From the trapeze to blockchain tech: Why I made Hong Kong my home
HONG KONG: THE WORLD’S STAGE
High-flying business leader Patricia Auer describes how moving to Hong Kong was a leap of faith that transformed both her life and career.
Dangling high above the circus floor, I squint through dazzling lights, barely able to see the 200 pairs of eyes staring up at my fellow trapeze performers and I. I hold my breath as we move into our next – and most difficult – pose: the group chandelier. It takes every second of my training to concentrate on the job at hand, and not fall.
This was in Peru six years ago, when I left my job as an investment bank lawyer to join the circus, a lifelong dream of mine. Up until that point, I’d been laser-focused on the ‘right’ type of career, which left me financially stable but emotionally unfulfilled.
I became unable to ignore the gnawing sense within that I needed more, so I took a literal leap of faith, landing in an exciting new world of financial technology. And when an opportunity to guide blockchain technology in buzzing Hong Kong came calling, I dived in, head first.
If you told me as a young intern working 18-hour days in London that, in my thirties, I’d be living just steps away from Hong Kong’s lush hiking trails and white-sand beaches, while working in its booming tech industry, I would’ve laughed out loud.
What attracted me to Hong Kong, and what keeps me here?
Patricia Auer now calls Hong Kong ‘home’.I’m a third-culture kid. My dad is German and my mum is from Taiwan. I’ve had a really international upbringing as a result. I grew up across mainland China, Hong Kong and Singapore, then studied law in the UK and worked in London for several years.
London was a thriving finance centre, right in the heart of my industry. I learnt a great deal there, but deep down I yearned to return to Asia. I missed the culture, the nature and the weather, but most of all the food – my heart is shaped like a bowl of spicy wonton noodles.
I worked for many years in large financial institutions across Asia, ending up in Hong Kong. I’d lived there growing up, but I was just a kid then. I have vivid memories of sneaking into the burrows of hiking trails as a child, flashlight in hand, only to discover a million spiders, and on weekends, gorging myself on films in the now-redesigned Pacific Place mall. With such joy forming my Hong Kong experience, I was drawn to a dream of returning to fully experience the city as an adult.
Hong Kong is a melting pot of exciting people looking to pursue their dreams, and so it was no surprise that when I returned from my circus break in Peru, I chanced upon somebody who worked in blockchain. It was an exciting new industry and they were looking for someone in Hong Kong with a legal background.
At the time, I knew nothing about technology. But ready to take a leap and explore new opportunities, I faced my fears and went for it. Over time, I learnt more about technology, moving across different companies in Hong Kong’s ecosystem, and eventually joining a company called NEST, which helps make Web3 technology more accessible.
Hong Kong’s CBD – a commercial and retail heart.To me, Hong Kong is a place that nurtures. If you look at its bustling start-up ecosystem, you’ll notice the city’s openness to opportunity, in how it feeds and grows companies’ resources. And that’s exactly why you’ll often find highly-skilled talent from all around the world here – they’ve all come here to grow and flourish, in the belief it offers fertile ground to pursue their dreams.
The vibrant economy of Hong Kong is also a result of the city’s forward-thinking appetite for innovation. This manifests in the form of transparent regulations and the city’s willingness to invest in the exploration of new technologies. Many of my friends have launched companies here, capitalising on the available support to help them succeed.
Hong Kong – the city with many personalities.
One of my favourite things to do in Hong Kong is perch outside a cafe to people-watch and take in the beautiful surroundings. The atmosphere is a permanent blend of synchronicity – electric and nourishing, all at once.
I often feel like we’ve all got multiple personalities with different needs living inside our bodies, and I find Hong Kong to be capable of satiating them all.
The Hong Kong that the world has seen in blockbusters such as Rush Hour 2 is very much still a present one. But now, it holds an unmistakable modernity. Today’s Hong Kong offers an energising juxtaposition between the old and the new. It makes my heart sing.
Architectural marvels are commonplace in Hong Kong.
Little alleyways and rustic buildings dot the streets as charming accessories to the city’s ultra-modern architecture.
Wandering through the city, you’ll smell the wafting fragrances of traditional Chinese spices, then looking up you’ll see sunlit skyscrapers shimmering overhead.
I’ve spent countless weekends traversing the city in search of the most fascinating street art pieces that bare the soul of Hong Kong. Some of my favourite finds have been at the HKWalls Street Art and Mural Festival, where artists battle it out in a unique setting with drinks and DJs.
Food is part of my soul and the foodie in me has never run out of options here. High-end Michelin-starred restaurants sit comfortably alongside humble local joints with deep flavours. I’ve spent days indulging in comfort foods. One of my favourites is Samsen in Wan Chai, a bustling warehouse-chic restaurant that does the best beef noodles on Earth, I swear.
The mix of experiences, people and energy of Hong Kong have nurtured me – while I was once a big-city girl at heart, I now enjoy having access to nature and the city. This city is for people looking to break out of the mould, and not live the same life every day. I can’t think of any other place in the world that I would call home.
“Do something that scares you,” says Patricia Auer.These days, I keep the lessons I’ve learnt from both the circus and Hong Kong close. If a new opportunity comes along that scares me, I tell myself to give it a try and not forever wonder “what if?”
After all, it could be the beginning of something amazing.
