Celebrity Life

French businessman Nicolas Pollet’s affair with Hong Kong is a long and enduring one. He landed here first as a 19-year-old globe-trotting student before returning home and completing his business education in France (followed by a stint in Montreal, Canada) - but the fond memories of the city lured him back to the East.

The founder and director of Cocoon Concept (specialising in designing and manufacturing outdoor furniture and accessories), he launched his company over a decade ago and his team has successfully refurbished large scale projects within Asia – from hotels, restaurants and bars to the mansions of the famed and fortuned. He also has a lighting company, is an avid yogi and is well-known among the ever-burgeoning French community in Hong Kong.

Earlier this year, while continuing his other enterprises, he surprised everyone by launching Anandha Wellness: a lifestyle product with the healing properties of cannabidiol, better known as CBD.

Name: Nicolas Pollet
Profession: Entrepreneur
Industry: Cosmetics and Lifestyle
Company Size: 7+
Startup Since: 2020

When did you decide to launch your own company and what was the impetus for you to start your own establishment?

I’ve been in Hong Kong for over a decade, and I was already working on my own business with Cocoon Concept Ltd. An extension of that, in the same field, we had Eden Cordless Lighting (which specialises in portable lighting solutions).

During the pandemic, I stepped into the wellness industry. At a time when everyone was looking inwards, at self-care and soul searching, we created Anandha Wellness Ltd, a CBD cosmetics company in 2020 and a lifestyle company in 2021. The drive to work on this new project was to find products that could really make a difference. Vision, curiosity, coupled with advocacy for wellness, soon saw the launch of Anandha.

For Hong Kong, that’s a novel way to hit the elusive CBD market.

We believe that cannabinoids (CBD - CBG) can really help people. For health, for sleep, for stamina, for comfort, and much more. Everyone can find a safe and efficient answer to specific needs. We believe that everyone should be fairly treated and can make the world more harmonious with concerted effort. Our mission would be to enhance people’s mental health, boost everyday energy, help with relaxation and protect animals.

Do you have partners?

I do not have any partners, but the team is composed of highly motivated and talented individuals that share the same vision and passion.

Apart from a digital presence, are the products available in stores?

Apart from the e-commerce platform www.anandha-wellness.com, we are also doing partnerships with a few spas (Sense of Touch), practitioners (Balance Health) and retailers (Stormie at K11).

What’s so unique about each item?

We realised that so many people decide to create their own brand of CBD products by mainly sourcing existing formulas and adding their logos on the box! CBD is amazing but it has complex ingredients. It's like we created a cocktail with different flavours - but you need to be very thorough and precise in your formulas.  

Companies, especially in the UK and the US, have spent decades developing their special recipes with the best raw materials and received universal praise from their peers. We just decided to bring it to Hong Kong. We opted for the best in the world in their own specific categories; cosmetics, therapeutic, relaxation, booster and even for pets!

What have been the challenges? Have to ask the pandemic questions, how did it disrupt your industry?

The million-dollar question. The pandemic was indeed a massive challenge to overcome, but it also gave us the kick we needed to adapt ourselves to a new reality. To be honest, there were challenges we faced every day during the pandemic... it's a long list. I could write a book, but I’d rather talk about the rewards and accomplishments. To put it simply, it was tough... but we made it through the dark, into the light.

What’s a normal work day for you?

I wake up early, take my dog for a walk. Chill for a few minutes to practise some breathing exercises, jump on my motorbike to go to the office. Lunch break is usually yoga and a salad. I’m back home by 7:30pm to spend time with my family and then, early to bed. The late nights of partying in Central or Sai Kung are long gone since I've had my daughter.

As a teen – was this the passion – what did you aspire to be? 

As a child I did not know what I wanted to become, I spent a lot of time outside with friends and playing sports. I was always heading out to nature – the call was strong to go into the wild. My father taught us early to respect the planet and made it a point to show us its beauty. It is deeply embedded within me now. In terms of professional direction, I do not recall any strong attraction to work in an office or a specific calling. I just went with the flow.

What advice would you give others trying to establish their own company in Hong Kong? 

Have a business plan! It sounds simple, but many people have great ideas and they decide to give it a try and follow their dream – but with no planning, no strategy, no research, no development. Even fewer people give themselves the means to succeed. My advice is to take the time and energy to diligently understand what you are stepping into. It is not the most fun part of starting a dream, but it is necessary. Back to the books!

Where would you like to see your company in five years? 

Between the moon and the sun! Actually, I am planning to slowly expand the concepts to other Asian countries. Stay tuned Singapore, Korea, Philippines, Thailand… we are coming! Can you let the Prestige teams there know?

Sure!

The post Startup Life: Nicolas Pollet on the Evolution of CBD Beauty and Wellness appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

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The latest buzz term – ironically, without the buzz – making waves in the world of beauty and wellness is CBD.

To get to the root of this plant-powered substance, I explored different CBD products to find out what it is and how it could potentially help your health and general wellbeing.

CBD is the beauty and wellness industry’s newest super ingredient, at least in Hong Kong. In North America, where CBD is already hugely popular and fast becoming mainstream, it can be found infused in myriad oils, lotions and potions, as well as pain-relieving gummy bears and supplements for humans and sometimes pets. It’s touted as a natural remedy for many modern ailments — indeed, there’s a growing consensus that CBD is the botanical saviour to many of our health, wellness and beauty issues. But what exactly is it, and what does it do?

