In the summer of 2024, Foundation for Shared Impact (FSI) successfully held our first-ever GuideFong Bazaar. The positive impact we created in facilitating interactions between the 15 ethnically diverse entrepreneurs and 120+ visitors couldn’t have been possible without the venue sponsorship of the Hive Sheung Wan.
The sponsorship not only allowed us to minimize the upfront cost for participating small businesses to showcase their products and services at the GuideFong Bazaar, but it also opened the door to further mission-aligned collaboration between the Hive and FSI, with the goal of uplifting under-resourced, ethnically diverse business owners and startup founders in Hong Kong.
The collaboration between the Hive and FSI did not stop at the Bazaar. In 2024, FSI was able to use a part of the Hive Poho to conduct the workshops and events for our 2024-25 Mentorship Program for Ethnically Diverse Entrepreneurs, and social impact leaders and entrepreneurs in FSI’s community were able to use the Hive’s services at a discounted rate.
This year, FSI and the Hive once again entered into a mutually beneficial partnership. Not only will FSI be able to host workshops at the Hive Poho at an exclusive rate, but the mentee and mentor entrepreneurs of the 2025-26 Mentorship Program are also entitled to a 50% discount on membership applications, and FSI community members can redeem a 50% discount for hiring the Hive’s meeting rooms and event spaces.
We recently engaged Vivian Seo, FSI’s Executive Director and Community Business Support Program Manager, and Carla Acepcion, Events Specialist at the Hive Hong Kong, in a conversation on our new, mutually beneficial partnership aimed at enabling more small businesses to connect and thrive.
Vivian – Why did you decide to approach the Hive when planning for FSI’s first-ever GuideFong Bazaar in September 2024?
Back in early 2024, FSI had already run two rounds of the Mentorship Program for Ethnically Diverse Entrepreneurs, and we were preparing for GuideFong’s first-ever community bazaar. Finding an accessible venue for group workshops at an affordable rate alone had been a constant challenge. Especially for the first GuideFong Bazaar, we were looking for more than just a space to rent – we were looking for a venue partner who shared our commitment to building inclusive, diverse, and community-driven environments.
Around that time, I happened to attend an event at the Hive Sheung Wan where Siony’s Lutong Bahay hosted a community gathering. Seeing people from such diverse backgrounds come together in a lively and comfortable setting, I immediately imagined how wonderful it would be to bring our GuideFong entrepreneurs into a similar space. Thanks to Siony’s introduction, I was connected with the Hive team, and we quickly realized how aligned our values were. That’s how our collaboration started — with the GuideFong Bazaar at the Hive Sheung Wan, followed by the Mentorship Program workshops at the Hive Poho.
Carla – Can you tell us why the Hive decided to become the venue sponsor of the GuideFong Bazaar?
We loved the concept of the GuideFong Bazaar and its mission to support and showcase our community’s small businesses, or “gai fongs”. The event’s name even embodies a wonderful local spirit that resonates with us. At the Hive, we frequently host our own pop-up markets to uplift small businesses and foster community connections. Supporting FSI’s initiatives aligned perfectly with our values, making it a natural choice for us!
Carla – the Hive continued its support to FSI beyond the GuideFong Bazaar, by allowing us to use the Hive Poho at an exclusive rate for the workshops and events of our 2024-25 Mentorship Program for Ethnically Diverse Entrepreneurs. Additionally, the Hive also offered discounts and perks for our program participants and the wider FSI community. Support like this is crucial to the survival and growth of small impact organizations like FSI. How did these initiatives come about? What was the rationale behind?
the Hive team and I are deeply passionate about supporting growing businesses. We love witnessing the learning, growth, and relationships that flourish at events and in our spaces. Having been a startup ourselves, we know how vital support is for success. Our goal is to inspire individuals to build meaningful connections, regardless of their industry or background.
These initiatives were crafted with that spirit in mind. We want FSI’s diverse entrepreneurs to see the Hive as their home for growth – an inclusive space for developing new ideas, hosting important meetings, and trying new things. Ultimately, we aim to create a community where ambition can thrive.
Vivian – From the perspective of FSI – an under-resourced social impact organization that runs various programs to support under-resourced social impact leaders and entrepreneurs – how would you describe the support provided by the Hive?
