Marla Fong

With all the stinky foods available in China, it was only a matter of time before the citizens of the Middle Kingdom fell in love with what is arguably the best invention before sliced bread. Whether you like it hard, soft, fresh or fragrant, Beijing’s cheesy options are sure to make you smile.

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When it comes to cupcakes and sweets, CCSweets owner Carol Chow has the recipe for success. She has traveled and tasted desserts in France, Italy, Austria, Mexico, England, Spain, Australia, and lived in New York for 20 years. The deserts she makes here in Beijing use no shortening, only pure butter, and are made with primarily imported or organic ingredients. The Cs in her company name are not only her initials; they can also stand for cupcakes, cake and cookies, chocolate and caramel, ice cream, candy, or custom created sweets. Carol puts a lot of time and love into her creations, which helps make them the sweet masterpieces that they are. Agenda spoke with Chow about her business, and why there are no shortcuts in baking.

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Hair salons abound in Beijing, but for the past years, Eric Paris Salon has been a favorite among expats. At the helm of the operation sits CEO Katy Sinnott, who left a career with an international bank to join her husband in Beijing. Now, the working mother balances her home and work life around the clock, and managed to squeeze in some time to tell Agenda how she got started in the hair industry, and how she found balance in her life.

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