Celebrity Life

Shanyan Fok Koder and Richard Bassett explain how a Hong Kong art entrepreneur joined forces with a former special-forces soldier to launch a health and mental wellbeing app, Mentor360.

"Mental health and mental fitness are universal concerns," says Shanyan Fok Koder. "And regardless of your demographic, social status, your job or your age, it’s something everyone has to deal with."

Shanyan Fok Koder & Richard Bassett on Mental Health App Mentor360

The Mentor360 app dropped on World Mental Health Day in October, the cumulation of the last 20 months of work and conversations (usually across continents over Zoom) between former military man Richard Bassett and worldly art advisor Koder. A month later, I’m sitting with both in a North London café talking over slices of pizza.

Their app, they hope, offers everyone a holistic 360 guide and framework to “finding your formula” for mental and physical wellbeing. It uses a hybrid approach, with a core layer of clinicians and professional Mentors and then celebrity Ambassadors (who’ve publicly shared meaningful life stories) critical for building noise and momentum.

"I’d been in the military for a long time. And there were a couple of incidents in my life that made me want to create something," Bassett, the CEO, explains. "Firstly, it was my father committing suicide. Then my son had a bit of misdirection. And several of my friends in the military had PTSD issues or adjustment disorders."

"The biggest issue is why people wouldn’t come forward and say they’ve got a problem?” he asks.

“Unlike some apps, we’re not trying to get people hooked. Come on to it when you need it”

— Richard Bassett

The answer often lay in culture, lack of education or concerns about privacy that prevent many from seeking help. With that came Bassett’s idea of creating an app that functions as a “non-judgmental toolkit” with content validated by experts – who include coaches, performance psychologists, mental health-specialising nurses and a clinical psychologist.

Basset’s link with Koder came when his best friend, ex-special forces colleague and TV star Jason Fox, sat next to a pregnant Koder at a charity fundraiser for Born (which researches to prevent premature birth) in late 2019. As the pair talked about their passions for mental health and children’s wellbeing, the connection to Bassett’s idea became quickly apparent.

"Foxy told me that I have to meet his friend, Richard, who’s building this app," Koder recalls. "I was always wanting to support things that are very meaningful and close to my heart … and now Jason is actually our key mentor. The partnership between Richard and I was almost like two parts of a jigsaw puzzle come together."

Although some might go to the app for help with stress, trauma or even resources to help with suicidal feelings, Mentor360 is designed specifically as a three-dimensional offering that will also encourage fitness, workouts, performance and meditation or more clinical matters.

"We wanted to maintain the human factor as a constant throughout. So it feels like somebody has given you some advice rather than some process-driven machine learning," Bassett adds.

The co-founders might come from two different worlds, but the unlikely partnership speaks to the ubiquity of the issues at hand. Bassett’s 25-year military career saw him being appointed the first ever Command Sergeant Major within the UK Special Forces military group. "It was at that stage where I was asked if I wanted to run defence,” he says. “At that point, I thought, I’ve kind of had my fill of the military now, it’s time to move on."

Koder meanwhile grew up in Hong Kong and the UK as the daughter of Li Ka-shing’s "right-hand man" Canning Fok, carving out a career in the arts and taking over her family’s impressive collection. As a female art entrepreneur and mother, her challenges would be different.

"When I had the misfortune of losing three babies to miscarriage and dealing with that emotional fallout, it led me to want to support this as a cause," Koder divulges. "If there’d been something like this app available to me, I don’t think I’d have suffered as much as I did emotionally. It’s a topic that’s still very taboo, even in this day and age … and while you eventually find your own community, at the very beginning, you do feel very alone."

Both were clearly driven towards the app through deeply personal experiences. Bassett saw first-hand how soldiers who’d done several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan suffered – his best friend, Fox, had left the forces with PTSD. Perhaps machismo or fear of institutional repercussions meant that the issue was often ignored or hidden in the military – but he hopes that Mentor360’s holistic approach can gently lead people to explore mental fitness alongside physical performance too.

The male-female perspectives of the pair offer a well-rounded, powerful tool. And while the wellness space is already crowded, Mentor360 stands out by being so broad, human-focused and non-prescriptive.

There’s been exciting traction too. Since its launch, the app has been downloaded in more than 176 countries, with the UK, the US and Australia leading. British schools have reached out and it’s one governance board away from being trialled within the National Health Service (NHS), which means added clinical risk management in the app. That has been an important validation, says Bassett, "especially when an institution like that has picked it out from a huge spectrum of apps on the market today."

Covid-19 and lockdowns have helped throw light on mental health, taking the conversation more mainstream. The timeliness has hit home; as Bassett says, “there’s a lot of people now struggling with the transition between Covid and normality”.

Koder tells us that the plan is to serve individuals but also institutions such as the NHS and the military. There’s also the option of “white labelling” it, so the app can be packaged and tailored to certain industries or corporate employees. In the future, might they look more global, with different languages and translations? Absolutely, the pair say, but they’re taking it “slow and steady”. There’s been interest from American corporations and Koder says that she’s keen to push into Asia very soon. Although going truly global might mean translating for languages, cultures and tone, as well as working with diverse psychologists, it remains a future ambition.

Mentor360 may be extra helpful in cultures where mental health is still relatively taboo. As Koder says, "I think, coming from our Asian culture, it speaks volumes to me – so much of our culture is about still performance or hiding a lot of what you’re feeling."

"Unlike some apps,” Bassett adds, "what we’re not trying to do is create a hook or get people hooked. Come on to it when you need it, and if you don’t need it for a while because you’re good, you can just put it away … We’re starting to see those patterns in the trend analysis."

