Business News

Amena Lee Schlaikjer has been involved in new enterprises in China for some time, previously describing herself as an “entrepreneurialist” as she’s always launched businesses for others. But she’s just launched her own initiative, Wellnessecity, a Shanghai-based operation aiming to create ways to live healthier in cities. She spoke to ‘eg’ about conceiving and developing her own enterprise – and about getting close to consumers. How long have you been in China? Can you tell us something about your experience in China? If you add up all the years of living in Greater China, including Hong Kong and Taiwan, I’ve been out here for about 18 years. My father was an American diplomat so I spent much of my schooling years in major cities in China Ð Shangahi, Beijing, Guangzhou Ð along with Hong Kong and Taiwan, where my mother is native American ???. I went to University in the States (Columbia and Fashion Institute of Technology in New York); then worked for a few years, before coming out to Shanghai, where I’ve now lived for almost seven years. My adult working years out here have included working in the fashion/cosmetic/lifestyle industries on start-up initiatives: researching for Vogue’s beauty section, Zagat Restaurant Guide, branding for CiCiGirl Cosmetics, launching of the M.A.C counters and then helping start-up ?WhatIf! Innovation. At ?WhatIf!, I wore many hats throughout the businesses but mostly worked on building and promoting the office and team, alerting interest groups, doing projects and managing the business with our directors. What inspired you to start your own business? As of May last year, I took a six month sabbatical to handle some health issues where I created my own “Amena University: Understanding the World of Wellness” in which I also worked on some self-development through an intensive Yoga Teacher’s Trainer’s […]