10 Questions with Wil Fang, Founder of Cookie DPT
With a background in fashion, Wil Fang first came to Hong Kong on a contract with Ralph Lauren. Noticing the need for classic sweet treats in the city, he decided to test out his cookie recipes on his colleagues. Fast forward to today, Wil is the Founder and Managing Director of Cookie DPT, one of Hong Kong’s most popular cookie concepts. His simple trial recipes are now taking Hong Kong by storm!
With a complete change of industry, it’s no denying that this venture took some courage. We sat down with Wil to talk about his inspiration and how he’s overcome obstacles along the way. Read on to learn about his journey.
1. Tell us about yourself. What inspired you to start Cookie DPT?
Growing up in the States, my childhood was filled with fresh, homemade baked goods: cakes, cookies, etc. Then, living in New York City, I had some of the best bakeries in the world within walking distance. I quickly realised when I moved to Hong Kong that I had been spoiled back home with so many options. So, I decided to start baking myself, trying to mimic my favourite flavours. I eventually landed on my recipe, almost a decade in the making.
2. You came to Hong Kong on a 4-month contract. Today, you’re the founder of one of Hong Kong’s favourite sweet treat concepts. What three things contributed to your success?
- An incredible foundation built from a decade at Ralph Lauren and two years at Apple, on-the-job training and exposure taught me so many skills that I use every day in my own concept.
- Support from my friends and family gave me the confidence and motivation to continue working on my own.
- I know it sounds funny but my passion for cookies and desserts. Without that, I would never have started baking and would never have been so particular on exactly how I wanted my cookies and treats to be. But because I have a genuine sweet tooth, everything we make are things I love to eat.
3. How has your background impacted Cookie DPT?
Coming from a fashion background, I had no intention of entering the F&B industry in the traditional sense. So when I launched Cookie DPT, I knew I wanted the cookies to speak for themselves and not have the branding overpower them. I think that really sets us apart from traditional bakeries and we were able to build a diverse following. I’d like to think our popularity originates from having a really good product, but I also know that somewhere along the way we created a little bit of a hype culture with our weekly limited-edition flavour launches that you would typically find in the fashion industry.
4. Can you tell us something most people don’t know about you?
If you think my cookies are good, wait until you try my pizza.
5. What are your three favourite things about Hong Kong?
- The pace. Hong Kong moves so quickly that it continually makes room for new ideas to thrive.
- Location. I love to travel and Hong Kong is the perfect hub.
- It’s versatility. From local street food to Michelin star restaurants, night market shops to luxury brands, beaches to skyscrapers, and everything in between, they’re all incredibly accessible here.
6. What piece of advice would you give to people pursuing what they love?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Identify what you’re good at and ask for support on the things you aren’t. You’ll learn the rest along the way.
7. Tell us about an obstacle that you were faced with in your life or career. How did you overcome it?
My first entrepreneurial project failed, and I took it quite hard. But I took a step back and assessed how to improve, used it as motivation and continued onto my next venture.
8. How do you see your career and lifestyle evolving? What are you most looking forward to?
I spent the majority of my career in corporate life, so the past few years working on my own projects has been a completely new experience. I’m grateful for the freedom I have. I’ve come to realise how much I value choosing how to spend my time. I look forward to broadening my scope and introducing more concepts to Hong Kong, and with a little luck, the rest of the world.
9. What financial tips do you have to share? How did financial planning support your journey?
Having enough financial security is definitely important because worrying about money while trying to build a business is a distraction no entrepreneur can afford. Fortunately for me, I was able to plan ahead and build up my startup capital before leaving my day job.
10. Complete the following sentences:
Growing up, I believed money was…
Easy to make
Now, I view money as…
Something my parents worked really hard for
To me, financial empowerment means…
My family not having to think about money. It’s a great feeling to be financially comfortable, but it’s an even better feeling to be financially empowered knowing I’ve prepared myself for the future, whatever it may bring.
What’s your favourite Mox feature and how does it fit into your daily life?
I really like the “Goals” feature. It helps me prioritise additional savings for various things I have on my wish list.
Mox Masterclass: Chinese New Year Cookie making with Wil (Virtual)
As a special treat for Mox customers, we’ve partnered with Wil Fang to bring you an exclusive Cookie Making Masterclass! Join us at this virtual experience (5 Feb, 7pm) to learn how to make and bake the perfect batch of chewy chocolate chip cookies with a CNY twist. For HKD300, you’ll get the full Masterclass by Wil Fang, baking ingredient that serves around 8-10 cookies, a cookie jar and more!
Space is limited, so open a Mox account to sign up through the dedicated link in the Mox app under “Discover Tab > Mox Masterclass” now!
Remarks: The views expressed by individuals featured in this interview are the personal views of such individuals and do not necessarily reflect, and, should not be taken as the views of Mox Bank Limited.
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