Tag: Female Entrepreneurs

Women’s Resilience: As tough as natural diamond

In times of challenges, Female Entrepreneurs Worldwide (FEW), together with Gafencu and De Beers, worked together to interview several influential women who can inspire us to shine bright, no matter how dark the shadows sometimes seem. We believe that the strength of a woman’s spirit is as resilient as that of a natural diamond itself, born through hard work and under intense pressure.

Women's Resilience As tough as natural diamond gafencu total circle alison chan el azar
Alison Chan El Azar wears Portraits of Nature by De Beers High Jewellery Collection

Alison Chan El Azar
HK Influencer

Alison didn’t always know what she wanted in life, but she knows that she can do something big, something important. She is always working to be a better version of herself – just like a natural diamond – when it’s polished and incorporated into a piece of jewellery, it will transform into a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

Read more here. 

Women's Resilience As tough as natural diamond gafencu total circle victoria tang-owen Thirty30 creative
Victoria Tang-Owen wears De Beers Jewellers’ Enchanted Lotus High Jewellery Collection

Victoria Tang-Owen
Founder of Thirty30 Creative & Victoria Tang Studio

Victoria understands that “starting a business is tough, especially being a women-owned business. It takes courage and discipline.” I like the touch and feel of rough diamonds, understated yet powerful. Just like in life, some things do not have to be polished or perfect. 

Read more here. 

Women's Resilience As tough as natural diamond gafencu total circle ruth chao RCS
Ruth Chao wears De Beers Jewellers’ Ellesmere Treasure High Jewellery Collection

Ruth Chao
Founder of RCS

“We are what we think. We become what we do. Creating for businesses with positive impact and meaningful causes is what fuels my fire of creativity.” The strength of Ruth is like the stunning diamond jewellery she is wearing – rare, finite, and extremely difficult to find.”

Read more here. 

Women's Resilience As tough as natural diamond gafencu total circle diana chou
Diana Chou wears De Beers Jewellers’ Portraits of Nature High Jewellery Collection

Diana Chou
Chairman of Dragon General Aviation Group (DGA)

Diana Chou, the founder and Chairman of Dragon General Aviation Group, (DGA), has over time been a strong leader and mentor for up and coming female entrepreneurs. “When you see a natural diamond, you don’t know its brilliance until you have to shape it, polish it, before it will shine. This is just like a woman going through life, and they need to be polished before they can shine”.

Read more here. 

10 Tips to invite successful people to be your mentor

Diana Chou is the founder and chairman of Dragon General Aviation Group (DGA) while Anna Wong and Ines Gafi are founders of Female Entrepreneurs Worldwide (FEW). Diana also sits on the board of directors of FEW from the early years and she always shared with them that sometimes we  need to experience setbacks in order to learn and grow – it’s like a caterpillar that undergoes a transformational process to become a butterfly.

Anna: “Diana is a wonderful mentor because she shares her life, experiences, and struggles. She let me see how she manages the ups and downs in her life. She invites me to her business meetings and friends gatherings. She let me see how she runs things.”

Ines: “Diana is a great inspiration, as she inspires us to pay it forward and mentor other younger women. And we are constantly looking for more great business and corporate leaders to mentor our members.”

Also read: Women’s Resilience: As tough as natural diamonds

10 Tips to invite successful people to be your mentor

  1. Do not look like a helpless and miserable young woman.
  2. Dress “one level up” – if you are just a manager, you could dress like a future director in the office; If you’re an entrepreneur, please dress like a successful entrepreneur.
  3. Show them that you have the talent to do it through your work ethic and achievements.
  4. Sell your passion and bring in positive energy to people’s life. 
  5. Demonstrate you’re doing something to drive a positive impact in society, as they want to give back to the society too.
  6. Be genuine. You get to truly love the people you’re with. Try not to make friends with people because of their status or money.
  7. Invite them to a coffee meeting. Tell them sincerely about what you admire about them and want to learn from them.
  8. Join platforms like FEW or other business associations based on your needs.
  9. Say thank you or send a gift for their guidance and trust in you.
  10. No need to rush into any relationship. You also need to know that if you can work and communicate well with the person who’s goingto help guide you.

