Recently the two close friends Toby Leung and Janet Chow partnered in a
lingerie business. They designed and modeled for their bras and other
products. Today, Janet is already 7 months pregnant, she plans to wear
her own designed lingerie in her maternity photo shoot. Not only can she
use this for memories, she can also advertise the brand. Toby does not
only give her inputs on the designs, but also plans to start other
businesses with Janet. The two good sisters hope to have their own
career and save up more 'personal money'.
TOBY: Me and Janet's
lingerie brand finally launched, so exciting! It feels just like me and
Janet's baby is born! I told Timmy Hung, I'm riding over you! Haha...
JANET:
Our brand uses two colors, black and white. It's very special. I like
it a lot. Perhaps because I like it, good results came from only half
the work. Lately, I only spent two months preparing and the production
took about 4-5 months! If you really had to calculate it, from designing
to launching, it only took about 6 months! The theme for our lingerie
products are quality and comfort. On the back, there is a zipper and a
band, just like styles from the Victorian era. There are many uses for
it and it's not just to look sexy when wearing it. You can wear to show
your husband and also wear it by itself like clothing! Later, I'll be
wearing my own designs to do the maternity photo shoot. However, I
gained a lot of weight, look like a pig!
TOBY: Hong Kong people
always think being slim is considered beautiful. It is natural for a
pregnant women to be fat. We're also designing maternity lingerie now.
When wearing them, you can also look sexy!
Mutual Trust, No ArgumentsJANET:
We've known each other for 4-5 years. Many people say good friends
cannot run a business together, it will damage the relationship and
eventually end the friendship! However, we have never had any arguments,
actually I'm learning from Toby!
TOBY: We are just too good
friends, and she really trusts me. The business plan, Janet lets me make
all the decisions, so there's not many chances for us to argue.
Actually, she and Timmy argue sometimes and I help stop them. I tell
them to calm down! Now that we're both married, we even talk about how
to get along with our husbands. Don't look at Janet and think she's very
gentle and laid back, actually her character is like a man. She knows
how to protect people. As for me, I look tough on the outside, but
actually she protects me!
JANET: Yeah! I fooled my husband too! I throw temper tantrums on my husband, well because he's the closest person to me!
TOBY:
Janet and I have many dreams, besides lingerie, we want to do a makeup
business too. Women don't just stay at home and be wives, having
something to do, will give us a sense of accomplishment because not all
female artists are that lucky. Women really have to have their own
savings!
Plans to Start a Makeup Business JANET:
One of the reasons why I participated in Miss HK was because I wanted to
get into makeup. Before when I was living in Canada, my circle was very
small. It was an eye-opener when I came to HK. Miss HK can put on
makeup and look pretty, and that's how I was able to come into contact
with makeup. But, we're still in the planning stage. We should first
focus on our lingerie brand!
TOBY: Yes... ... I'm already a
Wedding Planner, so I'm slowly trying to bring all the services into
one. It would be best if we could provide 'all-in-one' services. In the
future, I will be opening a makeup school and let my good friends try
out a business they like to do; let them enjoy a little!
Admires Toby Speaks to the PointJANET:
I really admire Toby's ability to express. I think of it as a learning
experience when collaborating with her. Just like how she speaks, she
can be so persuasive and really have a point in what she says. When she
was explaining the details of the business to me, basically I didn't
need to ask any questions, she already answered everything I wanted to
know. My mom praises Toby too!
TOBY: I do all my homework before
I meet clients, but I really envy you because you're going to be a
mother soon. I do plan on having a baby myself, but I want to take the
opportunity before I turn 30, I hope my company gets even better. Then I
can really be relaxed and focus on having children, then I will just
concentrate entirely on taking care of my baby.