At the helm of a natural skin-health brand and a time-honoured food label while working as a docent at the Xiqu Centre, Andrew Leung is comfortably mastering three seemingly unrelated roles. While people usually relate the emergence of the slash generation – those who find career fulfillment through juggling multiple jobs and identities – with technological advancements that allow people to work outside an of office environment and the mentality of prizing freedom over a single cohesive career, Andrew points out that passion and motivation to take on new challenges are key prerequisites for becoming a successful slasher.
Andrew is known to be a hands-on and diligent boss in running his skin-health brand Pharmabelle and his food label Diamond Restaurant. At his leisure, he attended training courses and serves as a volunteer docent at the Xiqu Centre. His diverse interests and strengths are much inspired and empowered by his family legacy; and coherent with what we believe, the most valuable yet priceless legacy we can pass on to our children is not wealth but education and values.
Skin health products tailor-made for Hong Kong, effective in releasing eczema
It is probably not an exaggeration to describe Andrew as a natural in the skincare business. With his mother being the CEO of Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau of an international skincare brand, Andrew was invited to pay regular visits to the stores and sales counters with his mother since he was little, hence developing a strong interest in skincare products and retail businesses since childhood. After graduating from university and accumulating more than 15 years of marketing and sales experience in big corporations, he decided to change his career path in 2016 by quitting his full-time job and devoting himself in running his own businesses. “My mother is a trained pharmacist and the former top management of one of the world’s most acclaimed skincare brands, thus an expert in product ingredients. While the market was dominated by European and American brands, products made for Western skin types do not necessary bene t those of Asians. We believe consumers are entitled to more options. Nowadays, people are more and more appreciative of the natural elements. We decided to make it the direction of Pharmabelle and positioned it as a skin-health brand that values functionality. When choosing a base, Australia is our de nite choice given its rich resources, well-versed logistics and potential to produce ‘value for money’ products, hence we decided to register our company and launch our production line there. However, since the products are tailored for Hong Kong skin types, all our tests are conducted here to formulate the most suitable formula for our consumers. Humidity in Hong Kong induces eczema and conditions dire to those with sensitive skin. Users of Pharmabelle products have submitted reviews on improved skin conditions. Unlike most skincare brands that launch different product lines for men, women and children by making minimal changes to their formula as a sales and marketing measure, Pharmabelle prioritizes functionality and our products are suitable for all users regardless of their gender and age.”
Donating the grand dragon-phoenix hall to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum
Diamond Restaurant was a well-known traditional Chinese restaurant that announced its retirement in 2002. Andrew Leung reminisced the countless sweet moments he had spent in his maternal grandfather’s restaurant including the weekly family dim sum gatherings in the grand dragon-phoenix hall, weddings, baby showers and birthday dinners of family members, and said, “Diamond Restaurant and traditional Chinese restaurants are very dear to our hearts. However, we had to face the reality of the drop of demand for large banquets in traditional Chinese restaurants; for instance, couples nowadays prefer hosting weddings in hotel ballrooms. Despite the retirement of Diamond Restaurant, we believe the significant role of traditional Chinese restaurants in Hong Kong history and culture should be commemorated and passed on to future generations. Therefore, we decided to donate the grand dragon-phoenix hall to the Hong Kong Heritage Museum upon closure of Diamond Restaurant. In 2012, we transformed the household name of ‘Diamond Restaurant’ into a premium brand of ready-to-eat gourmet food.” The Diamond Restaurant label now offers premium delicacies including abalone, XO sauce, Pu’er tea and egg noodles, sold via both of ine and online networks, offering handy shopping and dining experiences to busy metropolitans.
Leung Sing Poh’s eldest grandson
Empowered and driven by his passion for conserving the legacy, despite having so much on his plate, Andrew took time to attend training and volunteer as a docent at the Xiqu Centre. He was endowed with the connection to Cantonese operas by blood, as his paternal grandfather was the late Cantonese opera legend and famous comedian Leung Sing Poh. Andrew said, “I was only three years old when my grandfather passed away therefore it was natural that I had never mentioned my family background to my classmates and friends. I did not know much about Cantonese operas. It was not until a few years ago, when I was relocated to Shanghai by my then employer, an international jewellery and watch brand, that I was given the chance to appreciate traditional Hong Kong culture, including traditional Chinese characters, the Cantonese dialect and Cantonese operas. Born and raised in Hong Kong, I was fueled by the affection and obligation of conserving our inheritance, and Cantonese operas have become a natural choice for me. I am most grateful to have the opportunity to learn about Cantonese operas and become the bridge of bringing the Southern Chinese culture to the people in Hong Kong and around the world.”
Farming as a stress reliever
As a master in time management, Andrew takes his packed schedules as a blessing and is grateful that there is never a dull moment in life. When he is not working, he would visit his rented eld in Yuen Long to shift his focus from the concrete forest to sprouting carrots, beetroots and other vegetables. Retreating to Mother Nature and consuming vegetables planted by his own hands are the most relaxing meditation he treats himself to.
Yellow Bus and Pharmabelle held a user-test event whereby 120 children aged zero to six were invited to try the Pharmabelle Happy Baby (aloe) Wash and Lotion – Lavender and Chamomile. After four weeks of continuous use, more than 90% of users are satis ed or very satis ed with its moisturizing effect, cleansing effect and mild nature. More than 70% of users agree that the body wash and lotion can effectively improve children’s sleep quality and skin problems including eczema and dryness. Among them, a parent left a message saying, “My child’s skin is very sensitive. He had tried many products but failed to see any improvements. Whenever he uses a wrong body wash, his skin will become extremely dry and itchy within a day, so he has to use a speci c body wash prescribed by the doctor. I have been monitoring his condition closely upon trying the Pharmabelle body wash and lotion, and I am so happy that it is working really well on him! For the rst time, I am able to nd a body wash for his sensitive skin! I have immediately recommended it to other parents whose children are troubled by sensitive skin.” To purchase, please visit: bit.ly/3ldTtzF.
