Thirty-five years ago, Margaret Tancock was on her way from Britain to Argentina to find her fortune when she fell in love with Hong Kong. She has been here ever since.
Having first tried her hand at several ventures, including restaurants and bars, she settled on the Body Shop, setting up her first stall in the Landmark in 1984. When she handed over the operation to her son, Marcus, 13 years later, there were 16 stores across Hong Kong.
For most franchise rights, the franchisee has to pay the franchisor a large front-end fee; but for the Body Shop, things are a little different.
'You are offered the rights for free, if you are the right person,' Marcus Tancock said.
During the early years struggling to keep her business afloat, Ms Tancock, who was also environmentally conscious, struck up a friendship with Anita Roddick, the founder of the Body Shop.
The Body Shop International benefits from the robust business of its franchisees, mostly by selling products to them.
The timing of Marcus Tancock's rise to power was unfortunate - Asia was entering a protracted period of recession. Hong Kong was no exception and the Body Shop Hong Kong saw sales fall by 20 per cent, Mr Tancock said.