Swiss Master Chocolatier Cornelia Francesca Maeder is a talented expat entrepreneur with a big vision: she wants to create products (chocolate, seminars, books, CDs and more) that positively contribute to the health, success and happiness of everyone touched by her Francesca brand. After meeting her in person and tasting her delectable chocolates, I can personally testify to both the happiness her product brings and to her impressive, holistic vision.
Expat Women's Interview With Cornelia
Expat Women: Cornelia, what gave you the courage to quit your job two years ago and open your very first chocolate boutique in May 2009, in Hong Kong?
Cornelia: Loving beautiful things, sharing happiness and enjoying life were important to me but even more importantly was that I wanted to truly live a holistic life: a life where I could fully 'live' – and use and share my talents – as well as to follow my destiny (which was important for me to find out). I wanted to listen to my heart and partake in meaningful projects that enriched both myself and others, so that we could all reach our full potential, together.
Expat Women: What has been your experience to date in opening a business in Hong Kong?
Cornelia: Hong Kong is a great place to start a new business as it offers many opportunities for small and medium enterprises. Hong Kong is a strategic location and a good foundation to launch a brand for further expansion. Many people are entrepreneurs here and therefore, very business and networking-oriented, which helps a lot to overcome big challenges at the beginning of any new business.
Expat Women: Tell us more about your recent Hong Kong Quality Service Award. What does it mean? What did the accreditation process involve? Why do you think it will be good for business?
Cornelia: The Award is a great recognition for the efforts that we have put into the quality of our products and services. It also gives us a platform to show our company, services and offerings to people coming to Hong Kong and to showcase our brand on an international level.
In addition, the Award is a sign of support to the local business environment, which endeavors to create high-quality experiences for tourists and guests coming to Hong Kong. I love how the Hong Kong Tourism Board strives for excellence, just like Francesca strives for excellence, so I feel there is a good synergy there.
Expat Women: What five tips would you offer to women starting a business abroad?
1.
Focus on your strengths: start with something you are good at and expand later into areas you would love to expand into because at first, it is important to let people experience your competencies and help get you off the ground.
2.
Ask for help and support: there are so many things you will not know at the beginning and therefore ask others for their advice – it can save you time and energy as well as resources.
3.
Keep your finances under control and ensure a healthy cash flow. Carefully manage your finances and make your money sweat for you. It is easy to spend money fast, but at the beginning you have to be careful as otherwise you will be soon out of business again. Instead, think creatively how to make yourself visible and be recognized as a great brand, without overspending.
4.
Find your niche: do something you love doing because you will spend a lot of time preparing, launching and growing your business. Concentrate on areas with potential and do your homework before jumping in blindly, and
5.
Trust yourself and keep your spirits high: there will be times you will need emotional and mental support and prepared for that by rallying the help of family and friends and by keeping yourself mentally and physically healthy.
Expat Women: Your chocolates are delicious. Tell us more about them.
Cornelia: Francesca uses Swiss, handmade, Grand Cru chocolate because Swiss chocolate is well-known to be one among the best chocolates of the world. The customers love the taste, the purity and the special, unique flavours. I design the flavour mix (such as Rose Water Hearts), then have the chocolate made in Switzerland. I sell the chocolate through my boutique in Hong Kong, as well as through 5 star hotels and exclusive stores in Switzerland. I am also looking now for partners to sell my chocolates and Francesca concept in other parts of the world as well.
Expat Women:In addition to selling your premium chocolate product, you are busy running seminars and selling your complementary Happiness music CD and small gift books (10 Secrets for Successful Women, 10 Secrets for the Chocolate Connoisseur and 10 Confessions of a Man). Is it true that you took all of the photos and produced all the text for your books? Is there any limit to your creativity and/or to the Francesca brand?
Cornelia:
Besides loving chocolate, I very much love to write and take photographs, so yes indeed, they are my photos which I took during my global travels. To me, it is important to share my full self and my thoughts in the form of texts and visual expression. Our customers ask for our support to help them express their own dreams and ideas as well. It is wonderful.
Expat Women:
What else are you passionate about?
Cornelia:
I have a real passion for other cultures, people, exploring the world, learning about different food and religions and finding true meaning and follow and live my destiny. I love sharing great times with friends, loved ones and meeting new people. I also enjoy beautiful things.
Expat Women:
Cornelia, we applaud your courage and your passion. We wish your brand every success and we look forward to seeing Francesca boutiques expand worldwide!
Cornelia:
Thank you very much and we wish Expat Women all the best, success and lasting happiness.