To get a little personal, I ask what works for them individually to keep a healthy mind and body. Bassett’s formula revolves around daily exercise, time with the family, dogs and good sleep – even the occasional glass of wine on the sofa in front of a crackling fireplace. Koder’s happiness hacks centre around motherhood, being content and at peace in her skin, and looking at life with a certain romanticism: "I always love to see the poetry in my day,” she says, "and I think it’s important to just pause throughout the day, check-in and acknowledge that I’ve achieved these things and I should be proud of myself, rather than just rushing on to the next thing."

The post A Mentor In Your Pocket: Shanyan Fok Koder and Richard Bassett on Mentor360, Their Health and Mental Wellbeing App appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

The India office of ProChile, the agency of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Chile, which promotes the export of Chilean goods and services and whose role is to boost the commercial relationships between Chile and India recently hosted a one-of-a-kind event titled Unboxing Chile. The main objective of Unboxing Chile is to offer India a […]

The post Unboxing Chile appeared first on TMM.

Shanyan Fok Koder and Richard Bassett explain how a Hong Kong art entrepreneur joined forces with a former special-forces soldier to launch a health and mental wellbeing app, Mentor360.

"Mental health and mental fitness are universal concerns," says Shanyan Fok Koder. "And regardless of your demographic, social status, your job or your age, it’s something everyone has to deal with."

Shanyan Fok Koder & Richard Bassett on Mental Health App Mentor360

The Mentor360 app dropped on World Mental Health Day in October, the cumulation of the last 20 months of work and conversations (usually across continents over Zoom) between former military man Richard Bassett and worldly art advisor Koder. A month later, I’m sitting with both in a North London café talking over slices of pizza.

Their app, they hope, offers everyone a holistic 360 guide and framework to “finding your formula” for mental and physical wellbeing. It uses a hybrid approach, with a core layer of clinicians and professional Mentors and then celebrity Ambassadors (who’ve publicly shared meaningful life stories) critical for building noise and momentum.

"I’d been in the military for a long time. And there were a couple of incidents in my life that made me want to create something," Bassett, the CEO, explains. "Firstly, it was my father committing suicide. Then my son had a bit of misdirection. And several of my friends in the military had PTSD issues or adjustment disorders."

"The biggest issue is why people wouldn’t come forward and say they’ve got a problem?” he asks.

“Unlike some apps, we’re not trying to get people hooked. Come on to it when you need it”

— Richard Bassett

The answer often lay in culture, lack of education or concerns about privacy that prevent many from seeking help. With that came Bassett’s idea of creating an app that functions as a “non-judgmental toolkit” with content validated by experts – who include coaches, performance psychologists, mental health-specialising nurses and a clinical psychologist.

Basset’s link with Koder came when his best friend, ex-special forces colleague and TV star Jason Fox, sat next to a pregnant Koder at a charity fundraiser for Born (which researches to prevent premature birth) in late 2019. As the pair talked about their passions for mental health and children’s wellbeing, the connection to Bassett’s idea became quickly apparent.

"Foxy told me that I have to meet his friend, Richard, who’s building this app," Koder recalls. "I was always wanting to support things that are very meaningful and close to my heart … and now Jason is actually our key mentor. The partnership between Richard and I was almost like two parts of a jigsaw puzzle come together."

Although some might go to the app for help with stress, trauma or even resources to help with suicidal feelings, Mentor360 is designed specifically as a three-dimensional offering that will also encourage fitness, workouts, performance and meditation or more clinical matters.

"We wanted to maintain the human factor as a constant throughout. So it feels like somebody has given you some advice rather than some process-driven machine learning," Bassett adds.

The co-founders might come from two different worlds, but the unlikely partnership speaks to the ubiquity of the issues at hand. Bassett’s 25-year military career saw him being appointed the first ever Command Sergeant Major within the UK Special Forces military group. "It was at that stage where I was asked if I wanted to run defence,” he says. “At that point, I thought, I’ve kind of had my fill of the military now, it’s time to move on."

Koder meanwhile grew up in Hong Kong and the UK as the daughter of Li Ka-shing’s "right-hand man" Canning Fok, carving out a career in the arts and taking over her family’s impressive collection. As a female art entrepreneur and mother, her challenges would be different.

"When I had the misfortune of losing three babies to miscarriage and dealing with that emotional fallout, it led me to want to support this as a cause," Koder divulges. "If there’d been something like this app available to me, I don’t think I’d have suffered as much as I did emotionally. It’s a topic that’s still very taboo, even in this day and age … and while you eventually find your own community, at the very beginning, you do feel very alone."

Both were clearly driven towards the app through deeply personal experiences. Bassett saw first-hand how soldiers who’d done several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan suffered – his best friend, Fox, had left the forces with PTSD. Perhaps machismo or fear of institutional repercussions meant that the issue was often ignored or hidden in the military – but he hopes that Mentor360’s holistic approach can gently lead people to explore mental fitness alongside physical performance too.

The male-female perspectives of the pair offer a well-rounded, powerful tool. And while the wellness space is already crowded, Mentor360 stands out by being so broad, human-focused and non-prescriptive.

There’s been exciting traction too. Since its launch, the app has been downloaded in more than 176 countries, with the UK, the US and Australia leading. British schools have reached out and it’s one governance board away from being trialled within the National Health Service (NHS), which means added clinical risk management in the app. That has been an important validation, says Bassett, "especially when an institution like that has picked it out from a huge spectrum of apps on the market today."

Covid-19 and lockdowns have helped throw light on mental health, taking the conversation more mainstream. The timeliness has hit home; as Bassett says, “there’s a lot of people now struggling with the transition between Covid and normality”.

Koder tells us that the plan is to serve individuals but also institutions such as the NHS and the military. There’s also the option of “white labelling” it, so the app can be packaged and tailored to certain industries or corporate employees. In the future, might they look more global, with different languages and translations? Absolutely, the pair say, but they’re taking it “slow and steady”. There’s been interest from American corporations and Koder says that she’s keen to push into Asia very soon. Although going truly global might mean translating for languages, cultures and tone, as well as working with diverse psychologists, it remains a future ambition.

