Media365
04:26
Third-generation leader of watch and jewellery business adds sparkle to family legacy
Third-generation leader of watch and jewellery business adds sparkle to family legacy
Recognition is something that is universally sought after, but for those who have to carry on the legacy of a family business, the odds are stacked against them. Such is the story of Cindy Yeung, the third-generation chairperson of Emperor Watch and Jewellery.
Now a part of Emperor Group, which is involved in a host of sectors ranging from real estate to entertainment, the Hong Kong company traces its origins back to 1942, when Yeung’s grandfather opened Shing On Kee Watch Shop on Shanghai Street.
“I was also born on Shanghai Street. I was very happy when I was a child, seeing the whole family working together,” Yeung recalls. But leading the business was never on her mind until her father, Albert Yeung, made the decision more than 30 years ago that he would hand it over to her.
“I told my father, ‘If you really want me to join [the company], how about letting me study gemology first?’,” she says. “I pursued an advanced [Gemological Institute of America] course where I gained technical expertise and the practical skills to evaluate gemstones.”
But even with that certification under her belt, Cindy Yeung knew she still needed hands-on experience, so she insisted on starting in a junior position at an Emperor Watch and Jewellery shop. “Although I was not as experienced, I kept learning. That way, people will respect you,” she says.
