Marsden Years: Marsden years: 2003 - 2011

This award recognises Jessie Wong as an entrepreneur, businesswoman, and fashion designer who founded her company, Yu Mei, based on the values of utility, regeneration, and community.

Jessie left school in 2011 with design credentials and experience as the captain of Johnson House. During her time completing a Fashion Design degree in Dunedin, she struggled to find a practical bag to carry everything she needed. This led her to start Yu Mei. From crafting the first bags by hand, she has grown Yu Mei into one of Aotearoa's new-generation success stories. Jessie designs luxury leather handbags and accessories, selling to customers in New Zealand, Australia, and some of the world's top retailers internationally. Her list of awards is numerous and includes winning the 2022 Woman of Influence award for Business and Enterprise. 

Yu Mei designs through the lens of regeneration and utility, embedding sustainability into every part of its process. Known for using New Zealand deer nappa, each leather skin passes through 35 sets of hands before reaching its final state. This leather, sourced from the South Island, is a by-product of the venison industry and would otherwise end up in landfill. 

Jessie's commitment to regenerative principles extends to Yu Mei's 'Buyback Initiative.' Customers can return a Yu Mei bag for store credit, and the pre-loved bag is then refurbished for resale. Nearly 1,000 bags have been rehomed in the past eight years. Yu Mei is a certified B Corp and holds Toitū Carbon Net-Zero status. 

Yu Mei's community of customers, known as 'Club Yu Mei,' engages with the brand in physical retail spaces called 'Yu Mei Lounges.' These lounges offer a space for customers to explore collections, collaborations, and art installations while participating in events such as speaker series and design workshops. Yu Mei also supports local charities, including Wellington City Mission. 

As a regular public speaker and mentor to secondary and tertiary students, Jessie advises aspiring entrepreneurs: "Take the opportunities—get stuck in, say yes, have grit, have grace, and remember that no one knows what they're doing until they're doing it. You'll learn along the way."