That Papa archive - Sassy Mama Hong Kong - 1

“You’ve Got To Buckle Up And Hustle.” International Music Producer Kelvin Avon Talks About Parenting Teens And Making It In The Music Industry

Alex Purcell Garcia — Wed, 07 Sep 2022 22:00:27 +0000

What do your kids love to do? Pay attention, because their hobbies might become their future career. For That Papa Kelvin Avon, music has always been a passion. Today, he is one of the worlds most successful music producers and songwriters. Returning to his Asia roots with his family, music continues to be a big influence in their house. The father of two talks to us about defining moments as a parent, meeting his idol, and East meeting West in the music world.

The age of 12 proved to be a big year in the life of Kelvin Avon. Little did he know it then, but a chance meeting at a Repulse Bay beach party would introduce him to his future wife. It was also the year that he made the decision to focus his thoughts on becoming “Kelvin the hopeful Music Producer”, a turning point that would define his future career.

Fast forward to the present day and Kelvin is a multi-platinum selling music producer, songwriter and music engineer. In 2011 he founded Mo Fo Music Ltd in Hong Kong, which focuses on music production, artist management and music publishing. Having grown up between the 852 and London, Kelvin has an ear for East and West sounds, and has worked with some of the biggest artists across the globe.

But his greatest achievement came when his two children were born, for in that moment his whole world shifted on its axis. We’re lucky to meet the man himself and get tips on parenting teenagers, how to make it in the tough music industry, plus, we find out who is really in charge of the stereo in his house!

Tell us a bit about yourself. How old were you when you realised that you loved music? Who or what inspired you?

Music was always a part of my life. Although my parents were not musicians, my dad was and still is an avid music lover and collector. Through his massive catalogue of music I was introduced to a vast array of music from a young age. I started learning the trumpet at age 6 but ultimately gave it up as I wanted to make music not perform it. So I guess around age 12, Kelvin the hopeful Music Producer was born.

At what point growing up did you realise that you wanted to focus your career on music? How did that unfold and how did your family support that dream?

It did take some time for me to start to take it seriously, I went to school in Hong Kong and the school in question, diplomatically put, was not supportive of the creative arts. So after what I will call an “interesting time” at high school,

“I ended up doing a Business and Finance Degree in London. Within the first month I knew I had made a mistake and had soon dropped out – much to my parent’s horror!”

Both my parents were accountants and had assumed I would follow a similar career path as them. Initially they were upset that I had dropped out but they soon became my biggest supporters once they realised how serious I was about music.

What words of advice do you have for youngsters who share the same musical passions?

The word I use the most is “Perseverance”. A career in music, especially in the creative side, is very tough and, no matter what the TV tells you, there is no such thing as overnight success.

The second word I use is “Resilience”. The music business is brutal to creatives, so if you cannot take criticism well then I guarantee this is not the career path for you. Other than that I’d tell them to get a good lawyer and a good accountant, buckle up and hustle, hustle, hustle.

You work between London and Hong Kong. What brought you and your family to the 852? What are the benefits of raising kids in both cities?

I was actually raised in Hong Kong so I have a long history with this city. My wife was also raised here and all her family are based in Hong Kong. After 13 years in London together our first daughter was born and my wife, Jen, wanted to raise her near her grandparents. My parents already had 7 grandkids by then so I couldn’t really argue with her logic.

Let’s talk more about your family! How did you meet your wife, Jen? Was it love at first sight?

I have known my wife since I was 12 years old when I went to a beach party at Repulse Bay and met her there. Let’s just say, we didn’t like each other much so no it was not love at first sight! We were also at the same high school although in different circles of friends. But after school, and after I had dropped out of college, I came back to Hong Kong to visit my parents and we were ‘set up’ by 2 good friends…that was 27 years ago and we are still going strong.

How do you and your wife share parenting roles? Do you both adapt skills from work to your parenting style?

I would say my wife and I’s parenting style is fairly relaxed, we are both creatives and don’t work normal 9 to 5 hours. I think our key thing is to treat each other as you would like to be treated i.e. respect, honesty, and integrity. My work persona and home persona are a little different, I am much tougher in work than at home, and I think my wife is the opposite to me.

You have two awesome daughters. Are they into music? Or are they moving to their own beat?

They both love music and I think that is because my wife and I would always play music around the house or in the car.

“When they were young I had a rule that in the car it is mum and dad’s music only. I did this to try and give them a musical education outside what their friends are listening to.”

My kids love soul, 80’s and 90’s music, as well as modern music as well. However, I do not think either of them are looking to follow in the footsteps of their Dad and go into music.

The music industry is known for being challenging at times and difficult to break into. Would you encourage your kids to work in the same field if they want to?

That’s a hard question. I want my kids to pursue a career that they are passionate about. If that ends up being in music then so be it. However, I will admit I would prefer that they didn’t. As I mentioned before, the music industry is quite brutal and cut-throat. The upside if they did pursue a career in music is that they would have a Dad that is very knowledgeable and connected within the industry to help them out.

You’ve managed to break down musical barriers between the East and West with your production company MoFo Music Ltd. What is the secret to your success?

I think the two words I mentioned before (perseverance and resilience) have a lot to do with. When I came back to Hong Kong in 2009,

“The industry here was adamant that I didn’t know Chinese music therefore I couldn’t make it. But I am very stubborn and nothing fires my coals more then someone telling me I can’t do something.”

Fast forward to 2011 and I was writing and producing for some of the biggest Chinese artists in the world. I just don’t give up I guess. Plus, I grew up with the Chinese language, culture and music playing on every radio station around.

Did becoming a parent change your view on the world and your work? If so, how?

Hugely, I was so selfish before I had kids, the world revolved around me. That idea was booted out the door as soon as I held my first daughter, Talia, after what was quite a traumatic birth for Jen and Talia. From that day forward, I went to the bottom of my list and everything I do now is for my family. I don’t think I would have agreed to move back to Hong Kong if we hadn’t had kids.

You’re a multi-platinum selling producer, songwriter, music engineer and artist manager. Which moments in your career stand out to you most and why?

There are quite a few, I have been fortunate to meet a few of my music idols.

“I think the one that stands out the most was being invited to have dinner and drinks with one of my icons and inspirations, Dr Dre, in 2014.”

