Some of Hong Kong’s most exciting and ground-breaking start-ups are run by female entrepreneurs. We break into their busy day, asking for advice that will inspire you to make it on your own. Today, we speak to Kaye Dong, founder of The New Moon, The Good Studio and K for Kids Foundation.
Young entrepreneurs are on the rise as the new generation looks for more career fulfilment and seeks to make an impact on society – on their own terms. It’s an opportunity to carve out your own niche, and while there’ll always be a level of risk you’ll need to shoulder on your own, nothing beats the joy of finding start-up success and doing something you love.
But what does it mean to be a successful entrepreneur? We ask the city’s strongest Female businesswomen about their scalable start-ups and social enterprises.
Kaye Dong, Founder of The New Moon, The Good Studio and K for Kids Foundation
It’s impossible to put a single label on Kaye Dong, as she’s just an all-around superwoman who does so much good. She’s a mother and a foster mother who runs two businesses, The New Moon and The Good Studio, as well as K For Kids Foundation, a Hong Kong charity focusing on delivering a positive impact to children in out-of-home care. The New Moon is her latest venture, founded
in 2020 as an emerging online destination around the world of wellness, spirituality and self-care.
What advice would you give to someone looking to startup?
Think twice. No, just joking! Don’t overlook the importance of a well-thought-through business plan. Having passion is important, but a successful business requires a lot more than that. But be careful not to fall into analysis paralysis. Do the planning and preparation needed to get started but don’t strive for the perfect business plan. Because nothing usually goes to plan and it will never be perfect. Also, identify what your strengths and weaknesses are and don’t be shy about asking for help. Find yourself a mentor and/or a coach. I have both. But understand the difference between the two. I’ve gained so much over the years from my coaches, who help me find my own answers. And my mentors are the ones who help me by offering their wisdom, experience and connections.
As a child, what did you aspire to be?
I had lots of dreams and aspirations as a child. I wanted to be a police officer. I wanted to open a milk bar (which is a suburban general store in Australia). I wanted to be an architect. I also wanted to be a flight attendant. And while I’m none of the above today, I can certainly see some aspects of each playing out in my life.
If you were to invest in another start-up or field, which would it be?
Wellness, sustainability, design and foster care are still my core passions and I wouldn’t invest in anything outside of these. What I’d love to do in the next 10 years is have the capacity to support young entrepreneurs with a vision to make a positive impact in our community.
How do you define success? Do you consider yourself successful?
I consider myself successful and extremely blessed. I have a husband who supports me in almost everything I do, kids who are happy and healthy, a home that can welcome foster kids, a business I’m passionate about, friends I can count on, a healthy body and a strong mind… My life is full of passion and purpose. What more could I ask for?