Rachel WingMan is a Sydney-based holistic wellness coach, known as the Triple Happiness Coach. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Australia, Rachel blends the best of Asian and Western cultures to create her unique approach to happiness and well-being.
A proud mum of two teens and happily married for 23 years, Rachel’s mission is simple: to help people find happiness in at least one area—skin, body, or mind—every day. Her goal is to inspire healthier and happier communities by helping people move from just surviving to truly thriving.
Interestingly, Rachel’s parents named her WingMan, a name with no particular meaning in her original Chinese culture. However, after moving to Australia, Rachel discovered the term Wingman in Western culture means supporter, encourager, and someone who helps others succeed. She saw this as a clear message from the universe—she was born for this mission. This realisation strengthened her belief that she is meant to bring happiness and guidance to others as a Triple Happiness Coach.
Rachel’s journey is guided by her GROWTH values:
- Gratitude: Being thankful and celebrating progress.
- Respect: Honouring everyone’s uniqueness.
- Ownership: Taking charge of actions and mindset.
- Wonder: Staying curious and always learning.
- Togetherness: Promoting collaboration and shared growth.
- Happiness: Building momentum through joy and creativity.
Rachel’s story began in 2017 when she opened her first beauty clinic, Wonderlab, to help her sister, who was going through a tough time after a divorce. Rachel’s sister moved to Australia with her young daughter, and Rachel saw an opportunity to provide not just a job but a purpose. Leveraging her experience in the beauty industry, Rachel created a space where her sister could thrive.
Rachel’s passion for wellness started much earlier, though. As a teen, she struggled with acne, eczema, and psoriasis, which affected her confidence for years. It wasn’t until her sister introduced her to a proper skincare routine that she saw a remarkable transformation in her skin and self-esteem. This personal journey ignited her desire to help others facing similar challenges.
In 2020, during the second COVID lockdown, Rachel decided to leave her corporate job to pursue her purpose full-time. She launched her second brand, PORES X, focusing on deeper issues behind skin and body concerns. Through conversations with her clients, she realised how much mental health affects physical health. She took a course in positive psychology and combined it with her personal experiences to create her own approach to helping people build happiness pathways. Rachel believes in the power of small, kind acts. Her decision to support her sister not only transformed her family’s life but also laid the foundation for a thriving wellness empire. For Rachel, it all started with a simple act of kindness—one that grew into a mission to bring happiness, health, and purpose to others. Today, she lives her name’s true meaning by helping others thrive through her unique coaching approach.
You migrated to Australia at the tender of 15 on your own. How was that experience like and how did you navigate the challenges?
I moved to Australia when I was 15 and stayed in a homestay as an overseas student. It was a tough start—I faced bullying because of the language barrier and a misunderstanding that left me feeling isolated. The culture shock was far greater than I had imagined, and homesickness quickly set in.
I often reflected on my situation, asking myself a profound question: “I left Hong Kong to escape the bullying about my skin, but now I’m facing bullying here. Do I want to keep running from adversity, or do I want to face it head-on?” I chose the latter. I started learning the language and turned to journaling for self-encouragement—an empowering habit I still practice nearly three decades later.
My first trip home was bittersweet. While I was overjoyed to reunite with my family, tragedy struck just days before my return to Australia—my father passed away in a car accident. Heartbroken, I had to grow up quickly as I supported my mother through her grief and helped with funeral arrangements. Despite the unimaginable pain, my mother encouraged me to return to Australia, demonstrating incredible strength and belief in my future.
I had to make a difficult choice: stay in Hong Kong with my family or return to Australia to pursue my education and opportunities. Ultimately, I chose to stay in Australia—a painful but empowering decision that taught me an important life lesson: “Life doesn’t always go as planned. We need to be flexible and find our way through unexpected challenges.”
Looking back, I am deeply grateful for my journey. Every challenge, loss, and triumph has shaped me into the person I am today. It’s this gratitude that drives me to help others find their strength and create their own pathways to happiness.
What inspired you to make your career switch from IT to the beauty and wellness space?
I want people to value themselves and embrace self-acceptance.
One day, my girlfriend’s daughter showed me a picture of 10 university girls and told me that 8 of them had gotten fillers or Botox. I was shocked. It made me realize how much pressure young people feel to fit into society’s beauty standards. I believe beauty should not be defined by trends or external expectations.
Seeing the limitations of traditional beauty clinics, I created PORES X, a tech-driven skincare platform designed to make premium skincare accessible and affordable for everyone—regardless of age, gender, financial situation, or time constraints. No matter how busy life gets, everyone deserves the opportunity to care for their skin and body in a way that fits their lifestyle.
COVID hit when you expanded your first beauty salon business, how did you keep yourself and your team motivated through the lockdowns in Sydney?
