In love with the island way of life

Nine years ago, Martin Chow left cosmopolitan Hong Kong to manage a business venture initially set up by his uncle on Saipan. Little did he know that the fate that awaited him on his trip would actually be a new home, where he would meet his wife and start a new family.

Now 33, the businessman wants to spend his lifetime on the island, hoping that his trade ventures would survive. Chow and his wife, Kewin Xiong, are blessed with two kids—Angela, 6, and Justin, 10 months old—who were both born on Saipan.

“We’re all here. I have a business here. I want to stay here. I don’t want to stay in Hong Kong,” said Chow.

One thing that he likes about living on the island is the simplicity of the way of life. While managing the Hong Kong Fashion boutique shop in Garapan, his wife stays home to take care of their kids.

The young businessman, who initially managed a Lower Base laundry shop that serves mostly garment factories, first met his wife in 1996. Chow regularly went to visit a Susupe beauty salon, which Kewin owned.

Chow and Kewin, who hails from China, initially found one common denominator between them: they both speak Cantonese and not Mandarin. Although he liked Kewin, it took about two months before he mustered the courage to ask her out for a date at a Chinese restaurant. The relationship blossomed until the two finally tied the knot in 1998.

Today, Chow said his business venture continues to survive despite a fluctuating economy. His wife and kids serve as his inspiration at work.

After managing the laundry shop from 1995 to 2000, Chow put up his own jewelry shop in Susupe in 2000. The Hong Kong Jewelry Shop sold jewelry and adornments imported from Hong Kong for three years, until Chow shifted to another business venture—the boutique shop.

“My business is doing good,” Chow said. Hong Kong Fashion, which is located just a few blocks away from across the DFS Galleria, sells clothes, shoes, jewelry and other gift items from Hong Kong. The shop also rents out bridal gowns.

According to Chow, it takes hard work and a heart to take risks to manage a business and make it survive. It was his heart, however, that made him want to spend his life on the island, where he found Kewin and a new home.