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Home ยป HK People: 10 minutes with Julie Rout

HK People: 10 minutes with Julie Rout

5 August, 2020 by Juliet Keys 5 Min Read

https://expatliving.hk/hong-kong-people-profiles-julie-rout/

Our new series of online people profiles covers a wide range of backgrounds, careers and personalities of individuals in Hong Kong. Here, we meet JULIE ROUT, co-founder of new luxury baby product brand, Ben & Ellie Baby.

Where are you from originally? What do you miss about it?

It would be simplest to say Sydney, Australia. But before that I spent nearly 20 years in Wollongong, a beachside city south of Sydney affectionately known as โ€˜the Gongโ€™, with a strong camaraderie that wouldnโ€™t let me get away with not giving it a mention!

I miss having the luxury of space and the comfortable outdoor climate. Iโ€™m still not used to stepping outside into the Hong Kong humidity and feeling wet in a matter of minutes!

Julie Rout with daughter

Is Hong Kong your first overseas posting, or have you lived somewhere else?

Iโ€™ve previously lived in Switzerland in the gorgeously quaint little town of Lucerne. (Rumour has it the Queen of England has a holiday residence there and I can see why โ€“ itโ€™s divine, and if you havenโ€™t visited you must put it on your places to see when we are done with COVID-19!) I was born in Europe so I have a bit of an affinity for it.

Is Hong Kong โ€œhomeโ€?

Yes! Iโ€™m raising my family here so for me it certainly has become home. Kids have a way of grounding you and living in the present moment. There is so much to love about Hong Kong, I feel itโ€™s a real privilege to be able to call it my home. I love this quote by Miriam Adeney: โ€œYou will never be completely at home again, because part of your heart always will be elsewhere. That is the price you pay for the richness of loving and knowing people in more than one place.โ€ It sums up expat life for me perfectly.

What do you do here? Tell us about your business.

Iโ€™m the co-founder at Ben & Ellie Baby, a new label that blends classic luxury with functional design to create baby products that make parenting effortless and stylish. For me, the business was inspired by my own transition to motherhood while settling into expat life in Hong Kong. We moved here when my daughter was eight weeks old. I was travelling frequently with my baby between countries and my identity, as I knew it, as a high-achieving professional woman, had taken a hit. This was compounded by the lack of baby products that reflected my style as a woman (rather than just my function as a mother), and just how hard it was to go out with my baby without carting a huge gaudy baby bag around.

One of my key challenges was nappy changes on the go. Finding a baby-changing room in Hong Kong isn’t always easy; and it turns out I wasnโ€™t alone in this frustration. Our co-founder Jess was having a similar experience in Australia. So, we teamed up to design the Ben & Ellie Baby Nappy Change Clutch. It’s the ultimate baby changing accessory for every new mother!

Itโ€™s the modernisation of the everyday nappy wallet that folds out into a premium change mat. Itโ€™s packed full of unique features, too, like a magnetic closure and a built-in wipes pocket that allow for easy one-handed use โ€“ essential with a baby in hand. We wanted to make our lives easier and look good while doing so! And because this is the sort of product we wish someone had given us for our baby showers, weโ€™ve made gifting easy with our beautiful eco-friendly packaging that makes unboxing the product a lovely experience.

This is truly an investment piece that will stand up to the job from birth to the toddler years. Once you have one, youโ€™ll never leave the house without it!

Julie Rout with co-founder of Ben & Ellie Baby

Give us an insight into a typical working day for you.

Like every day, it starts with coffee โ€“ made by my coffee connoisseur husband! My business partner is based in Australia so there is a lot of online communication and planning. Iโ€™ll respond to emails in the morning while the kids have breakfast, followed by a quick check of our social media channels, and then switch into parenting mode. I manage our social media, content creation, supplier relationships and marketing here in HK โ€“ so thereโ€™s always something to do.

