Year established: 1978
Commendation: Silver
Phillip Tsoi immigrated from China to Melbourne in 1978. He was reunited with his older brother Henry, and opened a store in Melbourne’s Chinatown right next door.
Phillip’s business began as a Chinese take-away food store, but in the 1980s, the Tsoi Trading Company became a retail outlet selling Australian souvenirs to international students.
Today, the business sells mainly abalone, which is especially popular with Asian tourists. Phillip loves working in the city centre, which he explains allows him to chat to the passing parade, and to help Chinese tourists with directions around the city to ensure they see the best of Melbourne.