Founder of the Online Shop selling pet reptiles
WONG Ho-Hin
Online platforms allow many young people to pursue their dreams, WONG Ho-hin (Hin) is one of them. From being a shop owner to a university lecturer, Hin first started his own career through an online platform.
Inspired by his father, who has been engaged in steel wire business for years, Hin has developed his own business ideas since his childhood. Hin did not want to follow in his father’s footprints though, so he decided to start his own business.
Hin is currently running his own pet shop, selling pets, pet food and supplies. Hin noted that many Hong Kong people prefer owning pets rather than raising a baby. Thus, Hin seized this business opportunity and sold pets as he foresaw Hong Kong’s pet economy boom in the future. Moreover, Hin has been interested in reptiles since he was a child, and he has started raising them in his secondary school time. So, he turned his own interest into a career and devoted himself to this industry.
Set clear goals and start his career
At the beginning, Hin took care of his physical pet shop alone. Gradually, his friends joined in as his business partners, releasing him from the daily operation of the shop, such as financial management and pet care, so that Hin could focus on liaison work and expand his business network. Most of Hin’s clients were students. Hin later discovered that students nowadays tend to shop online, so he made a decisive transition to start an online store. There are in fact lots of advantages to run business online, such as saving daily expenses, rent, water and electricity bill etc. Furthermore, since a pet reptile is not very popular in Hong Kong , this online business helps him target a specific group of exotic pet lovers effectively.
Expand the social network for business
Running his own business has expanded Hin’s social network. He was invited to be the executive member and consultant in Hong Kong Pet Trade Association. He got opportunities to meet different people in the pet industry. Under his influence, there are more and more people around him showing interests in keeping reptile pets. Speaking of his daily life, Hin said frankly that, as more and more businesses, he often takes care of the animals all night long and his life is never balanced. Surprisingly, his family members never complain about this, and even changed their attitude from not accepting reptiles before to fully support Hin’s business instead.
Embrace challenges and lead to success
The biggest challenge facing this business, Hin said, is its potential huge losses. The pet trading business might not be as good as expected. Commercial animal trafficking bears a higher risk than transporting other cargos, with a higher cost of taking care of animals. Therefore, like other business owners, Hin’s huge pressure comes from the increasing capital. Besides, animal’s injury and death also add on his working pressure. The last thing which haunted Hin is the management of human relations at workplace, which is always common in any business.
Nonetheless, Hin thinks that the greatest satisfaction comes when he devoted himself into his interest and started his business from scratch . He built up his reputation day by day with his devotion and dedication to his business. He is now always invited to give talks on topics regarding pet care, pet container making, introducing different animal species and promoting the concept of conservation in universities. He gains a sense of satisfaction in accomplishing these tasks. Self-fulfillment also comes when he raises public awareness on animal rights.
Prospects and future education
In the future, Hin hopes to devote himself more on educational works. Currently, he is a consultant of the reptile room in several schools, giving lectures to students regarding the proper way to keep reptiles. He also organises school visits to Nature Trails to study indigenous species from time to time. Apart from these, Hin hopes to integrate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) into ecological education, such as the "Fish and vegetable symbiosis", a pilot education project he is currently doing. He also hopes to arouse public awareness in promoting reptile protection, as well as securing more resources and support from the government.
Follow your dream and stay true to yourself
For those who plan to start their own business in the future, Hin suggested them following their own passion, like how he started the pet business which matched his interest. Even though the pets he sold might not be the interest of the majority, Hin believes there is still always a niche market. He said that it is possible for a niche market providers to succeed in his career, as long as he works with enthusiasm, determination and persistence.