His music production is integral to what Hip Hop has become today and I grew up listening to his music and idolising him. In my job you meet a lot of famous people and I have grown used to it and do not get starstruck, but meeting him I became a starstruck 14 year old again.

Which moments as a parent stand out to you most and why?

The birth of both my kids. I’m not ashamed to say I blubbed like a baby myself when they were born! The typical first words, first steps are all moments. But watching my daughters grow and mature is amazing as well. As much as COVID was tough on my work I spent more time with my kids then ever, and I loved it.

We’re guessing that music plays a big role in your household! Who is in charge of the stereo at home and what do you all listen to?

Not me for sure! There is a diverse array of music tastes in my house, but I would say at home it is my youngest, Myla, who rules the stereo and I’m happy to hand it off – I do music all day. But nowadays with devices and headphones, the house is sometimes full of people just walking around listening to their own music.

Your girls are heading into the tween and teenage years. How are you adapting to that? Any words of advice for fellow parents?

I’m not! My advice would be buckle up hahaha!

Listen. Not to what they are saying but sometimes what they are not saying or saying inbetween the lines.

You don’t need to always do things with the kids. People in Hong Kong are constantly out and on the go but sometimes the most bonding times with your kids are simply just in the car or in the supermarket.

Be the role model you want your kids to be. Kids, especially teenagers, don’t listen but they watch and imitate you all the time so don’t just talk the talk but walk the walk.

What’s coming up for Kelvin Avon and MoFo Music? We saw your virtual music artist Buster Sylvester! Tell us more about him?

Yes!! Buster Sylvester my iDNA (Interactive Digitally Native Artist), I just finished the pilot to his reality TV show. But he will be in the Metaverse, holograms, social media, as well as releasing music on Spotify. I’m very excited about him as this is a kind of entertainment that has not really been done before.

The buzz word people are using now is “Metatainment”. You can check him out at his website for now. It’s still early but stay tuned as he will be launching towards the end of the year.

You’ve worked with some great artists over the years, Erykah Badu, P. Diddy, Shola Ama and Jamelia to name just a few. Were there any divas in the mix?

Haha…that would be telling! Everyone was great. However there was one very famous artist that ended up walking out of the session. No names though!

Which names in the music industry here in Hong Kong or Asia should we be listening out for?

A lot of the very interesting artists in Asia are coming out of Mainland China, however with current restrictions it has been hard to find out more or see them live. I like 9m88 from Taiwan, she is very interesting and I was keen to sign her. I also worked with a rapper called Blow Fever from China last year and he was very talented.

What’s the best piece of advice your parents gave to you?

Never go to bed angry. That is gold. I’ve been married 24 years this year and we’re still going strong and I think that was a key piece of advice.

The other one is count to five before you speak, that one has been a lifesaver in business, especially.

All images courtesy of the talented Joy Lee for Sassy Media Group. Follow her on Instagram here.

The post “You’ve Got To Buckle Up And Hustle.” International Music Producer Kelvin Avon Talks About Parenting Teens And Making It In The Music Industry appeared first on Sassy Mama.

“Family Has Always Got To Be First And The Rest Will Sort Itself Out.” Michael Bublé Talks About New Music, Family, And Baby Number 4!

Sassy Mama — Thu, 18 Aug 2022 22:00:53 +0000

Bublé is back and he’s got a cracking new album: Higher. We were lucky to have a one-on-one with the man himself to chat about music, pregnancy announcements, and his top parenting tips. Plus, get your hands on an exclusive signed copy of his new album! Read on for details. Here’s 16 questions with Sassy Papa, Michael Bublé.

We sit here writing up Michale Bublé’s answers to this interview, tapping our foot along to the sound of his new album, Higher. From his familiar vocals on vintage classics like “A Nightingale Sang In Berkeley Square”, to catchy new melodies in, “I’ll Never Not Love You”, it’s easy to see (or hear!) why Bublé is a well-loved household name.

Michael never shies away from talking about his love for his family and how they influence him every day, through work and life. We find out his top parenting tips, what it was like working with Sir Paul McCartney, and bouncing back to work, post-pandemic.

⇓ Read on to enter the giveaway and win a signed copy of Michael Bublé’s new album, Higher.

Congrats on the new album! How did you feel going into the making of this album after a hiatus?

I was excited and a little anxious, I think everybody has been through a lot with COVID. It meant a lot to me to get back into some sense of normalcy though – it means a lot for all of us to get back to normal.

What’s it been like making a record during a pandemic? Has anything been easier or more challenging?

It doesn’t really matter when you make a record, it’s a snapshot of where you are in your life. I’m happy to say, the snapshot it took of my life is a grateful, happy and centred man, who loves making music for the people he loves making it for.

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A post shared by Michael Bublé (@michaelbuble)

Who or what is the inspiration behind Higher?

The inspiration is always the same, it’s the loves of my life! My family, the beautiful audience out there, and my kids. And I just love music, I always have, I’m blessed to make it, I’m blessed to do it.

Describe Higher in three words

My best yet!

Are you a romantic person?

Of course I’m a romantic at heart. I think the men I looked up to were also romantics, and I don’t think there is anything soft or weak in saying that. I’m a big fan of romantic films too. The truth is I’m a fan of happy endings, I like to believe they can happen in real life too, and the good guys can win sometimes.

Are you a “Swiftie”? Why did you choose reference Taylor Swift’s 10-minute “All Too Well” short film in the “Haven’t Met You Yet” music video?

Of course I’m a Swiftie! I chose what I thought were some of the greatest moments in Cinema. From old movies from as far back as I can remember, to the newest one and that’s why Taylor is in there.

What’s your favourite romantic on-screen duo?

Probably Hans Solo and Princess Leia.

You’re pretty impressive as the leading man in your videos. Are we going to see “Michael Bublé” in any movie credits in the future?

Of course you’ll see some acting from me – I do it every single night on stage! It’s a part of the craft.

How involved are your family with your music? Are you a musical family?

I’d say my family is always involved in my music. My wife especially, she’s got a great sense of style and I trust her implicitly. Every single song on this album was inspired by my family!

What was it like working with Sir Paul McCartney?

It meant a lot to me to work with Sir Paul McCartney. And, more than that, to have a man I respect so much trusted me with his art – it doesn’t get better.

Have your musical inspirations changed over the years?

My musical inspirations change every single day. I love pop music and I love hearing what young artists have to offer, it changes every single day.

