RX Fashion as well as the marketing side to develop the business

 

 

Ben Ross of Ross Management

Ben shared his work life balance, how he found his interest and mission in both his professional and personal life 

Madeleine Behan, Co-Chair, Entrepreneur and Small Business Committee welcomed the members:

Andrew Jones, Sanctuary Resorts; Brian Brown, Shogi Group; Christopher Dillon, Dillon Communications; Ben Ross, Ross Management; Eric Cheng, Innovation Business Accelerator Co. Ltd.; Jennifer Kwong, British Columbia Trade & Investment Representative Office; Jin Sun, iSGO HK Limited; James Thomson-Sakhrani, RX Fashion; Laurence Yung, Mercantile Trading Corporation; May Leung, Mercantile Trading Corporation; Parker Robinson, The Word Factory; Joanna Chan, University of Alberta, Office of Alumni Relations, Office of Advancement; Thomas Wong, Bank of China

 

 

Congratulations to Jin Sun: iSGO HK – Our Committee Visit – Also Christopher Dillon – Landed Japan New Release!

Our fellow member, Jin Sun has moved to a new office in Central*, so we took the opportunity to hold our April Committee meeting there and celebrate with him.

(iSGO HK Ltd. is an Offline-to-Online consumer goods retailer with a presence in Hong Kong and mainland China through our wholly-owned retail stores/customer …)

Please visit Jin’s new Office and Retail Shop if you have time. 

iSGO HK, 4/F Lucky Building, Wellington Street, Central 

 

#Committee Member: Christopher Dillon announced the publication of his book “Landed Japan”. Congratulations, Chris!

#Christopher Dillon, our Committee Member will be speaking

1. at a lunch at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club on June 28. – Please let Chris know if you want to attend

2. at an event organized by the American Chamber in Tokyo on June 15

3.  at the Swiss Chamber here in Hong Kong on September 3

Group photo for the day

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Great Evening of Networking and Interactive Discussions: Seminar with Thomas Lau on April 26

Entrepreneur and Small Business Committee  Presents:

Sponsored by Baker Tilly Hong Kong 
From NY Fries to Bubble Tea – the Story of NextStep Group

New Signature Series 2018/2019
Launching and Growing a Business Successfully Part 2
Thursday, April 26th, 2018

Venue Sponsor:  Vistra, 19/F Lee Garden One, 33 Hysan Avenue, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong

Speaker: Thomas Lau, Co-Founder, President, Next Step Group

Moderator Brian R Brown, Non-Executive Director, Shogi Group

What a great evening with a lively and interactive sharing! Thomas and Brian, we thank you!

Last photo, from the left – Andrew Jones (The Sanctuary); Betül Baykal Shaik (Vistra Hong Kong – our venue sponsor); Madeleine Behan (Co-Chair, the Entrepreneur & Small Business Committee); Brian Brown (Shogi Group); Thomas Lau (NextStep Group) and Jennifer Kwong (British Columbia Trade & Investment Representative Office)

About the Event: In 2004, Thomas Lau returned to Hong Kong after a decade of studies in Vancouver, and eager to begin a new career as an entrepreneur. His first success was landing the master franchise rights to bring Canadian F&B franchise, NY Fries, into Hong Kong and China. After growing this business to four outlets, he followed-up by establishing the Manchester United Pub & Restaurant, which became the largest sports bar in TST, and homebase of the Vancouver Canucks Fan Club. As rents increased, he pivoted his business and launched his own F&B retail outlet, The Roundhouse, which was among first of its kind for craft beer tap houses, and was named one of top ten best bars in Asia. Over the years, the NextStep Group has evolved into a diversified F&B platform, operating multiple retail outlets, and wholesale distribution from Canadian vodka to Taiwanese bubble tea. Thomas has endured a competitive business climate, and managed to stay one step ahead. This evening is an interesting case study on the Next Step Group, founded by a proud Chinese Canadian entrepreneur, and the most loyal Canucks fan in Hong Kong. About the Series Presented by CanCham’s Entrepreneur and Small Business Committee: The first part of the new Signature Series will attempt to offer advice and experience sharing to ensure start-ups and entrepreneurs are mentally ready to commit to a new business; help businesses get access to business strategies, answers to their queries, challenges and more..   Join us to enjoy this Excellent Opportunity to Network with Like-Minded, Friendly People at the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong

