The founder of The Lion Rock Press discusses her brand’s tiny beginnings, the surprise story behind her sustainable product line and how the virus has inspired a new line of Christmas decorations
In the What Matters To Me series, a Generation T honouree describes what they do, why they do it, and why it matters.
The art of stationery was passed down for more than 120 years before reaching Claire Yates, who comes from a family of paper merchants. In 2013, she decided to put her own spin on the family business and launched The Lion Rock Press: a go-to for eco-friendly, Hong Kong-themed premium stationery and gifts.
In seven years, her business has expanded from a tiny stall at a Christmas fair to one of the most coveted stationery brands in Hong Kong. Alongside cards, candles and puzzles, Yates is known for her No Plastic Mm Goi water bottles, which combine her twin loves of Hong Kong and the environment.
At the beginning, I was just making a few cards and delivering them by hand. I launched at St John’s Cathedral’s Christmas fair. The owner of Bookazine was there and she told me she wanted to stock everything I made from then on. That was an amazing vote of confidence.
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I entered a competition for Hong Kong’s best startup in the last hour it was open and I won. It gave me access to a co-working community—before that I’d been working out of my bedroom—in which I really came alive. The prize also included advertising dollars and an e-commerce website, so that helped kickstart the marketing of The Lion Rock Press. That’s how we took off.