[caption id="attachment_209606" align="alignnone" width="1000"] CBD is one of the many compounds found in both hemp and cannabis plants.[/caption]

Cannabidiol, or CBD in short, is a non-intoxicating compound derived from hemp or cannabis, though they should not be confused as the same plant -- however similar-looking. Hemp has low levels (occasionally there are traces, but with little to no effect) of the high-inducing chemical THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), whose psychoactive properties can induce mind-altering effects.

According to a report by the World Health Organisation in 2018, there are no indications of any abuse or dependence potential, and nor is there evidence of health-related problems or harmful side effects associated with the use of pure CBD. Moreover, it’s been demonstrated to be an effective treatment for epilepsy, while anecdotal evidence also indicates the potential to relieve pain, reduce inflammation, improve skin, offset anxiety … the list goes on.

How and why CBD works is due to a complex process that scientists are still trying to make sense of: the Endocannabinoid system (or ECS). This cell-signalling system, identified in the early 1990s, is something that actively exists in our bodies and is thought to play a role in regulating sleep, appetite, mood, memory, reproduction and fertility.

[caption id="attachment_209607" align="alignnone" width="900"] Broad-spectrum cannabinoid activated oil created by the people behind pellucid industries[/caption]

Hong Kong-based Pellucid Industries is creating ripples in the industry with the imminent launch of their plant-based, THC-free cannabinoid-activated products that span beauty, wellness and sports recovery. The company founder, James Yau, explains that “we’re discovering that our bodies have receptors that interact with cannabinoids, which stimulate, counter-balance and naturally benefit us in numerous ways”. Put simply, research is saying that our body is always ready to absorb the benefits of CBD.

He adds, “Pre Covid-19, we’d been travelling around the world looking into clinical studies, hospital trials and non-recreational users, and [discovering] how it’s benefited patients from the age of two to 90 years old … And through our findings, we’re convinced of its anti-inflammatory effects, both internal and external. You don’t have to get high to benefit from cannabinoids.”

Yet even with its multitudinous benefits, CBD is still held in some suspicion in Asia, which is possibly due to its uncertain legality in some countries. In Hong Kong, however, cannabinoids without any trace of THC — known as CBD isolates, which are also free of other cannabinoids, oils, and plant materials — are legal.

Yau, who says that Pellucid Industries will grow, harvest, process and produce its products, adds, “Until the preregistered and relevant licences have been secured, broad-spectrum and full-spectrum compounds are classed as illegal.”

[caption id="attachment_209548" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Treaty’s ingestible CBD tinctures.[/caption]

Some users argue that full-spectrum cannabinoids provide greater relief than the isolate variety due to the combined benefits of the cannabinoids, terpenes and other beneficial plant materials. Where THC has been removed or a CBD isolate that has other cannabinoids is added, broad-spectrum cannabinoids can deliver an entourage effect by using multiple parts of the plant, while still being free of THC.

“A CBD isolate has little to no effect on the majority of the population, effectively making the product a gimmick. The benefits of using broad and full-spectrum products are far more effective,” continues Yau. “We’re glad to see more cannabinoid based products surfacing, which helps to educate the market. We feel this is just the beginning for the industry and that variety will help further expand everyone’s knowledge on more plant-based products.”

[caption id="attachment_209554" align="alignnone" width="1024"] Lip shines by Saint Jane[/caption]

This is exactly what we’re seeing in Hong Kong, with a number of brands and companies pushing past the taboo to bring in or develop CBD products of their own, which are set to change the future of beauty and wellness on this side of the Pacific. Luxury retail destination Joyce Beauty recently introduced three CBD brands from the US for a limited period, including a line of luxury skincare and make-up by Saint Jane, bath and body-care items by Nature of Things and ingestible CBD tinctures by Treaty.

“It’s the holy grail when it comes to must-have beauty products,” says Jason Wong, director of Joyce Beauty, “so we wanted to de-stigmatise this misunderstood hero ingredient. We love CBD due to the fantastic major benefits it has on our skin health, such as its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and skin-soothing properties. It also reduces dryness, and is amazing for acne-prone, sensitive skin, as well as treating chronic skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis. On top of these skincare benefits, your body also receives wellbeing benefits.”

[caption id="attachment_209552" align="alignnone" width="923"] Restorative bath and body products by Nature of Things[/caption]

“The response to CBD products has been overwhelmingly positive,” he adds. “We’re now even talking to our existing brands about the opportunity for new products to add to our collection. With the CBD space constantly evolving, we’ll continue to hunt down the most innovative brands for our Hong Kong customers.”

Hong Kong’s food and beverage industry has also felt the effects of CBD. Local cafe Elephant Grounds was one of the first coffee shops in the city to offer water-soluble CBD drops (from Life CBD) as an addition to all its drinks. Found, a newly opened boutique and café in Sheung Wan, is offering a whole range of CBD products and CBD-infused food and drinks.

To satisfy my curiosity, I sampled some CBD-infused creams, oils and, on several occasions, coffee to see what all the fuss is about. Keeping in mind that everyone responds to CBD differently, I felt varying degrees of its effects. With some products, none whatsoever, while others brought exceptional results in relieving migraine pain, reduced muscle soreness and less anxiety overall.

To the sceptics I’d say: give it a go. The known benefits of CBD are just the tip of the iceberg, and its potential in mental wellbeing, beauty and sports performance are definitely worth considering, especially at a time when health, both physical and mental, should surely take precedence.

The post The Truth About CBD and Its Potential Health Benefits appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.