The world for travel and hospitality post COVID has been somewhat tenuous for all. Patricia and Kent of Wontonmeen know this firsthand, and as a result have been on the hunt for solutions. Despite these difficulties, the hostel has continued to be a cornerstone of culture in the Sham Shui Po area, serving as a haven for musicians, travelers and locals alike.
Community Hub: Tong Lau to Wontonmeen
Built in one of Hong Kong’s iconic tenements, Wontonmeen’s interior evokes a sense of nostalgia. Years of carefully chosen collectables and antiques line the walls of the hostel, creating an atmosphere that welcomes its guests.
Tenements were originally designed as a solution to the rapidly expanding population of Hong Kong; but they were built with community in mind. Neighbouring balconies were used as places to unwind with one another, ground floor shops and restaurants served as meeting places.
The community identity of the Tong Lau endures at Wontonmeen.
The dorms continue the inextricable relationship that the hostel has with its Hong Kong identity, with design inspired by sub-divided cage-homes; an undeniable truth of Hong Kong’s current housing crisis. Though echoing a symptom of overpopulation, the design provides privacy, storage, and an important link of Hong Kong’s reality to its tenants.
Creating Unique Customer Experiences with Customisable Features
It’s easy to see the love and intentionality that Patricia put into curating the Wontonmeen space; hence why she wanted this to be reflected in every facet of her business, including the booking process. CORE’s customisation has been important for Patricia, it allows her to curate her potential guest’s journeys.
This consistency and tailored approach have helped to increase her direct bookings, cutting out the middle-man of third-party booking sites, whilst allowing her to directly interact with guests.
Expanding with a Membership-Only Live Music Venue
Kent’ Patricia’s husband focused his talents on another key part of any community: music.
Kent built a members only live music venue in Wotonmeen, where members pay an annual fee to attend and participate in live music performances.
Named Sai Yung XS (extra small wonton noodles), the venue is an intimate nook of Wontonmeen, serving as a haven for jazz enthusiasts across Hong Kong. Workshops, jam sessions and gigs are all commonplace at XS, providing not only a place for people to listen, but to also contribute to the community themselves. Spaces like this are important to the music community, and especially the jazz community, after spaces to perform, and see live music were decimated by social distancing restrictions. XS is on a short list of venues that help to embrace and grow the culture.
Now, creatives and musicians are notoriously ungovernable. The phrase ‘herding sheep’ springs to mind. Kent uses CORE as an instrument to organise these bohemian individuals. It places a portal for membership application, payments and email confirmations all in one place. Suffice to say, making this process as streamlined and easy is in the best interests of everyone involved in a music community.
Turning Unique Ideas into Operational Realities
One of the greatest strengths of CORE is its ability to support innovative business models. Entrepreneurs like Patricia and Kent don’t need large teams to manage complex tasks, as CORE automates much of the work. Whether it’s handling bookings, managing memberships, or organising exclusive events, CORE empowers small teams to execute big ideas with ease and confidence.
This was exactly the intention when CORE was made. To be used as a catalyst of community growth and connection. Helping those who empower others through their resources on the CORE platform.
A Hands-On Approach to Training and Support
CORE is in its early adoption phase, meaning the team is dedicated to providing personalised, hands-on support. While the platform’s training materials are still under development, the CORE team is committed to guiding users every step of the way. Plans for comprehensive documentation, video tutorials, a user forum, and a knowledge-based chatbot are growing as we read this, ensuring businesses have everything they need to thrive.
CORE’s customisable, automation-focused platform is more than just a management tool—it’s a partner in helping small business owners like Patricia and Kent realise their dreams. By offering the tools needed to manage bookings, memberships, and collaborations, CORE provides a launchpad for unique and sophisticated business models.
