The future is yours to create: Imelda Ng

Third in our The Future is Yours to Create: International Women’s Day series is Imelda Ng. The Beverage Manager of Intervals Bar is a familiar face for those transiting through the ever busy Hong Kong International Airport. She shares her list of mentors in the industry and her thoughts on changes needed for growth in the hospitality industry.

A little bit about me

This can be said to be fate. In 2008, when I was studying fashion design, a friend introduced me to a part-time job as a waiter in a different department of the hotel. When I graduated, my boss at the hotel told me that he thought I was very suitable for this service industry. At that time, I was thinking whether I should develop in design or in the catering industry. I didn’t think too much at that time because I found a job right after I graduated. I felt very lucky at work, so I joined this industry.

My favorite part about my job as the beverage director of Intervals Bar, is being able to see the satisfaction that customers feel after enjoying our products, whether it is food or drinks, which is my biggest motivation in this industry.

I am driven by a desire for personal fulfillment and happiness.

I am driven by a desire for personal fulfillment and happiness. This may involve pursuing my passions, setting and achieving goals, and finding a sense of purpose in life.

Achieving career and professional success motivates me. It includes a desire for recognition, promotion, financial independence, and the opportunity to make a positive impact.

Imelda Ng at Intervals Bar.

How I approach my work

Having no set goals is not necessarily wrong. The goals in life will change or appear slowly as you live, so don’t rush to find your goals. Just live in the moment and do your best in every moment. Your efforts will always be seen, and you must maintain a mindset of always learning.

I think a person’s future depends on their learning attitude and mentality. Of course academics are important. When I was in high school, I studied fine arts, art and tourism. The teachers helped me learn more about the future. What I learned applies to my current role as a bartender and in the service industry. In addition to what I learned in school, whether it is learning from mistakes and failures or learning from successful examples, anything I face in life can be a teaching moment.

The goals in life will change or appear slowly as you live, so don’t rush to find your goals. Just live in the moment and do your best in every moment.

I want to work hard to be myself, focus on my shortcomings, and optimize my strengths so that others can know them. I hope that as a bartender, I can make more contributions and promote this industry, integrating tourism, fine arts and charity.

I believe a work environment needs to be encouraging and supportive, with less criticism and negative emotions. Employees will be happier and love their jobs if this is the case.

Brand support for this industry is very important, whether it is for independent bars or individuals. Without the support of the brand, I would not be where I am now, so your support between the brand and the bar, the brand and the bartenders, the bar and the customers is very important. This is an iron triangle and is indispensable for promoting economic development.

My thoughts on mentorship

I have several individuals I look up to, first is Mei Mei Song (Director of Global Brands and Transformations of Plaza Premium Lounge). As my boss she is an inspiration and example of a strong woman and a mom of three children. Self-sufficient, confident and has a strong sense of self-worth, she is also supportive of others and values healthy relationships.

Another is Victoria Chow, a woman I admire very much. She is very creative and willing to share her knowledge. She always has a very supportive attitude to help others.

This year, I had the opportunity to return to Hong Kong from Shanghai and collaborate with Mei Mei Song & Victoria to set up Intervals Bar, a time-based concept bar at the Hong Kong International Airport.

I also look up to Symphony Loo, a strong woman who puts equal emphasis on career and family. Especially in the bar industry, sophistication and time management are important skills. She shows that she can manage her health and fitness in such a beautiful and happy way, which is really not easy.

A lesson I learned from all my mentors is to be a brave female bartender and don’t be afraid of change.

There are also the following teachers who have taught me a lot in this industry: Antonio Lai, Sandeep Kumar, Lorenzo Antinori, and Agung Prabowowo. They are all teachers I respect very much.

A special mention should be made of Jay Khan, who gave me the opportunity to work during the epidemic. I painted different tequila-themed paintings on the walls of his Asia’s No. 1 bar Hong Kong COA and Shanghai COA. His support for me really cannot be expressed in words. His advice to me in this industry is always the same. It’s very pertinent and positive. He has a great influence on me in this industry. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have the courage to leave Hong Kong and fly to Shanghai to work as a brand ambassador. I feel a lot of support from him.

A lesson I learned from all my mentors is to be a brave female bartender and don’t be afraid of change. You only have a few decades in your life, so you must live it wonderfully. I hope that female friends in this industry will also be brave enough to make good achievements and let us grow together.

I believe that as a leader, you must be willing to share, have a heart of great love, and teach others what you know. Your colleagues are not enemies, and they will not mind if your knowledge is stolen. Only in this way can this industry continue to grow.

Imelda Ng behind the bar.

My hopes for the future

If I could change one thing about the industry, it would be the work life balance, 70% life, 30% work. More women to join the bar industry and more woman in leadership.

In Hong Kong bars, there are actually many potential bartenders, and they all work hard to show that they can advance to the next level in this industry. My personal opinion is that you have to fight for opportunities. Fight for every opportunity to show yourself. Don’t wait for opportunities to appear and don’t give up every opportunity to learn. Keep an open mind and accept criticism and teaching. No matter what the other person says is right or wrong, you can also self-screen through these opinions to find out where you should improve.

I think that in order for the industry to grow, the bar industry must unite.

I think that in order for the industry to grow, the bar industry must unite, whether it is in the alcohol brand side, bars or restaurants, tourism and the online world, and then work with other industries to promote and drive each other to re-engage tourists from all over the world to visit bars in other countries. This is our direction.

What would I like my legacy to be? How about a crazy cat lady who works in an airport cocktail bar and makes dumplings very well.