Like us, you’ve probably heard of TED talks before, they’ve got the kind of reputation for bringing attention to important issues that we can really get behind. That’s why we jumped on the opportunity to help with their TEDx WanChai event as sponsors. We also got up close and personal with some of the upcoming speakers. Meet Ami, Coss and Diana, they’ll be getting real with Hong Kong at TEDx WanChai this Saturday October 29th.
Coss Marte
Prison Fitness Entrepreneur
After being sentenced to seven years in prison for his involvement in a million-dollar drug operation, Coss was told by doctors that his weight was a serious health concern. He then dedicated his time to training and quickly lost the weight by following a prison workout he designed. After his release, he’s now a full-time trainer, runs his own gym and employs people with previous records.
Working out and keeping in shape for yourself is one thing, but what drives you to help other people out?
What drives me is having felt their pain at one point in my life of either losing weight or not finding a job because everyone thought I was a menace to society. This made me really dig deep in working to create my own job that will help so many!
How has your life experience helped shape you as an entrepreneur?
Lots of life experiences helped shaped my entrepreneurship. For example, learning how to read people and knowing if they’re going to buy something or if they’re just wasting my time. Another example, is asking for help and being coachable. Just like I have a mentor in business today I had a mentor on the streets that schooled me on certain things to do or not to do.
If you had the opportunity to do something different, what would you do?
I wouldn’t change anything on the business side but I would love to have spent more time with my son.
What’s something about yourself that people may find surprising?
That I feel like quitting sometimes because things might get overwhelming but I’m always brought back to look at the bigger picture in life.
You’re often in a suit or workout gear, what’s your in-between style like? What’s your go-to outfit on a day without the gym or meetings?
I like to keep it simple and wear jeans, t-shirt, and basic running sneakers. Nothing too fancy.
What’s a secret talent of yours?
That I know how sell and close deals, and that I’m really good at memorising things word for word then making them sound natural.
Ami Vitale
Photographer and Filmmaker
Ami is never one to let discomfort or the unconventional get in the way of telling a story. She’s covered everything from war zones to panda sanctuaries, and isn’t afraid of full immersion once she’s committed herself to a project or cause.
You’ve seen over 94 countries. That’s crazy. What’s one place that you’ve been to that really made an impression.
It is crazy! I can’t pick just one place. The world is a magical place. Although I get to witness extraordinary things, it’s not simply about jetting off to exotic places. The magic really begins when you stay in a place and give yourself enough time to gain insight and understanding.
What first got you interested in photography and film?
As a young woman, I was very shy and introverted. I found when I picked up a camera, it gave me a reason to interact with people. Photography empowered me to explore and engage with the world. Later I realised I was not only empowering myself but more importantly, empowering the people I was photographing. Now it has become an incredible tool to tell important stories and create awareness and understanding.
If you had the opportunity to do something different, what would you do?
I would collaborate with people who think about the world in very different ways than I do.
In your opinion, what is the most over looked wildlife story of today?
A little known discovery; penguin populations are declining. Climate change is a main factor. They cant take the heat and Antarctica has lost a quarter of its sea ice over the past 100 years, according to recent studies.
When you’re not wearing a panda suit, what’s your style like?
Always changing to fit my environment.
What’s a secret talent of yours?
I’ve got important life skills… like cracking open coconuts (true but a joke), riding horses and making camp fires in wet places.
Diana Wu David
Writer, Traveller, Entrepreneur
Form business building entrepreneur and strategic investment advisor to moonlighting children’s author. Diana doesn’t shy away from a challenge.
How would you describe what you do?
Opportunity solving. A broader version of problem solving the opportunity exists to create something or improve something.
You’re a woman of many hats. What’s the connection between business strategy, investments and children’s books? Where do all these interests intersect? Or do they?
I am a business builder and entrepreneur. My work is reviewing a portfolio of options (strategies, investments, business ideas) to see what will have the likelihood of the best return. Then finding the right collaborators to ensure the best chance of success and reviewing those choices to refocus resource and attention on those that are going well. And the children’s book? Well, I was just trying to find a book to make my kids feel proud of being from Hong Kong! Opportunity solved.
What is it about start-ups that grabs your attention?
I like hearing new and fresh perspectives and love to anticipate and imagine what could or should be. In many ways start-ups are the creative engine of our collective future. They are working on how best to educate our children, connect us, feed us and improve our health. They are inventing new business models that allow people to work and create in new ways. How could that not grab your attention?!
What’s a project that you’re currently working on and really excited for?
Investing in the art of living. It should be a project that comes to full fruit in a few decades.
If you had the opportunity to do something different, what would you do?
Doing something different isn’t usually my problem! But if I had an opportunity to help found a new venture, I’d like to do that again, but in an older and wiser way.
What’s a secret talent of yours?
Barrel Racing. I grew up in Arizona riding horses and all self-respecting cowgirls need at least one rodeo stunt.
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