Green Talents Moment✨: Meet Kevin Tsui, Co-founder & CEO of ReCube

“What are green jobs? Any green job examples?” We often encounter questions like these. In 2024, Climate Incubator decided to launch a new article series titled “Green Talents Moment”. In this series, we speak with individuals who contribute to sustainability through their work and projects. We hope to inspire readers to explore more possibilities for making contributions to sustainability🌏.

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In our inaugural episode, we had the privilege of interviewing Kelvin Tsui , a young entrepreneur who founded an eco-friendly business called ReCube , providing a reusable takeaway tableware rental service in Hong Kong. Kelvin is a visionary and determined individual who embraces new challenges and with a mission to encourage the public to adopt eco-friendly habits.

Let’s delve into his journey as a green business leader.

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What inspired you to start ReCube?

The idea originated during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2022, while I was in my final year of undergraduate studies. My family and I were tested positive for the virus at that time. While self-quarantining at home, we ordered takeout meals and were shocked by the amount of plastic packaging and containers we used in a short period. It made me realise that the use of plastic cutlery could lead to a significant environmental problem. I discussed it with my friends to look for a solution to minimise the use of disposable cutlery and containers.

What does a typical day look like for you as the CEO of ReCube?

Being part of a small team, my daily responsibilities span across various domains, including product development, financial management, client meetings, administrative tasks, and crafting funding proposals.

As the CEO, I'd say the 'E' in CEO stands for 'Everything'!

However, this dynamic nature of my work is one of the reasons I chose the entrepreneurial path—I thrive on exploring new challenges. Along the journey, I've learned a lot, such as designing and managing the company website. You won't have such a diverse experience in a traditional job.

What led you to choose entrepreneurship as your career after graduation? Any struggle for your decision?

The aspiration to become an entrepreneur was with me since my first year, but the opportunity to pursue it only materialised in my third and fourth years of study. I chose this career path because I believe it is meaningful. With ReCube, my hope is to offer a convenient and financially sustainable means to minimise the use of disposable plastic packaging for the betterment of the environment🍴. On a personal level, I also prefer a work culture that differs from that of large companies. I enjoy having more control over managing projects and working in a flat organisational structure.

That said, my journey running ReCube over the past two years has not been without doubts. Startups inherently carry a high risk of failure, so we need to be constantly vigilant and pivot to meet market demands. I haven't set a specific timeline for an exit strategy; it depends on the business's development. I'm committed as long as there remains market potential for ReCube.

How do you perceive the role of an entrepreneur in contributing to environmental sustainability?

I think entrepreneurs can undoubtedly play a significant role in advancing environmental sustainability. They operate in diverse fields and introduce new products, services, techniques, and ideas that help people lead more efficient and low-carbon lives.

What qualities are essential for being an entrepreneur?

Being a fast learner is crucial. Since your products and market are new, you must quickly adapt and acquire new skills to effectively run the business. Secondly, perseverance is key. You will face numerous challenges, especially in the early stages. If you lack determination, it's easy to give up within the first few months. To judge whether an idea is workable, I recommend developing a minimal viable product (MVP) and letting the market tell you the feasibility of your idea.

Your academic background may not matter too much in running a business, since there is always a role for you to fulfil. Take myself as an example—I come from a quantitative finance discipline, which may not seem directly related to environmental protection. Similarly, at ReCube, our mission is to make environmental-friendliness more pragmatic and accessible to everyone, regardless of their background.

Is being a young entrepreneur an advantage or a challenge? 

I believe it's both. On the positive side, we possess the energy and time needed to fully dedicate ourselves to our ideas. Additionally, there are funding programs specifically targeting young entrepreneurs, providing valuable support for getting started. On the flip side, our relative inexperience may lead to encountering more "failures," requiring additional time and resources to rectify. For instance, after running the business for a while, we realised that our original brand name, featuring a superscript "3" representing a cube, hindered search engine optimization (SEO). Consequently, we had to undertake a slight rebrand to enhance Google searchability.

Another challenge is that we may have fewer savings to start a business as fresh graduates. This, however, pushes us to have more thorough financial planning and look for additional sources to sustain the business. Moreover, if personal finance is a concern, launching the business on a part-time basis initially can be a strategic approach. Once the company establishes a stable income source, transitioning to full-time commitment becomes more feasible. I hope this may alleviate the worries of individuals interested in starting a business.

What advice do you want to share with our readers?  

If you have an idea, take the first step and #try it out🔥.

It's natural to have concerns and doubts, but the only way to gather feedback and improve your idea is by taking action. Start small even if it's as simple as creating a social media page, and see where it leads. You never know if your idea has the potential to become a successful startup unless you give it a try.

Do you have any favourite quote?

Yes. Be the change you want to see in the world 😃. 

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Thanks Kelvin for sharing his journey! Did you find this article insightful? Please share your thoughts with us in the comments section below👇.

Follow Climate Incubator to explore the wide range of resources and support we offer to help you pursue green careers. Don't forget to subscribe to our e-newsletter 👀 to stay updated on our activities and initiatives.

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Written by: Jessica Wong

Social Media: Kati Ng

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