Fall Issue, 2014

Believe in your Selfie It’s more than a business. I hope my customers leave my studio with big smiles on their faces. I t all began with a “Chinese tourist” taking a selfie with French President François Hollande in Southern France. While Vien Wong was enjoying her one-year French course and life in Bordeaux, after graduating from HKU with a Major in Translation in 2012, she bumped into President Hollande who was attending a ceremony in Nice. With an Asian’s unique “instinct”, Wong and her friend immediately grabbed the chance to take a selfie with the President. This selfie was then surprisingly seen on the international news and more importantly, an inspiration for Wong to set up Snaparty in Mongkok – a 900 sq. ft space for selfie-taking and party-goers. “We are the first in Hong Kong to start such a business,” said Wong with pride. “But it doesn’t mean it’s an easy ride.” Effective marketing, business diversification and cost-cutting measures are all that she has to learn and implement from scratch to make her business a success. “A business startup is challenging when one is not abreast of the market pulse. Our shop is located upstairs and it’s hard to pull people in.” Vien Wong 王慧盈 (BA 2012) Selfie + Party = SNAPARTY! www.snapartyhk.com Photo: Reuters 12 Cover Story