The athleisure brand founder tells us why fitness is paramount to a healthy body and mind

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Photo: Moses Ng/Hong Kong Tatler

Cassandra Choi, or Cassy, as she’s known to her friends, is an equities trader by day, but that didn’t stop her from starting her own athleisure label, Catch Me. In her lust for an escape from the stresses of corporate life, Cassy became an avid runner—in the process creating an athleisure label that aims to empower women through fitness.

Cassy's Catch Me is a line of activewear that is versatile enough to be worn underneath your clothing—allowing the wearer to seamlessly transition from the boardroom to the running track, or squeeze in a lunch-time workout.

In our latest edition of the Tatler 10 where we pose 10 questions to Hong Kong-based entrepreneurs about their businesses, we asked Cassy about the challenges of being an entrepreneur and why she loves a good work out.

1)    What does Hong Kong mean to you?

I feel a strong sense of attachment to Hong Kong, my home base. The city has shaped my life and that is what makes building something here so exciting. When creating Catch Me, it was important to me that the label carries a unique Hong Kong spirit. Catch Me supports, works with and gives back to the local community.

2)    Summarise your business in one sentence

Catch Me is created for the woman-on-the-go, enabling her to move easily from her work day to her workout, all in just one outfit.

3)    What is your proudest accomplishment?

Without a doubt it was starting my own business—but the moment that I felt the proudest was when I delivered my opening speech at Catch Me’s launch party in April. That was when it hit me, that this is actually happening! 

See also: The Tatler 10 With Carmen Choi

4)    What do you love most about running your own business?

I love having the freedom to explore and to be creative. I’m still working full time in finance and it demands a very different set of skills. 

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Photo: Moses Ng/Hong Kong Tatler

5)    What advice can you offer to budding entrepreneurs?

Don’t just think about an idea but find ways to make it happen. Having said that, be realistic with your goals. I take both my personal and professional new year’s resolutions quite seriously and I evaluate my progress mid-year and end of the year. Many of them are small steps and changes but they add to the bigger picture. 

6)    As an entrepreneur, what do you think sets you and your business apart from the competition?

The athleisure market is very competitive and saturated, with many labels trying to help improve performance, shaving that extra minute off a 10k run. Catch Me tries to remind the woman-on-the-to-go to take the time to unwind.

Our workday to workout pieces are versatile, allowing her to conveniently slip in a workout session in her busy schedule. Exercising is not just about beating a personal best. Catch Me hopes to inspire and empower women to keep working towards their goals while embracing a balanced and healthy lifestyle.

7)    Who inspires you and why?

Many athletes continue to inspire and amaze me. It takes so much drive, determination and resilience to keep pushing and to keep testing limits.

8)    Looking back, do you wish you had done anything differently?

I wish I had focused on wellness and fitness earlier in my life as it’s a great way to unwind, keep positive and generate new ideas. I grew up dancing but gave that up when I went to college. In hindsight, I wish I kept it up. Now, I mainly run and am training for a triathlon so creating Catch Me happened at just the right time! 

See also: The Tatler 10 With Nana Chan

9)    What’s your end goal?

I hope Catch Me can empower more women. I believe that fitness is an essential tool to help you get to your goal. Our debut campaign was titled “Taking You Places,” and we hope to take you places both physically and metaphorically.

10)What are your words to live by?

“Stay motivated and go beyond the finish line.”

Cassy wears a top from Catch Me’s debut collection. Explore the full collection on their website. 

MORE: See other Tatler 10 interviews with Hong Kong entrepreneurs including Lelian Chew, Adrian Cheung and the UNCVR team.