 

Read more from other inspirational female entrepreneurs in Hong Kong…

Women’s Resilience: As tough as natural diamond- Ruth Chao

Women's Resilience As tough as natural diamond gafencu total circle ruth chao RCS
Ruth Chao, Founder of RCS, wears De Beers Jewellers’ Ellesmere Treasure High Jewellery Collection

“I’m fascinated by depth, creativity, love”

The turning points that created the life I have Today:

  • When I quixotically applied to the art department of British Vogue 13 years
    ago that kickstarted my creative career.
  • When I co-founded my first company with Antonia Li at the age of 25 that
    began my entrepreneurial path.
  • When I founded my second company at the age of 30 to keep building the
    creative dream.
  • Each turning point in my life stemmed from moments of courage.

3 practical ways I improved my confidence:

  • Choose to believe in the positive.
  • Trust in the process.
  • Let myself to just simply be.

Top 3 things I do to motivate myself

  • Appreciate the past.
  • Daydream about the future.
  • Enjoy the present.

 

Also read: Women’s Resilience: As tough as natural diamonds

 

Read more from other inspirational female entrepreneurs in Hong Kong…

Women’s Resilience: As tough as natural diamond- Victoria Tang-Owen

Women's Resilience As tough as natural diamond gafencu total circle victoria tang owen
Victoria Tang-Owen, Founder of Thirty30 Creative & Victoria Tang Studio, wears De Beers Jewellers’ Enchanted Lotus High Jewellery Collection

“I adapt very easily. I can be comfortable in any sort
of situation you put me into”

Two important men in my life…

  • I was working for my father and was always overshadowed by him, and not allowed to cry in front of him. He said: “Excuses are just excuses. Fix it. Face it.” I had to constantly prove my creative output to him. All of  these make me stronger Today.
  • My husband is left-brained, strategic and business-minded — a great planner. We complement each other so well in each single aspect, which is beautiful.

Starting a business is tough, how I did it..

  • Have a genuine passion for what you do, not falling into habits of working simply to work.
  • Commit to it 100%. If you don’t believe in it, no one does. Stand on your own feet.
  • Find the right partner and people for you to work and surround yourself.
  • “You are what you give, not what you are given” is what I was told in my early adult life.

 

Also read: Women’s Resilience: As tough as natural diamonds

 

Read more from other inspirational female entrepreneurs in Hong Kong…

Women’s Resilience: as tough as natural diamond- Alison Chan El Azar

Women's Resilience As tough as natural diamond gafencu total circle alison chan el azar
Hong Kong Influencer Alison Chan El Azar wears Portraits of Nature by De Beers High Jewellery Collection

“I’m adventurous, determined, and spontaneous”

Alison didn’t always know what she wanted in life, but she knows that she can do something big, something important. She is always working to be a better version of herself – just like a natural diamond – when it’s polished and incorporated into a piece of jewellery, it will transform into a truly one-of-a-kind piece.

My Struggles:

  • I was feeling dark and lost in my teenage years, as my parents got divorced…
  • Thinking how to transition to the next chapter in my life and conquer the fears.
  • Give up other aspects of my life for being a full-time mom and my kids.
  • Who am I outside of mom, outside of my kids?

How I conquer my hard times:

  • It’s okay to feel lost and have doubt in certain stages of your life.
  • Waking up every day feeling motivated is just unrealistic. Do not pretend everything is alright.
  • You don’t need to be perfect or a billionaire.
  • It’s all about accepting where you’re at. 
  • Exercise and be grateful.

What I’m looking for now:

  • I believe I can do something.
  • I look for something on the side besides being a mom.
  • I want to live a happy and simple life with purpose.

 

Also read: Women’s Resilience: As tough as natural diamonds

 

Read more from other inspirational female entrepreneurs in Hong Kong…