Annie Woon is an entrepreneur who established her business in wig design and creation for celebrities and subsequently worked with premier fashion houses in France. She has extended her service to creating wigs for those in medical need of them. Not limited to just wigs, she works on other creative collaborations as well.
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
When I was a law student in the 90s and on a trip to the United States, my attention was drawn to the windows at Warner Bros. Bugs Bunny was wearing a wig and I had a light-bulb moment. I was deeply inspired by how a decorative element made such a huge difference in presentation. After that I started my wig business and never looked back.
Tell us about your business.
It’s two-prong fork—I work with a number of French fashion houses on wigs as their visual merchandiser. I also work with celebrities in production houses and provide the best hair for their sets, concerts, and shows.
I also produce wigs for patients who are suffering from hair loss due to medical treatments.
List awards/certifications/accomplishments.
- In 2012, my wigs were used by Chinese couturist Guo Pei in his debut Haute Couture show in Paris.
- In 2013, I was awarded Outstanding Youth in Hong Kong. It is an award given in recognition to those under the age of 40 who excel in their professional endeavors and commitments to the community. The award also promotes prominent roles played by aspiring young people to shape a better future for society.
- Also in 2013, I held an exhibition called ‘Woon Wig Wonderland,’ using wigs as the main medium as a creative outlet. Among the exhibits was an art piece created entirely by wigs, which set the world record for the widest wig ever.
- In 2015, my wigs were used at the ‘China: Looking through the Glass’ exhibition at the Metropolitan Art Museum in New York. The exhibition explored the impact of Chinese aesthetics on Western fashion and how China has fueled the fashionable imagination for centuries.
Where is your business based?
Hong Kong.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
Being both daring and entrepreneurial has been my forte. I established good relationships with my vendors and built mutual trust and accountability. I was also very diligent on the business side by working hard at pitching to clients, as I strongly belief that my products set themselves apart from anything else available on the market.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Due to the nature of my business, I work with celebrities often and my products have had a lot of exposure. I have also been very lucky to have the chance to work with top-notch fashion houses, so my portfolio of clients speak for themselves when it comes to getting new clients.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
With this business and being a mother of four boys, there are simply too few hours in a day!
How did you overcome these challenges?
Prioritize and be focused when handling each task. I have a good team, and we strive to accomplish it all.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
My family lends me the greatest support, and I always believe that there is a solution to every problem.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
My understanding of what clients want, our quality products, and our service level set us apart.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
“Remember you’ll always regret what you didn’t do rather than what you did.”
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
Be adaptive to situations. In this fast paced world, things are changing constantly. Have patience. Be kind.
What are your favorite business tools/resources and why?
Good people skills. No hardware or tool can ever replace this.
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
The book, Lean In, by Sheryl Sandberg. She is a great inspiration.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
Business is evolving constantly, and it helps to be adaptive to current trends and to understand the underlying demands of clients.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
To further promote my business by collaborating with brands on creative output not limiting to wigs.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Instagram @anniewoon
Linkedin @annie Woon
Website www.woon.com.hk
Elaine Rau
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