Allan Zeman — The Maker

Gentrified, trendy and filled with surprises, the streets of Lan Kwai Fong “LKF” are calling out to you. While you journey the streets of “LKF” in Hong Kong, you can’t seem to wonder who on earth is responsible for this copious amount of venues and plasmatic scenes that surround you and play to all your senses. Well one name sticks out from the rest-Allan Zeman, or as many call him “the Father of Lan Kwai Fong”. Allan, missing the Western flavors he was used to, open “California Restaurant” in 1983, one year later, he bought the entire block and launched his restaurateur and property development career. From then on Allen has become a force to be recon with and a force that has changed the face of Hong Kong’s busy streets forever.

Q: We know that you contribute much of your time to public service in Hong Kong, what would you say is the most rewarding aspect of your job?
A: The most rewarding aspect is literally knowing that you are helping to create a better world for people who are less fortunate than you. Nothing can give you more pleasure than seeing the smile on the faces on people who are enjoying the things that you have created.

Q: What are your plans for the future, to establish another LKF in Shanghai?
A: Our plans is to continue working on our lifestyle entertainment LKF projects in China such as Shanghai, Wuxi and Chengdu. Also with new cities that would like to have a LKF.

Q: If you could give any advice to a young Chinese Entrepreneur, what would it be?
A: My advice to a young entrepreneur is to follow your dream. Don’t be afraid to take risks although they should be calculated risks. Don’t be afraid of failure, you can learn from your mistakes. Think out of the box, create products that are different and better than your competitors.

高雅，时髦，充满了惊喜，兰桂坊“LKF”街道在呼唤你。当你来到香港的“兰桂坊”街道上，你似乎无法知道究竟是谁负责着这些数不尽的丰富多彩的场所，围绕着你的各种场景，冲击着你所有的感官。在这当中却有一个名字独树一帜——盛智文(Allan Zeman)，或着我们尽可能多称呼他为“兰桂坊之父”。Allan想念他习惯的西方口味，在1983年开了一家“加州餐厅”，一年后，他买下了整个街区，并启动了他的餐馆老板和房地产开发事业。从此Allan已经成为一股不可预测的力量，一股永远改变着香港的繁华街道面貌的力量。

Q: 我们知道你为香港公共服务花了很多时间和心血，你觉得你工作中最有价值的是什么？
A: 不夸张地说，最有价值的是知道你正在帮助那些没有你那么幸运的人创造一个更美好的世界。没有任何东西可以比看到那些人因享受你所创建的东西在脸上绽放笑容使你更快乐的事情。

Q: 你对未来有什么计划，会在上海建立另一个兰桂坊吗？
A: 我们的计划是要继续致力于在中国如上海、无锡和成都等增加像兰桂坊这样的娱乐项目让我们的生活方式多姿多彩。当然随着到新的城市发展也想再有一个兰桂坊。

Q: 如果你能为年轻的中国创业者提供一些建议，那会是什么？
A: 我给年轻的创业者的建议是追随你的梦想。不要害怕承担风险，即使你已经计算过当中的风险。不要害怕失败，你可以从错误中学习。打破陈规跳出思维定式，创造比你的竞争对手更好的不一样的的产品。