Albert Ng was raised in Vancouver, Canada where he studied psychology and design before embarking on a marketing career. He has called Shanghai his home for the past eight years where he has established House Press in pursuit of his entrepreneurial dream. In this interview, Ng shares with us how personal experience led his business concept and why his mom is his biggest motivation.
Tell us what House Press is.
At House Press, our philosophy is deeply rooted in the belief that health, wellness and beauty originate from within - and when you feel good, you look good. A fusion of science, beauty and holistic wellness, our products include an innovative collection of fresh cold-pressed juices, functional waters, smoothies and plant-based mylks designed to help our discerning customers feel and look their best in today’s fast-paced world.
Tell us briefly about your background prior to starting this business.
I moved to Shanghai in 2010 to pursue a career in advertising. While my background was in creative design, I ended up doing account management at several international ad agencies. Throughout the years I have had the opportunity to work with top brands and clients from various sectors, which has helped me develop a better understanding of how international brands adapt to the China market. In 2016, I decided to branch out and create my own business based on the experiences I’ve had.
"From the very beginning I knew I wanted to create a stylish wellness experience that focuses on quality ingredients, modern design and exceptional functionality."
What was your inspiration for creating the business?
In a perfect world, everyone would be eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and be in great shape mentally and physically. But that is not the case for most, especially in a fast-paced city like Shanghai. After experiencing the health benefits of authentic cold-pressed juice and plant-based nutrition, I wanted to create a collection of plant-based beverages that could help people with busy lifestyles feel and look their best.
What sets House Press apart from other juice companies in Shanghai?
I think what really sets us apart is our holistic yet cutting edge approach to health and wellness. We spent over a year developing Juice Care, a fully customizable “feel good, look good” routine that our clients can easily create and incorporate into their daily routine. From the very beginning I knew I wanted to create a stylish wellness experience that focuses on quality ingredients, modern design and exceptional functionality.
Are juice cleanses tailored to individuals or do you have existing sets?
The beauty of our Juice Care Cleanse is that the client can build their own program based on specific goals and results they want to achieve. Whether it is to alkalize the body, promote skin health or simply lose a few pounds, there is something for every lifestyle. We also made it really simple to build the cleanse directly in our online store.
We also have a separate WeChat account that offers free one-on-one consultation for all our followers who need help selecting the right products or cleanse.
Why did you choose to start House Press in China rather than in Canada?
For the past eight years I have called Shanghai my home and seeing how much the city has evolved has made me want to be part of history in the making. As local consumers become more discerning and foreign innovations continue to make inroads, I knew I had a unique value proposition that could find success in this market.
What have been your biggest challenges for setting up a business here?
Shanghai has limitless opportunities for business collaboration, so as a purpose-driven brand House Press has to work hard to stay true to its vision and work only with those that share its core values of health, wellness and self improvement. This extends to the people we hire as well, as we want to ensure they align with our brand philosophy and advance our goals.
Which juice do you reach for when you've had a particularly rough day in the office?
Definitely No Filter, our best-selling detox green juice. I truly believe it is the best green juice I have ever tasted. Its vibrant green color is calming and its flavor puts the mind at ease, so much so that I sometimes call it “meditation in a bottle."
Where do you see House Press in five years?
We will be carrying on our work by curating an elevated health and wellness experience for all our customers, so that they can feel and look their best every single day. I also hope our work will contribute to the growth of wide-spread recognition towards cold-pressed juice's health benefits.
Who motivates you?
My mom is a great role model for me both personally and professionally. She is one of the kindest people and is supportive of all my choices without any judgement. As an entrepreneur herself, she has shown me that devotion to hard work and persistence while making a positive impact on others is the route to success in business.
For more information about House Press and to place orders, scan the QR code below.
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