Just a week after the grand opening of Wonderlab’s expanded facilities, the world was thrown into chaos with the first COVID-19 lockdown. It was an unprecedented challenge, but I chose to focus on proactive strategies to keep my team motivated and the business moving forward.
Leveraging government subsidies, I encouraged my team to upskill, dedicating 8 to 10 hours a week to learning new digital and social media skills. This kept everyone engaged and allowed us to stay connected with our clients through regular updates and interactions on platforms like Facebook. It also prepared us for a more digital future in the beauty and wellness industry.
To maintain positivity and team spirit during such a difficult time, I led my team in recording our first-ever team song, “Every Little Cell.” The cheerful and uplifting tune became a source of encouragement, helping us stay motivated and spreading positive energy to our clients. It was a simple yet powerful way to remind ourselves—and others—that even small acts of joy could make a big difference.
The lockdowns taught me powerful lessons in resilience and adaptability. After the initial shock, Wonderlab bounced back with busy bookings—only to face another setback with the second wave of COVID. That second challenge forced me to reassess my career and what truly brought me joy. The endless Zoom meetings and the disconnect of working across global time zones in my corporate role left me feeling unfulfilled.
That realisation led me to take a leap of faith. I left my corporate career to fully invest in my passion for wellness, creating a purpose-driven path that aligned with my values and the happiness of my team and clients. COVID taught me that even in the hardest times, there’s an opportunity to grow, adapt, and pursue what truly matters.
You’ve recently started an NFP organisation ‘YOLO” to support children of migrant parents navigate through their young adult years. Can you please share more about YOLO and how you’re working with your teenage daughter to build this initiative?
YOLO Projects was born from a meaningful conversation I had with my 10-year-old daughter, Mia. One day, Mia asked me, “Mum, why are you so passionate about your work?” That simple question made me pause and reflect on how to explain the highs and lows of running a business—the resilience, the failures, and the wins that come with being a small business owner. That moment planted the seed for what would eventually become YOLO.
Around the same time, my teenage son, Ian, decided to try his hand at entrepreneurship by starting a dropshipping business. He was so excited and thought it would be an easy way to make money. But after just two months, he gave up. I realized that, like many teens, Ian saw entrepreneurship as easy without understanding the resilience, planning, and persistence it takes to succeed.
I noticed a gap—teens today are curious about starting their own businesses but often don’t have the tools or guidance they need to turn their ideas into reality. At the same time, many parents still hope their children will follow traditional career paths. I saw an opportunity to bridge this gap and help teens explore entrepreneurship in a safe, supportive environment.
To bring YOLO Projects to life, I connected with a group of experienced business owners who wanted to give back by mentoring the next generation. Together, we created a program where teens can learn real-world business skills, build resilience, and understand that success takes more than just a great idea—it takes determination, adaptability, and the willingness to learn from both successes and failures.
Mia is now part of the journey, helping to shape the initiative by sharing her own ideas and perspectives. This collaboration has made YOLO even more special, as it reflects the values of family, growth, and connection.
YOLO Projects isn’t just about entrepreneurship—it’s about empowering teens to take control of their future, build confidence, and discover their own path to happiness and success. My vision is to create a space where young people can try, fail, learn, and grow, supported by mentors who believe in their potential. YOLO stands for “You Only Live Once”—and I hope to inspire teens to live fully, dream big, and embrace the journey ahead.
We love your team motto which is ‘Glow Together, Grow Together’. What are 3 tips that you would share with any founder who’s looking to build a solid and happy team culture?
1. Unified Growth
A strong team grows together by working toward common goals, supporting each other, and celebrating collective successes. It’s about creating a safe environment where mistakes are embraced as valuable learning opportunities. Encourage team members to identify each other’s strengths, value diverse contributions, and foster a culture of respect and trust. Remember, a team is strongest when everyone’s unique talents are recognised and appreciated.
2. Ownership and Responsibility
Building a positive team culture starts with cultivating a mindset of accountability. When challenges arise, encourage team members to reflect on their own actions and mindset rather than shifting blame. Accountability means taking responsibility for the impact we have on clients and colleagues, learning from setbacks, and finding solutions together. This mindset not only strengthens the team but also enhances the quality of service and trust within the organisation.
3. Adapt and Thrive
The world is constantly changing, and so must we. Encourage your team to stay curious and open to new ideas. Prioritise lifelong learning and embrace opportunities to innovate with purpose. By staying adaptable to changes in the industry and client needs, your team will not only survive but thrive. A commitment to learning and growth ensures that the team is always moving forward, ready to tackle new challenges with confidence.
By fostering these principles—growth, ownership, and adaptability—you’ll build a team culture that doesn’t just succeed but also glows and grows together. A happy team is the foundation of a successful business, and when you prioritise their well-being and development, you create an environment where everyone can shine.
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