In Hong Kong, we pride ourselves on being an innovative, efficient city of doers. COVID-19 has presented some serious challenges to the city and its business owners, but in true Hong Kong style, we have endured and risen to those challenges. Business innovation abounds, so we’re celebrating the businesses that have pushed on, despite the impact of social distancing and all the other restrictions. Well done to you all! Here’s our innovation roll call.
Face Paint by Abigail
Parties and group gatherings have been put on hold for now, and that’s devastating news for businesses linked to Hong Kong’s party scene. Face Paint by Abigail is one of those businesses. Owner Abigail has smartly (and swiftly) reinvented her services. “I had to adapt quickly, and I’ve now have switched to one-on-one face painting lessons for mums who’d like to learn basic face painting and professionals who’d like to improve their skills,” she says of her business innovation. “So far, we’ve got some great feedback from our students. I’ve also been filming some YouTube videos where I share tips and tricks on face painting.” Check out her video below and see what you can learn.
Find out more here: Face Paint by Abigail
Black Sheep Restaurants
Social distancing has really hurt our friends in the F&B scene, there’s no doubt about that. Black Sheep Restaurants, owners of Ho Lee Fook, Chôm Chôm, Motorino and more, have been innovating since day one. They’ve hosted virtual pizza parties, dropped off simultaneous happy hours to friends and even opened their deliver platform, GO, to competing restaurants in an effort to help their industry peers navigate the fees incurred by the big deliver brands.
Co-founder of Black Sheep Restaurants, Syed Asim Hussain recently put out a call to all Hong Kong foodies: “If you want to see your favourite restaurants next month and you trust that they’re taking all the necessary health precautions, try and stop by. Call them and see when they are quietest – your early week, early dinner could make all the difference.”
Order great food from GO: Download GO via the App Store or Google Play.
Academy of Dance
“After 13 years running Academy of Dance (AOD) in Hong Kong, the past six months have truly put our expertise, innovation and creativity to the test,” says AOD owner Sonia Nazzer when asked about her business’ innovation. The academy is providing live online dance classes for the duration of the current health crisis.
“We haven’t missed a single week of providing quality classes for our students,” adds Sonia. “Our team is committed, relevant and reliable bringing your child’s favourite dance teacher into your home. They are creating a fun and valuable experience. We’ve also partnered with global dance organisation Asia Pacific Dance Association to provide amazing quality content directly to our students at a special discounted rate.”
Join AOD online dance classes here: facebook.com/academyofdancehk
Faust
“At Faust, we have adapted by remembering what the core of our workshops are about: children’s confidence and creativity,” says General Manager Keon Lee. “We want drama to be live and in person. But if we can’t physically be in the same room, we can connect by telling stories to each other, seeing our friends on screen and actively performing for one another.
Children and teenagers need that personal interaction, according to Keon. That’s why Faust prefers to do live online sessions instead of pre-recorded sessions. “My advice is, drill down to the core of your services and rebuild the delivery system. Normality will return, and when it does, Faust will continue where we left off, but with a renewed sense of community and camaraderie gained from the loyalty of our students and parents.”
See the latest programmes from Faust here: FaustWorld.com
BSD Education
Normally, you can find this company visiting Hong Kong schools where they teach our kids the important skill of coding. But with schools closed, the team has developed a new way of getting kids excited about coding. Xyra Sace, BSD Education’s Marketing Manager, explains: “CodeBytes is a guided, project-based, online subscription for kids to learn coding with live support from their own Personal Tech Coaches. Sounds like heaven to most kids! The subscription gives kids access to over 30 fun coding projects. Each comes with step-by-step instructions that interactively teaches them to build their own websites, apps and games! Think of it like Netflix but instead of movies, they’re coding projects for kids – with live support!”
Learn more about CodeBytes here: bsd.education/virtual-learning
Music Sage
If you want to use this unique time to learn an instrument, we know just the business to help you out. Music Sage is still helping students of music practice their instruments and continue their learning. Leon from Music Sage explains, “Prior to COVID-19, 100% of our music lessons were hosted in-person. Since then, we have progressively transitioned many of our lessons online, so students are able to continue exploring their music creativity, even during these unpredictable times. ” He continues, “Today, we’re proud to share that our tutors are equipped to offer online lessons for over 15 different instruments!”
Search for a tutor here: musicsage.io
Has your Hong Kong business pivoted to get through these tough times? We would love to hear all about your business innovation, simply email a description of your innovative approach and an image to info@expatliving.hk.
Looking for more things to do in Hong Kong? Check out the latest on the Wine & Dine scene and see our guide to the best Sunday brunch places in Hong Kong!