In the bustling heart of Hong Kong where the pace of life rarely slows, Sarah Vee has carved out a sanctuary—a space where women can shed their titles, connect authentically, and find the support they need to thrive. As the founder of Women of Hong Kong (WoHK), Sarah has transformed her personal struggles into a powerful movement that now boasts over 13,900 members. Her journey—from a self-described "closet introvert" battling impostor syndrome to a community leader championing women's empowerment—is a testament to resilience, vulnerability, and the unyielding belief that every woman deserves a seat at the table, even if she has to build it herself.

From Outsider to Advocate: A Transformative Path

Born and raised in Hong Kong to Filipino parents, Sarah's early years were marked by a sense of displacement. "I didn't look Chinese, I also [didn't] look like an expat," she recalls. Growing up as an ethnic minority, she often felt like "a puzzle piece that was looking for a place to fit," a sentiment compounded by her inability to fluently speak her mother tongue and the disconnect she experienced within her own ethnic community. This feeling of being an outsider wasn't just a personal struggle—it became the spark for her mission.

Her first foray into community-building came in 2014 with Girls of Hong Kong, a group focused on socializing. Back then, her needs were simpler: socializing, connecting through events, and figuring life out. She launched Girls of Hong Kong in 2014 as a casual space for women to gather and celebrate each other's company, free from the competitiveness or unwanted advances she often encountered. With about 2,000 members at its peak, it was a success, but as Sarah entered her 30s, her priorities shifted.

"As women, we evolve and we grow up, and our needs start to change as well," she reflects. The carefree socializing of her 20s gave way to deeper concerns—health, hormones, and a longing for meaningful connection. "I care more about my body now, my hormones—not in the way that it looks, but in the way that it feels," she says. In 2021, Sarah relaunched the group as Women of Hong Kong, a network designed not just for business or status, but for women to "feel safe in our own skin while asking a vulnerable question and get an answer from someone."

Turning Grief into Growth: Making a Leader

Sarah's journey hasn't been without its challenges. As a self-described "closet introvert," stepping into leadership didn't come naturally. "I couldn't really speak publicly, let alone take an interview," she confesses. The network's early days, following its June 2021 launch, were overshadowed by the loss of her best friend of 11 years, who passed away just two months later. Grief compounded her introversion, and she found herself grappling with depression. "I don't know if you know much about grief. When people go through grief, they don't want to see anyone," she explains. Yet, the community she'd built became her lifeline. "I was so lucky that even though I was developing challenges in my own life, I already built a community where I could ask for help," she reflects. Within WoHK, she found a therapist, business mentors, and eventually a team to help her carry the vision forward.

Impostor syndrome presented another hurdle, one Sarah confronts with raw honesty. The turning point came around age 31, as her son approached his teens. "I just realized my son is going into his teen years, and if I don't like who I am, how could I make him like me?" she recalls. Jaden, now 14, became her "biggest motivator." She reasoned, "If that one person isn't proud of the version I am, then I need to make some changes." This shift wasn't a single moment but a gradual awakening, reinforced by practical mantras. "Not all of your days needs to have 100% of you showing up," she tells herself, adding that "40% could be your 100%" on tough days. Resilience fuels her further: "I survived 100% of my bad days. So I just tell myself, I'm just going to keep winning if I keep going."

Silencing the Critics: Building Trust Through Authenticity

Early on, WoHK faced skepticism and hostility. Sarah recalls facing "a lot of hate" from women who "didn't believe in women coming together," a resistance she attributes to their past disappointments. Critics questioned her intentions, assuming profit was her motive despite the network's free membership. "People doubt me. People assume I did this to make money," she says, though she insists, "that's not my priority." The attacks stung deeply. "I used to cry so much about it," she admits. "Why can't people understand? I'm trying to do something for them." Over time, she learned to rise above the criticism, focusing on the women she was helping rather than her own reputation. Her resilience paid off—many early naysayers have since joined WoHK, proving that time and authenticity can turn even fierce detractors into allies.