You cover Sam Cooke and Willie Nelson on this album. How do you bring your own spin to old songs, and why you chose these artists in particular?

My job is always to reimagine songs, it’s what I’m best at. I love writing, I love creating brand new originals, but there’s something really special about being a custodian of The Great American Songbook, and the artists and repertoire that I so much love.

How would you describe yourself?

I have a lot of love to give! I have a lot of experience, I’ve lived a lot of life, and I think I’ve become the greatest in the world at what I do.

I’m able to reimagine, conceptualise and make some incredible cinematic music, along with the incredible artists I work with. I’m a lucky man.

At the end of the “I’ll Never Not Love You” video, you and your wife revealed that you’re expecting your fourth child. How did you announce previous pregnancies?

We’ve had 4 now (laughs). I don’t even remember how we announced the other pregnancies! I’m pretty sure it’s always my wife taking the lead on that, I just sort of trust her and fall in behind (laughs).

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A post shared by Michael Bublé (@michaelbuble)

Can you share some advice for balancing family life and work?

I can tell you, that you can never have a balance. Family has always got to be first and the rest will sort itself out.

What are your three key parenting tips?

Giving unconditional love is a good start.
Teaching them the Golden Rule: treat people the way you want to be treated.
Hopefully making sure, you show them by your actions instead of words how to treat people in the world around you.

Win A Signed Copy Of Michael Bublé’s New Album, Higher

Read More: Enter These Sassy Mama Giveaways And Win Big!

The post “Family Has Always Got To Be First And The Rest Will Sort Itself Out.” Michael Bublé Talks About New Music, Family, And Baby Number 4! appeared first on Sassy Mama.

That Papa: Arturo Sims Of Musubi Hiro

Alex Purcell Garcia — Mon, 25 Apr 2022 22:00:13 +0000

Husband, father, chef, entrepreneur, these are just some of the hats that Arturo Sims wears. The founder of Musubi Hiro in Central, Arturo, chats to us about becoming a father, whether his kids are foodies or not, and how love brought him to (and kept him in!) Hong Kong.

Nestled under the famous elevators at 37 Cochrane Street in Central you’ll find a culinary gem. Outstanding enough for its impressive artwork on the outside, the menu inside Musubi Hiro will take you on a journey through a labyrinth of childhood memories bursting with flavour. While fine-dining might be the foundation of Arturo Sims career, he explains how Musubi Hiro is a passion project with a more relaxed culinary vibe reflective of his own personality. The father of two also reveals who inspired him to follow his dreams to launch the restaurant (*spoiler* we have his kids to thank for that!) and how to juggle family life while setting up a new business.

Ten plus years in the 852, one wife, two kids, two dogs, and numerous tasty treats on the menu, we chat about family, love at first sight, his mothers cooking and, of course, his amazing kids.

What sparked your interest in food and hospitality? And how did you come to study in France?

Since I was a kid I have always loved cooking shows. I remember turning on the TV to watch some cooking shows instead of watching cartoons when I was 4 or 5 years old! There was something about the food they made and how people looked happy when seeing it that made me feel great.

“My mother was a great cook, and she made amazing food for us all the time, she always included us in the cooking process and invited us to try many of their preparations mid-way through cooking.”

I studied in a French Culinary school back home in Chile and then ventured out to work in France for some years. I was always very attracted to the French way of cooking and always knew I was going to go to a great place to cook. My brother once challenged me and said: “I bet you don’t dare and go cook in France where the great chefs are…” – Challenge accepted!

After two years of cooking in France I decided to continue studying and then is when I decided to study further in Switzerland at the best hotel school, EHL Hospitality Business School.

You’ve been in Hong Kong for around a decade already. What first brought you here and what enticed you to stay?

Love brought me to Hong Kong, and love has kept me here ever since! My girlfriend (now wife) moved to Hong Kong first, found a job and invited me to visit her. She got to discover upon my arrival that I brought with me pretty much everything I owned. I simply moved in! Some years later we got married and had two kids, two dogs, the whole circus! So, it was Ana who brought me to Hong Kong.

Tell us about the idea behind the name, Musubi Hiro. Why is Tokusatsu significant to you and why were you inspired to create an izakaya-style restaurant?

My first image of Japan was through TV series and cartoons where monsters were destroying the city and these amazing masked superheroes came to the rescue. I remember telling my mom once: “Mama, Japan is so dangerous! So many monsters there!”. She laughed and explained it was just a TV series and was not real. In any case, Godzilla, Ultraman, and other monsters and heroes were in the back of my mind and always as part of Japan.

The movie genre Tokusatsu has always drawn my interest because is a historic piece of the film industry and was very influential worldwide. Many of the games I played when I was a kid involved running around defeating monsters with my friends.

“Musubi Hiro has always been the hero that brings good food, good drinks and great times to people. That way we can defeat any monster without violence, but by getting them full, drunk and have an amazing time with us!”

Almost my whole career has been in fine dining, but as many people know me, I am a very outgoing person, and I feel much more like myself in a casual dining environment. The great experience is still there at all times, just with easier going food!

What’s your favourite dish on the menu and why?

One of my favourite dishes on the menu is the Queen Avocado, it really brings lots of childhood memories to me. I grew up eating at least one avocado per day! Back home in Chile, they were quite inexpensive. Mama would buy a bag of potatoes and a bag of avo!

Sassy Mama tip: Look out for the new Musubi Hiro menu that launched on Thursday, 21 April 2022!

We love the artwork at the restaurant! Who is (or are) the artist(s)?

Funny you ask. I love art too! The restaurant was conceived to be used as a cooperative for artists to come and paint. The original wall painting was done by a group of students from the Hong Kong Design Institute in Tseung Kwan O! They did an amazing work of showcasing Hong Kong’s signature landmarks with a twist of fun and cheekiness.

Now we have an amazing partnership with the Hong Kong Arts Collective, and many of the artists they represent come on a monthly basis to paint at the restaurant and display their art!

How did you meet your other half, Ana? Does she play a role in the restaurant?

You mean my better half. By far my better half. We met at Uni back in Switzerland. We actually met on her first day in school! As she walked into the school I helped her with her luggage and that was that…we were hitched! We’ve been together ever since, 12 years!

She has a very busy job so she doesn’t have much time to spare between her work and the kids. But she inspires me and takes care of me when I am shattered after endless weeks of work. I would not be able to do all I do without her, that’s for sure!

