From Survival to Seizing Opportunities
Growing up in Hong Kong, one of the world's most expensive cities, I survived on US$1.30 a day, often eating leftover fries from schoolmates. My Chinese name (柏冠拿), given by an immigration officer, translates to “grab the championship” - a phrase that became my life’s blueprint.
This spirit found an outlet in cricket early on. I captained Hong Kong’s junior teams for four years and was the youngest captain to lead the Kowloon Cricket Club senior team to win the local league. Named Captain of the Year twice, these experiences taught me a crucial skill that is now at the heart of my consultancy: how to bring out the best in others.
With three younger brothers and a single working mother, I decided to become fully self-reliant at 14, tutoring alongside my studies so my family could stay afloat.
A Journey Beyond Expectations
Despite my parents’ wish for me to become a lawyer, I left law after a year at a top-tier university and internships at renowned law firms, pivoting to business management - a subject I had topped in school and truly enjoyed. This decision opened unexpected doors: representing my university at global conferences at institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, and Columbia University; internships at the likes of Microsoft and former President Clinton’s Foundation; winning both the Hong Kong and Asia HSBC Young Entrepreneur Award; and even launching a biotech company - despite failing all three science subjects in high school!
Success On My Own Terms
Though mentors urged me to continue my entrepreneurial journey, I chose a 15-year corporate career. At HSBC, I rose to Senior Manager by 25 and Regional Leader by 28, driving transformation and securing regulatory approvals that the industry had never managed. After working across Asia, I joined Amazon Singapore, becoming Deputy Global Head of Risk Management within six months.
I consistently delivered top performance while leaving work by 6pm, a boundary that senior leaders respected. This balance allowed me to pursue passions like devotional singing, competitive sports, financial management and smart investing. By 35, I was financially free and ready to leave the corporate world for something more meaningful.
Looking back, I realise that every decision I made was in tune with an inner knowing. I wasn’t afraid to go against conventional wisdom and live life on my own terms, and still managed to succeed. My journey - from a tough upbringing to a trailblazing career - embodies the awareness-over-fear philosophy I now champion.
While the corporate roles and accolades brought prominence, my greatest fulfilment always came from mentoring others. My true calling became clear while teaching underprivileged children in rural India. I knew my mission was to dedicate my life to enabling others to “grab the championship” in their own lives.
Enabling Your Championship
As a consultant, I meet you exactly where you are - with care, structure, and respect for your pace. I believe clarity is power, so everything we work on is simple enough to be understood by a 12-year-old. I provide the tools to help you thrive in your career, master your finances and develop essential life skills like persuasive communication and the art of negotiation. Together, we will design and walk a path that is authentically yours, turning your aspirations into lasting, tangible results.
If you are ready to move toward what truly matters to you - with greater clarity, confidence, and a trusted partner by your side - it would be my honour to walk that path with you.