Beyond Networking: A Sanctuary for Every Woman

Women of Hong Kong defies the typical mold of professional networks. While business opportunities abound—30% of its focus, as Sarah notes—the real heart lies in the other 70%. "You cannot find an environment that is like Women of Hong Kong," she insists, "not because we're competing but because everywhere else, most networks are about [business]." WoHK is a space for women to shed their titles and demands, whether they're entrepreneurs, stay-at-home moms, migrant workers, teens seeking mentorship, or individuals navigating divorce, infertility, or illness. "It's for the people going through divorce. It's for women trying to conceive but can't, so they go through IVF. It's for people that have cancer, or know someone they love that's going through cancer," she explains.

This inclusivity is by design. Sarah envisioned a space where women could ask anything and receive support without judgment. Subgroups within the network, led by members themselves, cater to specific needs, like IVF or single motherhood, ensuring diverse voices are amplified. "I cannot speak up for everyone," Sarah acknowledges. "My role is really just to identify who wants to take leadership in helping me amplify other people's voices."

Sarah's vision rejects hustle culture's relentless pace. "We forget that we're not here to work our asses off. We're here to actually enjoy life," she asserts. This ethos resonates in a world where women are often judged by impossible standards—too heavy, too thin, never enough. Citing a Nike campaign she admires, Sarah echoes its message: "You can't take up space. So take up space." For her, empowerment begins with women refusing to shrink themselves.

Balancing Act: Navigating Life's Demands

Sarah's days are a whirlwind of motherhood, leadership, and personal passions—a delicate balance of raising Jaden, nurturing her relationship, and steering Women of Hong Kong (WoHK). "Every time I say yes to something, I'm saying no to something else," she confesses. Her lifeline is a team of women—many former WoHK members turned staff—who step in when family takes precedence. "My team is everything to me," she says. "Without my team, I can't operate the way that we've been operating." With Jaden now 14, she weighs every commitment against fleeting moments with him. "He only has five sports days left before he's 18…I can only go five more times." This clarity keeps her grounded, ensuring she makes space for health, family, and self amid her ambitions.

Compassion Meets Conviction: Leading by Example

Sarah's leadership style marries empathy with firm boundaries. "To do things with integrity is very important to me," she says, a principle that guides her approach to conflict. When bullies emerge in the community, she opts for private conversations over public exclusion, often uncovering misunderstandings or unmet needs. "People just want to be heard," she notes. Yet, she's learned to protect her own energy. "If you don't set boundaries, you'll be spread," she cautions, a lesson drawn from past 2 a.m. calls she no longer entertains.

Her multicultural background shapes this ethos. "I just didn't realize that a lot of people felt like me—felt that they were not represented enough," she says. Leading WoHK, she's turned this sense of displacement into a rallying cry: "It's okay if we can't find a place to fit. That means we're unique and we can stick together."

Expanding Horizons: Building a Global Sisterhood

Looking ahead, Sarah dreams of personal growth and collective impact. A self-proclaimed "closet psychology fan," she hopes to one day study the subject formally, having left college early due to life's challenges. For WoHK, expansion is underway. "We're currently already building Women of Macau and Women of Singapore," she reveals, eyeing a broader reach across Asia and beyond. "My goal isn't to gain power," she emphasizes. "It's just to help as many as we can."

This vision takes shape in The Women's Lounge, a 2,400-square-foot space on Old Bailey Street in Hong Kong. With an outdoor terrace, private meeting rooms, a podcast studio, and a retail area for members' products, it's a physical embodiment of WoHK's ethos—a versatile, inclusive haven where women can connect and thrive.

Own Your Voice: A Call to Young Women

To young women forging their paths, Sarah offers two imperatives: "Take up space and speak up. You deserve it. You absolutely deserve to take up space, because you have power in you." She urges assertiveness grounded in self-belief: "Learn to be assertive—not in an aggressive way, but assertive with the belief that what you're standing for is true to yourself. Nobody else can take that away from you." Reflecting on her 20s, she adds, "I lost my own voice, and I only found it in my 30s. So for the young women… hold on to your voice. You need it for your identity."

From Vulnerability to Victory

Sarah Vee's journey with Women of Hong Kong is more than a success story—it's a blueprint for redefining empowerment. From a Filipino single mom who once felt lost, she's forged a sisterhood where vulnerability is strength, collaboration is power, and every woman's voice matters. "I want people to look at me and say, 'If she can do it from her background, her circumstances, her history, then I can do it too,'" she says. As WoHK grows, she continues to be its heartbeat—a 'small potato,' as she humbly puts it—creating monumental change, one connection at a time.