Ricky Wong, founder and CEO of HKTV

Hong Kong Broadband Network, Hong Kong Television Network, HKTVmall…Most of Ricky Wong’s companies are named after his hometown. With a uniquely common Hong Kong story of his own, Ricky said that all he does, he does it for Hong Kong.

“I was born and raised in Hong Kong. Hong Kong is my home. I am proud to be called a Hong Konger. All that I have today were given to me by my city, and I, in return, want to contribute to my city to make it a better place. IDD, broadband, television, and online shopping, I do all these for one single purpose – my love for Hong Kong!” Diligent, creative, daring, rebellious, making the impossible possible… all these descriptions that Ricky used to describe his character are precisely what Hong Kong people are famous for.

It would be more appropriate to depict Ricky as a challenger rather than a businessman, and monetary rewards are only the by-products from the successful challenges that he took on. From telecom, broadband, television to online shopping, every business he stepped foot in, he intentionally or otherwise challenges the vested stakeholders. The courage that drives him to throw a straw against the wind is his patriotic heart for Hong Kong, the city that he loves. He said, “The businesses that I started over the last three decades were all challenges that I took on. I love challenges!  Other than that, I also started these businesses to serve the need of Hong Kong people.”

About 20 or 30 years ago, many families were separated as they migrated to other countries as the Handover drew near. Ricky noticed that the charges for international direct dialling (IDD), about $10 per minute at time, were way too expensive for families to afford, and hence established City Telecom. The propaganda he adopted was a hit and classic. The charges have slashed significantly since his company entered the market and City Telecom was the second largest international telecom service provider in Hong Kong.

In 2009, the television market in Hong Kong was monopolised. Ricky felt that Hong Kong people deserved more choices in television entertainment, and applied for a free TV licence to create optional TV contents.

In 2015, Ricky saw the trend of shifting consumption pattern from offline to online, yet Hong Kong people usually shopped from overseas platforms. Ricky was reluctant to see Hong Kong’s reputation compromised by online shopping overseas, and singlehandedly set up HKTVmall, a Hong Kong-based online shopping platform. Ricky expressed that he had poured his heart out to make HKTVmall – an online shopping platform specifically made for Hong Kong people – work.

Ricky has refused to concur with the mainstream opinion that Hong Kong is a non-profitable penny market. With his insights and the love for Hong Kong, he does the exact opposite of what he was told and carved out not one but many niches. When he was asked his strong suit, he said, “I think I am good at detecting Hong Kong’s market needs. From a mere commercial perspective, optical fibre network and television business are both fat chances. However, I love dealing with challenges. My rebellious genes and ‘opinionated’ character are triggered when I hear people use the word ‘impossible’. The more impossible it is, the harder I work to make it possible, as long as I think it is right for Hong Kong and its citizens.”

In face of the recent epidemic, people refrain from setting their foot outside their home, hence the showtime for online shopping. The demand for masks, hand sanitizers, rice, cooking oil, and toilet paper surged as HKTVmall recorded year-on-year 165% increase in number of orders and 169.3% increase in turnover in February this year, both record highs since the platform started years ago. Flaunting Hong Kong people’s ever-thriving spirit, Ricky said, “HKTVmall did take in many new customers, but the boom was too enormous for our team to handle. We acted quickly to upgrade and enhance our system, logistics and customer service, so that this less-than-satisfactory experience will not stop our customers from coming back. In the past, we put more resources on opening over 60 O2O retail stores, hoping to educate consumers to go from offline to online. Now, many who had not used online shopping before have learnt to utilise it. This is a critical moment for HKTVmall to turn crises into opportunities.”

While one may imagine that Ricky, who is as busy as a bee, is always under a lot of pressure, he shared his tips on dealing with pressure, “I take pleasure in solving problems. As long as it is something that I love to do, there would be no pressure. My brain is working at least 16 hours per day, but it is enjoyable for me because I love what I do. I don’t have any special secret in empowering myself – meeting my target and seeing the results do the magic. When I am home, my two puppies and giant turtle are there to wait for me, and make me feel at ease.”

Ricky shared another virtue common to Hong Kong people – humbleness. When explaining his winning edges, he said, “I am not special when compared to my fellow Hong Kongers. I am daring, hardworking and I never give up! I do not see myself smarter than the others, so I work hard to compensate. I am opinionated. I don’t listen to other people’s comments, and I don’t like following others’ footsteps. For those things that I believe to be right and good for the society, I would go all the way for it, aiming to turn impossible to possible, and then it will turn out to be marketable.”

Once nicknamed a “wonder boy” in the telecom sector, there are even voices supporting him to run for the Chief Executive recently. Finishing off the interview, we asked Ricky his next move, and all he had on the tip of his tongue and at his heart is still “Hong Kong”. “Whatever I do in the future, one thing will never change, I am a Hong Konger who loves the city and I am always happy to call it home from the bottom of my heart. And like many people, I wish that this Pearl of the Orient would continue to shine.” Love is not words but action. Ricky Wong has lived the spirit of the Son of Hong Kong.

Originally published in COLLECTION, 1 Apr 2020