Faith sees the invisible, believes the incredible and achieves the impossible

I started working in Taiwan from around 18years of age learning the basics of business in a medium size Import/Export Company. I picked up a lot of experience, including learning to speak Mandarin and travelling around the island visiting various factories where we placed orders for different products.

These goods were shipped worldwide covering Africa, Central/South America, USA, Canada, Middle East and Europe.

I eventually took over as director of the company in 1988 and traveled intensively to acquire prospective clients and profitable business for the group. We had factory connections in the Philippines and where we shipped our fabrics to be made in Garments and in turn exported to our clients.

Eventually, in 1992, after being married for 2 years, I moved to Hong Kong to start my own business. We did well until 2000, wherein our exposure with certain clients, swayed us to having receivables for over 2years. Eventually, running out of liquidity, I was forced to close in 2003 and joined the Sunrich Group where I worked in partnership until 2015, doing the same Import/Exports and handling their clients as well as mine. Due to losses suffered in 2006 and again in 2012 and which were massive, the group decided to stop Trading and I was forced to find alternative employment. I joined the Ess Tee Group on April 2015 and am currently employed there as a sales manager handling Garments, apparel and home textiles.

Work Terms

I'm usually working 10-12hours a day, Monday through Saturday and sometimes on Sunday...especially when I am in Guangzhou - China. In HK - I usually work remotely and so can work staggered hours.

Our normal working hours are from 9am to 8pm (in Guangzhou) and from 10am to 6pm (in HK). Lunch break in HK is usually 1 hour, but in Guangzhou is just 15-20mins...so its all work and no play....making jack a dull boy or productivity goes down - especially with the local staff, who do not have high morale.

Being productive with the work done is the main objective. Being in sales, the hours can be demanding - especially since I work with Central/South America.....where there is a 12-16 hours time difference.

Demanding clients need to be serviced at odd hours and there have been times when I've had to answer phone calls at 3:00 am.

Over the recent years, I've changed - my phone goes into silence mode by 12:00 am and I'm in bed by 1:00 am latest. On weekends, I spend more time with family and if in Guangzhou, relax by going for a massage or getting my hair groomed or going for a long walk to the nearest park....or shopping for good wine and snacks to indulge during weekends.

commuting between Guangzhou and HK is usually every fortnight or failing which at least once a month. Transportation costs are borne by the company since I am a HK employee.

Holidays are usually during Chinese New year, unless a business trip is planned - in which case, there is no annual leave.