Anna Flores of The Chaless Wellness and Beauty turns passion into success

Inspired by the warmth of cabins and chalets in the mountainous regions of Europe, Anna Flores brings over two decades of her wellness experience to Central’s buzziest urban sanctuary.

The Chaless Wellness and Beauty takes a contemporary approach. What inspired you to start this transformative beauty hub?
I’ve been in the wellness industry for over two decades now. From the moment I came to Hong Kong back in the ’90s and realised the potential of the beauty and wellness sector, I became actively involved in the spa business. The name Chaless, comes from the names of my three children, who bring immense love and joy in my life. I wanted the same love and light in my clients’ life as well.

Over the years, the concepts and foundation of beauty have evolved – its cleaner, gentler and more targeted now. My vision was to recreate a destination on the slow beauty lines and help my clients embrace the richness of massage and facials minus the harshness of fast treatments – and understand that skin health improves overall wellbeing.

gafencu interviews Anna Flores of The Chaless Wellness and Beauty turns passion into success (3)
Anna Flores wearing bracelet by agnès b. Ring by Stéfère Jewelry; Embroidered cotton-poplin shirt by Totême, courtesy of NET-A-PORTER; Original distressed mid-rise straight-leg jeans by Totême, courtesy of NET-A-PORTER Heels by Aquazzura

What does wellness mean to you?
Wellness is a lot of things. It’s a holistic way of living, it’s about empowering us to look after themselves. It’s way beyond and deeper than makeup, skincare, or getting a massage; it’s the bond of self-care and self-love, of achieving an equilibrium of body, heart, mind and soul. That was the intention behind creating a wellness destination and not a beauty centre. I want our clients to relax, rejuvenate in this little oasis of zen and partake in the critical aspect of healing while they take care of the temple that is their body.

“Wellness is a lot of things. It’s a holistic way of living. It’s about empowering us to look after themselves and goes way beyond makeup and skincare”

How do you start your day?
I wake up and make up my bed. It’s important to begin the day with a tidy and structured frame of mind. A cup of coffee followed by morning exercise or simply stretching on busy days – it’s always good to carve out some ‘me time’ before my children wake up.

I have three kids. The eldest is in boarding school in England and the two little ones, six and eight years old are with me in Hong Kong. So, my routine really depends around them and whether they are at home or school. After tending to the family – if the spa is open – I will head over there and oversee the operations.

What’s the best part of your job?
Hands down it’s the people, my clients. I am gifted in looking after people, I love the customer service aspect of running a spa – right from listening to people, understanding their needs, having a tab on their feelings, and creating bespoke treatments. It’s a fulfilling aspect of my profession.

gafencu interviews Anna Flores of The Chaless Wellness and Beauty turns passion into success (4)
Anna Flores wearing Bari cutout wool-canvas mini dress by Jacquemus, courtesy of NET-A-PORTER

What do you do to unwind?
I love being alone as much as I love being in the company of friends and family. Whether it’s taking time out to read, hike, or just sit with my phone in peace. It’s so enriching to carve out ‘me time’ to reflect and re-energise.

If I don’t have to attend to the children, I’ll happily come for a massage or a facial. Being in the spa industry, I am always surrounded by people. I love that, but at times I need a break to drown out the noise, be in a still environment and feel cared for. Living in the moment, actively savouring and stretching every minute is critical to me. It adds richness and value in my life.

You have flawless skin. Could you share with us what your skincare routine is like?
[laughs] It’s not perfect, but I understand the anatomy of the skin. I pamper it when it needs the touch, leave it alone when it needs to breathe. Cleansing, eye creams, serums, facial essence and sunscreen are my must-do steps every day. Using a face roller, gua sha (a traditional Chinese medicine practice) or any other tools are integral in flushing out the toxins and tightening the facial muscles.