Itโ€™s a juggling act between parenting and work. I will often take the kids along with me to the post office to fulfil the previous dayโ€™s customer orders. After several event cancellations this year, we’re currently working on our event schedule. We’re planning to showcase at the AWA Bazaar on 11 November 2020 at PMQ and several of the Discovery Bay Sunday Markets. We’re excited about those, and we hope we’ll be able to attend.

What have been the surprises and challenges of doing business in HK?

The surprise has been just how supportive the business community and fellow entrepreneurs are. Itโ€™s been wonderful.

Having launched the business only months prior to COVID-19, the pandemic has been a huge challenge for us. Our products are new and innovative and need to be showcased at events to be fully appreciated.ย  The softness of the vegan leather, the luxurious beauty of the eco packaging and the water beading off the soft inner surface of our mat all need to be seen and felt to be believed. There is a lot of innovation in this product and, along with that, education is needed to bring customers on board. Sadly, most events have been cancelled and this has been a huge challenge for Ben & Ellie Baby as we pivot to a more online model.

What neighbourhood do you live in, and why did you choose it?

We live in Repulse Bay, which we love. Initially, we were looking for a quiet, family-friendly neighbourhood where we could lead a relaxed lifestyle with good accessibility to the city centre. We landed here in a serviced apartment at The Repulse Bay and after searching in Mid-Levels, Discovery Bay, Kennedy Town, Stanley and Tai Tam, we ended up staying in Repulse Bay. We love the beachside lifestyle with the convenience of The Pulse and Repulse Bay Arcade shops.

What are three things you like about your neighbourhood?

  • The hiking trail to Deep Water Bay and back โ€“ the views are incredible, itโ€™s child friendly and flat.
  • Being surrounded by nature and the beach on our doorstep!
  • The quietness. Itโ€™s so nice to come home to after a day of hustle and bustle in the city.

Hong Kong People: Julie Rout

Describe your home to us.

A bright and airy modern apartment with incredible views. We see the container ships cruise along the sea from one aspect and also the lush green of the mountainside behind us. I like minimalist, clear spaces and everything to have a place, which is becoming increasingly challenging as our family grows. It would be a disservice to all parents of young children everywhere if I didnโ€™t admit that one corner of my living room is piled high with toys and currently resembles a kidsโ€™ playroom!

Outside of work, what are your hobbies in Hong Kong?

Hiking and lounging by the pool with the kids! Evening tennis with my husband once the kids are in bed. I was also indulging in a spot of painting pre-COVID at an art studio and had been working on an acrylic-on-canvas panda for my sonโ€™s bedroom.

Quick questions about Hong Kong: what is your favourite โ€ฆ

Casual restaurant? Limewood
Date night restaurant? The Verandah
Bar? Sevva
Local food? Dumplings. Most definitely dumplings.
Thing to do with visitors? Take them to the Peak!
Thing to do with kids? Ocean Park
Nearby holiday destination? Japan


Like this? Read more in our
Living in Hong Kong section:

HK People: 10 minutes with Brenda Hojgaard
Expat guide to where to live in Hong Kong

 

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Expat Living Hong Kong ๐Ÿ‡ญ๐Ÿ‡ฐ

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Thanks Julianna for this delicious 
Easy Blueberry Oreo Cheesecake to start the weekend!
Serves 4, or 2 if you're hungry๐Ÿ˜‰

Preparation time: 15 mins Ingredients:
โ€ข 6 digestive biscuits
โ€ข 50g butter 
โ€ข 250g cream cheese (1 brick) 
โ€ข 6 Oreo biscuits
โ€ข 125g blueberries (1 box)
โ€ข 100g milk or whipped cream 
โ€ข 5 tablespoons sugar

Instructions:
For crust:
1. Crush digestive biscuits in a big bowl and add melted butter.
2. Press together at the base of the cake mould.
3. Set aside to cool.