Mentor360 may be extra helpful in cultures where mental health is still relatively taboo. As Koder says, "I think, coming from our Asian culture, it speaks volumes to me – so much of our culture is about still performance or hiding a lot of what you’re feeling."

"Unlike some apps,” Bassett adds, "what we’re not trying to do is create a hook or get people hooked. Come on to it when you need it, and if you don’t need it for a while because you’re good, you can just put it away … We’re starting to see those patterns in the trend analysis."

To get a little personal, I ask what works for them individually to keep a healthy mind and body. Bassett’s formula revolves around daily exercise, time with the family, dogs and good sleep – even the occasional glass of wine on the sofa in front of a crackling fireplace. Koder’s happiness hacks centre around motherhood, being content and at peace in her skin, and looking at life with a certain romanticism: "I always love to see the poetry in my day,” she says, "and I think it’s important to just pause throughout the day, check-in and acknowledge that I’ve achieved these things and I should be proud of myself, rather than just rushing on to the next thing."

The post The 10 Most-followed Instagram Accounts in the World appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Shanyan Fok Koder and Richard Bassett explain how a Hong Kong art entrepreneur joined forces with a former special-forces soldier to launch a health and mental wellbeing app, Mentor360.

"Mental health and mental fitness are universal concerns," says Shanyan Fok Koder. "And regardless of your demographic, social status, your job or your age, it’s something everyone has to deal with."

Shanyan Fok Koder & Richard Bassett on Mental Health App Mentor360

The Mentor360 app dropped on World Mental Health Day in October, the cumulation of the last 20 months of work and conversations (usually across continents over Zoom) between former military man Richard Bassett and worldly art advisor Koder. A month later, I’m sitting with both in a North London café talking over slices of pizza.

Their app, they hope, offers everyone a holistic 360 guide and framework to “finding your formula” for mental and physical wellbeing. It uses a hybrid approach, with a core layer of clinicians and professional Mentors and then celebrity Ambassadors (who’ve publicly shared meaningful life stories) critical for building noise and momentum.

"I’d been in the military for a long time. And there were a couple of incidents in my life that made me want to create something," Bassett, the CEO, explains. "Firstly, it was my father committing suicide. Then my son had a bit of misdirection. And several of my friends in the military had PTSD issues or adjustment disorders."

"The biggest issue is why people wouldn’t come forward and say they’ve got a problem?” he asks.

“Unlike some apps, we’re not trying to get people hooked. Come on to it when you need it”

— Richard Bassett

The answer often lay in culture, lack of education or concerns about privacy that prevent many from seeking help. With that came Bassett’s idea of creating an app that functions as a “non-judgmental toolkit” with content validated by experts – who include coaches, performance psychologists, mental health-specialising nurses and a clinical psychologist.

Basset’s link with Koder came when his best friend, ex-special forces colleague and TV star Jason Fox, sat next to a pregnant Koder at a charity fundraiser for Born (which researches to prevent premature birth) in late 2019. As the pair talked about their passions for mental health and children’s wellbeing, the connection to Bassett’s idea became quickly apparent.

"Foxy told me that I have to meet his friend, Richard, who’s building this app," Koder recalls. "I was always wanting to support things that are very meaningful and close to my heart … and now Jason is actually our key mentor. The partnership between Richard and I was almost like two parts of a jigsaw puzzle come together."

Although some might go to the app for help with stress, trauma or even resources to help with suicidal feelings, Mentor360 is designed specifically as a three-dimensional offering that will also encourage fitness, workouts, performance and meditation or more clinical matters.

"We wanted to maintain the human factor as a constant throughout. So it feels like somebody has given you some advice rather than some process-driven machine learning," Bassett adds.

The co-founders might come from two different worlds, but the unlikely partnership speaks to the ubiquity of the issues at hand. Bassett’s 25-year military career saw him being appointed the first ever Command Sergeant Major within the UK Special Forces military group. "It was at that stage where I was asked if I wanted to run defence,” he says. “At that point, I thought, I’ve kind of had my fill of the military now, it’s time to move on."

Koder meanwhile grew up in Hong Kong and the UK as the daughter of Li Ka-shing’s "right-hand man" Canning Fok, carving out a career in the arts and taking over her family’s impressive collection. As a female art entrepreneur and mother, her challenges would be different.

"When I had the misfortune of losing three babies to miscarriage and dealing with that emotional fallout, it led me to want to support this as a cause," Koder divulges. "If there’d been something like this app available to me, I don’t think I’d have suffered as much as I did emotionally. It’s a topic that’s still very taboo, even in this day and age … and while you eventually find your own community, at the very beginning, you do feel very alone."

Both were clearly driven towards the app through deeply personal experiences. Bassett saw first-hand how soldiers who’d done several tours in Iraq and Afghanistan suffered – his best friend, Fox, had left the forces with PTSD. Perhaps machismo or fear of institutional repercussions meant that the issue was often ignored or hidden in the military – but he hopes that Mentor360’s holistic approach can gently lead people to explore mental fitness alongside physical performance too.

The male-female perspectives of the pair offer a well-rounded, powerful tool. And while the wellness space is already crowded, Mentor360 stands out by being so broad, human-focused and non-prescriptive.

There’s been exciting traction too. Since its launch, the app has been downloaded in more than 176 countries, with the UK, the US and Australia leading. British schools have reached out and it’s one governance board away from being trialled within the National Health Service (NHS), which means added clinical risk management in the app. That has been an important validation, says Bassett, "especially when an institution like that has picked it out from a huge spectrum of apps on the market today."

Covid-19 and lockdowns have helped throw light on mental health, taking the conversation more mainstream. The timeliness has hit home; as Bassett says, “there’s a lot of people now struggling with the transition between Covid and normality”.