Tell us about your kids! How similar or different are they? Whom do they take after – you or your wife?

OMG, my kids are so great.

The older one is unstoppable, he has the energy of 10 tornados and 27 bulls! Extremely emotional and super charismatic. If he can say something with 10 words, he will definitely use 30. He definitely took that after me! My dad laughs at me, he calls it “Payback”.

The small one is a tad calmer…it just simply couldn’t be otherwise. He is the sweetest boy in the world and is always looking to care for all of us, he hugs and kisses me countless times during the day, he just melts my heart every day. He is more like Ana.

Has becoming a dad changed you in any way? If so, how?

Becoming a dad has definitely changed me. Am I a bit more calm? Not really. I just changed the way I do things. I always think about my family first and try and count the hours I am away from them when I work. I love my job, but I love my family much much more.

Are your kids huge foodies like you?

Hahaha…The older one is very picky, but he loves Musubi!!! The younger one eats practically anything you put in front of him. They’re both very big kids so they eat a lot!

Do you think becoming a father has made you look at your work (and life) differently? If so, how?

Absolutely. I am a very passionate person and I love what I do for a living. I don’t really call it work as I really LOVE what I do. For me this is my hobby, my passion, my work and my true call in life, I love seeing people happy over food and drinks.

But there are more important things in life than what I do. I guess I became less selfish and prefer to share more of my time with my kids and wife.

What’s your favourite family dinner to eat at home? Have your kids inspired any new dish ideas?

My eldest child inspired me to make Musubi Hiro a restaurant! The first time I made a Musubi for him, he absolutely loved it and asked me if that was going to be for my restaurant. I said why not?

I enjoy every meal at home, but especially Saturday lunch. Once everyone has slept well, woken up, and played for a bit, we tend to either grill something or cook something together and the kids are not too tired to eat. Then we try to relax for a bit before energy kicks back in and the monkeys start jumping non-stop.

What do you enjoy most about being a dad? And what is the most challenging aspect?

What I enjoy the most is the love I get from my kids. No matter what happens, I will always get a hug and a kiss. That unconditional love is so pure and so authentic that it makes me shake every single time.

The most challenging part is to dedicate more time to them. Sometimes I am so tired that the only thing I want to do is rest, but I always find some extra energy to be with them and play, have fun or keep them company while they’re being silly.

Covid restrictions aside, where is your favourite date night spot to go with your wife? Or do you prefer to stay at home and cook?

Definitely stay home and cook. We have the privilege of living in a beautiful place and we really love doing stuff at home. Whenever we go out though, we try to be outdoors and by the sea. Anywhere that has a terrace, sun and sea…we are happy as can be.

You seem to be a busy guy! Other than Musubi Hiro, what other ventures are you involved in at the moment? And do you have any future plans for Musubi Hiro?

Yeah, I try and stay busy, use the energy I’ve got in a positive way. my main business is in consulting in Hospitality, I design hotels and restaurants around Asia. The projects are super fun and really use most of my creative energy, my clients are all over the place and that helps me to keep my mind busy and challenging me at all times.

Musubi Hiro is a lifelong dream come true. I always wanted to have my own restaurant and it finally came to life! We are in the midst of opening seven takeaway and delivery kitchens in Hong Kong this year, and we are looking into other countries, too. Korea, Japan, UK, Australia and China! We are working hard to grow Musubi Hiro to become an international brand as we just want to bring more happiness to more people.

What are your proudest achievements so far?

Personal: My family.

Professional: My restaurant and my team.

What three tips would you give to parents trying to juggle family life while setting up a new business?

Don’t waste time wondering. Do not hesitate. Go 100% in and try your best both at home and at work. Don’t get distracted because distractions cost a lot of time, and time is something you don’t have much of.

Be responsible. Take care of yourself and your family. Be successful but don’t try being a hero, you are not worth much dead – unless you have amazing life insurance!

Surround yourself with good people and purge all negative energy. You will go through hard hard times and you don’t want bad vibes. Share your thoughts with people around you and seek help when you need it.

Thanks to the talented John McGrane Photography for the fantastic images above. Follow him on Facebook and Instagram.

The post That Papa: Arturo Sims Of Musubi Hiro appeared first on Sassy Mama.

That Papa: Matthew Paterson, Founder Of Minisport

Anita Balagopalan — Mon, 13 Dec 2021 22:00:44 +0000

Meet the man and the papa behind one of the city’s most popular camp and sport class providers.

London-born and Hong Kong-raised Matthew Paterson started Minisport to give young kids in this city a chance to experience as many sports as possible. If you are a Hong Kong parent of a child under 10 years, chances are that they’ve attended one of the Minisport sports classes, holiday camps and even enjoyed their party entertainment services. Now, Matthew is trying to grow Minisport into a community that can give back to Hong Kong families and supports the city’s underprivileged. Matthew manages all of this while spending time with his family and his adorable baby son. We spoke to this new papa on the block!

Have you always been interested in sports?

I have certainly always shown an interest in sport from a young age, mainly playing football, tennis and golf. My degree was in Business Management but I hold Mini-Tennis qualifications, a Professional Child Coaching Diploma and First Aid & Safeguarding of Children certificates.

How and why did you set up Minisport?

Minisport was very much born out of my own childhood experiences. When I moved to Hong Kong from London (I was 9 years old at the time), I was a confident football and tennis player. But I had not encountered cricket, rugby and basketball in London. I believe that exposing children to multiple sports in their early years not only builds confidence but also instils in them a love for athleticism that they wouldn’t necessarily have if they weren’t exposed when they were young.

The Minisport curriculum was created in 2012. It’s been continually developed to help children aged 1.5 to 8 years build key fundamental ball skills and experience four sports through one programme – we rotate between football, tennis, basketball and rugby on a fortnightly basis at our weekly programmes and daily at holiday camps.

How did you build your customer base in this crowded market?

Building our customer base has been a gradual process. It’s the result of a lot of hard work and the delivery of high-quality sessions from the coaching team. During COVID-19, we were lucky enough to build the private side of the business. We could form great relationships with new clients who really appreciated the benefits that the programme brought for their children in the absence of school and incidental exercise/play. I am also grateful for the partnerships I have established, both within and outside of the sports coaching industry, as they have not only allowed me to expand Minisport’s network but they have also given me the opportunity to learn from some other really impressive entrepreneurs.

