Cynthia Cheng, Co-founder of Hong Kong Shifts
Her profession: lawyer and design and communications consultant
Her passion project: Hong Kong Shifts, a social impact storytelling platform that shines a spotlight on shift workers
Her story:
“We all have a number of passions that may not appear to be connected – mine are writing, social impact and Hong Kong – but if we keep doing what we enjoy, they’ll eventually converge. In my case, it all came together two years ago when I co-founded Hong Kong Shifts with lawyer and photographer Maxime Vanhollebeke.
The idea was born when we realised that shift workers (like cleaners, taxi drivers, and stall vendors) are often taken for granted despite their hard work to keep our city running. So, we wanted to share the stories of these unsung heroes. Since then, we’ve profiled over 100 people.
The project has connected me with many inspiring individuals. It’s also boosted my confidence – as an introvert, the idea of approaching strangers was daunting; but I’ve learnt that we can connect with anyone, as long as we approach the interaction with openness, curiosity and respect.”
Her tip: “Don’t let your passions become burdens! Take regular breaks and allow yourself some healthy distance from your project every now and then.”