Koder tells us that the plan is to serve individuals but also institutions such as the NHS and the military. There’s also the option of “white labelling” it, so the app can be packaged and tailored to certain industries or corporate employees. In the future, might they look more global, with different languages and translations? Absolutely, the pair say, but they’re taking it “slow and steady”. There’s been interest from American corporations and Koder says that she’s keen to push into Asia very soon. Although going truly global might mean translating for languages, cultures and tone, as well as working with diverse psychologists, it remains a future ambition.

Mentor360 may be extra helpful in cultures where mental health is still relatively taboo. As Koder says, "I think, coming from our Asian culture, it speaks volumes to me – so much of our culture is about still performance or hiding a lot of what you’re feeling."

"Unlike some apps,” Bassett adds, "what we’re not trying to do is create a hook or get people hooked. Come on to it when you need it, and if you don’t need it for a while because you’re good, you can just put it away … We’re starting to see those patterns in the trend analysis."

To get a little personal, I ask what works for them individually to keep a healthy mind and body. Bassett’s formula revolves around daily exercise, time with the family, dogs and good sleep – even the occasional glass of wine on the sofa in front of a crackling fireplace. Koder’s happiness hacks centre around motherhood, being content and at peace in her skin, and looking at life with a certain romanticism: "I always love to see the poetry in my day,” she says, "and I think it’s important to just pause throughout the day, check-in and acknowledge that I’ve achieved these things and I should be proud of myself, rather than just rushing on to the next thing."

The post Pedal Power: Olympic Cyclist Lee Wai-Sze on Overcoming Adversity and Aiming for Gold appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

A career in the spotlight runs in the family. But singer-actress-model Emma Holzer is never too busy to do right by Mother Earth.

The post Emma Holzer is a Triple Threat appeared first on Palm Beach Illustrated.

’Tis the season to reflect on the past, mull over the present and hope for the future, as we find out how four local personalities will be spending the holidays...

4 Hong Kong Personalities on the Festive Season

Jessica Jann, Actress

What’s your Christmas family tradition?

Lots of time together. I always used to go back home to California and be with my parents. We’d have a lot of meals together, spend time together, watch holiday movies and just be with each other.

What’s your favourite Christmas memory?

Years ago, when I was home for the holidays, I remember having a lovely family meal out with everyone. Then my cousins, my sister and I went to Downtown Disney in Anaheim. We ordered hot chocolate, sat by a fireplace, chatted nonstop and then got doughnuts afterwards. This year will be the third Christmas holiday when I won’t be back home.

Which moment from past holidays still makes you laugh?

Once my sister got us all, the entire family, these ugly, ugly Christmas sweaters but we absolutely loved wearing them! We laughed and took so many pictures!

What’s your Christmas wish?

I’m so lucky because my grandma (Abu) is in Hong Kong with all of us. I miss my parents, sister and nephew, but I’ll definitely be calling them. This year, I might still be in the hospital as my due date is really close to Christmas Day. My husband, Kenneth, and I are so excited, anxious and nervous. Christmas has always been my favourite holiday and I really can’t wait to hold my baby girl for the first time. I just wish she’s happy, healthy and I can’t wait to meet her.

Richard Ekkebus, Chef

Which Christmas tradition from your youth do you remember most fondly?

Back home in the Netherlands, my mum put a lot of effort into decorating the house and it was a true collective family effort – dad did the lights and fixed the tree, and my sisters and I would decorate the tree with garlands and hang Christmas baubles. But the most important part was the family reunion – grandparents, uncles and cousins all meeting. Large dinner tables and extended meals. We were allowed to sip our dad’s glass of wine to get a taste. The laughter, the happiness and, of course, the festive decorations and gifts.

What was your most memorable Christmas gift?

When I was 10, I got a concave skateboard to learn to ride in half-pipes. I was super into skateboarding but my skateboard wasn’t great, so my mum ordered one from a skate shop in Amsterdam – the real McCoy.

What’s your Christmas wish and hope this year?

Christmas is always a little awkward for me. I’m super-stressed, as it’s an important day for my guests. So we’re the family that unwraps gifts very early in the morning before I head off to work, to look after other families. With the pandemic, it will be a challenge this year, just as it was last year. We’d normally have our kids in Hong Kong but this year there’s an empty nest and – that’s somewhat sad. I want to make sure they all have a great Christmas, and my wife and I have organised parcels to be sent early so they reach them in time. We’ll probably do a thing on Zoom on Christmas Day.

Nick Buckley Wood, Art Connoisseur

What’s a favourite Christmas memory?

I don’t have many favourite Christmas memories in Hong Kong. I grew up in the city till I was 13 and then was in the UK. We don’t really celebrate Christmas that much in the Wood family. We all get together, and I suppose that’s the best memory – everyone being under the same roof. Otherwise, everyone’s scattered around the globe. I do like tropical Christmases more than snow-capped ones, probably because I’ve had more Christmases in Singapore and Hong Kong than elsewhere. So, sandcastle over snowman any day.

So a favourite Christmas meal for you would be?

Hainan chicken rice – with a giant chicken. And all the trimmings.

What’s the best Christmas present you ever received?

A puppy when I was a boy. A puppy really is the greatest present ever, at any age. I named him Tiffin.

Money no object, if you could bid for any artwork as a Christmas present for yourself, what would it be?

Maybe a Caravaggio. What’s a good Christmas-y painting? Maybe a giant pumpkin by Yayoi Kusama. What’s your end-of-the-year plan? I’ll be in Cambodia this year for Christmas. I bought an apartment and spent most of the year there, I was basically exiled – there’s no Covid where I stayed and I worked remotely. I’m also working on a non-profit project there. So this year I’ll be working on my apartment and the charity.

Elly Lam, Influencer

What’s your Christmas family tradition?

I have a big family, lots of brothers and sisters, and we all sit and watch old Christmas movies while sipping on homemade mulled wine.