Where did you meet your wife?

Well, this really is a fantastic story. I do believe that I was guided to my wife, Danielle, and am grateful for this each and every day. Our paths crossed ironically through an event held by the British Chamber of Commerce, that I was, in fact, not attending! One of my friends saw a rather striking young lady at another table and took a picture of the name label at her seat while she was on the dancefloor.

I bumped into this friend the following day and he wanted to look her up on Facebook and then show her to my new flatmate for his approval. To cut a long story short, my flatmate accidentally shared her profile picture on my Facebook wall and then my phone battery died!

When I finally got to a laptop after a few hours, I found a flurry of comments and likes. Mortified, I deleted her picture from my Facebook wall as soon as possible and then sent her an apology and explanation via Messenger. After exchanging a few messages, I managed to lock her in for a date and the rest, as they say, is history.

How do you divide work and parenting duties, along with sports that you play personally and any other hobbies?

I generally like to wake up early (around 4 or 5am) and tackle my most important work tasks before exercising. By late morning, I often have meetings with some of the wonderful team members that we have at Minisport. I have recently taken a keen interest in yoga and set aside time for this at around lunchtime. From 2 to 4pm, I pick up tasks from what seems to be a never-ending to-do list that evaded me in the morning or sometimes schedule meetings, before taking my son for an afternoon walk, often on the morning trail. I coach twice per week in the afternoon which I greatly enjoy. This allows me to stay connected with the company and continue to contribute to the development of concepts, sessions and as the company’s leader.

I still play tennis, golf and football however I am hoping that I will be able to intensify my participation in these activities next year. I ruptured my ACL when I was 12 and it seems that my life has been one long battle against muscle imbalances and various injuries ever since! I’m hoping that the benefits of yoga will set in and injuries will become less likely in 2022.

My weekend routine is a little less structured. My wife and I ensure that we have time to socialise and recharge, often with a bottle of wine or two. However, the length of our evening excursions has shortened considerably since the arrival of our little boy!

You have a COVID baby! Describe the experience of bringing up a child here, in the midst of a pandemic and strict safety regulations?

Well, our little bundle of joy is just six months old! We haven’t really experienced the tribulations (yet!) that many other families have in terms of school closures. We are wary of the threat that the pandemic poses to any community, but do feel grateful that Hong Kong has taken such firm measures to control the situation. Not being able to travel to introduce our extended relatives to our son has been a minor frustration, but all in all, we are grateful to be here.

Other than not being able to meet the family, how has COVID affected your business?

COVID has been a real journey, to say the least. We have had to really tighten up our operation and have become far more diligent across a number of areas within the business. Over the summer camp season, we taught over 1,200 students with an average ratio of 4.1 which was certainly a challenge, as we stuck relentlessly to the tight grouping restrictions that were in place.

We also moved quickly to build an engaging and stimulating online programme to keep our students active during lockdowns, selling equipment bags to supplement these activities.

As a relatively young entrepreneur, COVID-19 has taught me that you need to always be planning for a multitude of scenarios in the short, medium and long term. Also, the value of a strong core team cannot be underestimated. My father, who is a great source of advice and support to me, claims:

“You’ve never really managed a business until you’ve managed it through a crisis.”.

With this in mind, I think that there are a lot of business owners in Hong Kong who have really managed their businesses well. I take my hat off to each and every one of them!

What are your long term goals for the business?

I’m very excited about what we have planned for 2022. Partnerships are something we will continue to place great value on. We are already partnering with some wonderful nurses, nutritionists and wellness specialists to provide Minisport parents with vital support and knowledge when it comes to their children. We also have several partnerships with schools, recreation clubs, hotels, F&B providers, wellness centres and fitness studios who have been a pleasure to work alongside. Ultimately, I want Minisport to be a community, where we can give back to the families of Hong Kong and also support Hong Kong’s underprivileged. You may have noticed that our Minisport jerseys say Love 21 on them. We do a lot of work with Jeff Rotmeyer who runs Love 21 and ImpactHK. We do weekly coaching sessions for Love 21 and will be participating in a Kindness Walk with our friends at Wingman this holiday season.

Which achievements are you most proud of?

Winning two dance competitions! Although we have won many awards for Minisport, my lack of dancing ability certainly makes these awards very memorable on a personal level (let’s see if our friends at Ballroom Bees can bring me back to the dance floor during our combined upcoming winter camp in Clearwater Bay!).

Jokes aside, I think that the team culture that we have created at Minisport and the fact that staff like coming to work is something that I am extremely proud of.

Do you feel Hong Kong gives enough emphasis to sports and outdoor play when it comes to child development?

Although space and facilities can be somewhat of a constraint at times, I absolutely think that Hong Kong is heading in the right direction on this front. The recent performance of the Hong Kong Olympic team is a testament to this.

From the grassroots right through to the development level, there are so many wonderful opportunities for the children of our city to engage in sport. I am only scratching the surface when I say that there are an abundance of amazing fellow sports coaching companies as well as, martial arts, dancing, adventure sports and gymnastics schools.

The amount of public urban space donated to parks and playgrounds is also something to appreciate in a city that is so populated, allowing children to increasingly engage in incidental, casual activities and play.

What do you most enjoy about living in Hong Kong?

Hong Kong is really my home and one that I would struggle to ever leave. The fast-paced nature of the city really acts as a platform to live life to the fullest, whether it’s on the work front or escaping the city for a hike or visit to the beach.

“My favourite aspect is the safety that we all enjoy, and perhaps take for granted at times. This is the bedrock of any positive society and is a strong factor in why I am delighted that my son can grow up here.”

Love all things Hong Kong?

What do you enjoy most about being a father? And what is most challenging?

This sounds cheesy, but the first smile you get when walking through the door or waking him up in the morning has to be topping the list at the moment. I’m sure there will be a flurry of moments that unfold as he begins to walk, run and talk.

Challenging – the lack of sleep, of course. Everything else is a dream!

Though your baby is very young, what are you are most excited to introduce him to?

The guitar was a big part of my life growing up (throwback to when I was in a death metal band at West Island School!). I would definitely encourage him to be comfortable around instruments as I think it’s a great outlet, especially for teenagers.