There is no magic formula that will work overnight, even the best products take months to show results. You’ve got to work hard to maintain what you have and it begins with identifying effective, powerful ingredients tailored for your skin concerns. Sometimes you might have to try many different formulas to find a suitable one. But once you identify what works, be diligent in your routine and mindful of your gut health and stress levels. Afterall, your skin is a true reflection of your lifestyle. Make it shine.

“I love the customer service aspect of running a spa – right from listening to people to creating bespoke treatments. It’s a fulfilling aspect of my profession” 

What are the most common mistakes people make when it comes to skincare?
Understand the seasons and the changes they bring. Shake up the regimen accordingly otherwise your skin becomes used to the same ingredients rendering them ineffective over time. Invest in the right tools and products. They don’t have to be the most expensive, but the results from regularly using clean, targeted products are irrefutable. Remember to check the expiration date of your beauty products and clean beauty tools regularly to avoid bacterial build-up.

List five makeup products that can always be found in your handbag.
Reviving Marine Mist from Thalgo for a refreshing, remineralising skin boost; a plumping and a hydrating Lip Serum from Fresh; a good hand cream because our hands are always dry from sanitizers and constant cleansing; an eyeliner; and a bit of blush for a natural tint in the cheeks.

gafencu interviews Anna Flores of The Chaless Wellness and Beauty turns passion into success (2)
Anna Flores wearing earrings by Chanel; Cuffs by Koket; Bahia draped knotted voile mini dress by Jacquemus, courtesy of NET-A-PORTER; Heels by Alexandra Neel

Opening a beauty business amid a pandemic is problematic. How did you manage the challenges of the last two years?
Back in January 2020, when the pandemic had just started, I eyed the current Aberdeen Street location – but with social restrictions at the time, and so much uncertainty on the horizon, I shelved the idea. In May 2021, with a strong belief in the city and the resilience of the people, I took the plunge and Chaless Wellness and Beauty opened its doors in August 2021. We’ve faced multiple Covid-related setbacks. It was very challenging but much like the spirit of Hong Kong, each time we bounce back stronger.

It wasn’t an easy time. While the beauty and fitness industry were shut down multiple times, we were paying salaries and rents, but our clients were very supportive and loyal. We are positive about the government’s move from hereon. Fingers crossed!

gafencu interviews Anna Flores of The Chaless Wellness and Beauty turns passion into success (5)
Anna Flores wearing earrings, necklace and bracelet by ARAO; Bracelet by The 5th C; Dynamo stretch-organic cotton jumpsuit by Rivet Utility, courtesy of NET-A-PORTER; Heels by Le Marais

What’s your mantra for the year ahead?
Take a leap of faith. In my view, being afraid is a positive thing, it implies you’re aware of the consequences. Trust the process and don’t be held back by doubts. If it doesn’t work out then it’s a lesson, if it does then it calls for a celebration.

Though the fifth wave is behind us, Hong Kong is still on shaky ground. Could you offer any advice for someone starting out in the wellness business?
Understand finances because cash is king. Without financial resources it’s impossible to invest in talent, build a brand, let it grow and expect returns.

Thank You.

 

(Interview by: Nikita Mishra; Photographer: Jack Law; Art Direction and Styling: Jhoshwa Ledesma; Videographer: Jackie Chan; Hair and Makeup: Owen Ko; Venue: The Chaless Wellness and Beauty; Nails: The Chaless Wellness and Beauty)

Honkers or Singers? Which Asian megacity is more appealing to foreign businesses?

AI company ImageDeep was the latest to open its Asia-Pacific office in Hong Kong, citing the city’s strategic global position and involvement in the Greater Bay initiative as its reasons for expanding into the 852. The decision came as a surprise to some, as while there is a long history of financial firms expanding into Hong Kong, tech companies have increasingly been reaching for Singapore instead. ImageDeep’s move has thrown up the age old debate: Hong Kong vs Singapore, which of these two Asian mega-cities has the edge for modern businesses?

