Frederique Deleage, founder and managing director of Frederique Spa, trained as a beauty therapist in Marseille, France. She arrived in Hong Kong in 1977 with HK$50,000 (US$6,500) to invest, but no previous business experience, having decided Hong Kong provided the motivating platform to establish her own beauty school and institute. Today, the Frederique Spa, Frederique Academy, Francorientale Supplies Division and Frederique Spa Consultancy group employs more than 50 staff.

The Frederique brand name is recognised worldwide and Frederique herself is regularly invited to talk at major conferences and seminars. The first Frederique Spa will open soon in the Chinese mainland.

¡§When I arrived in Hong Kong I instinctively knew I would be successful. I was 30 years old and felt confident I could raise the standard of beauty therapy by providing a quality salon and the very best services.

In those days, I knew nothing about running a business but Hong Kong with its simple business registration, tax and operation procedures allowed me to chase my goal of improving people¡¦s lives through holistic health and beauty.

My first salon was operated from my apartment in Causeway Bay, and since 1980 when I moved into my first purpose-built salon and later in 1990 to Wilson House, I have been steadily expanding the business.

The success of the business is not just my success; it is shared with the Frederique team who share the same dreams and visions. Like a great orchestra it is important to let each player know just how important she is to the entire effort.

It always seemed perfectly natural to me to continually invest in my business and the industry as a whole. I enjoy the marketing aspects, seeking out competition and new challenges that involve developing the Frederique style of branding. I believe a business possesses a body, mind and spirit.

Providing you believe in yourself and possess a strong sense of commitment, you can grow your business in Hong Kong. The place and the vitality of the people encourage you to do that. Twenty-five years ago, Hong Kong had a drive and energy, a pulse you could feel, and these amazing features remain just as strong today.

Hong Kong is globally recognised as an international business hub, attracting sophisticated people and businesses. The high standards set by the banking and financial services and the hospitality and tourism industries provide excellent benchmarks.

People with busy lifestyles value their free time and understandably expect to receive the best services and products available. This requires a constant need to upgrade. The continual cycle of rising levels of service expectations also brings opportunities to market new concepts and ideas.

Hong Kong¡¦s cosmopolitan society means you have people from a global community who understand quality, which they can compare to the best in the world. Hong Kong provides an environment where high quality exists in many areas and certainly the spa industry is one of them.

The beauty parlor of yesterday has evolved into a highly professional business with all the financial and management demands one would expect in any properly managed business. People thinking of entering the spa profession today need to continually upgrade their proficiency not only in beauty therapy expertise but also in their business knowledge.

Since the Frederique Academy was established, more than 20,000 students have graduated with professional and diploma certificates. I am happy that I can inspire women who seek wisdom and knowledge in holistic health, beauty therapy and spa education.