National Immediate Past President

From Hong Kong to a Bottle: N.I.P.’s founders Nic and Jeremy on pursuing their passion, taking that leap of faith, and encouraging young people to make a difference through action and preparation

Harbour Lights Interview Feature | Approximately 1,000 words

At a time when many young people are navigating uncertainty, the question is often the same: when there is a gap between an idea and reality, should one wait for the perfect moment—or take the first step? For Nic and Jeremy, the Hong Kong founders of N.I.P. Distilling, the answer is both practical and personal. Begin somewhere, but do so with the courage to act, the discipline to prepare, and the persistence to keep moving when the original plan changes.

N.I.P. stands for Not Important Persons. It is a name with a deliberate meaning. As the founders explain through the brand’s philosophy, a person does not need a particular background or V.I.P. status to achieve something remarkable, or to pursue something they are passionate about. What matters is grit, belief, persistence, and most importantly, the courage to take that leap of faith.

The story began in 2017. Nic and Jeremy, who shared an interest in gin, started discussing a simple but ambitious possibility: could Hong Kong have a gin that genuinely reflected the flavours of the city? The idea did not remain a conversation. Before moving forward, they researched the feasibility of the business, studied distillation, and travelled to Scotland to gain hands-on experience in a small distillery. They learned that creating a distillery was never only about making gin. It involved equipment, licensing, packaging, sales, operations and countless decisions that had to be made before the first bottle could be produced.

Their journey also gave them a clearer view of the value they wanted to create. N.I.P.’s founders set out to pursue their passion of creating the first true Hong Kong gin—one that marries the genuine flavours of their city with traditional techniques of gin distillation. Today, N.I.P. describes its approach as “local in spirit and global in scope”, creating a delicate balance between traditional botanicals and subtropical Hong Kong aromas and flavours.

For Nic and Jeremy, Hong Kong is not simply a label on a bottle. It is the source of the stories, memories and ingredients behind their work. From produce to flavour, each bottle of N.I.P. gin is created with elements of Hong Kong. Their first releases combined the familiar character of gin with flavours that Hong Kong people recognise: tea, dried tangerine peel, pear, ginger, goji berries and osmanthus. The intention was not to follow a formula, but to create a one-of-a-kind Hong Kong spirit and experience.

This commitment is particularly meaningful because local manufacturing is not the easiest path. High costs, limited space and strong competition make it tempting to choose a simpler route. Yet the founders believe that “Made in Hong Kong” has to stand for more than support alone. It must be backed by quality, a clear point of view and a product that people genuinely want to return to. In their view, local identity is a strength—but it must be matched by real value.

Like many young entrepreneurs, Nic and Jeremy also experienced how quickly circumstances can change. Soon after their distillery opened, the pandemic disrupted the hospitality, retail and events landscape. Plans built around bars, hotels and in-person events had to be reconsidered. Instead of standing still, they adapted their focus and looked for other ways to connect with customers, including retail and home consumption. The experience reinforced an important lesson: change does not always mean the end of an idea. It can be a call to re-examine the need, adjust the approach and find a different way forward.

Their perspective is especially relevant to young people today. Nic and Jeremy do not suggest that everyone must become an entrepreneur, nor do they encourage people to leave a job without thought. Entrepreneurship is not the only measure of success, and taking a leap of faith does not mean acting without preparation. They stress that a founder must be willing to drive the work personally. In a start-up, there is no manager to provide the direction; the person behind the idea must be prepared to move it forward.

At the same time, they believe that the cost of trying has become lower. Digital tools and AI have made it easier to research, test ideas and build small projects. Their advice is to start small: identify a real need, test an idea while maintaining a stable foundation, and use available tools to learn before committing more resources. A plan, financial preparation and a realistic understanding of pressure are all part of responsible action. Passion matters, but preparation gives passion room to grow.

The founders also recognise that young people bring different expectations and ways of working. Rather than viewing this as a problem, they see it as something leaders must learn to understand. Future growth depends on collaboration across generations—combining experience with fresh perspectives, and creating room for younger people to contribute their creativity, judgement and ideas. Positive change is not created by insisting that everyone work in the same way; it comes from listening, learning and building something stronger together.

Their message to young people is therefore not a dramatic call to abandon everything overnight. It is a reminder to try. Many people have ideas but never move beyond thinking about them. A first attempt may not succeed immediately, but it creates experience. It helps a person understand what they can do, what needs to change, and what the world may actually need. As Nic and Jeremy’s journey shows, a small idea can become meaningful when it is pursued with care and sustained by action.

From two self-described “Not Important Persons” to founders creating a true Hong Kong spirit, their story is a reminder that identity does not limit impact. A young person’s positive contribution does not always begin with a large-scale project. It may begin with a sincere idea, a useful service, a local story, or the willingness to solve a problem that others have overlooked. When young people approach their passions with curiosity, preparation and responsibility, they can make a difference—not only for themselves, but for the communities around them.