Goddess Maggie Cheung Ho-yee's Aesthetic Medicine Group Lists on Hong Kong Stock Exchange with Market Cap Approaching HK$2 Billion

Dressed in pink, Hong Kong’s renowned film star Gigi Lai personally struck the gong at the listing ceremony on the Growth Enterprise Market, moved to tears at the scene. Nine years after retiring from acting, the goddess returned to the spotlight in this manner.

Gianna Lee Rings the Bell at the Listing Ceremony

Image source: Sina Weibo

No longer is she Yu Ying from “War and Beauty,” nor the stuttering youth from “Young and Dangerous.” Gigi Lai has assumed a new identity as the major shareholder, Chairwoman, and Chief Executive Officer of the listed company Zhuojia Holdings, and has changed her name to Ma Lijia’er, meaning “Jia’er.”For the Sake of Having a Child。

“Grateful for my family’s support! Especially my younger brother—I have fulfilled his dream!” At 12:44 p.m. on January 10, Gigi Lai posted this message on Weibo, prompting celebrities such as Michelle Reis to repost and offer their congratulations. Lai stated that she founded the company to fulfill the dream of her younger brother, Lai Yan, a former medical aesthetics physician who was unable to continue practicing after a car accident. With the company’s listing today, both she and her brother are overjoyed, with emotions running high.

Zhuojia Holdings (08358) has placed a total of 100 million shares to 114 selected investors in this listing. Shenwan Hongyuan (Hong Kong) served as the sole sponsor, and CSI Capital Management, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of CITIC Securities, was introduced as a cornerstone investor, agreeing to subscribe for 20% of the placed shares or 5% of the issued share capital post-listing. The company expects net proceeds of HK$55.6 million, with approximately 70% of the funds to be used for expanding its network of medical aesthetics centers in Hong Kong, broadening the range of treatment services and products offered, and upgrading information technology facilities.

Zhuojia Holding Group is a medical aesthetics service provider in Hong Kong, operating two medical aesthetics centers under the “CosMax” brand in prime locations in Causeway Bay and Central. The Group offers clients a wide range of non-surgical medical aesthetics services and skincare products, which reportedly include energy-based device treatments, injectable treatments, and other procedures, aimed at improving their skin conditions and enhancing their appearance.

Ms. Gigi Lai (now known as Ma Li-jia-er) serves as a key icon of the Group’s business. Her public image has enhanced the Group’s brand awareness in Hong Kong, helping to attract new customers through word-of-mouth and thereby driving sustained growth in the Group’s customer base and business operations.

CosMax Holdings’ predecessor was “CosMax,” a skincare center founded by Gigi Lai’s younger brother, Dr. Lai Yan, which opened in 2005 on Russell Street in Causeway Bay, Hong Kong. At the time, his sister Gigi Lai, then a leading TVB actress, evidently helped attract a significant clientele to the business.

The deep bond between Gigi Lai and her brother was evident when, despite limited financial means at the time, she spared no expense, investing millions to fund his medical studies in the UK. After qualifying, he established the Cosmax Beauty Center. However, just as his career was reaching its peak, disaster struck. On the evening of May 30, 2007, William Lai was involved in a severe car accident that left him wheelchair-bound, a fate that continues to evoke sympathy. In 2008, Gigi Lai announced her retirement from the entertainment industry to care for her brother and attend to her marriage.

Following Gigi Lai’s serious injuries in a car accident, she suspended her acting career and took over the management of her younger brother’s beauty business as the proprietor, personally handling daily operations and serving as the brand ambassador to attract customers. Currently, Jia Er International Holdings Limited is led by its Chairwoman, Executive Director, and Chief Executive Officer, Ma Li-Jia-Er, together with an experienced, professional, and highly capable executive management team.

Ma Tingqiang, the wealthy businessman husband who has always supported Gigi Lai’s career, did not appear at yesterday’s listing ceremony. Lai stated that he was working in another city and would join her for a celebration in the evening.

Since Gigi Lai married Ma Tingqiang in 2008, she gave birth to twin daughters, Ka Wai and Ka Mei, in 2010, and two years later welcomed her youngest daughter, Pegella. While personally dedicating herself to raising her children, Ms. Lai also expanded the business of her brother, Lai Yan’s, aesthetic clinic. With Ms. Lai taking the helm and her husband, Ma Tingqiang, making a strong entry—backed by substantial financial resources and an extensive network—Chakoo Holdings has naturally seen a significant boost in revenue.

Ma Tingqiang, known as the second-generation “Lame Ho” of Hong Kong, is the son of Ma Xiru, one of the founders of Hong Kong’s Oriental Press Group. His family background is staggering: his father and uncle, Ma Xizhen, were notorious drug lords. In 1998, Ma Tingqiang resigned from his position and embarked on his own entrepreneurial ventures, establishing six Hong Kong-based companies, including Baogui Industrial Co., Ltd. and Ganghui Holdings Co., Ltd. He has been involved in investment, healthcare, and philanthropy. Known for his low-profile demeanor, he once served as a member of the Guangdong Provincial Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC).

In 2011, the Group further launched its proprietary beauty product line, “Cospeutic,” and expanded its original beauty center, which previously occupied only about 1,000 square feet, into two large-scale centers in Causeway Bay and Central, with a combined area exceeding 10,000 square feet. These facilities feature 25 treatment rooms, 60 internationally standardized treatment devices, and the establishment of the CosMax Academy for beauty training programs. Currently, the two beauty centers are staffed by four experienced professional physicians and 14 trained therapists with many years of practice.

As of press time on January 11, Zhuojia Holdings’ latest share price was HK$4.65, with a high of HK$5.05. Its current market capitalization stood at HK$1.856 billion, representing a gain of 17.72%.

According to the prospectus of Zhuojia Holdings, its operating revenue was less than RMB 100 million, indicating a relatively small scale. Based on annual data for the years ended March 31, total revenues for fiscal years 2015 and 2016 were HK$74 million and HK$83.35 million, respectively, while net profits were HK$13.49 million and HK$18.49 million, respectively, reflecting substantial growth. For the three months ended June 30 this year, Zhuojia Holdings reported a net profit of HK$4.9 million.

According to publicly available online data, as of the end of March last year, the number of active clients stood at 4,848, with total revenue reaching HK$83.352 million, a year-on-year increase of 12.64%. Profit amounted to HK$18.488 million, representing a 37% annual growth. The data also revealed that there were 3,334 returning customers, yielding a high retention rate of 68%, which underscores strong word-of-mouth reputation. Evidently, over the past two years or more, the financial metrics have remained robust, characterized by a substantial base of high-quality, stable clients and a zero debt-to-asset ratio. This may be attributed to the considerable financial strength of Zhuojia Holdings’ two shareholders; given their ample resources, the company has no need to operate on debt.