The world of Tzu Chi August 2020 (Vol.125)

TZU CHI 125 19 Turning a hobby into opportunity During the initial phase of the MCO, Wing Hong mulled over alternative means of making a living. He had dedicated most of his working life to managing his business without acquiring any other skills, save for videography and photography. Wing Hong applied his sharp business acumen to turn his situation around. He recalled that his wife had participated in a flower arranging class last year and mastered the art by the end of 2019. His wife’s newly- acquired skill gave him an idea: he started a business selling flowers online with his wife in July this year. Wing Hong noted that running an online business does not require a substantial amount of capital, enabling him and his wife to sustain the venture without too much pressure. He generates publicity for the online venture through Facebook and is in charge of marketing strategy, while his wife prepares floral arrangements according to their customers’ demands. The couple provides floral arrangement services for various occasions, including Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, weddings and funerals. The online venture is still in its nascent stage, but Wing Hong is optimistic about its progress. The couple work closely together and learn along the way. “Perhaps this is a test from God. Challenges are a part of the growth process. If we change our perspective and seek an alternative solution, we’ll be able to move on,” he surmised. The MCO has afforded Ho Wing Hong more time to volunteer for videography tasks as part of the Tzu Chi Documenting Team, opening his eyes to the suffering of others. Adapting to the Times