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.” Ma-chan is also co-founder and managing director of Gourmet Dining Group, which is behind Hong Kong’s award-winning French fine dining restaurants Épure and Arbor (which have one and two Michelin stars, respectively), French cafe and patisserie Dalloyau, and the newly opened pairing of French bistro Ami, and rare whisky and craft cocktail bar, Wood Ear, which has been keeping her very busy lately. Meet Tara Bernerd, interior designer behind some of the world’s top hotels 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.” How entrepreneur Dean Stallard grew his gym business during Covid-19 Her positive mindset helped during the dark days of the pandemic last year when restaurants had to close their doors. “When opportunities are taken away in life, new experiences always emerge if you have a positive mindset,” she says. “Since my business trips were all cancelled, I have had more time to pursue my interests, such as learning Korean and French. I have also spent more time on sports lately.” “Time is what you make of it. Efficient time management is the key to success because work-life balance is also hugely important to developing a sustainable business,” she says. “You always have to be accountable and disciplined in your work, and you cannot use ‘busy’ as an excuse when you’ve failed to deliver.” How Hollywood dancer Katya Virshilas opened her own studio for kids She sees a bright future for both her skincare brand and her food and beverage group. “As quality of life increases for consumers, they naturally look for the highest standards. This is true for both top-notch skincare products and F&B service. We deliver a premier level of consistency in both our products and service standards, so I am very positive about the future of both Fancl and Gourmet Dining Group.” Michelle Ma-chan’s preferred watch – Van Cleef & Arpels Lady Arpels Féerie Watch “This was a gift from my husband Chris, which he bought in Paris.” Want more stories like this? Follow STYLE on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and Twitter.