What’s your favourite Christmas memory?

Cooking Christmas dinners together with loved ones every year is always a favourite. Oh, and I love Secret Santa!

Which moment from past holidays still makes you laugh?

Serving salty eggnog! It was ridiculous because it’s so easy to make. I was frantically trying to finish making Christmas dinner and, in the rush, I used salt instead of sugar in the mix! My helper served it thinking that’s how it’s supposed to taste. It was slightly embarrassing for me to serve failed eggnog – we still laugh about it.

For 2021, what’s your Christmas wish?

To be able to travel somewhere cold and snowy for Christmas this … well, I guess next year. I miss having a White Christmas.

The post Home for the Holidays: 4 Hong Kong Personalities on the Festive Season appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Bikes are a way for “Jack the Bike Man” Hairston to get lives (and smiles) rolling again

The post Sweet Rides with Jack the Bike Man appeared first on Palm Beach Illustrated.

In this instalment of Startup Life, Simran Mohinani of MOHLIA talks infinity roses, luxury gifting, and getting ahead of the designer florist-curve.

It’s the season of giving and gifting, making it an excellent time to chat with expert Simran Mohinani. She launched her floral company MOHLIA during the peak of the pandemic, when customers were rushing to find ways to connect with loved ones. With Mohinani's wide network, she was able to ensure that her cheerful, long-lasting floral arrangements reached recipients all over the world, and on time. The company has now evolved to include much more – here’s a look at this enterprising entrepreneur.

Name: Simran Mohinani
Profession: Founder and CEO of MOHLIA
Industry: Luxury Gifting
Company Size: 26 people
Startup Since: August 2020

When did you decide to launch your own company and why did you start it?

I launched my first company back in 2017, during my second year of University. I had just started my career as an author and was eager to start investing my first source of income into something wonderful, as I had always been told you should make your money work for you. I learned about the stock market and put quite a chunk of money into it. While reading about the companies I was choosing to invest in, I thought about how fun it would be to start something of my own. I always knew I wanted to be my own boss, so it was just a matter of time.

When I started MOHLIA, I already had two businesses and had written three books. But with this project, I immediately knew there was different energy associated with it. I got the idea of starting an infinity flower business because I had so many bouquets and arrangements dotted around my apartment in Boston and house in London, and once Covid hit, my space lacked so much without it. When I tried looking for alternatives here in Asia, there were none. We decided to bridge the gap between luxury and innovation in the flower industry by creating our own version of the product, whilst keeping things affordable and sustainable – here in Hong Kong. 

There are obviously a lot of designer florists in the region – how are you keeping ahead of the curve?

MOHLIA has grown out of being just another flower company. We are a luxury gifting and lifestyle business with so much to offer. We've collaborated with small, medium and large-scale businesses worldwide to make ourselves the one-stop gifting shop for any client, of any age around the world. We've created our own private label of extraordinary, sulfite-free, sustainable, Italian DOCG wines that pair beautifully with the other products on our site You can expect to find anything from candles to cookies, jewellery and more at MOHLIA. In terms of our flowers, we have our own twist on the classic flower arrangements, but now are venturing out into flower sculptures, wall art and even flower handbags, speakers and trunks.

What are the challenges in your industry?  

Like with any industry, we do face challenges, we've actually gotten into a legal battle at one point a few months ago with someone trying to duplicate our business concept, products and name! As a team, we face every new challenge with a level-head and the utmost support for each other and confidence in what we create.

What’s the best part of your job?

The best part of this business is... truly everything! I wake up excited to go to work every day, and I anticipate my to-do list, meetings and events. The most rewarding thing for me is being the connection between two loved ones, when we deliver a gift across the world from someone who wants it sent to their best friend, significant other, parent, sibling, colleague, it makes it all worth it. 

Describe a normal workday for you.

Any entrepreneur will tell you that there is no 'normal' workday. A typical day for me would include at least an hour of exercise, as much family time, time with my dog. Daily meditation, sage-ing my space, reading and catching up on TV in my downtime. There are constant calls in different time zones, meetings, touching base with my team, keeping track of orders and accounts, sometimes cool networking events, pop-ups, emails, lots of pre-planning for events, designing, talking to suppliers, the list goes on and never really ends.

Where did you study and did that inform your career?

I studied at Northeastern University in Boston and had the best four years of my life. I majored in entrepreneurship and innovation, minored in global fashion studies. I did two sets of six-month work experience; first, at an app company in London. The second, at the W hotel in Boston – which I think definitely helped with my people skills. I also did a study abroad in Sicily, where I toured Italy and actually discovered the vineyard that I work with now to produce my wines. Every professor, class and person I met or took on along my journey shaped me into the individual I am today and gave me the confidence, skills and drive to tackle the entrepreneurial world.

As a teen, was this your passion? 

As a teen my passion was everything, and I think that really helped me to create and imagine what I do today. I am a serial entrepreneur and author now, but I want to be so much more. I want to dip into F+B and conceptualize my own restaurants in the future, produce music and film with my love for visual arts, and help philanthropic causes particularly with animal conservation in the future.

What advice would you give to other people wanting to start their own business, especially young girls and fresh grads? 

Ladies, the world needs YOU. Not who people want you to be, not the expectations and standards we are conformed to adhere to, individual, authentic, beautiful you. Follow your dreams even if you're scared, you have one life, and everything is temporary anyway so you might as well take the plunge, and if you by chance fail, pick yourself up and start again. There is nothing the universe doesn't notice, so surrender to it and manifest your destiny. Making up reasons not to start is invalid because all you need is your passion and drive, you'll learn the rest as it comes. J.K. Rowling started writing Harry Potter on a napkin in a coffee shop, Ellen DeGeneres had a thousand doors slammed in her face before she was given a 'Yes', but they followed their gut, and one 'Yes' is all it takes to live your purpose every day.

