9 Hong Kong supermoms who will inspire you to follow your dreams

Being a working mum is like taking on two full-time jobs. You are constantly juggling and finding balance between your work, family and personal life when there just never seems to be enough time for everything. We chat with nine inspiring mums in Hong Kong who are experts at multitasking, trusty organisers, and most importantly, they keep the whole family afloat while taking charge of their own businesses and careers. From making a midlife career change to being a trailblazer in her field, their stories inspire us all to follow our passions and keep persevering even when times are tough.

Tracy Fitzpatrick

CEO of Indigo Living

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 its 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.

Staying grounded

I am proud of 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.

Prioritising family time

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.

Stop feeling guilty

If I could go back in time when I first started working, I’d tell myself to let the mum guilt go! 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 would 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.

Dr Alane Kosanovich Cahalane

CEO and co-founder of Veterinary Specialty Hospital of Hong Kong

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

Specialised veterinary care

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.

Balancing work and family

I always prioritise spending bedtime and wake-up time with my kids. 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-and-then-some working mum, I bet they’ll remember all the snuggles!

Michelle Chen

Founder of Rare SkinFuel

Michelle Chen launched Australian-made 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.

Building self-confidence

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.

Skincare routine

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.

Believe in yourself

If I were to give one piece of advice to other mums starting their businesses, it would be to trust your own 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.

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 special 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.

Hats for everyone

Most of the hats I make are for special occasions like horse racing events, weddings, parties and for people who love hats. My local clientele prefers small to medium-size 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.

Be flexible

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.

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.

Be a problem-solver

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.

Rooting for a cause

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.

Finding balance

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.

Yvonne Ang

Founder of Scarlette & Pam

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.

Sharing the love of animals

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.

Raising kids and pets together

The key to raising kids with pets at home 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.

Dr Sonal Hattangdi-Haridas

Founder and director of Maya Health Institute

Dr Sonal Hattangdi-Haridas is a multi-award 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 full-time 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 now lives with her husband, 14-year-old son and her parents.

Homeopathic medicine

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.

Staying healthy

Having healthy homemade food, getting enough sleep, exercising and not forgetting to have a good laugh now and then are the keys to good health! I give my family homeopathic remedies at the first sign of illness, which helps, so we rarely have to go to the doctors.

Time management

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

Founder of Kajal Naina

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.

Switching careers

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. 

Bonding with 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 moves! 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.  

Support system

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.

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.

Passion for music

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 in-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.

Forging connections

I am a connector. I love bringing people together both professionally for interesting collaborations and socially for great parties and dinners. At Premiere Performances, 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.

All images courtesy of Graham Uden unless otherwise stated.