March 20 in our Committee Meeting: Solerico Foundation

On March 20, with the support of the Board Secretary, Martine Vanesse (Credit Suisse’s head of Asia-Pacific banking compliance) of  Solerico Foundation, we invited Solerico’s COO, Caitlin Spencer and CEO Jack Wagner to introduce their business mission of the Project to us. 

Solerico Foundation is a non-profit organization bringing impactful renewable energy projects to the communities around the world that need it most.

 

Co-Chair, Madeleine Behan introducing the members attending the meeting:

Andrew Jones, Parker Robinson, Eric Cheng, Rosemary Goater, Julien Mathieu, Jin Sun, Michael Wong, Andrea Springmann, Henry Chan and Martine Vanasse.           

 

 

ESBC Visit: Vivien Liu: Architect, Founder of Studio UNIT – Recognition Awards of Entrepreneurial Achievers Under 35

ESBC Visit: Vivien Liu: Architect, Founder of Studio UNIT (in PMQ) on January 23, 2018 – One of the six entrepreneurs honoured with the Recognition Awards of Entrepreneurial Achievers Under 35s in the 2017 TransPacific Entrepreneurial Conference hosted by the Entrepreneur and Small Business Committee, CanCham. 

 

We had members in Hong Kong and also a few who came from the Pearl River Delta joining us that evening:

Rosemary Goater   – SystematicEdge

Catherine Chen – The  Impactlytics

Yoji Chu – NorthSun Group

Alain Joyal, Sr. Vice President, GOIP AULA Ltd

Brian Brown, Managing Director, British Columbia’s Trade and Investment Representative Office

Parker Robinson, Founder, The Word Factory

Eric Cheng, Innovation Business Accelerator (InnovBA)

Jim Wang, Business Development Director, Groveland Financial

Ben Ross, Ross Management and Consulting

Polly Tang

Julien Mathieu, Co-Founder, Healthy Matters

Jin Sun, Director of Business Development, iSGO HK Limited

James Thomson-Sakhrani, Entrepreneur

***** Inside the Office of Studio Unit: Brian Brown, Vivien Liu and Madeleine Behan*****

Wine and Cheese Reception: Members introducing to each other

 

Launching and Growing a Business Successfully (1) with Jeffrey Broer & Xania Wong – CANCHAM ESBC New Signature Series

New Signature Series 2018/2019
The Entrepreneur and Small Business Committee Presents:
Launching and Growing a Business Successfully Part 1 

Launching and Operating a Business Effectively:
Understanding the Key Basics at the Early Stage

Objective of the series:

• Offer advice and experience-sharing to ensure start-ups and entrepreneurs are mentally ready to commit to a new business; help businesses get access to business strategies, answers to their queries, challenges and more…

The launch of the Signature Series was held on January 30, 2018 at Eversheds Sutherland, 21/F, Gloucester Tower, The Landmark. 

Special thanks are due to our Title Sponsor, Baker Tilly Hong Kong. There are six events in total for this Series. The next event has been scheduled in the last week of April. We look forward to meeting you again then. 

In general, start-ups are thought to be adventurous and inventive. However, in order to be effective quickly, we all need to learn to do the right things RIGHT the FIRST TIME to save time and resources.

Thank you all for participating in the discussion with our two inspiring founders, Jeffrey Broer and Xania Wong in the first part of the Series.  With much appreciation for their sharing of experience and real case studies, we enjoyed the discussions greatly!

Jeffrey Broer is a serial entrepreneur/business founder. He is also a Co-Director of the Founder Institute in Hong Kong. The Founder Institute is the world’s premier startup launch program for talented entrepreneurs.

