Entrepreneur Stories: Scaling for growth

Learn how two of Hong Kong’s leading entrepreneurs built their businesses from an initial idea to the well-known and trusted brands we (and our pets) know and love today!

In this latest episode of Entrepreneur Stories, we are delighted to welcome Trilby White, co-founder of Creature Comforts and Vetopia, and Diego Dultzin, co-founder of OnTheList. Trilby and Diego will share their experience of scaling and growing their businesses through new categories, markets and channels, and the pivots they made to successfully build their businesses. We’ll dive into the opportunities they saw that convinced them their ideas were scalable, the challenges they encountered in driving growth and how they overcame those challenges.

Expect to learn

• when and how they knew there were onto something big
• the importance of building trust and credibility with their suppliers and customers
• how they dealt with the challenges of securing the finance needed to grow
• the importance of having the right people on their team to drive their business alongside them
• the lessons they learned about customer acquisition and retention

…and so much more!

Moderated by Banyan Workspace co-founder and founder of Dragonfly Asia-Pacific, Rasheed Shroff, this exclusive event will provide valuable insights for early-stage entrepreneurs and SME leaders aspiring to achieve similar success.

The evening will be divided into 3 parts:

1. Guided Conversation: Trilby and Diego will share their background stories, experience, and expertise by answering several searching questions posed by our moderator, Rasheed.
2. Audience Q&A: Get direct answers to your burning questions from our experienced panellists.
3. Informal Networking: Meet our guests on a more personal level and expand your network while enjoying post-event drinks, sponsored by Spiritu HK.

ABOUT OUR SPEAKERS

Trilby White

Trilby White is currently the CEO of the Creature Comforts Veterinary Group, one of Hong Kong’s largest and most well respected general practice veterinary businesses. She holds a degree in Biotechnology from Murdoch University, Australia, and a Masters in Management from Macquarie University.

Over the previous 2 decades, with her husband and business partner, David Gething, Trilby has founded, nurtured, grown and exited two influential veterinary brands in Hong Kong. The Creature Comforts Veterinary Group was founded in 2002 and was acquired by Mars Veterinary Health in 2022. Vetopia Online Store was founded in 2015 and acquired by the Jebsen Group in 2023. Both businesses started from zero and combined now employ over 130 people, with offices in Hong Kong and PRC.

In 2023, Trilby was the recipient of the Hong Kong Women of Influence: Leading Woman Entrepreneur Award, recognising her outstanding business achievements.

Trilby possesses a unique skill set, combining the entrepreneurial strategy and agility required to grow two successful companies, with an understanding of the systems, processes and frameworks required by larger MNCs.

Her proudest achievements have been in the successful coaching and mentoring of future leaders, both within her own business and through The Women’s Foundation.

Diego Dultzin Lacoste

French entrepreneur Diego Dultzin is half the dynamic duo behind OnTheList, a platform pioneering the concept of independent, members-only flash sales in APAC.

Prior to setting up his own venture in 2016, Diego built up some retail experience spanning across Europe and Asia. From business development to brand management, Diego has worked with multiple leading lifestyle and fashion brands such as Chanel, The Kooples, JB Martin (Kenzo, Paul & Joe) and Maison Ullens.

After relocating to Hong Kong as Asia Pacific Business Development Manager, with co-founder Delphine Lefay they noticed a gap in Asia’s luxury retail industry - an absence of options for premium brands looking to dispose of excess inventory. OnTheList was established to fulfil this need, ensuring excess stock does not go to waste.

Combining his connections and experience overseeing global brand expansions and development, with co-founder Delphine’s extensive retail and luxury brand experience, Diego has made their vision to introduce a unique, sustainable platform for the Asian retail industry a reality.

Today, OnTheList is sought-after by big groups like LVMH, Kering, VF, Tapestry, L’Oréal, ELC, Le Creuset, etc. and connects over 1500 premium fashion and lifestyle brands to its 1M+ Members.

ABOUT ENTREPRENEUR STORIES

This exclusive event series, hosted by entrepreneur-led co-working community Banyan Workspace, is meticulously crafted to ignite the passion and fuel the ambition of budding business leaders here in Hong Kong. Our mission is to provide a platform where they can connect, learn and be inspired by the remarkable journeys of those who have walked the path before them. Each episode, we invite different successful business leaders to share their personal stories, with a focus on a different aspect of running a business in Hong Kong.