it easier to move forward when we
disagree on little things. We share the
same vision: great shops that provide
a great experience to our customers.
Did your dad expect you both to join
the family business?
A:
No. I joined
Bookazine
in February
2002 when I returned from art college
in Melbourne. I wanted to be an art
teacher and to get my certificate of
education from the UK, so I had a
couple of months to kill before I could
send in my application. Shonee had
just joined the family business so I
decided to do the same. Dad told
me to go to our shops, and when I
asked him what I should do, he said,
“Watch”. After two weeks, many
arguments and tears later, I told him
I was tired of watching and wanted
to do something more. “Just watch,”
he responded. A few months later, we
were offered a 3,500 sq ft shop at the
Prince’s Building. My dad took me
to the meeting and asked, “Should
we take it?” I was so touched that he
asked me, and that my opinion was
important. We did take the shop and
it was the first and last shop that my
dad, sister and I designed together. It
was meant to be.
S:
I had just come back from a two-
year stint in London and wanted to
take some time out to spend with my
family. My plan was to take it easy
for six months before returning to
investment banking. But times were
hard for bookselling and retail so
I stayed on. A year later, in 2003,
my father passed away, changing
all of our lives and imprinting our
commitment to the company.
In the past seven years,
Bookazine
has continued to enjoy growth
despite rising rents and stiff
competition from e-tailers. Like your
father you have beaten the odds.
How have you achieved this?
A:
By building on Dad’s vision.
Dad loved change. He could make
anything work.
Bookazine
has evolved
to meet changing times. It’s no
longer just a bookshop. You can find
everything from the latest bestsellers
to imported sweets, magazines, toys,
stationery and even quirky mugs.
Dad wanted
Bookazine
to be a one-
stop destination for all families. He
wanted every family member to find
something they liked. I feel like we
have achieved his vision today. I hope
he would be proud.
S:
As a community bookstore, we
also believe it’s our responsibility
to promote and support events and
charities that benefit Hong Kong,
for example our collaboration with
Kidsfest, which offers Hong Kong’s
youth a rich cultural experience.
I don’t know what exactly Dad was
thinking when he opened the first
shop or when he was growing the
company, but I am sure he would
have been thrilled to see where we
are today!
June 2015
39