Where do you want to see your company in five years? 

I want to be selling our flowers on the Moon! There is nowhere I can't see us going, my vision for MOHLIA is to be the one-stop-shop of luxury gifting worldwide. I would love to be a household name globally. I want to make a shift in making the floral industry a more eco-conscious place, a true change in the world.

You say you're a serial entrepreneur. What else are you working on? 

My first business is in denim supply, my second is a consulting firm for young entrepreneurs, MOHLIA is my first direct B2C company, and we are planning on creating a sister brand that launches next year, called 'Sof's' – luxurious products for pets and paw-rents that don't break the bank

And what’s next for you in the coming year?  

We have a lot of huge projects and partnerships coming up which is so exciting. Expanding our product line and retail presence globally as well as scaling our online business to the next level. I am very excited to launch Sof's which will fill a very authentic and much-needed gap in the pet market, sourcing the best goods for every type of pet. I don’t know what’s in the future – but I do know the best is yet to come. 

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

The post Startup Life: Simran Mohinani of MOHLIA on Designer Florists and Luxury Gifting appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

In the first of a series dedicated to people being the change they’d like to see in the world, here’s our salute to women in philanthropy.

Since the summer of 2020, MacKenzie Scott has donated almost $8.5 billion to 798 non-profit organisations, with no strings attached. Her famous ex, near-trillionaire Jeff Bezos, has set up a $10 billion initiative to fight climate change. It brings to mind the phrase, “If you want something said, ask a man, if you want something done, ask a woman.”

Here’s an ad hoc list of women in philanthropy we’ve been keeping tabs on for a while. They’re the founders, leaders and advocates for notable and worthy causes in the city, who are making an impact locally – and perhaps even globally. Fighting for rights, providing safe houses and shelter, raising funds and awareness, adopting, fostering, feeding – these driven women do it all.

This is by no means a comprehensive list; we aim to continue adding women in philanthropy in the coming year and hope you, our readers, will inform and enlighten the editors of Prestige with news and information about worthy causes and noteworthy names.

Women in Philanthropy

Alia Marwah Eyres
CEO of Mother’s Choice

Alia Marwah Eyres often volunteered at Mother’s Choice when she was younger, an experience that fuelled her passion to change the life stories of vulnerable children, youth, and families – leading her back to a leadership role at the charity that serves the needs of both children without families and pregnant teenagers.

Amanda Cheung
First Initiative Foundation (FIF)

Amanda Cheung is the managing director of First Initiative Foundation (FIF). Her mother, Michelle Ong, set up the foundation over a decade ago as a way of supporting Hong Kong’s creative community.
fif.org.hk

Belinda Koo
Founder of One Ten Foundation

A charity aiming to equip young adults, aged 12 to 24, with high emotional resilience through integrating non-competitive sports with evidence-based therapeutic concepts.
weareoneten.org

Cathy Lee
Goodwill Ambassador of The Chi Heng Foundation

The Chi Heng Foundation promotes equal opportunity and the elimination of discrimination against minority groups and underprivileged members of society. From supporting children who are affected by HIV and Aids throughout mainland China to funding and operating projects in education and care for children and adults impacted by Aids, the Foundation also educates about Aids prevention and the need for anti-discrimination practices.

Cissy Wang
Co-founder of Go.Asia

An online charity platform encouraging people to participate in charity work and serve local communities, Go.Asia is a charitable initiative that aims to improve society through collective and individual efforts.
go.asia

Daisy Tam
Founder of Breadline and Hong Kong Foodworks

Combating the shocking level of food waste in Hong Kong, Breadline connects bakeries with volunteers wanting to pick up leftover loaves to deliver to charities.
breadline.hkfoodworks.com

Emily Lam-Ho
Co-founder of EcoDrive

EcoDrive promotes the awareness and reduction of single-use plastic in Hong Kong through education, connecting with corporates, and providing possible solutions.
ecodrivehk.com

Gabrielle Kirstein
Founder of Feeding HK

Providing food sourcing, operations, charity distribution and volunteer coordination, Feeding HK ensures surplus food goes to feed people, not landfills.
feedinghk.org

Jacqueline Chow
Treasurer and Fundraising Committee Member of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children (HKSPC)

To lead and excel in keeping children healthy, happy and safe, the HKDSPC provides for and promotes the care, education and social development of children and families, in partnership with the community.
hkspc.org

Jennifer Yu-Cheng
Founder of Jennifer Yu Cheng Girls Impact Foundation

Providing teenage girls with opportunities for a future-ready education in STEM fields, the mission at JYC Girls Impact Foundation is to open the door for all girls, providing them education access, tech skills and mindset, and the inspiration and ability to lead.
jycgirlsimpact.org

Joanna Hotung
Founder of Youth Diabetes Action

Youth Diabetes Action (YDA) is a charity dedicated to supporting children and adolescents with diabetes in Hong Kong, as well as their families.
yda.org.hk

Joanna Lui-Hilcox
Executive Director of Galaxy Entertainment Group Foundation

The philanthropic activities of the GEG Foundation spread across Hong Kong, Macau and mainland China and run the gamut; from nurturing young talent to providing for the elderly, art and artists, music or medicine, the Foundation’s charitable arm and remit are vast.
gegfoundation.org.mo

Karen Chan
Creative Director and Co-Founder of HKCRAFTS

HKCRAFTS integrates various design elements into local fading crafts and supports local emerging artists and designers. Working with local artisans to train others, HKCRAFTS sheds light on fading, unique local artists – and giving them another chance, suitable employment and funding.
hkcrafts.ooo

Katherine Lo
Founder Of Eaton Workshop

Eaton Workshop is a mission-driven global hospitality company dedicated to shaping a better world based on values of inclusivity and equity, and providing a platform that holds space for belonging, expression and collective change. Activism and advocacy for a range of progressive issues are at the heart of all its programmes.
eatonworkshop.com

Kaye Dong
Founder of K for Kids Foundation

K for Kids Foundation Limited focuses on helping children with the biggest needs, aiming to provide resources, opportunities and support through educational and extra-curricular programmes and activities built on the foundation of core values: respect, responsibility, kindness, passion, happiness and love.

