AMY LEUNG Sin-yuk has taken the first steps towards realising her dream. She now runs her own bridal salon - a compact 200 sq ft space at the Beverley Commercial Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui - and the 28-year-old is thrilled.
'It's very satisfying to have my own shop,' Leung says as she puts the finishing touches to a cream bridesmaid's dress. 'I haven't thought of working for other people again. This business is my heart and blood.' And in five years, she hopes to expand into a four-storey block with the first floor specialising in evening gowns and the remainder catering for brides-to-be.
Leung got her start thanks to a HK$70,000 loan from Youth Business Hong Kong. A non-profit-making organisation affiliated to the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups, it nurtures budding entrepreneurs by providing mentoring from experienced business people and interest-free loans of up to HK$100,000.
For all Hong Kong's reputation as a breeding ground for business talent, having produced such leaders as Li Ka-shing and the late Henry Fok Ying-tung, the risk-taking spirit among local young people seems to be flagging and promoting entrepreneurship is a struggle.
Some applicants lack the right attitude, and fail to arm themselves with sufficient knowledge about the kind of business they hope to venture into, says Louisa Lau Wai-yi, secretary-general of Youth Business Hong Kong.
Since its launch in July last year, the group has awarded seed money to 27 out of 316 applicants. Most were aged between 24 and 28, and sought to start businesses in retail or beauty and salon services.
