Behind the Scenes — Coffee, Wraps, and Building a Brand

"Building a brand, one coffee at a time."

Like most people, I have a full-time job.

I work in accounting — and I've worn many hats over the years. Audit firms. Trading. Clothing. Food and beverage. Logistics. Aviation. A bit of everything, really.

And like most people, I spend my mornings and lunch breaks at Starbucks or Pret A Manger. It's just part of the routine.

My go-to? A wrap. Something simple — bread, veg, meat. Affordable, healthy, and easy to eat while working. And if there's a seasonal drink on the menu, I'll always give it a try. ☕️

But here's the thing about Hong Kong — coffee culture here is fast. Really fast. Space is limited, seats are small, and finding a spot can be a challenge.

In Hong Kong, Starbucks isn't usually inside a shopping mall — it's often on the ground floor, tucked in a corner, sometimes with outdoor seating, sometimes just a small spot near the entrance.

And because it's the biggest coffee chain, it's not hard to find one. But finding a good seat? That's the real challenge.

Most Starbucks in Hong Kong are designed to maximise seating — small space, lots of chairs, but somehow still looking decent.

If you want a nice spot, you need to get there early. The popular ones? Forget about it. The ones inside malls? Almost impossible to find a seat.

So I avoid the busy hours. I usually go around 7pm — dinner time. That's when the crowds clear, and I can finally sit down with a new seasonal drink and get some real work done. 💻

But to be honest? I actually prefer Pret A Manger.

I don't know why — but in Hong Kong, Pret tends to have fewer people. It's quieter. More space. So I spend more time there than Starbucks.

Their wraps are amazing. And here's something fun — I recently discovered they have a heated cabinet next to the chilled ones. It keeps the egg sandwiches warm. I was genuinely surprised. 😄

So that's a little glimpse into my life behind the scenes — a full-time worker, a part-time founder, and a coffee shop regular.

Building a brand isn't glamorous. Most of the time, it's me with my laptop, a wrap in one hand, and a seasonal drink by my side — trying to make something out of nothing.

But I love it. And I hope you're enjoying the journey with me. 💛