Laurinda Ho
Smile with Us HK

Launched in 2017 and making use of social media to raise awareness, Laurinda Ho’s initiative Smile with Us HK organises regular visits to homes for the elderly and families of children with special needs. It also provides food, clothing and school supplies – whatever the need, the foundation works with the local community and those in mainland China.

Michele Lai
Founder of Kids4Kids

Kids4Kids nurtures change through reimagining ways of learning and rethinking social expectations, galvanising youth to work together and connecting individuals with communities.
kids4kids.org.hk

Patricia Ho
Founder Of Hong Kong Dignity Institute

The HK Dignity Institute fights for marginalised communities, asylum seekers, refugees, victims of human trafficking and discrimination, vulnerable women and child victims of domestic violence and abuse.

Sian Taylor
Charity Director Of Box Of Hope

Box of Hope is a charity project aimed at teaching Hong Kong school students about giving through providing useful/educational gifts to underprivileged children in Hong Kong and Asia, which are donated entirely by local school children and organisations. The boxes are collected and delivered directly to the children in need across eight Asian countries.

Victoria Tang-Owen
President Of The Hong Kong Down Syndrome Association

The association is committed to serving individuals with Down Syndrome, intellectual disabilities or other disabilities and their family members with integrated family support and vocational rehabilitation services. In recent years, it’s expanded its social enterprises with the aim of increasing vocational training and job opportunities for people with disabilities, while promoting the concept of social inclusion.
hk-dsa.org.hk

Yvonne Lui
The Yvonne Lui Trust

Established in 2013, the Hong Kong-based Yvonne Lui Trust works with a wide range of NGO partners with a mission to develop sustainability initiatives through innovative solutions, promote the importance of health and enhance the accessibility to quality education and art.
yvonneluitrust.org

Tell us about your charity of choice and more women in philanthropy – contact us with information and links at editor@burda.hk

The post Women in Philanthropy: Hong Kong Names Dedicated to Change appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

As the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children marks its 95th anniversary, philanthropist Jacqueline Chow tells us why the charity speaks to her heart.

For 18 years, Jacqueline Chow has been a leading light of the Hong Kong Society for the Protection of Children (HKSPC), a tradition she’s carried on from her mother and great-grandmother, and is proudly passing on to her two daughters as well.

Jacqueline Chow on the HKSPC's 95th Anniversary

“My great-grandmother, May Woo, wife of Dr Arthur Woo, used to be a member of the Women’s Auxiliary in the 1930s, which is now the fund-raising committee of the HKSPC,” says Jacqueline Chow. “My mother volunteered for the fund-raising committee for more than 20 years.”

Like their mother, Chow’s daughters have also been aware of the HKSPC since early childhood. Chow tells me she takes them to the centre regularly. “What they observe themselves is more significant and memorable than what I can tell them in words. They’ve helped to sell flags on our charity flag days since they were toddlers.”

Her elder daughter Gabriella helped the charity raise more than HK$200,000 when she auctioned one of her paintings at the HKSPC Little Artists fundraising event earlier this year. “They know very well that being able to give is a form of blessing,” says Chow. “They’re very grateful and feel fortunate to be able to help underprivileged children in Hong Kong.”

This month, the HKSPC celebrates its 95th anniversary, marking a significant milestone since Thomas Maynard Hazlerigg, a former British army officer, established the society with a mission to build a healthy, happy and safe environment for children from all backgrounds.

The longest-established organisation of its kind, the HKSPC serves around 3,000 children and families each day

The society, which opened its first baby health centre in 1951, today operates 29 units serving children aged up to 16, as well as providing support for working and single parents, and low-income, newly arrived and ethnic-minority families, as well as those on social-security assistance (CSSA). The longest-established organisation of its kind, it serves around 3,000 children and families each day.

Chow sat as the chairperson for the fundraising committee between 2014 and 2017, and today, along with her brother Evan, continues to take an active part in the society’s executive and finance committees, and management sub-committee. She proudly tells me she helped bring in almost half the current fund-raising committee members. “I’ve lined up many notable individual donors, institutions, and luxury and local brands to have a wide range of collaborations, along with organising various fund-raising activities,” she says.

The pandemic didn’t dampen the society’s efforts, even as physical fundraising events couldn’t proceed. “We turned every challenge into new opportunities,” says Chow, who quickly adapted to hosting online fundraising series, including Little Musicians and Little Artists, in which young philanthropists were encouraged to take part. During the peak of Covid in early 2020. when supplies were lacking, the HKSPC also rallied members and the public to donate anti-epidemic items to support the needs of children and their families.

Much has been done to safeguard children’s rights, but there’s still a lot to do. In celebrating the 95th anniversary with a Game Night at the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club on December 12, Chow hopes that funds will continue to come in to support the society’s various missions.

“Covid has changed the world in many aspects,” says Chow. “Children and their families are facing a completely new lifestyle and unexpected challenges.”

One such challenge was for both parents to find work, which led to day-care shortages, as the HKSPC quickly realised. By March 2020, it had received 1,959 applications for the 329 places at its five-day crèches, almost six times its service quota. Depending on continued funding from patrons and cooperation with the relevant government departments, the society is hoping to open a sixth-day crèche, in North District, to cater to an urgent need from dual-income families.

With pressures continuing to rise on children and families in need, Chow believes maintaining good mental health is also key for the HKSPC’s future campaigns. “Parenting education will be one of the highlights in the next few years,” she says. “We’ll focus on promoting the appropriate parenting style and attitudes towards child-rearing and education issues.’

