Interview by Aude Camus
Hong Kong is a city of unlikely opportunities. At least, it has proven to be for me. Never would I have thought, as a 25-year-old freshly arrived in the city, that I’d still be here more than a decade later, married with two kids, running my own lifestyle platform while working full-time for a UK company in the luxury travel field, and enjoying the chance to meet inspiring people from all walks of life, from chefs and entrepreneurs to hoteliers and beyond.
My first encounter with Brice traces back to one of those unlikely opportunities I never thought I’d have: being invited to teach a workshop on communicating your brand to the media. Public speaking used to stress me out quite a lot. I do enjoy it once I’m “on stage”, but I was relieved to discover I hadn’t embarrassed myself too much, because Brice later reached out to me to tell me more about his project.
The fact that someone who has been living in Hong Kong since 2003 and has built a successful career here would reach out to me for advice was the kind of pinch-me moment I was still getting used to. But there we were, meeting over a coffee two years ago and finally reconnecting over another one – we’re both caffeine aficionados – just a few weeks ago to catch up on his project, his entrepreneurial journey and, of course, life in Hong Kong.
And after more than two decades in the city, Brice certainly has a few stories, recommendations and insights to share.
Hong Kong is a city of unlikely opportunities. At least, it has proven to be for me. Never would I have thought, as a 25-year-old freshly arrived in the city, that I’d still be here more than a decade later, married with two kids, running my own lifestyle platform while working full-time for a UK company in the luxury travel field, and enjoying the chance to meet inspiring people from all walks of life, from chefs and entrepreneurs to hoteliers and beyond.
My first encounter with Brice traces back to one of those unlikely opportunities I never thought I’d have: being invited to teach a workshop on communicating your brand to the media. Public speaking used to stress me out quite a lot. I do enjoy it once I’m “on stage”, but I was relieved to discover I hadn’t embarrassed myself too much, because Brice later reached out to me to tell me more about his project.
The fact that someone who has been living in Hong Kong since 2003 and has built a successful career here would reach out to me for advice was the kind of pinch-me moment I was still getting used to. But there we were, meeting over a coffee two years ago and finally reconnecting over another one – we’re both caffeine aficionados – just a few weeks ago to catch up on his project, his entrepreneurial journey and, of course, life in Hong Kong.
And after more than two decades in the city, Brice certainly has a few stories, recommendations and insights to share.
You’ve been living in Hong Kong since 2003. What brought you here, and what made you stay?
I first came here in 2003 as a financial director in a shipping company. After a few years of working here, I took the leap and started my first company. Nearly 20 years after that first venture, I’m involved in several businesses and my children are now teenagers, which makes the passing of time rather hard to ignore! All these years later, the city still gives me reasons to be curious. There’s always something else to discover.
What does Hong Kong life look like for you today?
I’m very grateful to call this city home. My wife and I have never really stopped exploring, whether it’s a huge Cantopop concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum, a village with a long history, an unusual class or a new culinary experience. Even after all these years, we still find new things to try.
I first came here in 2003 as a financial director in a shipping company. After a few years of working here, I took the leap and started my first company. Nearly 20 years after that first venture, I’m involved in several businesses and my children are now teenagers, which makes the passing of time rather hard to ignore! All these years later, the city still gives me reasons to be curious. There’s always something else to discover.
What does Hong Kong life look like for you today?
I’m very grateful to call this city home. My wife and I have never really stopped exploring, whether it’s a huge Cantopop concert at the Hong Kong Coliseum, a village with a long history, an unusual class or a new culinary experience. Even after all these years, we still find new things to try.
Hiking has become a favourite way for us to spend time as a family. A full day outdoors is a welcome contrast to a busy week, and we’re especially fond of the colour trails and wildlife in Tai Po Kau Nature Reserve.
The contrast between those quiet trails and the city we return to is one of the things I love about living here.
After more than 20 years in the city, you must have built up quite a list of favourite addresses. Where do you like to go?
The contrast between those quiet trails and the city we return to is one of the things I love about living here.
After more than 20 years in the city, you must have built up quite a list of favourite addresses. Where do you like to go?
For an espresso, I’m a fan of Urban Coffee Roasters. Whenever I can, I visit their Tseung Kwan O branch facing the harbour: a good coffee with a view is a lovely combination. On Hong Kong Island, my favourite coffee right now is Noot, just off Leighton Road.