For small-scale social impact organizations like FSI, the venue sponsorship and discounts offered by the Hive have been a huge support. But what we are grateful for is not only the Hive’s willingness to offer space, but also their openness to connect the two communities to continue growing something new, treating our collaboration as a long-term and mutually beneficial partnership rather than just a transaction.
For the GuideFong entrepreneurs and participants of the Mentorship Program, the Hive has connected them to a wider network of like-minded businesses and professionals, opening doors to collaborations and exposure they wouldn’t have had otherwise. Since 2024, FSI community members have hosted their own workshops at the Hive, joined Hive pop-up markets, and even partnered with other Hive locations to showcase and offer their products to the Hive’s members.
Carla – the Hive is entering a partnership with FSI again this year to support the operations and participants of our 2025-26 Mentorship Program, as well as FSI community members. Can you tell us more details about the partnership and why the Hive decided to partner with FSI again?
This year, we are excited to continue our partnership with FSI to support the new cohort of ethnically diverse entrepreneurs under the Mentorship Program. The Hive Poho in Sai Ying Pun will once again serve as a learning and networking hub for FSI’s nine workshops on practical business knowledge and networking, including the cohort’s graduation ceremony. We hope the flexible and welcoming design of the space will provide a lovely atmosphere for discussions, professional development, and relationship-building.
In addition to hosting these sessions, the Hive is offering discounts on memberships for FSI’s mentors and mentees, as well as exclusive offers on meeting room and event space rentals for the FSI community. Witnessing the impact of FSI on capacity building for business owners inspires us, and we’re eager to support these initiatives in the long term.
Vivian and Carla – What do you hope to achieve from this partnership?
Vivian: I hope this partnership continues to expand exposure and connections for both FSI’s community of entrepreneurs and the Hive’s members. At FSI, we believe deeply in the ethos of shared impact, where sharing knowledge, broadening networks, and building inclusive communities create mutual growth. Through this partnership, we hope to nurture a thriving environment where both communities can learn from each other and grow together.
Carla: I hope to encourage innovation and collaboration among ethnically diverse entrepreneurs. My goal is to empower individuals to share their skills and support one another. I want to see the Hive’s spaces become more diverse, welcoming more entrepreneurs, freelancers, and creatives. I also aspire to host more events at the Hive that celebrate and support these businesses, and I hope to witness more thriving enterprises run by people of color and ethnic minorities in Hong Kong. Additionally, I want to raise awareness of FSI’s work and connect its valuable resources to entrepreneurs who would benefit from them.
Vivian and Carla – What do you think is key to nurturing mutually beneficial partnerships like the one between FSI and the Hive?
Vivian: I think the key to building mutually beneficial partnerships comes from being authentic and open – genuinely caring about community members and their needs and wants, contemplating on sustained, real impact instead of vanity metrics, and actively seeking feedback from community members to continue improving our programs and offers. I feel blessed to partner with Carla and other Hive colleagues because we know we’re on the same boat!
Carla: Business studies have shown that “aligned values and goals” are essential for successful partnerships, which is absolutely true! However, I believe the people behind the partnerships are what really make a difference. Building authentic relationships, genuinely believing in each other’s strengths, and enjoying the collaboration are crucial. And I love working with Vivian and the FSI team!
Another key element is empathy. In today’s world, many seem to overlook its importance, viewing it as a weakness. However, empathy is essential for understanding diverse perspectives, allowing us to create effective solutions and strategies for a broader range of challenges. It fosters creativity, openness to new opportunities, and ultimately improves collaboration. When empathy is at the center of partnerships, success follows, because people feel empowered and take ownership.
Vivian and Carla – What do you think other companies and organizations can learn from this partnership to build a more sustainable, resilient, and inclusive society?
Vivian: That it is exciting and extremely rewarding to try something new together, learn from it, and keep improving! I think true resilience comes from the community itself, but organizations and companies can play an important role as ecosystem builders. Through partnerships between us ecosystem builders, we are building sturdier bridges and foundations for our community members to grow, carry things forward, and give back to the community.
Carla: It truly takes a village, and the energy you put into the world comes back to you. Lifting others up and ensuring diverse perspectives are heard at the table is vital. When we bring together entrepreneurs from various backgrounds, they contribute unique insights that often lead to innovative solutions. By fostering an environment where everyone feels valued and included, organizations can tap into the full potential of their teams. Embracing diversity and collaboration is essential for building a sustainable future.
