Meet Michelle Ma-chan, Hong Kong’s beauty and fine dining queen who co-founded cosmetics brand Fancl, and the group behind Michelin-starred restaurants, Épure and Arbor

For more than 25 years, Michelle Ma-chan and her husband Christopher Chan have been the power couple behind the Japanese cosmetic and dietary supplement brand, Fancl. As co-founder and executive director, she has raised the profile of the name to international prominence.

Ma-chan is passionate about the skincare brand because of its high quality and believes that is why it is popular with customers.

“I think it is the quality-first approach of Fancl that makes a difference, and consumers always respond to a company that sets high standards,” says Ma-chan. “Our preservative-free skincare products are developed with 100 per cent integrity to make the skin healthier and ultimately, more beautiful.”

She says that good time management and a capable team is essential to keeping on top of two successful companies. “Efficient time management can be achieved if you establish a capable team that works systematically,” she says. “I’m glad that my teams at Fancl and Gourmet Dining Group are quite mature as we have developed a lot of systems over the years to increase efficiency through automation, and this allows me to enjoy a healthy work-life balance.”

“My daughter Cheryl is working overseas, while my husband Chris works alongside me in the same company. When it comes to spending time with family, I always prefer quality rather than quantity,” she continues.

Ma-chan also has a strong faith that keeps her centred. “My typical day begins with reading the Bible in the morning so that I start the day with positive energy,” she says. “Then I head to the office and I usually exercise after work whenever I can to clear my mind. In the evening, I have dinner with friends or I’ll just go home to relax and unwind. No matter what, the one thing I must do every day is read my Bible.”