For filling: 
1. Beat cream cheese, sugar and milk or whipped cream on medium speed in a bowl until it is smooth and creamy. 
2. Add crushed Oreos and beat until they mix evenly. 
3. Pour the filling over the cooled crust.
4. Freeze for two hours and top with blueberries!๐Ÿซ
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If youโ€™re looking for a place to live in Hong Kong - particularly if youโ€™re moving here and want an easy landing pad - a serviced apartment can be a godsend! @hongkongparkview is like a mini town with everything you need from a Clubhouse with full facilities to a toy shop, clothes and food shop! ๐Ÿž๐Ÿ›
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Read our Winter issue on any device for free ๐Ÿ‘‰ expatliving.hk/digital/ig.
Inside: Two inspiring home reno stories, great dining room furniture ideas, insider's guide to Hung Hom Bay and plenty of other great reads, including easy dessert recipes!
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How cool is this - Hong Kong-based @ovolohotels is the first hotel group to go entirely vegetarian across its restaurants, bars and food services for a year! ๐ŸŒฑThis move is the latest in the groupโ€™s series of eco-friendly initiatives, and doesnโ€™t this look delicious!๐Ÿ‘๐Ÿป
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๐Ÿ“ท @lailasophiashah
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Thereโ€™s been a buzz lately around CBD (Cannabidiol, derived from the flowers and leaves of the hemp plant) and its purported health benefits. 
Did you know itโ€™s available in Hong Kong? ๐ŸŒฟ

@kamacbdhk is a new HK-based company offering CBD products that can help a number of ailments, check out our article and their page for more information!๐ŸŒบ
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This 1950s colonial-style walk up in Kowloon Tong has been styled so well by tenant Jerome, it is fascinating to hear about the place and itโ€™s history! For the full story and Jeromeโ€™s recommendations see our DEC-FEB issueโœจ๐Ÿ“–
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Whether youโ€™ve hiked up Old Peak Road or taken the tram, make sure youโ€™re hungry, as youโ€™ll want to consume most of the menu from @fiammahk ๐Ÿด๐Ÿ…
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5 steps for a stylish Christmas, courtesy of Hong Kong-based home furnishing retailer @indigo_living ๐ŸŽ„
 
#1 Decide on a Theme:
Every momentous Christmas feast begins with a stunning table-scape. Whether youโ€™re going for the classic red and green pairing or a contemporary setting, pick a theme that you can go all out with! 
 
#2 Organise Your Linen:
Generally speaking, a crisp white linen table-runner will do. But if youโ€™re looking to up the ante this year, go for one with subtle prints on it. 
 
#3 Choose a Centrepiece:
 A beautiful Christmas centrepiece is the fastest way to add cheer to your party. Itโ€™s also a great excuse to show off your creative flair to friends and family. 
 
#4 Invest in a Good Set of Tableware:
When it comes to tableware, most people play it safe with crystal glasses and porcelain plates. Why not take it up a notch by throwing a set of gold cutlery into the mix? Itโ€™s an instant pop of luxury that exudes warmth to traditional red and green themes. ๐Ÿด
 
#5 End with a Bang:
Whatโ€™s a Christmas dinner without some good old-fashioned crackers? Sure to put a smile on anyoneโ€™s faces, theyโ€™ll also ensure your party goes out with a bang! ๐Ÿ’ซ
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What a view ๐Ÿ™Œ๐Ÿผ

๐Ÿ“ท @lailasophiashah
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Less than five days left to vote for your favourite businesses! You could win fun family staycays and dining vouchers, so make sure to vote today by visiting ๐Ÿ‘‰ expatliving.hk/readerschoice

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#expatlivinghk #hkbusiness #hongkongbusiness #elhkreaderschoice #hkexpats
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Jazz up your dining area with these pretty picks!โšก๏ธ

Companies tagged in the photos for more details๐Ÿช‘
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Get ready for Christmas, CNY and beyond with these fab treatment packages now available at @amooma.spa โœจ

#1 BUBBLE & SPARKLE
A package for two, including an aroma steam shower, deep sleep tourmaline crystal massage, sparkling champagne facial and a glass of champagne ๐Ÿฅ‚

