Hong Kong 30 Under 30 2015

Founders, SOTE

Canadian Chelsea Wong and US native Kate Daniel met while working at Hong Kong Disneyland, where they were both performers, before launching gourmet popcorn company SOTE in 2013.

“I had the opportunity to rent a small property, and Kate had a vision of us standing in front of a popcorn shop called ‘Salt of the Earth’ — SOTE,” Wong recalls. The two decided to run with the idea and haven’t looked back.

Made from whole grain kernels, SOTE popcorn is cooked using organic coconut oil. “We both love popcorn and wanted to create an all natural product with unique, fun flavors.” Word of the artisanal creations began to spread, and SOTE’s first retail store opened on Robinson Road in 2014.

Daniel has a pretty kick ass life motto: “Drink some coffee, put on some gangsta rap and handle it.” 

Their very first jobs? Chelsea was a dance teacher and Kate worked at the lingerie department at Nordstrom.

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