Xania Wong is the founder of JOBDOH. JOBDOH is a Hong Kong-based, Seedcamp-backed company that links temporary workers with employers. JOBDOH’s vision is to transform the way we work and live.

Here are some photos to share:

 

 

November ESBC Meeting: A Gathering Place for Entrepreneurs, MSEs, SOHOs

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong  Entrepreneur and Small Business Committee (ESBC) Update: Mission Statement

Hong Kong’s position as a prosperous international business and financial centre has been built upon the entrepreneurial spirit of its people. Through the years, Canadian entrepreneurs have made an important contribution to that success.

The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur and Small Business (ESBC) Committee was founded in 2004 to develop and foster an entrepreneurial spirit within the Chamber, among its members and in the community at large.

The Committee organizes a variety of events that allow

past, present and future entrepreneurs including:

Micro and Small Enterprises (MSEs) as well as

SOHO (Small Offices Home Offices)

to exchange experiences, seek mentors, and educate themselves about the challenges they face establishing and operating a business in Hong Kong, China and in the Asia Pacific Region.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

November 2017 ESBC Photo: Co-Chair and Committee Directors, Madeleine Behan, Andrew Jones, Brian Brown, Christopher Dillon,  Parker Robinson and Richard Wright

November 2017 Committee Meeting Group Photo (Below): 

Jim Wang, Ben Ross, Eric Cheng, Hend Lemenager, Julien Mathieu, Andrew Jones, Madeleine Behan, Janice Ip, Gilles-Alexandre Salansy, Polly Tang, Christopher Dillon, Parker Robinson, Brian Brown and Richard Wright

Our Signature Series Ending with a Wonderful Event CanCham Entrepreneur and Small Business Committee

1. Introducing Green Queen:  Green of Greens quoting an article from SCMP
2. Digital Marketing October 30th – with Green Queen 
3. Full House at Mustard Seeds 
4. A very engaging audience –  Thanks to Sonalie Figueiras & Tracy Turo – Founders, Green Queen

Our Regular Meet-Up and Sharing of Experience: Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Growing

Our Regular Meet-Up and Sharing of Experience:

Entrepreneurs and Small Businesses Growing – Our September Meeting

 

Enjoying the Meeting: Jin Sun, Andrew Jones, Richard Wright and Ben Ross

Brendan Warren presenting: His company called Zebra.

Michael Wong sharing his story: a journey to reach a balance in life and work

Welcome, all members

The 2017 TransPacific Entrepreneurial Conference: Preparing for the Asia of 2025: Bolder, Richer…

The 4^th TransPacific Entrepreneurial Conference

Preparing for the Asia of 2025: Bolder, Richer, More Connected:
How Do We Fit In?

Jointly Presented by
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong (CanChamHK) and
Hong Kong Canada Business Association (HKCBA)

Hosted by the Entrepreneur and Small Business Committee (ESBC)

Conference Organizing Committee:
Madeleine Behan (Governor, CanChamHK, Co-Chair, ESBC)
Craig Lindsay (National Chair, HKCBA)
Ron Hoffmann (Alberta’s Senior Representative for the Asia Pacific Basin)
Vanessa Wright (National Executive Director, HKCBA)

Event Details

DATE
Monday, December 4, 2017

TIME 
1:30 pm to 8:30 pm

VENUE
HKTDC SME Centre
HKCEC, 1 Expo Drive, Wanchai, Hong Kong

PRICING
Members: $210 HKD
Non-Members: $315 HKD
Cocktail only: $150 HKD

Register

https://www.cancham.org/event/?eid=480

Target Audience CanChamHK: Corporate members, entrepreneurs and different industries and companies of different types and sizes Delegates from the eight active Chapters of HKCBA across Canada – Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax Canadian companies in Hong Kong, ASEAN and the PRC: both large and small; both longstanding and start-up   Highlights of the Conference A Vision for Reinventing Hong Kong  Dynamic Asia: A Focus on the ASEAN Region Canadian Entrepreneurs in Hong Kong: From Cubs to Tigers The 2017 Recognition Awards of Entrepreneurial Achievers Under 35 (The 2nd Year)