Hong Kong vs Singapore

Fairs fair, both are extremely attractive to western businesses and remain the two most popular options for Western businesses wanting to get a piece of the ever-growing Asian market. Both being port towns Hong Kong and Singapore already have a great geographical advantage and their international airports, tap into a vast yet quickly navigated network of nearby countries and educated multilingual workforce mean businesses are spoilt for choice when it comes to hiring time. The government allows foreigners to own all of their shares, there is no mandate to have a native director on the company’s board and taxes are low with multiple exemptions available.

Hong Kong vs Singapore

Hong Kong’s well-founded history of financial success, far reaching travel links and low low tax rates have been attractive to overseas entrepreneurs for decades. Singapore has easier access to the growing Indian and Sri Lankan markets and boast their super clean streets, mega high living standards and highly engineered public transport system as an absolute win over Hong Kong, where pollution has long been a problem. But what Singapore sees as its greatest strength might just be its downfall when it comes to incoming Westerners. Many expats living in Hong Kong revel in the varied landscape and diversity in people and they think Singapore a little bit too homogenised. While the two can boast strong legal systems which protect the business interests of foreign business owners a few think the Singaporean system might be a little too eager. Hong Kong’s procedures might take a little longer but it’s generally agreed that this is in the interest of making sure everything is done in the most just manner possible.

Hong Kong vs Singapore

For the sake of diplomacy we’ll continue to call it a toss-up. For some Singapore’s spotless streets are utter paradise and for others the rolling mountains and gleaming spires of Hong Kong spell an irresistible adventure.

Text: Alice Duncan

5 Ways to Protect Your Business from Hackers

In the 1830s Napoleon Bonaparte commissioned the Chappe’s telegraph network, a colossal chain of mechanical arms stretching across France and into Germany and Italy to be used solely for transmitting top secret military information using a form of semaphore. The network had only been in use for a year before brothers Francois and Louis Blanc bribed the system operators to transmit stock market information from Paris to Bordeaux where they lived ahead of other traders. This represented a major turning point in human civilisation. It’s was the world’s first hack. The moment where technology was, for the first time, manipulated by nefarious outside influences for their own gain.

Hacking has come a long way since then, but has never stopped presenting a threat to businesses. It’s no longer enough to simply set up a firewall and add a couple of numbers to your password. Data protection needs to be active and it needs to be uniform across an entire business. Gafencu looks at the five behaviours and techniques most recommended by security specialists to avoid cyber attacks.

hackers

Stay up to date

This not only means keeping your software current and changing your passwords often but also staying abreast of new ways hackers are using to infiltrate data networks. “White hat hackers” find and repair any gaps, which could leave you and your business vulnerable, before malevolent hackers can. Password management company SplashData releases an annual list of the worst passwords to have. Check and make sure yours isn’t one of them.

Limit access

It’s inadvisable to have your entire bank of data available to everyone in the company. Trainees and third-party maintenance operatives in particular should be restricted from accessing sensitive data or networks.

Educate your staff…

Hackers are increasingly preying on “low status” employees such as receptionists, secretaries and interns – essentially, people the boss may not be thinking about but who do have the power to, however accidentally, open you up to more serious threats. Make sure the all staff have an understanding of how to keep themselves and the company secure, especially if they deal with emails. 91% of advanced cyber attacks begin with opening a phishing email.

hackers

…and your children

As well as lower level staff nefarious hackers are also looking to the children of wealthy business owners as a weak point in their security, particularly if they use social media. Ensure that your children understand how to use social media safely and not to publicly associate themselves with your business.

hackers

Make a back-up plan

Sometimes the unthinkable happens. Knowing how to recognise a cyber attack and what to do afterwards can  make all the difference. Look out for unauthorised transactions, unwanted toolbars suddenly appearing in your browser or friends on social media receiving messages you didn’t send. Be aware that in many cases closing a browser window or clicking ‘cancel’ after opening a malware link does not do anything to stop the attack. Most importantly ensure that your data is regularly and safely backed up meaning it can be recovered if the worst should happen.