When it comes to sport, I obviously think every child deserves the opportunity to at least try various sports from a young age. However, the main sports that I will actively encourage my son to take up before the age of 10 are tennis, swimming and golf. These are sports that require a considerable understanding of technique and plenty of practice and are not picked up incidentally in the playground. They are also sports that you can enjoy throughout your life. I have endless fond memories of playing these sports with my family members from across several generations.

That leads me to the place that we will be heading for the minute that quarantine is relaxed – Carnoustie, Scotland. This is where my mum’s sisters are based. I have memories of long summers playing golf and goofing around with cousins – it’s something that I would love my son to experience in his childhood.

After a long day, what’s your favourite way to unwind?

Generally, a massage or a walk in the hills with the baby, both whilst listening to audiobooks.

What would be your three top tips for anyone looking to set up a business, particularly in the crowded children’s class space?

Believe in yourself and your team’s dedication. Don’t worry too much about what others are doing, especially if it seems to often directly mimic your own operation.

“When you grow a healthy garden, it’s natural that people want to pick the flowers and dealing with such situations in the right manner is a crucial step in developing on both a personal level, as well as for your team.”

Learn from lessons quickly. The road to success is never linear and also never-ending. Within each problem that comes your way lies both a solution and a lesson. It’s fine to make a mistake once, or perhaps twice, but the blame for mistakes that are made several times lies with yourself.

The third piece of advice would be to park your ego when it comes to business decisions. You must look at yourself in the eye honestly and ask whether the things that you are doing are working or not. Which activities or organisational habits would you not be engaging in today if you knew what you now knew before you began them?

Those are my top tips for those wanting to enter this space.

All images courtesy of the talented John McGrane. Follow his work on Instagram here and Facebook here.

The post That Papa: Matthew Paterson, Founder Of Minisport appeared first on Sassy Mama.

That Papa: Juan Gimenez, Co-Founder Of Twist & Buckle

Anita Balagopalan — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 22:00:19 +0000

Born and raised in Argentina, Juan Gimenez is bringing the sweet taste of his home to Hong Kong through its much-loved churros!

Juan Gimenez moved to Hong Kong on a quest to work with the best 5-star hotels in the world. At that point, he thought he would be here for two years only. But as often happens with the best-laid plans, they didn’t go as he imagined. 10 years on, married with two beautiful daughters and a rapidly expanding business – Twist & Buckle, Juan finds himself in love with the city’s dining scene, dynamics and the people. He says there’s no looking back from Hong Kong!

Were you always interested in the Food & Beverage (F&B) industry?

Actually, I was always interested in nature and its preservation. Initially, I studied oceanography but because I was also determined to move out at 18, I worked at a restaurant while studying. From this experience, I learned to appreciate food and beverage and spent most of my paychecks going out to the best restaurants in town. I ultimately dropped oceanography and studied hospitality.

What is your regular day job? What do you enjoy about it?

I run F&B for Ovolo in Hong Kong. I like the company’s ethos and lack of bureaucracy. Decisions are taken on the spot, quickly and efficiently. In an F&B environment, that’s exactly what you need. We are a big international company that moves at the speed and hierarchy of a startup. Most importantly, with the same passion, creativity and ingenuity. I like to be surrounded by like-minded and passionate people. This job allows me that!

Why did you set up Twist & Buckle?

I’ve always wanted to open my own place in Hong Kong, and after things settled with my two little ones, I got a bit more organised (well, as organised as you can get with two kids!). I thought it would be the perfect time to start something with a partner.

My partner and co-founder in the business is someone I used to work with 12 years ago. We both were bartenders back then and we got along very well. After I moved to Hong Kong, I encouraged him to come here and thankfully, he’s loved it too. When we were thinking of concepts, we decided on churros because it has a sentimental, authentic value behind it. It’s something we both loved as kids growing up in Argentina.

“Back home, when I was little, I’d go with my Mum to buy fresh bread every day. The baker would always give me a churro to eat while he was preparing all the orders.”

We love those memories and wanted to bring them to the people of our new home. We opened our first location in July 2020.

Meet More Hong Kong Papas

Why the name Twist & Buckle?

We wanted something with “&” like law firms, which started out as a joke with deciding whose name would go first! But when we were developing the concept, we decided we would make our churros different by twisting and buckling them up to get their loop shape. The rest is history.

You have mentioned that you have the “Ferrari” of churro machines? Please elaborate. How has this helped your business?

Hong Kong F&B is a cutthroat industry, and there’s no dedicated shop for churros other than us. People in this city know what’s good and want only the best. You can’t have a great product if you can’t get the basics right. I’ve opened enough restaurants in my life to know that you can save costs at first, but you’d just end up paying them in the future. So, we met (virtually) with artisanal churro machine makers in Spain whom we should actually credit for the phrase: “The Ferrari of Churro Machines”. After that, we were sold. How could you not be?

The machine has been incredible! It’s a very precise piece of equipment that helps in many ways from keeping the oil at a constant high temperature which leads to the dough being in the fryer for less time. This ultimately makes the churro warm and crunchy with no traces of oiliness.

What are the future plans for Twist & Buckle? After your second location, now being available for delivery, what’s next?

We want to become Hong Kong’s favourite dessert shop, and simply be recognised for loving what we do, and being the best at it. Of course, expansion is on the horizon too. We are constantly looking at new locations and we aim to open two more within the next 12 months and try to keep doubling in size every year.

How did you meet your wife?

It’s Shakespearean in a way. Barbara and I used to work in the same hotel but in restaurants that were on two sides of a big, open terrace. I was a bartender and she was a hostess. Sometimes, we would set up the terrace cushions, cutlery, etc. of both our restaurants at the same time. She had this shiny gold jacket, and when the sun hit her it made it impossible not to look at her. Eventually, she was transferred to the restaurant I worked at, as my supervisor. I didn’t have the best reputation because of my bad temper at the time, but I was able to earn her respect. I loved that she saw the best side of me from day one. From thereon, we went out a few times after work and then life took us across the world. We’ve lived in Argentina, then had a brief stint in Dubai and now we’re here in Hong Kong.

What does Barbara do? Is she involved with Twist & Buckle?

She works in F&B too. However, it’s been more on-and-off recently as she took the time off to look after Mia and Penny. With Penny (our second one), I wanted to be the one to take time off but we realised that a prolonged paternity leave could make it difficult for me to get back into the workplace. Professionally, and in many other ways, she’s way better than I – yet the market thought otherwise. So, I kept working and she looked after Penny full time. I’m ever so grateful to her!