Aside from her 18 years of active participation in the HKSPC, Chow’s philanthropic efforts include a seat on the board of the YWCA, membership of the Hong Kong Ballet Guild and her work as an independent school manager at the Ebenezer School and Home for the Visually Impaired. Evidently, philanthropy not only runs in her blood, but it also brings her joy.

“I get so much happiness and satisfaction through volunteering for various charities and helping others,” says Chow. “It’s more precious to me than monetary rewards. To me, the more giving you are, the more you will receive.”

The post Jacqueline Chow on HKSPC’s 95th Anniversary appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

If the weddings of Kate Middleton and Meghan Markle are any indication, people are fixated on royalty.

Luckily for fans of the blue-blooded, Instagram has made keeping up with their lives just a tad easier. Welcome to the world of modern royalty, where younger generations have no qualms about sharing the ins-and-outs of life as society's upper crust. Ahead, we beckon you to take a tantalising glimpse into the lives of the most talked-about Asian royals, who use social media to advocate for their causes, showcase their wardrobes, or simply to share about their lives. Hit the 'follow' button. You know you want to.

Asian Royals to Follow on Instagram

1. Princess Ezurin Khyra

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBPJvt4JeMF

The words 'crazy rich Asians' have nothing on Princess Ezurin Khyra — once married to Tunku Dato' Yaacob Khyra of Negeri Sembilan royalty, the socialite lives life large by way of high fashion.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B8XNWUBJ0bk/

Her feed is a treasure trove of glamorous #ootds — the former princess is bold in her wardrobe choices, mixing the work of emerging designers and big name fashion houses.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B76T966JHNX/

Of course, a woman so glamorous is blessed with an equally elite social circle of other blue bloods, celebrities — she counts Lionel Richies and Kim Kardashian among her friends — and fashion designers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BvqYT30gSop/

What might also surprise you is that Ezurin is a proud mother of five, all of which she has enviably close relationships with.

2. Samantha Richelle

While they might be friends, Filipina social media star Samantha Richelle keeps her royal background low profile next to Princess Ezurin — it's not widely known that she is the daughter of Brunei's Prince Jefri Bolkiah. Richelle has an eponymous streetwear label and was recently in international TV series Almost Paradise. 

The down-to-earth beau is known for her edgy style that's amplified by her tattoos, and sometimes provocative photos.

But despite your initial impressions, Richelle is a family woman who's not shy to share about her devotion to her family. She frequently posts about her son named Myles that she dotes on.

3. Tengku Iman Afzan

The daughter of the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang is a classic beauty; she's blessed with an impressive height and model-esque looks of large doe eyes and long raven hair.

Her feed is a combination of photos at family gatherings with her husband Tengku Abu Bakar Ahmad Bin Almarhum Tengku Arif Bendahara Tengku Abdullah and son, as well as her appearances at charity events and outings with her equally prolific sisters.

As a young and modern princess, Tengku Iman proves that she's adept at balancing her royal duties with the trimmings of modern family life.

4. Princess Sirivannavari Nariratana

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_e4wePHeyC/

Unfortunately for fans of Princess Sirivannavari, she does not have a public page on Instagram — you can, however, get to know her more through this interview with Prestige Thailand. The Princess is vocal about Thailand being rich in resources and creatives. As the designer of her popular namesake label, she herself is one of them.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B7EFv-jnySX/

While you won't be able to follow her personal page, following her label's feed gives you an inside look into her personal style and creative process.

5. Prince Abdul Mateen

Unarguably the most popular of the Asian royals here, Brunei's Prince Charming is no stranger to the world. The blue-blooded bachelor has a a loyal following online (he now has 2.3 million followers on Instagram) and in real life.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B6NK9popzoE/

The fourth son of the Sultan of Brunei by his second wife Puan Mariam Binte Abdul Aziz, Prince Mateen shares about his royal and military duties, holidays in tropical destinations and fitness regimes.

https://www.instagram.com/p/B4jWVXKpA8B/

Prince Mateen is a lieutenant in the Bruneian army, and has a Master of Arts degree in International Studies and Diplomacy from the University of London.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bz93gIWJF1i/

Follow him to see how he lives life as a young royal, juggling his duties with overseeing Jab Gym, a fitness studio that he recently founded.

6. Maharaja Padmanabh Singh

https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu1bz74nP_V/

The 303rd descendant of the royal family of Jaipur is a young maharaja, and a dapper dresser. The 21-year-old gained global fame when he accompanied Ava Phillippe, the daughter of Reese Witherspoon, to her debutante ball.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BssKI1ZH78o/

As a national polo player, Singh is lauded for being the one who revived the sport. He was captain of the Indian team, and competed against England for the the first time in over sixty years.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Br5BApSHT79/

A regular face at elite events all over the world, Singh became the first Indian royal to walk for a big name label when he modelled for Dolce and Gabbana's Spring/Summer 2019 show.

7. Princess Gusti Kanjeng Ratu Hayu

Princess Hayu of Yogyakarta is not your average princess. For starters, the fourth daughter of Sultan Hamengkubuwana X of Yogyakarta is part of what the international media are calling "the feminist revolution". Her eldest sister is said to be the next in line to the throne, a shocking possibility for a monarchy that has seen generations of male rulers.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BRaJvYihp0L/

A look at her Instagram profile will confirm this, as she writes "helping ancient traditions going high tech" in her bio.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BzIjGmgllss/

Princess Hayu is a symbol of Java's changing gender roles, as she was a game producer for GameLoft and serves as chief of the IT and department affairs department in the palace. Her active career and role in royal affairs is an inspiration for women in the kingdom, who've traditionally taken a backseat to men.

The post Life as a Blue Blood: Asian Royals to Follow on Instagram appeared first on Prestige Online - Hong Kong.

Learn about the West Palm Beach nonprofit's recent collaboration with superstar Natasha Bedingfield

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