Text by: Alice Duncan

Mr Big Shots: Ryan Sun on taking snap decisions

Ryan Sun is the managing director of Fotomax and the corporate resources director of Fuji Photo Products. He talks to us about his everyday focus at work and home, and also on the bigger picture in the photography industry.

 

You grew up in one of Hong Kong’s more high-profile families. How much of an impact did this have on your formative years?

To be fair, I think it was my parents who had more of an impact. I have always seen them as mentors. It was also their decision to send me to a US military academy, which taught me the real value of many things in my life. To a certain extent, I have always been in awe of my father. Now that I have children of my own, though, we are much closer. One thing that still inspires me is the fact that my mum and dad have been together for more than 50 years, but are still very much in love. From that, I hope I have learnt how to be a better husband to my own wife.

 Ryan Sun

What can you tell us about your current role at Fotomax?

I worked on the business development side of Fotomax for two years before becoming the managing director. Now my role is very much about taking strategic decisions, evaluating the company’s performance and being responsible for the overall growth of the business. I also have to consider not only what is good for the company but what is best for the overall group. So, for instance, I wouldn’t give the go-ahead to open a Fotomax outlet right next to a Fuji Film shop, as we’re ultimately part of the same family.

In an age where there is almost a universal fixation on social media, has this devalued photography or has it retained – or even enhanced – its worth?

While there are now more people taking photos than ever before, often this is simply in the hope of notching up ‘likes’ and comments on social media. Beyond that, it often seems as though such photos are seldom cherished in their own right. That, however, is where we come in.

Ryan Sun

Let’s say every member of a family of four takes four to five photos a day. That’s around 600 photos per family per month. It’s our role, then, to print out these photos in a personalised format – such as in a photo-book – so that they can be cherished forever.

To that end, we have an online platform where people can upload all their photos easily and create a ‘memory book’. That way, even when your photos are old news on someone’s newsfeed, they’re still close to you.

What gets you out of bed every morning?

My daughter – Makayla – my family and my employees. I am always driven to do the very best for my family as I am a firm believer that there are no free lunches in

life. I see it as my role to work hard so that my family can enjoy some of life’s luxuries. For my employees, I want to provide a harmonious and happy workplace. Basically, I want all my staff to also be able to leave work on time and go home to their loved ones.

Ryan Sun

How does a regular day shape up for you?

For the past three years, I have been waking up at 7am, even on weekends, to prepare milk for my baby. Even though she’s now three years old, I still wake up at 7am so I can see her before she starts her day. Then I carpool to the office with my father and brother, catching up with them on work issues as we head in. With most of my day consumed by meetings, I make it a point to head home at 6pm sharp, so I have plenty of time to spend with my family and, in particular, with my daughter.

When it comes to your daughter, what are the occasions you treasure the most?

Well, my wife and I love taking her on holidays. We don’t take a nanny, as we want it to be just the three of us. After each trip, I create a photo album and Makayla just loves leafing through the pictures. She also loves going to Ocean Park, so it falls on me to take her there nearly every month.

Ryan Sun

Famously, you’re a collector of sneakers. How did that particular passion come about?

When I was a kid, I wanted to come up with a real style statement, something that would genuinely make me stand out. That’s when I discovered the Bape brand of really cool camouflage-patterned sneakers. This was just after I had completed military school, so it suited me to find something that reminded me of my life as a cadet. That’s how I started my collection and I now have 35 pairs of sneakers, all of which I still wear from time to time.

Tell us something about you that would surprise even those who think they know you well…

Well, don’t tell anyone, but I am really not much of a party animal. People think I am, but really I’m happiest when I am just at home, spending quality time with my wife and daughter.

 Thank you.

Interview by: Suchetana Mukhopadhyay
Venue courtesy: Fang Fang
Styling: San Wong
Photos: Neville Lee
Video: Lai Ty Yeung