In today’s episode, I had the pleasure of interviewing the affable and down-to-earth Coco Wong, the co-founder of CEO Kids International. She is a Hong Kong native now based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Coco Wong’s entrepreneurial journey is nothing short of extraordinary. Coco started her special events company in 1995 organizing events for corporations such as the Housing Authority, The Law Society, Hong Kong University and HSBC.
She pioneered the wedding planning industry in Hong Kong when no one knew what a wedding planner was, rising to the pinnacle as the go-to planner for the rich and famous. Through Coco Weddings which she started in 1996, she became the first wedding planner in Hong Kong. She planned weddings for an A-list that included celebrities, members of the Hang Seng Bank family, the Maxims Group family and families of the China government officials.
One of her most notable achievements was securing the coveted contract to oversee wedding planning at Hong Kong Disneyland. Coco was the chief designer and weddings for HK Disneyland from 2005 to 2007. She transformed this opportunity into a thriving business and even ventured into publishing with the launch of “Coco Weddings” magazine.
Her life story is an incredible entrepreneurial journey, a tapestry of triumphs, innovations and lessons learned. She has been entrepreneurial from the age of 6 with multiple businesses started and sold! Yet her best role is still as a mother, a role that she takes immense pride in.
In 2009, she earned a place among the Top 100 Female Entrepreneurs of China. A decade later, she was honored with the Women of the Decade Award, not just once but twice—in 2019 and 2022. Her commitment to empowering women and nurturing future leaders led her to become the G100 Global Chair for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Education.
Coco is the epitome of a serial entrepreneur with a deep commitment to giving back. Despite her huge success, money has never been her sole motivation; it was always about making a positive impact.
“If you can dream it, you can make it happen” encapsulates her philosophy. It’s a mantra that drives her forward, encouraging her to turn aspirations into realities. “Take messy action” is another guiding principle, reminding Coco to embrace the imperfections that come with taking the first step in any endeavor.
Her admiration for Richard Branson, the maverick entrepreneur, is evident in the way she approaches life. Branson’s spirit of adventure, risk-taking and the pursuit of the extraordinary have influenced her journey profoundly. It’s the audacious pursuit of dreams, similar to Branson’s approach, that defines Coco’s narrative.
Coco’s vibrant spirit extends beyond her professional pursuits. She’s an unabashed super foodie, always on the hunt for the next culinary adventure.
Amid her busy life, she finds inspiration in the pages of “Love, Rosie” by Cecilia Ahern. The book’s heartfelt and enduring story speaks to her soul, reminding her of the beauty of human connections and the power of resilience.
At the core of Coco Wong’s journey is her vision of empowerment.
Her role as the G100 Global Chair for Leadership and Entrepreneurial Education demonstrates her commitment to nurturing future female leaders. She firmly believes that leadership and empowerment begin at a young age hence her passion for nurturing children to become confident and entrepreneurial.
Coco’s story is a testament to her beautiful approach to living life and her ability to perceive boundless possibilities in every circumstance.
I truly enjoyed my interview with her because she was never driven by money; instead, she was driven by her values and passions and was always experimenting with creative ideas while growing her businesses. Whenever she faced a problem, she endeavoured to find a solution that not only met her own needs but the needs of others around her.
Her journey is an inspiration and a timely reminder for us all to take messy action, embrace our dreams and empower others along the way.
Note: I had planned to air this episode before November so that more people could join her kids’ carnival on 4 & 5 November 2023. Nonetheless, this episode has been delayed by a week so by the time you listen to this episode, her carnival would have concluded. If you are interested in Coco’s programmes and wish to join her upcoming events, please get in touch with her.