Architect turned financier makes waves with business
The founder of airplay blow dry bar, Wang Cheung, has an eclectic background. From architecture to toys and then finance, this multilingual Hong Kong entrepreneur lived in Switzerland, the United States and Japan before partnering in business with his wife. Wang received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 2007.
The founder of airplay blow dry bar, Wang Cheung, has an eclectic background. From architecture to toys and then finance, this multilingual Hong Kong entrepreneur lived in Switzerland, the United States and Japan before partnering in business with his wife. Wang received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 2007.
Tell me about your background – how did you go from architecture to finance?
I chose architecture, to combine creative and technical. But I realised I liked working with people, so I spent seven years in the toy industry, working with international customers. When the company launched stocks, I realised I didn't know anything about finance, so in 2005 I did an MBA and started credit trading.
What made you decide to leave finance to start your own business?
I always wanted my own business; I was always looking out for good ideas. I read an article about a blow dry bar in the US and thought it would work in Asia. It turned out my wife had already suggested it, and had put the magazine in my bag! It took three months to write a business plan, find a location and investors, and hire staff. We had to move fast, to be the first in Hong Kong.
Through my MBA I met people with different backgrounds and did case studies, so I learned not to be afraid. Looking back at those three months, I realise how little we knew, despite the finance, human resources and lessons in building business relationships.