I try to switch off when I get home. She loves our churros but we try to keep the home environment work-free!

How have you divided parenting roles? Who is the good cop and who is the bad cop?

I find it hard to be the bad cop because I have two girls, and I have a massive soft spot for them. I tend to love the more outdoorsy and extreme activities, like pillow fights or trampoline backflips, while Barby is great at keeping a calm environment and has the girls engaged in more mindful activities. You need both!

Are you a family of foodies? Do you prefer cooking or eating out?

I love both. My Sunday pancakes are my daughters’ favourite. I also really enjoy a good food outing – ramen and dim sum are the two family favourites.

COVID has impacted families in many ways. Has it affected yours?

Absolutely. Our biggest concern (and seemingly for many other parents as well) is the social skills and interaction that so many kids have missed out on over the last two years. It’s an important part of their development, so we had to make sure they were able to develop this through other ways.

What prompted the decision to set up Twist & Buckle right in the middle of a crisis?

In regards to Twist & Buckle, the fact that it was a difficult time made us even more determined.

“We became more passionate about bringing some joy and happiness into the city. So, we did it in the only way we know how: through food we love.”

How similar or different are your children? Whom do they take after – you or your wife?

Wow, as different as night and day! Mia the older one is very understanding and self-conscious. We are always trying to encourage her to ignore others’ opinions. Penny, on the other hand, is cheeky and naughty. You can say “No!” to her firmly and she still won’t hesitate to do it while looking you straight in the eye! Mia has my eyes, nose and mouth while Penny looks a lot like Mum. But personality-wise, it’s the other way round.

What do you most enjoy about living in Hong Kong? Do you like bringing up your kids here?

I’ve always highly valued language and being exposed to other cultures.

“Hong Kong has both my kids learning Canto, English, and we speak Spanish at home. It’s definitely an international hub which will help expose them to many different cultures.”

They’ll become global citizens, which I appreciate.

Which achievements are you most proud of?

I learned very quickly that you are as good as your team. Being able to mentor and train many people is something that makes me really proud.

Personally, I’m extremely happy that my little ones are healthy and happy. And of course that my wife still stands me!

What do you enjoy most about being a father? And what is the most challenging aspect?

I love reading books to them and squeezing them in my arms. I love being able to share things I would’ve loved to know when I was younger. I love how amazingly fresh and curious they are and being able to bring out my inner child with them.

The most challenging bit is probably that there’s not enough time in the day! With two jobs, it’s hard to spend a lot of time with them. So, I always make sure that the time we spend together is fully dedicated to them.

After a long day, what’s your favourite way to unwind?

Enjoying a book or Netflix, with a cheese platter, wine and my wife.

Where do you like to go for a date night with your wife?

We don’t go on a lot of dates but when we find time to do one, we just want to go phoneless and kid-less for a couple of hours.

What would be your three top tips for anyone looking to set up a business, particularly in F&B in Hong Kong?

I’m still learning so if anyone has tips, please do share! But from my experience, I would say:

Location is more important than the concept.
Take care of your team and they’ll take care of the guests.
Lastly, always lead by example.

All images courtesy of the talented John McGrane. Follow his work on Instagram here and Facebook here.

The post That Papa: Juan Gimenez, Co-Founder Of Twist & Buckle appeared first on Sassy Mama.

That Papa: Stewart Ross, Teacher Of Design And Educational Author

Anita Balagopalan — Thu, 17 Jun 2021 22:00:20 +0000

This father of two is bringing up his boys to enjoy a simpler and cleaner life.

Born and raised in a small town in the Highlands of Scotland, Stewart Ross moved to Hong Kong nine years ago. In the middle of this bustling city, constantly surrounded by happy and energetic children at Malvern College Hong Kong, a leading international school where he teaches, he has found a way to tune out and reconnect with the beauty and wonder of nature. We caught up with this multi-faceted Sassy Papa.

How long were you planning to stay in Hong Kong when you first landed here?

I returned to the UK in 2006 after three years living in Asia (South Korea and Japan) and I did my teaching qualification and taught in London. I loved my time so much in Asia however that I was constantly online looking at international teaching opportunities back in Asia. After four years teaching in London, I was fortunate to be offered a position teaching Design in Hong Kong. It’s been nine years now, which is the longest I’ve stayed anywhere – we are permanent residents and my kids were born here. If it were not for the insane property prices I would happily retire here.

Have you always shown an interest in design and teaching?

I have a Bachelors in Graphic Design, a PGCE and a Masters in Education. I’ve always been interested in Design, particularly its role in education. It’s an important discipline that can allow pupils to prepare themselves for the future with crucial capabilities such as adaptability, empathy, resilience, entrepreneurship and curiosity.

What do you teach at Malvern and why do you enjoy it?

I teach Design through the International Baccalaureate (IB) framework. MYP (Middle Years Programme) and DP (Diploma Programme). I love teaching at Malvern College as it is an IB through school with a focus on inquiry-based learning which really suits my educational pedagogy. IB supplies a framework for the curriculum and the assessment rubric but I have the freedom to design educational experiences for my pupils around that. It is much more important than just acquiring information to regurgitate in an exam hall.

In what way do you try to engage students with new technologies and why?

Most of the educational experiences I create are based around the concept of Design Thinking, which is a powerful model for problem finding. I try and expose my students to real humans with real human stories. By building empathy, pupils can find problems that they can then solve through the iterative process of ideating and prototyping. New technologies can help with this process.

For example, one year I accompanied our students on a service trip to teach in a school in rural Cambodia. During that trip, I gave our students a 360-degree camera and asked them to film life around the school. Those 360 videos were viewed by my Design students back in Hong Kong to experience the rural Cambodian school life in VR, to feel what it was like to be a student in a classroom at that rural Cambodian school. That empathy was used as a starting point for those students to design and build prototypes of educational toys and games from sustainable materials which were then taken to Cambodia to be tested by the Cambodian children. That’s a really powerful, authentic educational experience.

Do your kids go to Malvern as well? What do you like about being a Malvern parent?