I’m always in the mood for good Indian food. Getting friends together over a table full of dosas at Saravanaa Bhavan in Tsim Sha Tsui is my idea of a very good time. And for a sunset over the harbour, my favourite spot is Le 188° Restaurant & Lounge at Harbour Grand Hong Kong. Ask the staff about access to the outdoor terrace. For me, it’s the best view in Hong Kong.
Is there a particular part of Hong Kong that holds a special place in your heart?
I have a real soft spot for Tsim Sha Tsui. I love the mix: busy streets, the park, the waterfront, museums, concert halls and food from all over the world. There’s so much to enjoy just by walking around.
One of my favourite half-days out with the children starts with lunch in TST. Then we walk up Nathan Road to In’s Point in Yau Ma Tei to browse the little shops packed with LEGO sets. From there, we continue towards the Flower Market and Goldfish Street, with a bubble tea stop along the way.
It brings together so many things we enjoy about Hong Kong.
Let’s talk about BrandON, your latest venture. You’ve been an entrepreneur for many years, but where did that instinct come from?
It brings together so many things we enjoy about Hong Kong.
Let’s talk about BrandON, your latest venture. You’ve been an entrepreneur for many years, but where did that instinct come from?
I come from a family of entrepreneurs and studied entrepreneurship, so perhaps it was always on the cards! Hong Kong gave me the opportunity to start a business in international trade, which later led to e-commerce ventures.
The idea for BrandON came during the pandemic. Seeing how difficult things had become for Hong Kong retailers made me want to step up and do something. I started working on a platform to help people discover and share promotions in shops and restaurants, while helping those businesses get noticed and bring more customers through their doors.
Hong Kong certainly isn’t short of promotions. What gap did you see in the market?
Hong Kong certainly isn’t short of promotions. What gap did you see in the market?
Hong Kong isn’t short of promotions but the challenge is finding them without spending half your day looking. Offers are scattered across brand pages, social media and WhatsApp groups, and I wanted to bring them together somewhere people could easily check.
At the heart of BrandON is brandon.promo, which tracks more than 500 brands. It’s available in English and Traditional Chinese, with new promotions published every day. The aim is simple: less time hunting for offers, and more time enjoying what the city has to offer.
On the other hand, brands want people to know about their promotions, but they don’t necessarily want discounts to become their whole identity. My ambition is to help them reach interested customers while respecting the image they’ve worked to build.
Building a business is rarely a straight line. What has the BrandON journey taught you?
Building BrandON has been exhilarating, but it has certainly tested my patience. Developing the app was a very different challenge from running an e-commerce business, and I had a lot to learn.
Shortly after launching the first version, I had to change development teams, and we ended up taking the difficult decision to rebuild from scratch. What I had imagined as a three-month project became a three-year journey, with some difficult decisions along the way.
The biggest lesson? Having built businesses before doesn’t stop you from being a beginner again. I learnt to ask more questions and be more willing to rethink my assumptions. It wasn’t quite the timetable I had in mind, but it was certainly an education!
What makes Hong Kong a good place to launch a business?
I really value Hong Kong’s can-do spirit. In my experience, people are open to a conversation, willing to explore a partnership and quick to look for ways to make something happen. The creativity of the city’s small and medium-sized businesses is a real strength.
Things can move quickly here, which is exciting, but it can also be unforgiving. My advice would be to make the most of that openness, build relationships and be prepared to adapt. If your ambitions extend beyond Hong Kong, I think the experience you gain here can also be a strong foundation.
And with such a busy entrepreneurial life, how do you switch off?
I’ve got into the habit of walking for about 20 minutes on my way home, and that time has become my transition between work and family life. It helps me leave the working day behind so I can be more present when I get home.
Finally, what’s next for BrandON, and is there anything you still dream of doing in Hong Kong?
I have a slightly unlikely dream: to drive a minibus along a winding mountain road like Route Twisk. I’m not sure that one will ever happen, but I do like the idea!
For BrandON, my ambition is to make it the first place people think of when they’re looking for promotions and jetso. Ultimately, I want to help people enjoy more of Hong Kong while helping the city’s shops and restaurants get noticed.
The minibus can stay on the wish list. BrandON is the ambition I’m working on every day.
For BrandON, my ambition is to make it the first place people think of when they’re looking for promotions and jetso. Ultimately, I want to help people enjoy more of Hong Kong while helping the city’s shops and restaurants get noticed.
The minibus can stay on the wish list. BrandON is the ambition I’m working on every day.