#2 HO! HO! HO! ITโ€™S ME-TIME!
Designed for one person, this me-time includes a ling organic forbidden rice scrub, ling nourishing body wrap, AMOONA signature blend and knesko gemological face mask ๐Ÿง–๐Ÿผโ€โ™€๏ธ
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How good do these look ๐Ÿ˜ New recipe from @charissa_and_co_wellness. You can try a free sample by scanning the bar code on our online articles ๐Ÿ’œ

Recipe: Flourless Pecan Cranberry Brownie

Ingredients

Brownie base:

2 servings of Nuzest Clean Lean Chocolate Protein
1.5 cup of pumpkin puree
1 cup of hazelnut butter or almond *
1/2 cup of raw dark cacao powder
1/2 cup of chopped pecans
1/3 cup of dehydrated cranberries
2 teaspoons of Manuka honey ** Optional
White chocolate drizzle:

1/3 cup of melted cacao butter
2 tablespoons of cashew nut butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1-2 teaspoons of Erythritol
Dark chocolate drizzle:

1/3 cup of melted cacao butter
2 tablespoons of cashew nut butter
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
1 tablespoon of coconut oil
3 tablespoons of raw dark cacao powder
1 teaspoon of Erythritol
Instructions

Brownie base:

Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
Grease a square baking tray with coconut oil and line tray with parchment paper.
In a large blender, mix all the brownie ingredients together until smooth.
Pour the brownie mix into the pan and bake in the oven for 20 minutes.
Once cooked, allow the brownies to cool on a rack.
Chocolate drizzle:

You will need two separate mixing bowls for the white and dark chocolate drizzle.
Melt the cacao butter at low temperature and mix with the rest of the ingredients.
Pour the chocolate drizzle over the cooled brownies.
Pop them in the fridge to set or enjoy them as warm brownies.**
Optional: Sprinkle some fresh pomegranate and dried cranberry seeds onto the brownies (after cooling in the fridge for 20 minutes).
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TGIF ๐ŸŒฟ๐ŸŒฟ

๐Ÿ“ท @lailasophiashah
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In our new winter issue we take a look at Dutch expat Nicole Hessingโ€™s impressive home renovation in Clearwater Bay ๐Ÿก Check out the article for all her tips and local recommendations ๐Ÿ‘‰ expatliving.hk/digital/ig
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Good morning! Weโ€™ve got another delicious recipe from @charissa_and_co_wellness ๐Ÿ’•

Recipe: Persimmon Vanilla Chia Porridge

Serves 2

Ingredients

PERSIMMON-VANILLA-CHAI-PORRIDGE.jpg
Chia Vanilla Milky Layer:

1/2 cup of chia Seeds
1.5 cup of coconut milk
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
2 servings of Nuzest Clean Lean Protein Vanilla 
1 tablespoon of tahini paste
2 Medjool dates
2 slices of fresh persimmon
Persimmon Coconut Porridge Layer:

1 whole persimmon chopped
1/2 cup of coconut yoghurt
2 tablespoons of coconut flakes
1 teaspoon of almond butter
Instructions

Chia Vanilla Milky Layer:

Blend all the ingredients together apart from the chia seeds.
Once the mix is well blended, add the chia seeds and mix well. Place in a glass jar and leave overnight in the fridge.
Persimmon Coconut Porridge Layer:

Blend all the ingredients together until creamy and smooth. Place in a glass jar, leave overnight in the fridge.
The next morning you can enjoy your porridge by layering your chia porridge with the persimmon porridge.
Optional: Add in between crunchy texture by sprinkling some raw buckwheat groats already activated or quinoa puffs
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Pre-order your copy of the Winter issue here! ๐Ÿ‘‰ expatliving.hk/mag/ig
Inside this issue: Great festive dinner options, Christmas gift ideas for everyone, a guide to furnishing your dining room, travel tips to Singapore, plus plenty more great reads!

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#expatlivingsg #ighk #christmasinhk #hkexpats #hongkong
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