Elgin is almost three and he goes to the pre-school in Kowloon which he loves. Hugo is seven and attends Malvern College. His classroom is directly below mine so it is great having him so close. We use the swimming pool and play football on the sky pitch after school. I really value Malvern’s strong ethos in outdoor education. Both the pre-school and Malvern College have Forest School. The Malvern Qualities also resonate with me. The college places an emphasis on empathy, resilience, curiosity, integrity along with other important capabilities. Entrepreneurship is recognised as key, as is pupil agency and ownership of learning. These are all the things I am passionate about both as a parent and an educator.

I also love where Malvern College is located. One recent Friday after school, I walked with two colleagues to a pier close by and we kayaked over to a deserted island and camped there. There aren’t many big cities in the world you can do that sort of thing!

Have you always been passionate about hiking, camping and the outdoors?

When I was young and growing up in Scotland, my parents took me camping a fair bit. It was so beautiful but I didn’t really appreciate it back then. I only started hiking seriously when I came to Hong Kong. I started on the main trails then gradually started doing tougher stuff, overgrown trails, coastal rope courses, swim hiking around islands, stream and waterfall hiking.

What is thru-hiking? How did you start thru-hiking in HK?

Thru-hiking is basically multi-day, long-distance hiking where you sleep and eat on the trail. A couple of years ago I somehow convinced three friends of mine to join me thru-hiking the Maclehose Trail, which we completed in four days. It was hard but I wanted more, and we ended up doing all four major HK trails that year. There is information on the internet for hiking stages of those trails but not much information if you want to complete them in one go. So, I started a website thruhikinghk.com with maps and details on camping, water sources and food.

The Wilson was the toughest, we did it in June so it was super hot and there is only one official campsite on the trail so we slept on mats at the top of mountains, in pagodas, wherever we could find a spot really. It was a hard few days but it really broadened my perspective on where you can sleep in the wild in Hong Kong.

How easy or difficult is it to live an outdoorsy life in Hong Kong and develop a sense of adventure in your kids?

It’s really not difficult to get into that stuff in Hong Kong, but moving to Plover Cove certainly has opened up more opportunities in terms of access to the outdoors. Some of my strongest memories growing up are embedded in the outdoors, so I think it’s important to get the kids outdoors doing as much as possible. My eldest says he hates it but he will look back and appreciate those times when he is older.

I think you need to get around and explore every inch of Hong Kong, particularly because we can’t travel at the moment. I am constantly finding interesting little bits of Hong Kong which surprise and amaze me. It’s a really good place to bring up kids, especially if you enjoy the outdoors.

How do you involve your kids and your wife in your outdoor adventures?

Most of the stuff I do now is with the kids. We started a YouTube channel where we film some of the mad stuff we get up to and that’s a real motivator for my eldest son. We’ve done kayaking to uninhabited islands, cycling across the New Territories, wild camping, and we are planning a stream hike, sleeping in hammocks next to waterfalls, perfect for the heat of the summer. It’s really about survivalism, not glamping. You won’t see any fairy lights or cool boxes on our trips. We drink from streams and cook on a fire. It’s not a comfortable experience. It’s really about the sense of achievement the kids get when they find that water, or start that fire with sparks from a ferrocerium rod. My wife, Rina, doesn’t get on well with mosquitoes, and enjoys her own time when I take the kids off into the wild but she does appreciate the camping when she comes.

Are you trying actively to live a “simpler life”?

I am interested in self-reliance and survivalism. Modern life makes it difficult to avoid pollution, microplastics, pesticides and chemicals although I think you can mitigate it, to some extent. That’s why I collect water to drink from the stream next to my house and grow my own vegetables. In the future, I definitely want to be fully self-sustainable though I am not there yet.

Do you make and do a lot of things at home? And with your kids?

Not as much as I should do, but I have introduced Hugo to the Microbit, which is a little circuit board that can be coded to do lots of interesting things. Making comes in many forms, however, and he enjoys making in Minecraft.

You’re a published educational author with Harper Collins and a public speaker. Can you tell us a bit more about these achievements?

I wrote two books for IGCSE Design and Technology (the teachers’ guide and the students’ book) a few years ago. But I was far more honoured recently to be invited to write a chapter for a book on Free Learning which is an educational concept developed by an incredible educator called Ross Parker. Pre-Covid, I presented at the Asia International Schools Conference and the 21^st Century Learning Conference. Presenting is a really rewarding experience and I have met some fantastic international educators whom I have learnt from and been inspired by. I hope other educators have been inspired by me too.

COVID has impacted families in many ways. Has it affected yours?

At the start of the pandemic, there was a lot of panic. I sent Rina to Japan with the kids when it looked like Hong Kong was going to fall to the virus, then Japan got hit hard and went into a state of emergency and so they flew back to Hong Kong. I think most families have stories like this, but we have learnt that you just can’t second guess this virus and it’s best to just stay put. I feel safe in Hong Kong.

I had to adapt to online teaching, and Hugo had to adapt to online learning very quickly. It annoys me to hear about lost learning. While we all know that online learning is less than ideal, I do think we need to focus on and celebrate the incredible adaptability, resilience and independence our young people have shown in the last year.

Which achievements are you most proud of?

I am a senior examiner and examinations author for IB, and I am involved in designing the assessment for the new syllabus and I am proud that I have been trusted to have a key role in shaping the educational experience of the next generation of Design students. I was also proud when one of my students won the SCMP Visual Artist of the Year award and he nominated me for the mentor award. I never really saw myself as his mentor, I just gave him space and opportunities to develop himself into the incredible person he is today.

What do you enjoy most about being a father? And what is the most challenging aspect of being a father?

I like being outdoors with my kids, putting them in situations that make them challenge themselves mentally and physically. It helps them develop their appreciation for what they have and helps them grow. I feel challenged by technology and screens, those are difficult things to navigate for parents and can be a real cause of stress and tension. But then I think back to when I was a kid, playing Nintendo all day instead of being outside running around. So I suppose that they will, in time, develop a love for the outdoors.

How similar or different are your children?

Other than being half Japanese, half Scottish, they have attributes from us both. They are both shy but stubborn, both are polite but in a really aggressive way!

After a long day, what’s your favourite way to unwind?

Sitting on my rooftop, looking out across Plover Cove with a cold beverage and no kids around. As much as I love being with the boys, I am surrounded by children all day every day and need time off to unwind!

Thanks to the talented Sakshi Verma for all the beautiful images above. Follow her on Facebook and Instagram.

The post That Papa: Stewart Ross, Teacher Of Design And Educational Author appeared first on Sassy Mama.